Ecklund proposes tentative, $45.5-million budget with 7.5% tax increase...
Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund is proposing a $45.5-million budget for 2026 that increases taxes by 7.5%. However... Ecklund adds that it uses a majority of the city's rainday fund to do it. Ecklund presented the budget at City Hall Wednesday afternoon... noting that the proposal uses just over $3.3-million of the city's remaining $6.28-million undesignated fund balance. Ecklund says it's a "very risky and concerning move... and, she's expressed those concerns to City Comptroller Ericka Thomas, and retired Comptroller Joe Bellitto, who has lent his expertise in crafting the 2026 budget, as well as the one for the current year. Ecklund says the property tax rate... under the plan... would increase by $2.01 cent per $1,000 assessed value... while the levy is up by $1.2-million. She says there are some significant losses in property value... totaling about $6-million... with the majority of that coming from reductions, and loss of four properties. City Council will begin formal deliberations on Oct. 20. The budget is due by Dec. 1.
City woman arrested after allegedly using her young daughter to shield her from arrest...
A woman from Jamestown is accused of trying to use her young daughter as a shield to prevent city police from arresting her late last week. Jamestown police say they were called to a southside address shortly before 10 p.m. last Thursday for a disorderly person. When officers arrived... they found that 35 year-old Briana Winslow was being disorderly inside the home... and, had an active warrant for her arrest. Upon making contact with her... Winslow allegedly grabbed her four-year old daughter in an attempt to prevent officers from taking her into custody. Winslow continued to scream... kick at officers... and, threw herself around her bed, all while holding onto her daughter. A short time later... the 4-year old was safely taken from Winslow... and, officers tried to take her into custody. However... she continued to resist, and refused to place her hands behind her back. After a brief struggle, Winslow was arrested for resisting arrest... and, endangering the welfare of a child... in addition to the bench warrant. She was jailed pending arraignment.
Pair of Jamestown women arrested following large fight inside 7-Eleven store on North Main St....
Two city women have been arrested following a large fight at the 7-Eleven store on Jamestown's northside late Sunday night. City police were called to the scene at 518 North Main St. about 10:30 p.m., and on arrival, officers secured the scene and requested EMS because several of those involved had apparent injuries. Police say they found that 34 year-old Darieli Rodriguez had entered the store... and, began provoking customers before striking and biting one. They add that 35 year-old Leonela Rodriguez... who was with Darieli, also bit and injured another person. Both women were taken into custody and transported to the city jail. Darieli Rodriguez is charged with second-degree harassment... and second-degree obstructing governmental administration. Leonela was charged with third-degree assault. Darieli Rodriguez was jailed pending arraignment... while Leonela was released with an appearance ticket for city court.
Langworthy touts attention to the plight of rural hospitals... and, potential loss of support at WMH...
The future of rural hospitals could be in jeopardy at a time where some -- including Westfield Memorial Hospital -- are doing better. In fact... contrary to what a Democratic colleague recently stated -- local Congressman Nick Langworthy says Westfield is doing well and even expanding it's mission. The Buffalo-area Republican stood in front of new construction taking at the hospital... which is now classified as a Rural Emergency Hospital as opposed to a full, inpatient facility. Langworthy says Westfield is transitioning to becoming a "24/7 -- Emergency, Observation, and Outpatient Care Facility. He says hospitals -- like Westfield Memorial -- will also benefit from One Big Beautiful Bill because it included $50-billion for a new, Rural Health Transformation program... which he says is in jeopardy now due to the federal government shut-down. Langworthy says the Democrat proposal for a continuing resolution keep the tax subsidies for the Affordable Care Act in place... along with expanded Medicaid -- which he says includes coverage for illegal immigrants. However... he says it would eliminate the $50-billion rural health care program.
Falconer man arrested at County Jail for allegedly destroying phone handset in his cell...
A Falconer man being held at the Chautauqua County Jail has now been arrested for alegedly destroying a phone handset inside his holding cell. Sheriff's officers say 37 year-old Shaun Clutter as being held on unrelated charges... and, while being held in his cell Sunday night... Clutter intentionally smashed the handset against the cement block wall causing it to shatter. Deputies say the handset had to be replaced... and, he was additionally charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief.
Fight on Jamestown's southside lands another person in jail...
A Jamestown teenager has been arrested following a fight on the city's southside early Monday evening. Jamestown police were called to the scene shortly before 7 p.m., and, spoke with the two people involved. During the investigation... officers say 19 year old Leanette Arizmendi tried to restart the fight. Police tried to take Arizmendi into custody... but, she tried to pull away from officers. After a very brief struggle... Arizmendi was finally arrested on one count each of second-degree obstructing governmental administration... and, resisting arrest. She was issued an appearancet ticket for city court.
