Lake Effect Snows dump around 6-inches of the white stuff in Jamestown-area; other places see higher...
The immediate Jamestown-area received about 4 to 6 inches of new snow overnight... making for very slick conditions this morning... as a Lake Effect Snow Warning remains in effect.  While we got the most snow we've received from this latest storm system the past 24 hours... it's still less than other parts of the county.  Forecaster Philip Pandolfo with the National Weather Service in Buffalo says parts of the north county got socked, as well.  Pandolfo says the higest report was 13.6-inches over the past 24 hours... while Dunkirk received 6.5 inches.  We also heard reports of over a foot of snow in the Silver Creek area.  Over the past 24-hours... Pandolfo says the lover level-winds shifted to out of the west-northwesterly flow.  He says later today... look for another wind shift... pushing the lake effect further north and into the Buffalo-Metro-area tonight.  Our Lake Effect Snow Warning remains in effect through 4 a.m. tomorrow... with some place in Western New York seeing at least 12 to 18 inches -- or more of snow -- by the end of this weather event.  Pandolfo says once this system moves out... we will see some general snowfall by the end of the week.  Local police agencies warn of snow-slicked roads... with some vehicles off the road.

Jamestown man arrested on drug and weapons possession charges following drug raid on westside...
A man from Jamestown faces multiple drug and weapons possession charges following a raid on his apartment on the city's westside.  Jamestown Police says uniformed officers... their Narcotics Detectives... along with Chautauqua County Narcotics Investigators, and, Dunkirk Police executed a search warrant at 49 West 11th St. shortly after 11 a.m. Tuesday.  Upon searching the residence... investigators say they located just over 85-grams of cocaine, scales, packaging materials for the distribution of narcotics... a loaded .380 caliber handgun... and, stolen property.  The resident... 23 year-old Nylix Thomas... was arrested on two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... second-degree criminal possession of a weapon... fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property... and, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia.  He was jailed pending arraignment.  If you have any information on suspicious or narcotics related activity in your area... you are asked to call the Sheriff's Office Narcotics Tip line at either 1-800-344-8702 or 664-2420... and, for Jamestown police... call their tip line at 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477.

Hochul touts "kitchen table" issues in her State of the State Address...
Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul pitched voters on a series of populist economic policies — floating proposals to hand out free money, slash taxes and fight hedge funds — in her annual State of the State Address.  There were mainly two "kitchen table issues" that damaged Democrats in November -- safety and affordability.  Hochul sought to recalibrate after a bruising 2024 election for her party... outlining measures to address middle class concerns that helped President-elect Donald Trump win the White House.  Hochul presented her so-called "Affordability Agenda..." which includes a middle class tax cut.  Among other things... Hochul proposed a middle class tax cut she says will provide tax relief for 8.3-million New Yorkers who earn less thatn $323,000 a year.  She also proposed using "surplus sales tax" revenues to pay for inflation relief checks of $300 for individuals, and $500 for families.  Hochul also said she would move to combat fears over crime, expand mental health treatment services and work to strengthen security in the New York City subway system with plans to install barriers on train platforms and stronger lighting in stations.  However... there was no mention of changes to the state's Bail Reform Law.  The address also comes as an opening salvo in Hochul's likely re-election bid next year, where she is expected to face a serious Democratic primary challenge and a contested general election that is already drawing notable contenders.  Her proposals are expected to be detailed in her 2025-26 budget proposal... which will be presented shortly.

Borrello likes some of what Hochul said in her State of State Address; but, is concerned about others...
While touching on some important topics in her State of the State message... like affordability and mental health... a local state lawmakers says Gov. Hochul's proposals raise more questions than answers.  State Senator George Borrello adds there were also some glaring omissions that can’t be ignored.  Borrello says it's "encouraging to see some focus on affordability, but these proposals fall flat without addressing rising costs in other areas.  Middle-class tax cuts, inflation refund checks, and an expanded Child Tax Credit may sound promising... but, they will mean little to families already burdened by skyrocketing expenses."  He adds that continuing to push Climate Act mandates could cost New York taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars and raise utility bills by as much as 64%.  Small businesses in New York are being crushed by costly regulations which are ultimately passed onto consumers.  Borrello adds Hochul did not address ending New York’s reckless sanctuary status or cooperating with federal authorities to deport those accused or convicted of crimes.  The Sunset Bay Republican says most New Yorkers support these changes and ignoring them puts public safety at risk and leaves us at odds with federal law.