Ecklund declares State of Emergency as homeless numbers in city grows to 300...
The homeless issue in the city of Jamestown has reached a crisis stage... with an estimated 300 unauthorized people camping in both public and private lands.  With that... Mayor Kim Ecklund has declared a "State of Emergency" in the city because the unauthorized camping is creating "severe impacts on public health, safety, and city resources."  In a press statement late Thursday... Ecklund noted there are a number of health and safety concerns... led by the fact some of the individuals are contending with mental health and substance abuse issues... leading to the improper disposal of needles and defecation on public properties, including in the Chadakoin River.  She adds the improper disposal of needles significantly heightens the risk of transmitting blood-borne pathogens... such as HIV and Hepatitis B & C.  Ecklund says the State of Emergency helps the city bring more public safety... and, other resources to bear from the state and federal governments.  She says part of the problem is "enablers" who... out of good intentions... try to help the homeless.  However... they are only helping them stay homeless.  We have a call into Mayor Ecklund for comment, but, have not heard back.

County Legislature approves measure calling on State Comptroller to audit city of Dunkirk's books the past decade...
The Chautauqua County Legislature has approved a resolution calling on the state Attorney General's Office to do a complete audit of the city of Dunkirk's finances for the past 10 years.  The slightly amended measure was approved, 14-2 with Dunkirk Democrat Bob Bankowski, and Fredonia's Susan Parker voting no.  While the city has at least a $16-million deficit... Bankowski felt it was important to give the new administration some more time, first.  He says -- in addition to new mayor, Kate Wdowiasz, they are also new common council members.  However... Jamestown Democrat Fred Larson pointed out that... during the public comment period... City Attorney Eliot Raimando said that the city had no problem with an audit.  Based on that... Larson voted yes.  Parker, though, argued the measure was nothing more than a "motion" that has no real teeth in getting the comptroller to do the audit.  She also pointed out that there's already a City of Dunkirk Fiscal Recovery Act... which means the state will be involved in the process.  However... the resolution state's that there's been no authorization given for the state comptroller to do oversight.  

Lawmakers reject proposed special committee to look into CPS issues...
The legislature last night did reject a resolution to form a special committee to review the county's Child Protective Services program.  That measure was defeated, 13-3.  Fredonia Democrat Susan Parker pushed for the panel... which would have been a special "subcommittee" of the Human Services Committee.  However... one lawmaker felt it was more of an "executive branch" matter than a legislative one.  The chairman of the legislature's Human Services Committee, Findley Lake area Republican Martin Proctor says, neither he nor the other three members of the committee felt there was a need for the special committee.

Matar now facing three federal terrorism charges in Rushdie attack...
A federal grand jury has returned a three-count indictment against the New Jersey man accused of stabbing and trying to kill author Salmon Rushdie at Chautauqua Institution nearly two years ago.  The announcement was made jointly Wednesday afternoon by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland... and, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York, Trini Ross.  They say the charges specifically are: attempting to provide material support to Hizbollah, a designated foreign terrorist organization... engaging in an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries... and providing material support to terrorists.  In a press release... Garland says "Hadi Matar committed an act of terrorism in the name of Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organization aligned with the Iranian regime.  The Justice Department will prosecute those who perpetrate violence in the name of terrorist groups and undermine the basic freedoms enshrined in our Constitution."  Ross adds that Matar "put time and effort into traveling to the Western District of New York with the intent of taking the life of another."  She adds that "only because of the brave efforts of those who were present that day, the defendant was prevented from completing his murderous intention."  Ross says the 26 year-old Matar was arraigned Wednesday... and, a detention hearing is set for Aug. 7.  If convicted... he faces a maximum of life in prison.

Kindt escapes transistional parole housing, captured in Salamanca...
State leaders from the region have confirmed that parolee Edward Kindt... who was found guilty of raping and killing a Salamanca woman 25 years ago... has been arrested in Salamanca.  State Senator George Borrello and Cattaraugus County Assemblyman Joe Giglio Wednesday blasted what they called -- "Governor Hochul’s pro-criminal Board of Parole" upon learning that Kindt escaped custody of his supervised transitional housing in Dutchess County... and, returned to the area.  They say this is the second time he has violated his parole since being released by the Parole Board.  In returning to Salamanca... the 41 year-old Kindt also violated the order of the Seneca Nation banning him from their nation for at least one year.  Kindt was convicted of raping and strangling Salamanca's Penny Brown to death on Mother's Day of 1999.