Goodell: County Sales Tax, and Bed Tax votes delayed until next week in Assembly...
Action on two tax bills that would have an impact on Chautauqua County has been delayed again in the state Assembly. Local Assemblyman Andy Goodell says that the Legislation that would raise the County's sales tax from 7.5-to-8-percent... and, extend the County's bed tax were on the agenda... but no vote was taken on either bill. He says both bills came up on the calendar Thursday night, but, did not make it to the floor Friday. The bills have already cleared the State Senate. In raising the sales tax rate... the legislation also directs the County to cut it's property tax levy by at least 3-percent. Goodell says he's disappointed that the Democratic led Assembly has not completed its work on time. He says they were scheduled to end the session this past Wednesday, and today is Friday, and, there's still be no action on the local measures. Goodell says Assembly members are expected to return to Albany and remain in session as long as it takes to complete their work. The Bemus Point area Repubican says there are roughly 100 bills waiting for action.
Another day concludes without finding Cherry Creek woman...
Searchers were back at it again Friday... trying to track down a missing 56-year-old Cherry Creek woman. Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace tells us that the search for Karen Christian resumed this morning... but, the search ended early this evening with no resolution. Gerace says it’s been a major challenge... mainly because the area she lived in is heavily wooded. Gerace expects the search continue into this afternoon. The Sheriff's Office continues to ask the public if they have information about Christian's whereabouts to call the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office at 753-2131.
Major Dunkirk-Buffalo drug investigation lasted two years...
A nearly two-year federal investigation has led to the indictment of six men from Dunkirk -- and four others from Buffalo -- on charges stemming from narcotics trafficking in the two cities. U-S Attorney William Hochul, Junior says the other four were involved in the operation of two locations in Buffalo. Assistant U-S Attorney, Tom Duszewicz, tells us that the major players involved were 39 year-old David Pagan... and, 40 year-old Rafael Burgos, Junior. Duskiewicz says federal drug agents raided six residences in Dunkirk... stemming from the probe... which began in 2013, and utilitized a variety of techniques to find out that Pagan had a series of distributors, and Burgos supplied the drugs. That led to the six raids in Dunkirk on June 10th. Hochul says the other Dunkirk suspects include: 34-year-old Samuel Hernandez III, 31-year-old Javier Pagan, Jr., 30-year-old Alvin Torres, Jr., and 28-year-old Angel Pierluissi, all of Dunkirk. Duszkiewicz says the investigation took about 2 years... and, implicated Pagan and Burgos as the major players. He says nearly eight kilograms of cocaine, $175,000 in cash, and an AR-15 assault rifle with a 30-round magazine were seized.
Juneteenth organizer hopes event will open dialogue in wake of South Carolina Shootings...
One of the organizers of this weekend's Juneteenth celebration in Jamestown says the killing of nine people at an historic black church in South Carolina is 'very disturbing.' The Reverend Chloe Smith hopes the tragic event will open the door to a greater dialogue in our community. Smith says she wants to see people "come together, and discuss the kind of issues that are happening." One of those opportunities may come Saturday night at 8:30 p.m., when filmmaker Danielle Beverly will bring her documentary 'Old South' to Chadakoin Park. Juneteenth honors the issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation... which ended Slavery in the U-S. A full schedule of events is available on their Facebook page.
Bargar says she almost declined getting Democrat of the the Year award...
A long-time political figure in Chautauqua County has been named as Democrat of the Year for 2015 by the county Democratic Committee. Lakewood's Nancy Bargar was recognized at the party's annual dinner in Jamestown Thursday night for her contributions to the party for the past 25 years. However... Bargar says -- at first -- she wanted to decline the honor because her early mentor, former State Assemblyman Rolly Kidder, has not yet been recognized. She says, had that not happened, she might have wound up a liberal Republican. After working behind the scenes in the state Legislature... Bargar ran for local office in 1992... and, was elected to the Chautauqua County Legislature. Bargar has the distinction of being the first Democratic woman elected to the county panel. However... while 1992 was considered the "Year of the Woman" in politics locally... she feels women still have a ways to go. Bargar also ran for state Senate several years ago... and, two years ago ran for State Assembly against eventual winner Andy Goodell. Thursday night's program was held at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts.
Dunkirk man gets 10 years for possessing Child Porn...
A Dunkirk man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prision after being convicted of possessing child pornography. Assistant U-S Attorney Carol Bridge says U-S District Court Judge Richard Arcara handed down the sentence to 43 year-old Shane Taylor late Thursday. Bridge says law enforcement raided Taylor's Dove Street home on July 18, 2011... and, seized a computer and a shotgun from Taylor’s room. She says an analysis determined that the computer contained over 3000 images of child pornography, many depicting pre-pubescent children and images of violence. The sentencing was the culmination of an investigation by Immigration and Customers Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations.
