Cass. Valley Central School goes into temporary lock-out Monday morning following shooting incident in town of Gerry...
The Cassadaga Valley Central schools had to go into a "temporary lock-out" late Monday morning following a reported shooting incident in the Sinclairville-area.  Sheriff's officers were initially called to a report of a gunshot victim on Old Chautauqua Rd. in the town of Gerry about 10 a.m.  Deputies determined that 35 year-old Toni Long of Sinclairville had "recklessly" discharged a firearm inside the residence... striking the victim.  They say that person was taken to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital for treatment of a non-life threatening injury.  In a Facebook post... district officials say the lock-out began just before 10:30 a.m. when district officials were notified by police about the shooting.  While the matter was unrelated to the school... district leaders, in consultation with their School Safety Advisor, immediately began a lockout out of an abundance of caution.  Deputies were joined in a search for Long by state police... and, she was later found, and, arrested on charges of first-degree reckless endangerment... third-degree assault... and, second-degree menacing.  She was held pending arraignment.  Cassadaga Valley school officials say a lockout is a standard safety protocol designed to protect students and staff when  there is a potential danger in the surrounding community, but not within the school itself.  The purpose is to keep the inside of the school secure and calm... and, give police time and space to deal with the situation.  The lock-out was lifted about Noontime.

Sinclairville man arrested for speeding and drunk driving...
A man from Sinclairville is accused of leading leading Chautauqua County Sheriff's deputies on a short car chase early Sunday night in the town of Chautauqua.  Officers say they tried to stop 23 year-old Drake Ottaway on Route 430 just after 7:30 p.m. for failure to comply.  When Ottaway finally stopped his vehicle... he was found to be driving drunk... and, he was issued citations for speeding over 55 mph... driving to the left of pavement markings... failure to comply with a lawful order... failure to stop at a stop sign... DWI, and DWAI.  Ottaway was issued appearance tickets for Chautauqua Town Court at a later date.

Council's Finance Committee learns majority of city departments are under budget for 2025, as work continues on 2026 spending plan...
The city of Jamestown is holding it's own financially so far in 2025... as work is still well underway on the proposed budget for 2026.  That from City Comptroller Ericka Thomas to the City Council's Finance Committee last night.  Committee Chairman Brent Sheldon says the good news is most departments are coming in under budget... and, a couple are over due to overtime issues.  Traditionally... in the past... those have been the police and fire departments.  For her part... Mayor Kim Ecklund says she is continuing to crunch the numbers with Thomas... as well as retired Comptroller Joe Bellitto to pare down next year's budget.  Ecklund says that work is far from over right now... with more drafts to be looked at before the budget is presented on Wed., Oct. 8.  The city's 2025 budget included a 3.61% property tax increase, less than the original 7.79% proposed by Mayor Eckuond.  The approved budget also included an increased fund balance allocation and the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds to reduce the property tax increase.  

Sheriff has need for Animal Control Officer on his "wish list" for 2026... 
There doesn't appear to be a whole lot on his 2026 "wish list..." but, Chautauqua County's top law enforcement official says he would like the county's spending plan for next year to include funding for an animal control officer.  Sheriff Jim Quattrone says the number of complaints his department has received for animal abuse and neglect have been on the rise... and, he says rank-and-file patrol officers don't have some of the specialized training needed to do that.  Quattrone says other than that, he wants to keep his budget at a "reasonable increase."  Accounting for much of that increase is an increase in pay resulting from the new collective bargaining agreements that the County Legislature approved in August.  Quattrone says those pay increases begin to take effect in January.  County Executive P.J. Wendel will unveil his proposed 2026 spending plan on Wednesday.

Dunkirk legislator has election law violation case suspended... 
Charges against a Chautauqua County Legislator facing illegal voting accusations have been suspended... and, will likely be dropped.  That from District Attorney Jason Schmidt... who says Marcus Buchanon of Dunkirk was accused of violating State Election Law in 2023 by registering voters and at the same time... getting them to apply for an absentee ballot.  However... Schmidt says election law is complex... and, there were some changes made two years ago that may have been misinterpreted.  He says he has suspended Buchanon's case for six months... a which time there will be another review... and, if no other improprieties are found... charges will be dropped.  Schmidt adds that he also looked at the fact that Buchanon has a clean record.  Buchanon is seeking re-election unopposed.

Portland man cited for reckless endangerment...
A town of Portland man faces a reckless endangerment charge following an incident last Friday night in the town of Portland.  No details were released... but, Sheriff's deputies say they were called to the scene shortly before 8 p.m.  Following an investigation... officers issued a summons to 49 year-old Jeremy Shampoe for second-degree reckless endangerment, and he was issued an appearance ticket for Portland Town Court.