Ecklund to run for Mayor of Jamestown...
The Jamestown City Council's current finance committee chairwoman has announced that she's running for mayor this November. Republican Kim Ecklund has also been unanimously endorced by the city GOP Committee. That announcement by City GOP Chairman, and Councilman, Brent Sheldon. Ecklund was first elected to the city council in 2004... and, has served as an at-large councilperson since then. Ecklund says "It's an honor to serve the residents of Jamestown in my capacity as a Council member at-Large... and, being chosen by the City of Jamestown Republican Committee to run for Mayor." Ecklund has worked at eSolutions Furniture/Bush Industries since 1989... serving in many different positions in finance, including: cost estimator, senior data management and costing analyst, as well as cost accounting supervisor.
Gendron has to be taken from Buffalo courtroom after being rushed by man, makes brief statement apologizing...
The white supremacist who killed 10 Black people in a Buffalo supermarket was taken out of a courtroom for a time today after someone in the audience rushed at him and was restrained by a court officer. It happened as victims' relatives began expressing their loss and anguish at the sentencing of 19-year-old Payton Gendron. Gendron's sentencing resumed about 10 minutes later. He pleaded guilty in November to charges including murder and domestic terrorism motivated by hate. He made a brief statement apologizing to the victims and their families. The terrorism charge carries an automatic life sentence. Gendron shot 13 people and three survived the May 14 attack, specifically seeking out Black shoppers and workers.
Winter Festival to be held despite lack of snow, and ice for a castle...
Ther hasn't been much winter, but there will be a Winter Festival in Mayville this weekend. It's put on by the Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber of Commerce. Chamber Coordinator, Shannon Biekarck says there'll be a substitute 'centerpiece' this time around. Biekarck says they're "disappointed" that they won't have an ice castle... but, they do have a wooden replica that will be on display at Lakeside Park. The castle lighting is set for 6 p.m. on Friday at Lakeside Park... and, while many of the snow related events can't go on this year... Biekarck believes there are some positives because it'll be more enjoyable for patrons with slightly warmer than usual temperatures. The Noon Saturday 'polar plunge' will still go on, with a chili cook-off and pet parade later that day. On Sunday at 8:30 a.m., they'll have their first ever volleyball tournament... outdoors near the basketball courts. A full schedule is available at chautauquachamber.org, under the 'community chambers' tab.
Sundquist says state budget proposal includes $5-billion to help with migrant surge in the area and NYS...
There's $5-billion allocated in New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's 2023-24 budget proposal to help local communities deal with a major influx of migrants into the state. However... where that ends up in the final spending plan is unknown at this time. That from Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist... who told city council members at Monday night's work session that after an influx last month that included 35 people from Columbia... there has been no big migration here in recent days. Sundquist says they are currently working with local and federal agencies... including the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County. He says he's hopeful that the city and local organizatiions helping the migrants can get some of the money the state finally agrees to. He says the issue has already cost New York City about $2-billion.
Chautauqua Rural Ministry also seeing surge in migrants in north county...
The city of Jamestown is not the only place seeing an influx of migrants in recent weeks. In the north county... Chautauqua County Rural Ministry says there continues to be an increase in the number of people utilizing emergency food services from them. Bridget Majka of CCRM says the Emergency Food Pantry has seen an influx of people over the past several months. Majka says food has been taken out of their emergency food pantry in large numbers. She says many of the people have come other countries.
Humane Society hold's "Sweet Commotion" program at Tanglewood Manor on Valentine’s Day...
The Chautauqua County Humane Society created some ‘sweet commotion’ Tuesday afternoon at Tanglewood Manor... featuring some puppies and kittens. As a Valentine’s Day treat, the society brought four cats and four dogs for the Tanglewood residents to get to know. Jeri Ryan was one of them who was able to hold and enjoy one of the kittens. She says she had a cat when she was living at home. The Humane Society’s Director of Fundraising and Communications, Brian Papalia, came up with the idea to make a "special" Valentine's Day for the residents. Tanglewood's Regional Director of Community Outreach, Zac Hnatyszyn was thrilled with the effort -- and the joy it brought to many of their residents.
City man at county jail faces contempt charge after "video visit..."
An inmate at the Chautauqua County Jail has now been arrested for allegedly violating an order of protection during a "video visit" with an unidentified woman. Sheriff's officers say jail officials were tipped off about the possible violation of the order involving 33 year-old William Tilyou of Jamestown. Their investigation determined that Tilyou did take part in a video visit this past Jan. 23 with a woman who had a valid order of protection against him. Tilyou was charged with second-degree criminal contempt... and, is being held pending arraignment on the new charge.
