Borrello says concerns over gaming compact with Seneca Nation still an issue in Albany...
There is still a lot of concern about the renewal of the Seneca Nation of Indian's gaming compact with New York State.  Local State Senator George Borrello says the Senate passed the bill authorizing Governor Kathy Hochul to sign a new gaming compact once an agreement is worked out.  However... he says there have been some issues raised about the proposed legislation in the Assembly.  Borrello says there are concerns about the exclusivity clause, and it's impact on current facilities like Batavia Downs.  However... with the current clause in the compact, there have been no issues with those other locations.  Borrello says he's hopeful that a final agreement can be worked out.  He says the Seneca Nation deserves a fair compact... and he says that was not the case under the Cuomo Administration... and, it hasn't improvement much under Governor Hochul.  

Two arrested in recent Ripley drug raid...
Two people face several charges each following a drug raid last week in the town of Ripley.  Sheriff's officers say they concluded a month-long investigation into the alleged sale of narotics in the Ripley area by executing a search warrant at 6271 Barnes Rd.  Deputies say their narcotics investigators... along with Dunkirk and Jamestown Police assisted.  Inside... police found two people sought on the warrant... identified as Seth Munson and Jaelyn Kuczynski.  As a result of the search... investigators seized 2.42 grams of fentanyl, 17 dosage units of LSD, and scales and packaging material for the distribution of narcotics.  Munson was charged with third- and seventh-degree criminal possession of a Controlled Substance... and, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia.  There was also a warrant for his arrest... and, he was taken to the county jail for centralized arraignment.  Kuczynski had a federal arrest warrant and was taken into custody by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Agents.

Jamestown mother and daughter hurt in single-car accident...
A city woman and her young daughter suffered non-life threatening injuries in a one-car crash Thursday afternoon on Route 394 in the town of North Harmony.  Sheriff's deputies were called to the scene -- near Ashville -- shortly before 2 p.m., and, say 36 year-old Ricki Degolier and her daughter had to be taken to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital for treatment.  Officers say the investigation into the accident is continuing.

NY Prosecution of Burham is delayed to allow Pa. kidnapping case to go to trial first...
Prosecution of the man accused of murdering a Jamestown woman last month and fleeing the state has been delayed locally to allow his kidnapping case to move forward first in Warren County, Pa.  Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt says that the federal and local charges against 34 year-old Michael Burham have been dismissed while Burham is extradicted for allegedly kidnapping, and forcing an elderly Sheffield couple to help him flee to South Carolina.  Schmidt says that will give him time to assemble the case against Burham for the death of 34 year-old Kala Hodgkin.  He says they are "mindful" about what it takes to prosecute a homicide case, and that there have been changes to discovery regarding evidence, and related matters.  In addition to a condensed discovery time... Schmidt says Burham might have been eligible for release until the state's bail reform law through the third-degree arson case against him.  Burham is accused of setting a vehicle on fire later the morning of May 11... after he had allegedly killed Hodgkin.  Schmidt says he's been coordinating efforts with the U.S. Attorney's Office... and, Warren County District Attorney Rob Greene in Burham's case.  Greene was on the Zoom press conference with Schmidt... but, declined comment on the case.  

Gillibrand announces legislation to establish new crisis hotline for farmers and agricultural workers...
U-S Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has announced legislation she believes will help stem a suicide rate 3 1/2 times higher than the national average on the nation's farms.  New York's junior U.S. Senator has introduced the National Agricultural Crisis Hotline Act... which creates a new hotline... similar to the national suicide prevention hotline at "988."  Gillibrand adds that it's designed to provide "desperately needed mental health support to New York’s 55,000-plus agricultural workers and their families."  She says the farmers and workers she's met are "some of the most dedicated and hard-working people that I've ever met."  Gillibrand says the hotline would establish a 24/7 national crisis hotline to provide real-time live assistance catered to the unique needs of farmers, ranchers, and their families.  Gillibrand is a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee... and, is pushing to make the legislation part of the new five-year Farm Bill.  She says cost for the program would be about $4-million a year. 

Pine Valley Schools cut ribbon on new elementary school playground...
The kindergarten class at Pine Valley Elementary School got to cut the ribbon on the school’s enormous... new playground Thursday evenin.  After that... dozens of children immediately rushed in to give it a try as parents and school officials looked on.  Pine Valley Superintendent, Bryna Moritz, says they worked with the firm ‘Parkitects’ to create a ‘Honey I Shrunk the Kids’ feel to the new facility, which includes areas where children can lay down, rock structures, and a giant butterfly climber.  One first grader... named Kierra, told our Dennis Webster it was ‘fun.'  Moritz says they received funding from several sources, including some COVID relief funds to cover the cost... which was just under $1-million.