Man and woman arrested for illegal weapons possession following gunshot incident in Silver Creek...
A man from Silver Creek... and, a woman from Hamburg have been arrested following a gunshot complaint in the village of Silver Creek yesterday afternoon. Sheriff's officers say they were called to a locaton on Bennett State Rd. just after 3 p.m., and, found 34 year-old Tyler Crouse... and, 34 year-old Lucille Macri allegedly in possession of two loaded firearms. Deputies add that one of the weapons was found to be stolen from a location in Pennsylvania. Officers add that Crouse fled the scene... but, was taken into custody after a brief foot chase. He was taken to Brooks Hospital in Dunkirk for treatment of minor injuries... then transported to the county jail on two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon... second-degree criminal contempt... fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property... and, resisting arrest. Macri was also charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon... and, fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. Both were jailed pending centralized arraignment.
City man arrested for allegedly stealing lawn mower and gas can...
A man from Jamestown has been arrested after allegedly being caught on surveillance video stealing a lawn mower and gas can from a garage on the city's southside. Jamestown police were called to the scene about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday... on a report of the theft. Officers say they obtained the video... and, saw 29 year-old Michael Morley the-second leaving with the mower and gas can shortly after 3 p.m. that day. Police followed up at another address and found Morley inside... and, he was arrested for third-degree burglary... and, petty larceny. He was taken to the city jail pending arraignment.
Near-capacity crowd on hand for start of 80th Gerry Rodeo...
A near-capacity crowd was on hand for the opening night of the 80th annual Gerry Rodeo to watch what will be a record number of professional cowboys and cowgirls compete through Saturday night. Spokesman Paul Cooley reports that more than 200 contestants from more than 30 states are entered into this week's competition... and, he adds the rodeo stock is being provided again this year by Painted Pony out of Lake Luzerne, New York. He says the Catskills-based operation has been the stock contractor for 12 years. He says they've been "wonderful to work with." Events last night included the "very physically demanding" bareback bronc riding... steer wrestling... and the cowgirl's barrell racing. The Rodeo... along with their traditional beef barbecue dinners served beginning each day at 5 p.m., is a fund-raiser for the Gerry Fire Department. For the first time this year... the Rodeo has moved to "day-specific" ticketing to avoid getting more people than they can seat over the weekend. You can still order them at www.gerryrodeo.org.
Hochul says some 750,000 children in NYS could lose health insurance coverage under new federal policy...
As many as three-quarters of a million children in New York state could lose health care coverage under new federal policy guidance. That from Governor Kathy Hochul... who has released new, county-level data... showing that thousands of children in every county -- including Chautauqua -- could lose coverage when the new policy from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) takes effect in 2027. Hochul says a letter from CMS outlined the federal government’s decision to phase out programs that provide continuous Medicaid coverage for vulnerable populations, including New York’s program. The CMS letter does not immediately revoke funding or end the program, but it indicates that federal officials will not support extensions or approve similar initiatives moving forward for the program that provides health insurance. In Chautauqua County... 4,540 children are covered by the programs involved... with 568 in Child Health Plus... and, 3,972 under Medicaid.
NYS Dems looking at proposal for redistricting in wake of Texas state plan...
The redistricting -- or redrawing of legislative district maps -- has become a new hot-button issue across the nation... especially in Texas... where Republican majorities are looking to add more GOP-friendly seats. New York state... Democrats are also looking to gain back Congressional seats after losing several in last year's election. However... options here are limited and convoluted. The A-P reports it would take years before new districts could emerge, underscoring the difficult spot Democrats are in ahead of next year’s midterm elections. To amend New York's state Constitution, it would have to pass the state Legislature twice in two years and then be approved in a voter referendum, meaning that the soonest New York could have new lines would be in 2028. State Senator Michael Gianaris is sponsoring the proposal... and, says "we can’t just sit there and watch. This is not a battle that’s going to be over in a year."
Ellicott man arrested for stealing car, and crashing it in Cleveland...
A man from the town of Ellicott man has been arrested for allegedly stealing a car in late April... and, crashing it hours later in Cleveland, Oh. Town Police say they were initially called to the scene back on April 28 for an unauthorized use of a motor vehicle complaint. Officers say they found that 26 year-old Dustin Pickett had reached through a doorway of the victim's apartment... and, took the keys off the wall. Pickett then allegedly took the car... and, returned sometime later to Chautauqua County. He's now been arrested for second-degree unauthoritzed use of a motor vehicle... second-degree burglary... petty larceny... and, fourth-degree Grand Larceny.
