State Legislature to have "very challenging" final week of session...
A "very, very challenging" final week of the New York state legislature is underway... with about 100 individual bills being considered Wednesday... and, 50 to 100 each day through Saturday. That from local Assemblyman Andy Goodell... who said during an interview in Albany Wednesday... that new gun safety measures are among those being considered in the wake of recent mass shootings in Buffalo and Texas. The Jamestown-area Republican says he's not against gun control measures that "make sense..." noting that he supports background checks, and reasonable waiting periods to try and keep guns "out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them." By the same token... Goodell says New York already has the SAFE Act in place... which already restricts who can buy and possess a gun. He adds most of the school shootings have been committed by underage boys, who have become suicidal -- including the 18 year-old in Texas, who found out he wasn't going to graduate, and initially got into an argument with his grandmother. Goodell says any gun control measures need to be done in concert with dealing with mental health, and violence in society.
Borrello says he's just now seeing legislation in the Senate that tighten existing gun laws...
Expect state lawmakers to begin passing a package of ten bills that would tighten existing gun laws in New York State this week. The legislation was announced late Tuesday by Governor Kathy Hochul, and Legislative leaders. State Senator George Borrello says he is just learning some of the details of the bills... which were to be acted on Wednesday and Thursday. However... Borrello doesn't believe any of the bills address the main issues... because they don't address the realities regarding bail reform and mental health. The current legislative session is expected to wrap up on Thursday.
Borrello praises passage of broadband legislation that he co-sponsored...
State Senator George Borrello heralded passage of a measure he championed that will expedite and encourage the deployment of high-speed broadband to unserved and underserved communities. Borrello says the legislation would end the state Department of Transportation’s policy of requiring fiber optic companies undertaking new or expanded projects to resurvey any affected state-owned rights of way. The Sunset Bay Republican says he first called for the proposal in 2020 after meeting with broadband providers in his district told them about the "excessive costs and project delays resulting from the re-surveying requirement." Borrello urged the Assembly to approve the measure... and, Governor Kathy Hochul to sign it.
Two Jamestown men arrested for Illegal Dumping...
Two city men have been arrested following an on-going investigation into the illegal dumping of trash in the Pratt Avenue area of Jamestown. City police say 44 year-old Omar Camacho... and, 24 year-old Jomar Camacho Monge... have been charged with violations of the Jamestown City Code, and state Environmental Law. Police say due to multiple instances of trash being left on the side of the road... a surveillance camera was placed there, and others where dumping had been going on. On Tuesday... the camera recorded two men in a silver sedan to dispose of two tires and a rug. A photo from the video was put out on the JPD Facebook page and within minutes the vehicles location was given to police. Officers then located the vehicle, and both men, on Park Street in Jamestown.
Larson says the number of men coming before him in city court who don't work was shocking...
Retired City Court Judge Fred Larson deal with thousands of cases, and people, during his seven-and-a-half years on the bench in Jamestown. However... he says he found the number of "20-something" men who don't work to be the most shocking part of the job. During a recent interview with our Dennis Webster and Terry Frank... Larson said he dealt with a number of men who "had no dream... no goals... and no direction." He says it's a problem that society needs to address in a way that makes them want to graduate, go to a trade school or college, and ultimately "go to work." Larson says these men came before him every day... every month and year. He says they were "okay" with the fact they weren't working, and mooched off either a girlfriend, or family. after day. While there were some who managed to "game the social welfare system..." Larson says most are not getting benefits... but, might sell drugs on the side. Larson says many of these men who don't work... quit school early... so they can't get into the social welfare system.
Buffalo-area man accused of tearing mattress apart in County Jail....
An Angola man is accused of destroying his jail-issued mattress at the Chautauqua County Jail during an incident this past Monday. Sheriff's officers say 30 year-old Matthew Kennedy was being held on second-degree burglary charges out of Villanova Town Court... but, Monday night, he tore the mattress apart at the seam. The supervising officer ordered Kennedy to stop several times... but, he refused to comply. He was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief.
Cuomo campaign misses petition deadline...
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo appears to have opted against mounting an independent run for his old job -- at least for now. The Democrat had said he was open to running for governor this year, despite resigning from office last August amid allegations he sexually harassed multiple women. But a 5 p.m. Tuesay deadline for candidates to collect 45,000 voter signatures to appear on the November general election ballot passed without Cuomo's campaign turning in the nominating petitions.
