Kayaker rescued after 6-foot waves overturn the vessel...
One person had to be rescued in Barcelona Harbor after their kayak was knocked over by a six-foot wave about mid-afternoon Wednesday... about 400-yards offshore on Lake Erie. The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office received the report about 3:30 p.m. that the kayaker had been thrown into the water. He was in distress... and, was holding onto his kayak in the rough water. The county's Water Emergency Team was called in... and they and deputies... Westfield Police and EMS crews were able to reach the man... and, safely bring him to shore. The unidentified man was checked over on shore... and released. The U.S. Coast Guard also assisted. Officers say the waves on Lake Erie were intensified by strong winds associated with a cold front moving through the region.
County Legislature approves 2025 budget, including just over 21-cent per $1,000 tax rate cut...
The Chautauqua County Legislature has approved a 2025 budget that cuts the full value tax rate by just over 21-cents per $1,000. Lawmakers in Mayville approved the nearly $302-million spending plan at last night's meeting -- along party lines -- 14-5. The vote came after Dunkirk Democrat Robert Bankowski proposed using $2-million more in undesignated fund balance to provide a cut in the tax levy... which is increasing by more than $1.7-million in the final budget. Bankowski pointed out that... over the past year... the county's fund balance has grown by about $3-million, so that shouldn't have an adverse impact on the county's financial position. Bankowski felt it was important to provide more tax relief for communities -- like Dunkirk and Jamestown -- which are looking at significant tax hikes. However... the amendment failed in a 6-13 vote. There was some debate over whether the legislature was following it's own rules in how a budget is crafted. However... the newest member of the legislature... Jamestown Republican Tamara Dickey... praised the process... noting that she works on the financial end of the health care industry, and this is what they expect. Legislature Majority Leader Bob Scudder praised the work of the county's Finance Team... legislators and County Executive P.J. Wendel for a "seamless" budget process. Wendel says the 2025 spending plan does use a significant amount of fund balance to bring down the tax rate... which will be about $6.70 per $1,000 full value. No one spoke during an earlier public hearing on the $301.9-million spending plan.
Early voting for November Election starts this Saturday in Chautauqua County...
Early voting has already seen a lot of interest nationwide... and, it begins in Chautauqua County this coming Saturday at four locations... and one is new. Democratic Elections Commissioner Luz Torres says... because of the expected volume of voters this year... they have moved the usual Board of Elections location to another one in Mayville. Torres says that will be the Carlson Community Center... which will be the location in Mayville because there's more space for what's expected to be a heavy turn-out. That will replace the Board of Elections office this year. Republican Elections Commissioner Brian Abram says... while they still have a polling site at the Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood... they have moved that to the former Rue 21 store -- near the JC Penny store. They add that early voting runs for 9 days... ending on Sunday, Nov. 3. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information... go on-line to VoteChautauqua.com.
Traffic stop leads to arrest of Webster man in Dunkirk on several drug related charges...
A recent traffic stop in the city of Dunkirk led to the arrest of a Monroe County man on several drug-related charges. Dunkirk Police pulled over a vehicle driven by 22-year-old Mikal McFadden of Webster in the area of West 2nd Street and Woodrow Avenue for several violations back on September 29th. Further investigation led to the discovery and seizure of 17.2 grams of suspected methamphetamine... 9.74 grams of suspected cocaine... 5.48 grams of suspected fentanyl... 20 suboxone strips, and numerous scales and glassine baggies and envelopes. Officers also found a substantial amount of cash. They say the items were packaged in a manner consistent with street-level narcotics sales. McFadden was arraigned on charges of third, fourth, fifth and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... two counts of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia, and several vehicle and traffic violations. He was later released on his own recognizance.
Dunkirk man arrested on robbery and harassment charges...
A Dunkirk man has been charged with third-degree robbery and second-degree harassment after an investigation into a report of a shoplifter actively fighting with staff at a city business last Sunday. Dunkirk Police were called to the Save-a-Lot on East 4th Street at about 5 p.m., and on arrival, a man later identified as 48-year-old James Tilley III had fled the scene on foot. Officers located Tilley a short distance away and took him into custody, and they determined that he had allegedly tried to steal merchandise from the store. When confronted by staff, Tilley allegedly began physically fighting them, ultimately taking the merchandise by force, causing minor injuries to staff. Tilley was arraigned on the charges and later released on his own recognizance.
