Jamestown receives "clean" audit for 2025... but, there are concerns going forward...
The city of Jamestown will have about a $3.3-million "cushion" to soften the impact of cost increases in the 2027 budget.  However... if that amount in the undesignated fund balance falls to zero... it could create a deficit situation down the road.  That from the city's third-party auditing firm... Drescher and Malecki... during Monday night's City Council work session.  Partner Carl Widmer... adds, though... that Jamestown's not alone in that boat.  Widmer says they do similar audits for other municipalities, and they will offer suggests on how to deal with that.  Senior Manager Jared Pickard laid out the financials from the 2025 audit... noting that revenues were up significantly from $45.3-million in 2024, to $49.2-million last year.  Pickard says there was a state aid increases of about $2-million, and some grant funding.  There was also a property tax increase in 2026.  However... Pickard adds that expenses also increased from $46.2-million to $48.7-million last year.  He says that was due mainly to employee benefits and salaries.  The auditors also noted that the city is using $2.8-million from undesignated fund balance for the current year's budget.

City woman arrested following domestic in which she allegedly damaged victim's property...
A woman from Jamestown has been arrested for allegedly damaging another person's property during a weekend domestic dispute.  City police say they were called to a southside address shortly before 5 a.m. last Sunday... and, spoke with the parties involved.  They soon after arrested 30 year-old Teanna Morano for fourth-degree criminal mischief.  Morano was taken to the city jail... pending arraignment.

Man from Jamestown arrested for violating order of protection...
A man from Jamestown has been arrested after allegedly being found walking with a woman who had an order of protection against him.  City police say a patrol on Jamestown's southside spotted 27 year-old Michael Bane walking with the female victim shortly after Noon Monday.  Officers took Bane into custody without incident.  He was held pending arraignment on one count of first-degree criminal contempt.

Hochul announces Energy Rebate Checks to go out this week...
Governor Kathy Hochul has announce that energy rebate checks are going out this week to 8.2-million New York households.  In a press release... Hochul says the first checks were mailed Monday... and, the process will continue through December.  The Democrat says the current year's budget included a one-time, $1-billion "Protecting Our Wallets Energy Rebate -- or POWER --  to help provide needed relief in the face of federal tariffs that have increased the cost of living across the board... as well as President Trump’s war in Iran that has New Yorkers now paying on average more than $4.40 a gallon for regular, unleaded... a more than 45% jump since the war began.  She says the POWER checks will provide $200 to joint filers with incomes under $150,000... and $150 to joint filers with incomes between $150,000 and $300,000.  Single filers with incomes under $150,000 will receive $100.  The rebates will be issued as advanced credit checks and will be mailed out between September and December.

Gies says federal government needs to get it right on AI regulations...
The Democrat challenger for Congress in the 23rd District says the government needs to put some kind of guardrails on the development and use of Artificial Intelligence.  Olean's Aaron Gies is a professor of Theology at St. Bonaventure University... and, he harkens back to what Pope Leo said a while back that AI should be regulated with "humanity in mind..." including a "Bill of Rights" where people retain control of our own likeness... or intellectual property.  Gies says the notion that, unless we go "full speed" ahead on AI... China will control it all and will "win.." is a false dilemna.  He says eventually everyone will have it.  As for data centers... Gies say he's happy to see New York pumping the brakes on their development... but, feels the federal government should have some role as well because local communities don't often have the resources to do the full-diligence needed to make sure it's in the community's best interests.  Gies... who also has the Working Families endorsement to run for Congress... was our guest on last weekend's "Community Spotlight" program.  We have been in touch with incumbant Republican Nick Langworthy's office about scheduling for him... but, have not heard back as yet.  

Crime Stoppers offers up to $2,500 reward for information that solves 20 year-old double homicide in Dunkirk...
Crime Stoppers of Western New York is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of whoever is responsible for the double murder of two Dunkirk men 20 years ago.  In a recently issued bulletin... Crime Stoppers say it's offering up to 25-hundred dollars for information on the Nov. 3 of 2006 double homicide of Jerry Nickerson and Mark Trautman at their home on Lake Shore Drive East in the town of Dunkirk.  With the 20th anniversary of the double-murder coming... officials are urging anyone with information to come forward.  You can call Crime Stoppers at (716) 867-6161... or download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App "Buffalo Tips" from the Apple or Android stores.