Richard acquitted in second-degree murder trial...
The town of Ellicott man accused of murdering his step-father in January of 2023 has been acquitted on all charges by a Chautauqua County Court Jury.  The District Attorneys' Office confirms that 20 year-old Tucker Richard was cleared of the two charges he faced... second-degree murder... and, a lesser count of criminally negligent homicide in the shooting death of 57 year-old Scott Blake. The Jamestown Post-Journal reports that when the verdict was read today in court... there were audible gasps, and cheers... at which point Judge David Foley cautioned those in the gallery from further outbursts.  Richard... who was 18 at the time... said he had wrestled a gun away from Blake during an argument... and, shot the man in self-defense.  The prosecution argued the shooting was intentional.  If Richard had been convicted of the second-degree murder charge... he would have faced a maximum of 25 years to life in prison.

Vent pipe issue triggers blaze that burns down town of Busti home...
A vent pipe failure on the first-floor is the apparent cause of a fire that destroyed a town of Busti home early Monday evening.  Sheriff's Department dispatchers say Busti firefighters were called to the scene at 2938 Riverside Rd. -- near the state line -- about 5:15 PM.  Crews found heavy flames coming from the home on arrival.  Busti was joined at the scene by Kiantone, Lakewood, Frewsburg, and Ashville crews from Chautauqua County... and, Sugar Grove from Warren County, Pennsylvania.  County EMS... and, Lakewood-Busti Police and Sheriff's officers also responded.  County fire investigators were called to the scene about 6 PM to look for the cause.  Investigators say the blaze originated in the area of a pellet stove that started due to the vent pipe failure.  No one was hurt... and, the local Red Cross was called into to help the residents.

Woman arrested in town of Ellicott after domestic incident...
A town of Ellicott woman has been arrested for allegedly slapping and shoving residents inside a home while children were present.  Ellicott Town Police say they were called to the unidentified location about 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6 for a domestic incident.  Officers add that 41 year-old Michelle Frantz also tried to run off once they arrived...but, she was quickly taken into custody.  Police say Frantz is charged with two counts of second-degree harassment... endangering the welfare of a child... and, resisting arrest.  She was taken to the county jail... arraigned... and, issued an appearance ticket for town court.

Wendel says construction of new CHQ Transit Hub on Jamestown's eastside to begin next Spring...         
Construction of the new hub for Chautauqua County's public bus service has cleared some final hurdles... and, work on the facility at East Third Street and Prendergast Avenue should begin next Spring.  That from County Executive P.J. Wendel... who says they were disappointed that they couldn't renovate the former gas station building there... but, adds it was in bad shape structurally.  He says the administration and engineer decided on a new building there after reviewing some options... including looking at the Geer-Dunn property on Prendergast Avenue... directly behind the former gas station property.  He adds there were other possibilities also looked at.  Wendely says the Geer Dunn property would have cost $380,000 and the building was too big for what they needed it for.  He says the funding has been in-place for a while now... and, says they looked at possibly starting construction now due to the nice Fall weather... but, he says they decided on the Spring of 2025.  He says the building should be up and running shortly after that.  CHQ Transit had been operating out of 215 East Third since 2018 after initially renting the location.  Chautauqua County purchased the former gas station in 2020 for $158,000... using state funds.  Wendel made his comments for last weekend's Community Spotlight program on the six Media One Radio Group statiions.

Woman from Randolph arrested for shoplifting at Lakewood Wal-Mart store...
A Randolph woman has been arrested for allegedly trying to steal multiple items from the Wal-Mart SuperStore in Lakewood last weekend.  Lakewood-Busti Police were called to the scene at 350 Fairmount Ave. for a "shoplifting in progress" about 3 p.m. Saturday.  The store's Asset Protection personnel had stopped 70 year-old Dianne Hall from leaving the store after she allegedly didn't scan the items at Self-Check-out... and, officers arrested her for petty larceny.  She was arraigned, and issued an appearance ticket for Busti Town Court at a later date.

Quattrone calls six-month old ReEntry Hub for county jail in Mayville a success...
It has been just over six months since the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office opened its CARES Re-Entry Hub in Mayville... and so far, it appears that it's been successful.  Sheriff Jim Quattrone says his office follows up on people who were County Jail inmates and have used the hub to help them re-enter their respective communities... by getting them the services they need... as well as follow-up as they reenter society.  Quattrone says the hub has received positive reviews from village employees in Mayville who work in the same building.  The re-entry hub, located at 1 South Erie St., opened on Apr. 1.