North county man arrested on several drug and weapons charges following vehicle pursuit...
A Dunkirk man faces speeding... and, drug and weapons possession charges following a vehicle pursuit Monday afternoon through three north county towns. Sheriff's deputies say they tried to conduct a traffic stop on South Roberts Road in the town of Sheridan shortly after 1 p.m. Officers say the driver... later identified as 26 year-old Philip Decker... failed to comply and led investigators on the chase which went through the towns of Sheridan, Arkwright and Pomfret before stopping on Spoden Road in Pomfret. Deputies say they found Decker to be driving while under the influence of drugs. Officers say they searched the vehicle... and, found 19 grams of Methamphetamine... a small quantity of cocaine and a brass knuckle knife. Decker arrested for third-and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs... fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon... along with numerous vehicle and traffic violations. He was arraigned in county court... and, released on his own recognizance.
Ecklund informs city council of increasing deficit for 2024...
The potential deficit facing the city of Jamestown appears to have now exceeded $3-million... due to under-projected costs... and, over-projected revenues. That from Mayor Kim Ecklund during her report to the City Council during last night's work session. Ecklund says they're incurring another $150,000 in Stop-Loss insurance costs... along with $400,000 in lost revenue. She says half of that is because the city is still awaiting delivery of a second ambulance... which was expected to bring in $200,000 in revenues this year. That vehicle may arrive before the end of June. Add to that... says Ecklund... another $500,000 that will have to be added for police, fire, and general employee retirements. The mayor adds that there's a fourth area -- health insurance -- was "understated" by another $200,000. Ecklund says... if lawmakers decide to borrow funding for capital projects... that will cost another $26,000 to execute. She says some contractual settlements could run up to $140,000. Ecklund and Council President Tony Dolce add, though, that 2023 is now appearing to look like it will wind up better financially. If that's the case... it could positively impact 2024's bottom line.
City council receives draft of new, outdoor smoking ordinance that includes cannabis products...
City lawmakers will also begin to review possible changes to Jamestown's outdoor smoking ordinances to include cannzbis products. Currently... only tobacco products that are either smoked as cigarettes or cigars... and, vaped are covered. Mayor Kim Ecklund provided council members with drafts of the new ordinance. Ecklund says... for the most part... the changes only have cannabis products that are smoked that would be added to the ordinance. She asked council members to review the changes for discussion at their next work session.
Hochul makes big announcement of funding for new Brook's Hospital being released...
A push by local elected, and health care officials finally paid off Monday afternoon with an announcement by Governor Kathy Hochul... who was at the SUNY College at Fredonia. Hochul proclaimed a final agreement to release the $74-million in state funding for a new, north county hospital. She says Brooks-TLC and Kaleida Health have finalized the partnership to get the project started. The announcement comes after several months of no word on the status of that funding... which had previously been approved by lawmakers eight years ago. Hochul says the project to build a new, state-of-the art Brook's Memorial Hospital... took on even greater importance with the closing of Lakeshore-TLC Hospital in Silver Creek... because no community should be in a "health care desert..." and have to drive 45 minutes to the nearest emergency room. Among the lawmakers touting today's announcement was local State Senator George Borrello... who called it an "historic moment" for north county residents. Borrello says construction of a new Brooks Hospital in Fredonia is finally set to move forward after eight long years of advocacy and effort. He adds the Hochul administration will release $74 million in previously approved state funding that is necessary to green light the project.
Workers at Absolut Care in Westfield and three others ready to begin strike next week...
Unionized caregivers at four rural Absolut Care Nursing Homes -- including the one in Westfield -- are set to strike next week after rejecting the companies "last best and final offer." Officials with 1199 SEIU say they have filed three Unfair Labor Practice Board charges so far against the Living Legends Health Network-chain for allegedly threating retaliation against union members planning to strike... union busting by failing to rehire vacant bargaining unit positions... and, bargaining in bad faith. The more than 300 healthcare workers at Absolut of Westfield... and, the others in Allegany, Orchard Park and East Aurora... plan to strike at 6 a.m. next Wed. June 13.
Mayville DMV Office closed due to lack of staffing this week...
Due to staffing shortages... the Chautauqua County Department of Motor Vehicles Office in Mayville will be closed for the rest of this week. That office is located inside the Hall Clothier Building on North Erie Street. County Spokesman Justin Gould says the Mayville DMV Office will reopen next Mon., June 10. Until then... Gould says residents are encouraged to use online DMV services available at dmv.ny.gov for various transactions, including license renewals, registration renewals, and more. In addition... the DMV offices in Jamestown and Dunkirk remain open this week. The Jamestown location is at 512 W. Third St.
