Six JHS Seniors arrested for allegedly taking part in "Senior Prank gone bad..."
Six Jamestown High School seniors have been arrested in what a city police official calls a "Senior Prank gone bad." City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says the six are accused of breaking into the high school about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday... and, damaging property through-out the building. Samuelson says, while it was considered a prank it wasn't "very well thought out" because it's resulted in Felony charges of third-degree burglary... along with misdemeanor criminal mischief and criminal tampering. He says papers were strewn around... and, furniture was moved from the basement to the third-floor. There was also damage done to doors where the break-in occured, and an office. The names of the six alleged perpetrators have not been released.
County Legislature to act on Sales Tax measure...
Chautauqua County legislators will likely be taking action on a revised plan to increase the county's sales tax when they meet this evening in Mayville. Audit and Control Committee chairman John Runkle says the latest proposal ties the sales tax increase to a 3-percent cut in the county tax levy. The Cassadaga Republican says he is among some legislators who would like to see a deeper cut made to county property taxes. Runkle believes they could increase the cut in the levy from 1.9-million dollars to 3.1 million. He says he concerned that the 3-percent cut would still leave a significant amount of surplus revenues. It's not known whether there will be enough support to commit to a lower property tax levy. Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in Mayville.
Runkle and Ahlstrom says they're not running for re-election to legislature...
Two members of the Chautauqua County Legislature have decided against seeking another term on the panel. Lawmakers Keith Ahlstrom of Dunkirk and John Runkle of Stockton, will not be running in November. Both announced their intentions Wednesday in the north county. Ahlstrom has been a member for 18 years and recently retired as Dunkirk Fire Chief. He says he also spent five years on the Dunkirk School Board before that, and is looking forward to retirement. Runkle, who currently serves as chairman of the Audit and Control Committee, says he also wants to enjoy retirement from the Sheriff's Department. Both legislators are encouraging the public to become involved in their local government. Ahlstrom says it can bring about some headaches, but it can also bring some fulfillment that you are helping your community.
Gas pump prices jump 8-cents this week...
Gas prices in the Jamestown-area are trending upwards towards the $3 mark... increasing by 8-cents a gallon this week. The AAA's Fuel Gauge report says the average price for regular, unleaded gas is now just under $2.94. The Fuel Gauge Report says the price is based on reports from 19 service stations in the area. AAA says last week's price was just under $2.86 a gallon. The national average is now up to about $2.74 a gallon. The Fuel Gauge Report says the national average price for regular, unleaded gasoline reached its highest price of the year on Memorial Day after rising for 39 of 41 days. Pump prices have recently trended higher due to an increase in the price of global crude oil... and, localized refinery issues.
