Wintry weather to return to WNY -- and Chautauqua County -- late Saturday into Sunday...
We are not done with Winter Weather yet... cold air from the Artic will move in this weekend... and bring up to a half-a-foot of snow to the Jamestown-area. The National Weather Service has now issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Chautauqua County... beginning at 5 p.m. today (Saturday)... and, continuing through 5 a.m. Sunday. Forecasters say temperatures will begin to cool down overnight... and, highs will only be about 40 today... with a chance of snow in the afternoon. However... Lake Effect Snow and blowing snow is predicted for Saturday night into Sunday... with 3 to 6 inches predicted for the usual Lake Effect areas. Highs on Sunday will only reach about 26 in Jamestown... to around 30 along the Lake Erie Shoreline. The more Wintery conditions will be with us through Tuesday.
Five injured -- three seriously -- in two car accident in Silver-Creek...
Five people were taken to the hospital... three for serious injuries... following a multi-vehicle accident on Routes 5 and 20 in the village of Silver Creek. Sheriff's officers say they received a report of a vehicle leaving the scene of an accident shortly before 6:30 p.m. Friday. Deputies say they spotted the vehicle traveling east on Routes 5 and 20... and, tried to stop the car. However... the suspect vehicle failed to stop... and, the driver accelerated away. The unidentified operator then crossed lanes into oncoming traffic... and, struck an oncoming vehicle. Officers say three people were flown from the scene to the Erie County Medical Center for treatment. They adds that two others were taken to Lake Shore Hospital in Irving for treatement of less serious injuries. The investigation is continuing and charges are pending.
Teenager arrested after allegedly pulling a knife on plain-clothes SP Investigators in JHS parking lot...
A 13 year-old boy has been arrested for allegedly threatening a plain-clothes State Police investigator with a knife in the parking lot at Jamestown High School. City police say the investigator -- who was not identifed -- spotted a fight in the parking lot involving several youths shortly before Noon Friday. JPD Captain Bob Samuelson says the plain-clothes officer approached the group -- and identified himself. Samuelson says the group then dispersed... but, adds the 13 year-old displayed a pocket knife -- and moved towards the State Policeman. However... he says the officer was able to disarm the youth... who was reportedly not a student at the high school. The juvenile was held until City Police could move in an make an arrest. The 13 year-old faces several charges... including menacing and weapons possession. His case will be petitioned to Family Court.
State Assembly passes final budget bills Friday night...
The New York State Assembly has given final legislative approval to New York's budget for the fiscal year that began Friday... voting for the last four bills in the package last night. Speaker Carl Heastie says provisions that will gradually raise the state minimum wage to $15 an hour, establish 12-weeks of paid family leave for New York workers and cut income tax rates for middle-class filers helped make it the best budget he's seen in 16 years in the Legislature. The minimum wage increases were approved 97-to-38. Governor Andrew Cuomo is expected to sign all the bills, the product of lengthy negotiations between legislative leaders and him. He advocated the higher wages and family leave, which were advanced by Democratic legislators. The Republican-controlled Senate voted 61-1 earlier Friday to pass the bill with the wage and leave provisions.
Young, Cuomo tout new budget, especially for School Aid...
The State Senate -- as mentioned -- wrapped up work on the new state budget early Friday morning. State lawmakers spent much of the night passing budget bills -- after the Midnight deadline. Governor Cuomo and state legislative leaders announced the deal late Thursday night... with Cuomo calling it the best budget New York has had in decades. While she probably doesn't like everything in the new spending plan... local State Senator Cathy Young tells us that she is pleased with the record $24.8-billion in education aid. Total state aid is expected to increase for all school districts in Chautauqua County. Young, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, also announced that the final budget includes $235,000 to fund a study of the potential uses for the former J.N. Adam Developmental Center in Perrysburg.
