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WJTN News Headlines for Fri., Mar. 31, 2023

Borrello says on-time state budget not likely, credits Hochul for fighting for changes to bail reform...
The clock is ticking for state lawmakers in Albany to pass a budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.  State Senator George Borrello says all indications are pointing towards tonight's Midnight deadline passing without an on-time budget.  The Sunset Bay Republican believes the biggest hurdle deals with the state's bail reform law.  Borrello says Governor Kathy Hochul has been trying to push back on Democrats' efforts to hold their ground in keeping bail reform unchanged.  He says the more liberal Democrats are pushing back when it comes to making any changes... and, they want more spending.  Borrello says other sticking points include the Good Cause Eviction bill... and the Clean Slate Act.  Both were the focus of public protests at the Capitol Building this week.  He added that -- quote -- "We're going to see a lot of troubling things that are going to be bad for New Yorkers no matter when this budget passes."


Jamestown man arrested for alleged burglary at westside church...
A city man has been arrested for allegedly being seen breaking into a church on Jamestown's westside yesterday.  City police say they responded to a person with a weapon call in the area of North Main and West Third Streets just after 12:30 this morning.  Officers say the located 25 year-old Kade Farbo at the scene... and discovered that Farbo matched the description of a burglary suspect from a break-in at the unidentified church.  Police took Farbo into custody... and, he was taken to the city jail on charges of third-degree burglary, and second-degree criminal tampering.  He was jailed pending arraignment.


Police agencies looking into alleged "Swatting" calls in Jamestown and elsewhere...
A number of school districts across New York State -- including Jamestown and Silver Creek -- Thursday received what are called "swatting" calls for an active shooter.  The fake calls occured late Thursday morning... and, put both the city school district and Silver Creek schools into lock-out or down situations.  On the JPS website... officials say the lock-out was lifted at dismissal time.  They add that Jamestown police confirmed the calls were "not credible."  All after-school activities continued as planned.  The statement adds "please be aware that the lockout was called in an abundance of caution due to an anonymous swatting call.  A swatting call is a prank call made for the purpose of soliciting a police response and is intended to cause fear and panic.  These calls have been occurring in several states across the country.  JPS will continue to maintain close partnerships with law enforcement to ensure school safety and security." 


Chautauqua County alerting residents to rise in Xylazine being found in local drug supply...
Chautauqua County officials are monitoring the emergence of a dangerous substance in the local illegal drug supply.  Xylazine, a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer not approved for human use, is being found mixed with fentanyl and other opioids in communities nationwide.  Officials say... when added to these street drugs to extend their effects, xylazine also increases the already serious risk of a drug overdose.  Because it is not an opioid, xylazine does not respond to naloxone -- or Narcan -- the opioid overdose-reversing medication.  Repeated use of xylazine is also associated with severe skin ulcers, abscesses, and related complications.  The Drug Enforcement Agency says "Xylazine is making the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier."  Resources to help those struggling with substance use can be found at CombatAddictionCHQ.com. 


Mark Russell, political satirist with ties to Western NY, passes at age 90...
Legendary master of political satire, and frequent visitor and resident of Chautauqua Institution --  Mark Russell -- has passed away at the age of 90 at his Washington, D.C. home.  Russell stood at a star-spangled piano and kept people in stitches for six decades with musical parodies and professorial tomfoolery that dug at politicians... and, captured the silly side of Washington.  Russell was also often interviewed by our Jim Roselle back in the day at Chautauqua... and, even wrote a song about Jim for Roselle's 55th anniversary on the air party at Little Theater.  Russel's wife, Alison, said he died from prostate cancer.  Did he have any writers?  Russell would quickly respond: “Oh, yes — 100 in the Senate and 435 in the House of Representatives.”


Sundquist talks about National League of Cities Congressional Conference...
Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist says he's eager to implement new initiatives he observed during the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference.  Earlier this week... elected officials from across the country convened in Washington, D-C to explore different means of helping their respective municipalities.  Sundquist says addressing housing concerns is a major issue... but, while most cities have an affordable-housing crisis, he says Jamestown is dealing with a different kind of housing issue -- that being old housing stock that's not handicapped accessible and modern.  He notes this is especially important for seniors because most of the housing stock in Jamestown isn’t designed for someone with limited mobility. But, most homes in New York’s rural areas aren’t, and modifications can be costly. A study from the Rural Housing Coalition of New York finds 28% of homes in New York’s rural counties were built before 1940.