Power outage in Lakewood lasts about an hour...
A transformer issue in the village of Lakewood plunged much of the village into darkness shortly before 9 this morning. County fire dispatchers say the power was lost shortly before 9 a.m. after power was lost just after 8:30 for a few minutes. Lakewood firefighters responded, but, there was no fire involved. Lakewood village officials say the power came back on about 10 AM. Exact details have not been released.
Early voting expected to exceed 2020 Presidential Election totals in Chautauqua County...
Early voting continues going strong in Chautauqua County... and, it's projected to exceed totals from the last presidential election year. That's according to GOP Elections Commissioner Brian Abram, who said Thursday that the county has surpassed the 10,000 voter mark across their four voting sites. Abram says they eclipsed that by Wednesday night. He says by the end of Thursday they expected to be close to 13,000 people will have cast ballots. Abram says the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds in Dunkirk and the Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood continue to be the two busiest sites. He expects the early voting totals to surpass 2020 figures today. Early voting in 2020 drew just over 14,000 early voters. Early voting hours resume today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and, will also be held on both Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Both sides of issue discuss New York's Proposition 1 -- the "Equal Rights Amendment..."
New Yorkers are voting this fall on Proposition-1... the commonly called "Equal Rights Amendment..." which is meant to enshrine protections against discrimination based on age, disability, gender identity or expression, sexual identity, and pregnancy outcomes. Although it's not explicitly stated, it codifies abortion rights into the state’s constitution. It's being opposed by the Archdiocese of New York and Republican state lawmakers -- including State Senator George Borrello -- are against it. Campaign Director Sasha Ahuja with New Yorkers for Equal Rights believe most New Yorkers want this amendment passed, because reproductive rights are not guaranteed under current law. However... New York lawmakers from both parties aren’t entirely happy with the amendment’s wording. Democrats worry voters won’t understand that the amendment codifies abortion rights. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers worry the non-specific language might lead to gender-affirming care without parental consent and transgender athletes' participation in school sports. Borrello is among them... who says while it sounds nice, but, adds there are no limitations on it. The E-R-A has been subject to legal challenges that almost kept it off this year’s ballot.
Borrello heads up Republican State Senate Campaign Committee...
New York State Senator George Borrello is running unopposed for re-election. However... the Sunset Bay Republican is doing a lot of campaigning for other candidates this Fall. Borrello was named this year as chairman for the Republican State Senate Campaign Committee... which supports candidates across the Empire State. He says it's an honor to be selected for the position... which has taken him from Western New York to other upstate locations, as well as Long Island. He says it's been exciting... but, he also realizes the work it's going to take to get a majority back. Democrats outnumber Republicans in the Senate, 42-to-21. That gives them a supermajority to override any veto by the governor. He adds, though, that if they can add one seat this year... that would have a major impact on legislation. That's because Democrats wouldn't have enough votes for an override... unless they were joined by Republicans. If the GOP can pick up some seats this Fall... Borrello says that could position them to take back the majority in the next election cycle. There hasn't been a Republican majority in many years.
Forestville man sentenced to 7 years in prison for allegedly prowling around vehicles and homes in north county looking for items to steal...
A Forestville man will spend the next seven-years in state prison on his conviction for attempted burglary for allegedly looking for items to steal out of homes and cars in the towns of Portland and Pomfret.. and, the village of Fredonia. Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt says 56 year-old Gary Lang was sentenced in county court Wednesday to the seven-year determinate state prison sentence with five years of post-release supervision after being convicted of Felony second-degree attempted burglary. This past January... Lang was charged with several offenses committed between the week of Christmas 2023 and New Year’s 2024 following an investigation by the Sheriff's Department. During that time... he's accused of terrorizing residential neighborhoods in the three communities. In February... Lang was indicted by a County Grand Jury on charges of second-degree attempted burglary... and, burglary... attempted petty larceny, and Trespass. This past July 12th... he pled guilty to the second count of the indictment... and his plea covered the other charges.
Westfield man arrested after driving with 25 license suspensions or revocations, and drugs...
Four people have been arrested following a traffic stop in the village of Mayville... and, the driver was found to have had his license suspended or revoked 25 times. Sheriff's officers say they stopped the vehicle on Academy Street shortly before 10 a.m. after seeing 26 year-old Andrew Harris of Westfield driving the car. Deputies seached his vehicle.. and, they found a Felony amount of methamphetamine. Harris was charged with first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation... and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. His passengers... 33 year-old Alyssa Winslow, and 45 year-old Richard Conway -- were both charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. The registered owner of the car... 42 year-old Victoria Harris... was charged with Felony first-degree facilitating aggravated unlicensed operation.
