County Legislature to vote on increasing salary ranges for managers...
Chautauqua County lawmakers will be taking up a local law that would increase salary ranges for county managers. Legislature Minority Leader Bob Bankoski says the pay hike being acted on tonight is needed... to draw potential workers to the county. Bankowski says... in some instances... they've had positions remain unfilled for a year's time. In those cases... they've had to combine some positions. Bankoski says there should be bipartisan support for the local law. He says it will only cost about $11,000 more in spending for the coming year. The legislature tonight will also recognize retiring County Attorney Stephen Abdella at his final meeting.
Major Winter Storm continuing to move towards region in time for Christmas...
A major winter storm is forecast to reach the Eastern United States right before Christmas... and, the National Weather Service has now issued a Winter Storm Watch for the area -- beginning Friday morning. Forecaster Phillip Pandolfo in Buffalo says the Jamestown area will see a number of potential hazzards with this system... adding a big drop in temperatures will be seen first as we go through the day Friday. Pandolfo says highs will drop from the 40's on Friday to the single digits by Saturday, creating the potential for icy conditions in a 'flash freeze' -- and then some snow. He says we should see a "few inches" of snow Friday into Saturday. He says the other big hazard will be the wind... which could gust to 40 mph or higher. Pandolfo says that will lead to limited visibility with blowing and drifting snow at times through the entire weekend. The Winter Storm Watch begins at 7 a.m. Friday... and continues through 7 a.m. next Monday, Dec. 26.
Sempolinski says he will vote "no" on $1.7-trillion omnibus spending bill...
Final details are still being hashed out... but, Congress is inching closer to voting on a new, $1.7-trillion omnibus spending bill that will fund the federal government through next October. However... local Congressman Joe Sempolinski says he will not be voting for the proposal... which needs to be approved by Friday. That's when the current, one-week extension runs out. However... Sempolinski says this proposal will do more harm than good heading into the future. He says it will cause more inflation, and the "outrageous" spending in it is "dangerous." Sempolinski says the more than 4,000 page document was released early Tuesday morning... and, says it's the product of a "very flawed process." The Steuben County Republican voted against the one-week continuing resolution last week. The omnibus bill goes to the U.S. Senate -- possibly tonight -- for action there before making it's way to the House of Representatives. Sempolinski made his comments during his weekly telephone conference call with regional media.
Restore-NY funds being awarded to four North County projects...
There are four projects in northern Chautauqua County will receive a share of Restore-NY funding from the state. One of them is $1-million for the city of Dunkirk’s Central Avenue Transformation Project, which will involve restoring vacant properties in the 400 block of Central Avenue. Mayor Willie Rosas calls it "wonderful news" for the city. The other projects include $1.5-million for the Welch's Building in Westfield, $1.25-million for the White Inn Restoration Project in Fredonia, and $1-million for the Silver Creek Senior School Apartments. County Executive P.J. Wendel says the county is involved in those three projects... and, adds the Silver Creek building has been vacant since being shut-down by the district in the late 1970s. Wendel adds they don't want to see that happen with the White Inn or the Welch's buildings. The funding was announced Tuesday by Governor Kathy Hochul.
Jamestown man arrested for harassment and criminal mischief...
A city man sought on a warrant in Dunkirk has now been arrested for allegedly threatening to kill a person on Jamestown's southside late last Sunday. City police responded to a call for a "suspicious person" shortly before 10 p.m., and, learned on arrival that 28 year-old Trea Buchanan had tried to kick open the victim's door. Officers then located Buchanan on the porch of the home. Upon further investigation... officers found that Buchanan had threatened to kill the victim and had tried to kick in the person's door. He was arrested for second-degree harassment... and, fourth-degree criminal mischief. Buchanan was jailed pending arraignment.
Salvation Army of Jamestown looking for "Christmas Miracle" to meet Red Kettle goal...
There are only four days left in the Salvation Army of Jamestown's 2022 Red Kettle Campaign... but, the effort so far has only raised about half of this year's goal. That from Major Kim Merchant... who says part of the reason may be there's not as many "in-person" shoppers this year. However... Merchant says they're hoping for a Christmas Miracle before 6 p.m. this Saturday... and, they can meet their $115,000 goal. On our Dennis Webster Show Tuesday... she noted that there was a time when more kettles were in higher trafficked areas. The money raised helps the Salvation Army's support it's local programming. Merchant says there are variety of ways to give... in addition to putting money in the kettles. She says there is a 'QR' Code you can scan at the kettles. You can also give by texting "Jamestownkettle" to 51555... or you can send a check to the Salvation Army of Jamestown at 83 South Main Street. If you can ring the bells... call them at 664-4108.
