Chagnon re-elected as County Legislature Chairman, but, other leadership changes made during reorganizational meeting...
The man who has led the Chautauqua County Legislature the past few years will again lead the panel again in the new year.  However... caucus leadership will have a different look to it in 2025.  Lawmakers in Mayville yesterday unanimously approved Ellery Republican Pierre Chagnon as chairman... and, Chagnon says he's again "proud" to guide the legislature.  He adds he wants to focus on improving what may be wrong... or lacking.  Chagnon says he wants to reframe discussion on "what is wrong to discussions about what can be done to improve, policies, programs and procedures that need improvement."  Chagnon quoted President Teddy Roosevelt... who said "credit belongs to the man who is in the arena... who errors comes short again and again... but, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming" it's important to keep striving.  County Executive P.J. Wendel spoke at the end of the meeting... and, welcomed leadership newcomers Jamie Gustafson and Tom Nelson.  Wendel feels it will be a "stellar year..." though there will be disagreement at times.  Jamie Gustafson is a Lakewood-area Republican... and will serve as Majority Leader in the new year... and, Assistant Leader will be Lisa Vanstrom from the town of Ellicott.  It's the first time in recent memory that two women have held leadership positions for one of the two major parties.  Dunkirk Democrat Bob Bankowski will again be Minority Leader... while Jamestown's Tom Nelson will be Assistant Minority Leader.

Jamestown-area remains under Lake Effect Snow Warning...
Some roads may still be snow-covered and slippery today... as our Lake Effect Snow Warning remains in place until 6 p.m. Sunday.  The National Weather Service says we may see heavy snow at times during the day today... with another 1-to-3 inches of snow possible.  Some places will see up to one to 2-and-a-half feet of snow. 

City man arrested on assault and other charges following domestic on Jamestown's eastside...
A Jamestown man is accused of choking a woman during a domestic incident on the city's eastside early New Year's Day morning.  Jamestown police were called to the scene about 12:15 a.m., and, learned that 24 year-old Dominick Harrison had grabbed the female victim by the neck during the incident. They found both parties had arrest warrants for endangering the welfare of a child.  Both were taken into custody... and, Harrison was also charged with criminal obstruction of breathing.  They were jailed pending arraignment.

Feroleto named as new State Police Troop "A" Commander...
There's a new State Police Troop "A" Commander for Western New York... and for the first-time ever... it's a woman.  State Police officials say Major Amie Feroleto begins her new duties today as the first female commander in the 107-year history of the New York State Police.  They add that... with this "landmark achievement..." Feroleto becomes the 28th Troop A Commander in history.  She has served 22 years with the state police... and bring's extensive experience, across multiple troops and roles, and advanced educational credentials that underscore her exemplary leadership and commitment to public safety.  In her new role... the State Police say she will oversee all State Police patrol and investigative operations across the eight counties of Western New York... including Chautauqua... and, manage more than 400 sworn and civilian personnel. 

Wendel still hoping for a "pause" in new, NYS wetlands regulations...
There's apparently been no delay on New York state's imposition of new wetland regulations on lakes and other bodies of water -- including Chautauqua Lake.  However... there is a new concern over possible wetlands that are further inland from lakes.  That from Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel... who says it's firmly on the radar of the State Builders Association... and, it's local affiliates.  Wendel says a current parcel that's available for sale, but, has 4 to 5 acres of what's now considered a wetlands area in the middle of that property.  Wendel says the Southern Tier Builders Association is among the groups that have raised concerns locally.  While it's not a matter of not being allowed to build something in a wetlands... it's the fact another wetland -- the same size -- needs to be created elsewhere.  He says the State Senate will soon consider the bill by Sunset Bay's George Borrello that would take away wetlands designations from large bodies of water... like Chautauqua Lake.  The changes to the state Department of Environmental Conservation were given a lot of attention early last year... and, drew a lot of criticism from lake groups... mainly the Chautauqua Lake Partnership... and, later the Chautauqua Lake Property Owners Association. 

Borrello calls on Hochul to deal with Unemployment Insurance Fund debt...
Governor Kathy Hochul's recent announcement of an inflation refund plan has led to three members of a State Senate committee to call for "decisive action" to alleviate burdens facing small businesses across New York.  George Borrello, along with Dean Murray and Pam Helming, have issued a joint letter urging Hochul to dedicate state funds towards paying off roughly $6-billion in Unemployment Insurance Fund debt that's still owed to the federal government.  Borrello says Hochul has done nothing to pay off that debt... and, he believes that would provide a more effective and long-term solution when dealing with inflation and rising costs.  The Sunset Bay Repubilcan says he feels employers should not shoulder those costs because that UI deficit stems from the government-mandated shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic... because they're being passed on to customers.