City Council approves local law to create new, BPU Digital Services and Infrastructure Division...
City lawmakers in Jamestown have given the green-light to establishing a new Digital Services and Infrastructure Division at the Board of Public Utilities. The City Council last night unanimously voted for the local law after some discussion... and, an earlier public hearing. Councilman Brian Bigelow... who has a background in Information Technology... made comments during both. Bigelow says he's had a positive experience with the city's new public fiber optic network project... and he urged the BPU to address concerns that may arise during it's rollout... and, says he believes the technology challeges can be met, and the city "can provide this service." Bigelow says he's dealt with both providers that have signed on... and, said changing from one to the other worked out fine. BPU General Manager Kris Sellstrom... who has led fiber optic network project... later addressed many of the concerns raised... including how rates are set. He says the BPU will have a base rate that's billed separately from other BPU bills... and, each provider will also have it's own billing to customers. Sellstrom says that "base rate" will include costs for linemen providing service work... and, other fixed costs. Answering one member of the public's concern about competing with the private sector... he says that's not the case at all, since they're providing a "road" for those private companies -- similar to a road or highway. Like the BPU's other divisions... the new one will operate on an Enterprise fund... and, have it's own budget.
Boil Water Order now issued for Fredonia Village Water customers...
A Boil Water Order has now been issued for the village of Fredonia's water sytem... in addition to the Conserve Water Order. The village and the Chautauqua County Health Department issued the boil water order this morning. The conserve order issued last week is still in effect. The Health Department reports the conserving water will help the situation by reducing the demand for water... and, reduce the strain on the water treatment plant equipment. Officials say the water entering the treatment plant from the Fredonia Reservoir has "high-levels" of organic material that is causing problems with the filtration system at the water treatment plant. Due to multiple days of increased wear on the filtration equipment, including the aging filter media, the turbidity levels of the treated water do not meet State Health Department safety standards even after the water passes through the filters. The state Health Department requires that anytime water is not adequately treated a boil water order must be issued to notify customers. All Fredonia water customers must boil water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth and making coffee until further notice. Water must be brought to a rolling boil for one minute then cooled prior to use.
Clymer man arrested for rape after allegedly having sex with girl under the age of 15...
A Clymer man wanted in the town of Busti for allegedly having sexual contact with a girl under the age of 15 has been arrested on a warrant. Lakewood-Busti Police say an arrested warrant was issued for 30 year-old James Miller in connection with the incident in the Summer of 2023. Officers say he was arrested last Friday on the warrant... which charged Miller with second-degree rape... and, endangering the welfare of a child. He was taken to the Chautauqua County Jail for arraignment... and, held on bail.
Over 3,000 county residents case ballots over first-two days of Early Voting...
More than 3,000 people turned out for the first two-days of Early voting in Chautauqua County... and, there are still six-days to go. The county's Board of Elections reported good... and, about normal... turn-out for a mid-term vote. Republican Elections Commissioner Nacole Ellis says 3,164 voters took part in their four early voting locations. Ellis adds you can vote at any those locations if you are registered. You give your name, and, verify your address. You then sign in, and a ballot is printed out for you to use for your election district. They also remind voters that the Celoron Community Center has replaced the Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood as an early polling site. Early voting continues now through next Sunday at those four locations... and for more information... and early voting hours... you can go on-line to VoteChautauqua.com.
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The final days of the campaign will see stepped-up appearances by many of the candidates. Democrat Congressional Challenger Aaron Gies will be stopping in several locations through the end of the week. His campaign reports that he'll be in Dunkirk for a town hall tonight. He'll be at the Lakewood Memorial Library tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m.... then Busti, Clymer, Sinclairville, Bemus Point, Kennedy... and Jamestown on Friday. Republican incumbant Nick Langworthy will join gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman for another "Fire Hochul" rally in Lakewood at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
City woman arrested following fight with another person...
A Jamestown woman is accused of fighting with another person... and, then trying to get away from arresting officers to continue the fight. City police were called to a westside home about 3 a.m. last Saturday for the altercation... and, saw 21 year-old Shanya Anzalone fighting with the other person. Once officers separated the two... Anzalone allegedly tried to push past officers numerous times to continue fighting. She was taken into custody on one count of second-degree obstruction... and, issued an appearance ticket for city court.
