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WJTN News Headlines

Chautauqua County is a step closer to having an 8 percent sales tax.  County lawmakers last night approved a resolution that supports state legislation that would allow the county to raise its sales tax from the current 7.5 percent to 8 percent along with a county property tax levy cut by at least 3 percent.  County lawmakers amended the resolution to include the language "will strive to adopt a budget for 2016 and 2017 with a tax levy decrease of 5 percent compared to the 2015 real property tax levy."  Dunkirk Democrat Keith Ahlstrom proposed another amendment that would have removed the words "strive to." But, Ahlstrom's amendment failed.  The final resolution was approved 17-1 with Ahlstrom voting no.  County Executive Vince Horrigan says the county legislation will now be sent to Albany. The language change made by the county legislature will not affect the bills being sponsored by Young and Goodell since they call for a county property tax levy cut by 3 percent.

 

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 males are accused of breaking into the high school about 1:30 AM Tuesday... and, damaging property through-out the building.  Samuelson adds they were in the building between one and one-and-a-half hours. Samuelson says the Felony charge is third-degree burglary... and, the misdemeanors are 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 some doors... and, an office.  Samuelson says the investigation is continuing... and the students will be arraigned at a later date.  No names have been released.

 

A city man has been arrested for alleged Heroin possession... and, several traffic infractions after a vehicle pursuit through the city's eastside early Wednesday afternoon.  City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says a patrol officer spotted the car... driven by 36 year-old Juan Velazquez... moving irratically at a high rate of speed in the area of Bowen and Bush Streets a few minutes after 12 Noon.  Samuelson says the pursuit lasted several minutes before the vehicle struck a dumpster... and, Velaaquez was taken into custody.  Further investigation uncovered some five bundles... or 50 bags of Heroin in Velazquez's posession.  In addition to number vehicle and traffic infractions... Samuelson says Velazquez is also charged with Felony third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.  He's being held in the city jail pending arraignment.

 

The only birds at the Chautauqua County Fair this July will be frozen as per order by the state Ag and Markets Commissioner.  That from Chautauqua County Fair President Dave Wilson.  Wilson says it's due to concern over Avian Flu.  It's not been found anywhere in New York, but is spreading rapidly in other parts of the country.  Cornell Cooperative Extension's Emily Reynolds says Four-H members raising birds for show will have to keep them home.  For those who want to sell chickens at the Market Animal Sale... they've come up with a unique solution -- an off-site show. Twenty-four Four-H members sold chickens at last year's county fair.  This year's fair is set for July 27th through August 2nd at the fairgrounds in Dunkirk. 

 

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 morning in the north county.  Ahlstrom has been a member for 18 years and recently retired as Dunkirk Fire Chief. Runkle, who currently serves as chairman of the Audit and Control Committee, says he wants to enjoy retirement from the Sheriff's Department.  He plans to spend time traveling to see family.  Both legislators are encouraging the public to become involved in their local government.  Ahlstrom says it can be a "headache" at times... but, it can also bring some fulfillment that you are helping your community.

 

Gasoline prices in Chautauqua County are trending upwards towards the 3-dollar mark... increasing by 8-cents a gallon this week.  The Triple-A's Fuel Gauge report says the average price for regular, unleaded gas is now just under 2-dollars-94 cents.  The Fuel Gauge Report says the price is based on reports from 19 service stations in the Jamestown-area.  Triple-A says last week's price was just under 2--86 a gallon.  The national average is now up to about 2-dollars-74 cents 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.  Despite the overall trend of rising averages... consumers paid the lowest prices at the pump for the holiday since 2010. Significant yearly discounts remain, due to relatively low prices for crude oil, with today’s national average representing a savings of 92 cents per gallon compared to this same date last year.  Pump prices have recently trended higher due to an increase in the price of global crude oil... and, localized refinery issues -- especially in the Midwest and on the West Coast.  Crude oil is now up to just under 60-dollars a barrel.

 

A number of local baseball fans were on hand for yesterday's "Meet and Greet" for the new, Jamestown Jammers of the Prospect League.  Fans had their first chance to meet members of the Jammers before the team was to take the field for last night's season-opener.  The Gateway Train Station hosted the event... and, Station Manager Lee Harkness was excited about greeting the team.  Field and Business Manager Anthony Barone says he and the players are excited... and, adds tickets sales have been up in recent days. Barone is promising an "aggressive team" built on speed, defense and pitching.  He says their pitching staff is shaping up nicely.  As for the ball-park... Barone says the outfield wall has been painted blue for the new season... and, some other upgrades have also been made.  The Jammers were secheduled to play Butler last night before going on the road for two games.  For more information on the team... call the ball park... or go on-line to Jamestownbaseball-dot-COM.

 

Another poll says Governor Cuomo's favorability and job performance ratings have hit the lowest point of his tenure as governor.  Tuesday's Siena College survey put the Democratic governor's favorability rating at 53 percent, down from 63 percent in June 2014.  His job performance rating is 41 percent, down from 49 percent in June of last year.  The findings are similar to those in a Marist College poll earlier this month.  Ninety-percent of respondents in the Siena poll said Albany corruption remains a ``serious problem.''

 

New York's attorney general says he soon plans to submit broad and detailed legislation aimed at ending public corruption in Albany.  Eric Schneiderman said yesterday that lawmakers need to enact such legislation during a year when their leaders were both arrested on federal charges.  The Legislature is scheduled to end its session on June 17th.  Schneiderman says it's time to end ``the parade of prosecutions.''  His bill would give the state attorney general's office permanent jurisdiction to investigate official bribery and fraud, ban outside income by legislators while raising their pay and extending terms to four years, lower legal campaign contributions and close the loopholes for limited liability companies and make it easier to prosecute people who pay bribes.  It also would establish a public financing option for state candidates.