Sheridan man falls to death from cliff into Lake Erie...
A town of Sheridan man has died from injuries suffered after falling about 50-feet over a cliff into Lake Erie late Tuesday morning.  Chautauqua County Sheriff's officers were called to the scene on State Route 5 in the north county town to assist local fire and EMS crews just before 10 a.m.  Rescuers were able to reach 66 year-old Gregory Meadows, and pull him from the lake.  However... he later died at a local hospital due to the injuries he suffered.  

In a stunning day, Lt. Gov. Benjamin resigns after being arrested as part of federal corruption case...
New York Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin has now resigned in the wake of his arrest in a federal corruption investigation... creating a political crisis for Governor Kathy Hochul seven months after she selected Benjamin as a partner to make a fresh start in an office already rocked by scandal.  Hochul says Benjamin resigned Tuesday afternoon.  He was accused in an indictment of taking part in a scheme to obtain campaign contributions from a real estate developer in exchange for Benjamin's agreement to use his influence as a state senator to get a $50,000 grant of state funds for a nonprofit organization the developer controlled.  Benjamin pleaded not guilty Tuesday.  State lawmakers from the region called the allegations "troubling..." and State Senator George Borrello was among those earlier calling for Benjamin to resign prior to the announcement.  Benjamin was a former State Senator from Harlem.

Wendel says county considering suspension of gasoline tax in coordination with NYS, while legislature Democrats announce proposal...
Now that New York state has taken action to suspend its portion of the gas tax starting on June 1... there's a push underway to take similar action to suspend Chautauqua County's share of the tax.  The County Legislature's Democratic minority has announced such a proposal.  It follows passage of the new State budget that suspends the state's motor fuel tax and sales tax through the end of the year.  County Executive P.J. Wendel tells us that Republicans are also looking to suspend the local portion of the tax... though it's not a huge amount.  But, he says it will help.  The county’s four Democratic Legislators... Susan Parker, and Robert Bankoski from the Dunkirk-Fredonia area, and Paul Whitford, and Billy Torres of Jamestown, are proposing the tax relief in keeping with Governor Kathy Hochul’s recently approved budget.

CRCF, infinity announce formation of the "Lexy Hughan Memorial Fund..."
The Infinity Visual and Performing Arts in Jamestown has created a new memorial fund in the name of a long-time member who was tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident last New Year's Eve.  Infinity and the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation have announced formation of the "Lexy Hughan Memorial Fund" to help Infinity, and the young people who are in it's programs.  Foundation Executive Director Tory Irgang says the fund came about from the collaboration of Infinity and Lexy's friends and classmates.  Irgang says Infinity's Executive Director Shane Hawkins, and members of the class contacted the Community Foundation... and, Irgang says they're more than happy to administer the fund.  She says the fund will provide grants to Infinity for them to use to support programs that were near and dear to Lexy.  Donations to the Lexy Hughan Memorial Fund can be made through the Community Foundation at 418 Spring St. in Jamestown.  For more information... call 661-3390... or go on-line to crcfonline.org.

Jamestown man arrested for alleged laundromat burglary on westside...
A city man is jailed after allegedly breaking into a laundromat on Jamestown's westside Tuesday morning... and, trying to steal money from a change machine.  City police were called to the Center Ice Laundromat at 406 West Third St. just before 8 a.m., and, on arrival... officers found someone had forced entry through a locked door inside the building.  Police found that the suspect, later identified as 50 year-old Clarence Kelwaski, Junior, was unable to break into the change machine.  Kelwaski then allegedly broke into the office, and took a security system and ran off.  Police say they found the system a short distance away... and, later found Kelwaski... who was identified through the laundromat's security video.  He was arrested for third-degree burglary... fourth-degree criminal mischief... and, petty larceny.  Kelwaski was jailed pending arraignment in city court. 

East Side Fellowship to hold annual Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday...
The East Side Fellowship is bringing back its annual Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday at 10 a.m. Club Spokesman Duane Anderson says they are holding the event at their own location this year at the Eastside Fellowship Hall on Woodlawn Ave.  Anderson says the smaller kids will have the hunt out "in the open."  He adds there'll be plenty of parking close by, and adequate space for all three age groups: 1 to 4... 5 to 7... and 8 to 12 years of age.  COVID-19 prevented the club from having the hunt for the past two Easter seasons.  This is the 61st year for the East Side Fellowship Easter Egg Hunt.

Trump intervenes in Pennsylvania GOP gubernatorial primary...
Former President Donald Trump is wading into Pennsylvania's Republican gubernatorial primary.  Trump slammed GOP candidate Bill McSwain, who had been seeking Trump's endorsement.  Trump complained Tuesday that the former federal prosecutor did "absolutely nothing" to investigate Trump's false claims of widespread election fraud in Pennsylvania after the 2020 presidential electio