County Legislature approves public hearing dates on reapportionment maps...
Chautauqua County lawmakers on Wednesday approved a resolution authorizing public hearings for the reapportionment of the county's legislative districts.  Two maps are being proposed -- one by Republicans, who want to maintain the number of districts at 19; and one by Democrats, who seek to reduce the number to 17.  Dunkirk Democrat Robert Bankoski, who is a member of the County Legislature's Reapportionment Committee, says his party wants to reduce the number of districts because of the county's loss of population over the past decade.  In fact... he says the county has lost the population of one legislative district the past 10 years.  Bankoski says legislators would represent nearly 1,000 more people if two districts are eliminated.  Bankoski says the committee could still make changes to the maps.  He expects the legislature to take final action in October.
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Also during Wednesday's meeting, legislators approved a local law that will increase the salary for the county's Director of Emergency Services, who will also take on the role of Workplace Safety Director.

One person seriously hurt in weekend car-motorcycle crash near Lakewood Wal-Mart...
A motorcyclist is being treated for serious injuries after allegedly running a red light in front of the Wal-Mart SuperCenter in Lakewood... and, crashing into a turning car.  Lakewood-Busti Police say they were called to the scene at 350 East Fairmount Ave. about 11:30 a.m. last Saturday... and interviewed witnesses, and viewed video footage of the area.  Officers say the bike was eastbound when the unidentified rider failed to stop at the red light... and, went into the intersection and struck the car.  Police say the driver of the car had the green arrow to make the turn.  The motorcycle rider was flown to UPMC Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania for treatment.  No names are being released... but, police say charges are pending.

Streets Projects well underway in Jamestown...
Summertime in the city of Jamestown is also where residents see the start of dozens of street's projects to fill potholes... or completely repave certain roadways.  Mayor Eddie Sundquist's office is reporting a number of projects this week... including the paving of Water Street... and, the partial reconstruction of Tower Street from King to English Streets.  Sundquist says the city has received a significant amount of both federal and state funding that can be used... and, he says the state has said they can also use the funding for improved curbing, and sidewalks.  He adds that the city's Public Works Department is doing several of the projects in-house... but, adds that contractors are also being used on some.  That may have caused some issue recently with a crack-sealing project that residents in one area were not notified about.  Sundquist says city officials are looking at a new public notification system.

Less than 400 people have taken advantage of early voting in county so far...
Chautauqua County elections officials say turn-out has been light so far in early voting for the June 28 primary.  That from County Republican Elections Commissioner Brian Abram... who says since voting began last Saturday... there have been 363 ballots cast, so far.  Abram also reminds those voters they cannot cast another ballot once a person has voted early.  Primary voting will continue until next Sunday, June 26.  After that... you will have to vote on the 28th.  Abram says all four locations for early voting will continue each day through Sunday.  Check VoteChautauqua.com for hours.  The locations include the Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood... and, the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown.   

Sinclairville man arrested for illegal firearms possession...
A Felon from Sinclairville man face an illegal weapons charge after he was allegedly found in possession of two rifles during a fight call last weekend.  State Police in Jamestown say they and Chautauqua County Sheriff's Officers were called to Hillside Estataes Mobile Home Park last Saturday on a report of a drunk person trying to fight people.  While at the scene... troopers learned that 34 year-old Aaron Raynor was in possession of the guns illegally.  Raynor was arrested for fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.  He was processed at the Jamestown barracks... and, released with an appearance ticket for Gerry Town Court.

Gas prices in Jamestown see increase through early week... but, holding steady at just under $4.90 a gallon...
There's been little change in the average price for a gallon of gasoline in the Jamestown-area over the past few days... where it's just below $4.90 a gallon for regular, unleaded.  AAA East Central reports that... since a week ago last Monday... the price is up about 27-cents after falling due to the gas tax being capped by New York state and Chautauqua County.  The National average price has fallen back below $5 a gallon... due primarily to the tumbling cost of oil... which fell from $122 to around $110 a barrel due to fears of a global recession, and its associated economic slowdown.  As a result... AAA says the national average for a gallon of gas is $4.96 a gallon.  That's a nickel less than a week ago, 37 cents more than a month ago, and $1.89 more than a year ago.  AAA says the recent high prices may have led to a small drop in domestic gasoline demand as fewer drivers fueled up last week.