Wendel says County Departments will begin budget work next week...
The process of starting to craft a 2025 budget for Chautauqua County begins in earnest next week. That from Executive P.J. Wendel... who says his budget and finance teams will begin meeting, and reviewing department heads spending plans. Wendel says there are always challenges that "pop up" during deliberations -- and after -- but adds he's hoping to at least produce a no tax rate increase budget after having rate cuts three of the past four years. He says he would like at least a "budget neutral" spending plan that includes no new hires unless they covered by existing revenues, or grant monies. Wendel adds they are looking at additional "safety net" costs. He says those costs come from having to pay 71% of the costs once a person on public assistance remains on it after five years -- and not being able to find work. The Lakewood Republican adds the state is only providing 29% of those costs. However... Wendel also says the county did have a significant savings in the amount of road salt purchased... and then not used. He says that savings helped to replace part of a salt storage barn that collapsed this past Winter. Wendel made his comments for this coming weekend's "Communit Spotlight" program on the six Media One Radio Group stations.
BPU clarifies need to judicial approval for assessment settlement on Dow St. Substation...
The city of Jamestown and it's Board of Public Utilities have filed a petition seeking judicial approval of the assessment settlement announced last May for the Dow Street Substation in the town of Ellicott. BPU General Manager Dave Leathers clarified the move in a press release late Thursday... noting that the agreement was adopted by the city and the BPU... along with the town of Ellicott, village of Falconer... and, the Falconer Central School District. It ended several years of annexation proceedings. Leathers says the "filing is not a new lawsuit and is not an adversarial act by the City, but rather a mutually agreed-upon step in the global resolution reached by these parties.” A total of four real estate parcels are part of the agreement... which reduces the total assessment by 20%.
Schmidt explains first-degree murder charge against Burham in Kala Hodgkin shooting death...
It's not very often that a charge of first-degree murder is brought forth in a homicide case in Chautauqua County... but, that's what 35-year-old Michael Burham of Ashville is facing in an indictment unsealed Wednesday afternoon in Chautauqua County Court. District Attorney Jason Schmidt says the charge was brought because Burham allegedly killed 34-year-old Kala Hodgkin in order to prevent her from testifying about a forcible rape charge she pursued against him. Schmidt says Burham was charged with first-degree rape... and, second-degree unlawful imprisonment two weeks before her murder. He says a discovery conference in the case is set for August 23rd. As for a trial date, Schmidt is eyeing next summer. He says that's because the defense would then have a couple of months to review evidence in discovery... and file any motions for relief. Schmidt says hearings would then be held as needed. Burham faces life in prison without parole if convicted of first-degree murder. He also faces counts of second-degree murder and third-degree arson in the indictment for allegedly setting fire to car that belonged to another woman he reportedly had a relationship with.
Woman held at Lakeview Shock facility sentenced in attack on corrections officer...
A woman from Central New York has been sentenced to 1 1/2 to 3-years in state prison after being convicted of assaulting a corrections officer two years ago. Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt says Judge David Foley handed down the sentenced to 39 year-old Amanda Diaz after being convicted for second-degree Attempted Assault... a felony... after assaulting the officer while confined in the Lakeview Shock Incarceration Facility. Schmidt thanked the New York State Police and the Lakeview Shock staff -- in particular -- the Corrections Officers who oversee the facility -- for the their hard work and dedication.
Sinclairville man arrested following altercation in town of Charlotte...
A man from Sinclairville has been arrested following an altercation Wednesday afternoon in the town of Charlotte. Sheriff's deputies say they were called to the scene on Route 60 shortly before 4 p.m. Officers say their investigation determined that 44 year-old Michael Austin allegedly choked another person... and, he was arrested for criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation. Austin was taken to the county jail pending centralized arraignment.
JPS officials get surprise when second-story floor at JHS is taken out...
'You never now what you'll find when you tear up the floor.' Parts of the second story of Jamestown High School are being fully renovated this summer. School Superintendent Kevin Whitaker says the original plans indicated there was regular concrete underneath all the layers of flooring. Instead... he says they found "nailing concrete" which is not like regular concrete. Dr. Whitaker says it's softer... and, when the old flooring was pulled up... parts of the concrete came up also. He says the remedy was a new, pourable surface on top of the nailing concrete... which he says has added a few hundred thousand dollars to the cost. Otherwise... Dr. Whitaker says the major work at JHS this summer is proceeding as scheduled.
