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News Headlines for Thurs., Feb. 23, 2017

Gerace says fires in Sinclairville area were set intentionally...
Chautauqua County fire investigators believe that arson is the cause of multiple fires at a location on Edson Road in the town of Charlotte last night.  That's the word from Sheriff Joe Gerace.  Three departments battled the fires that damaged two campers and an all-terrain vehicle... and, says they're only releasing the fact the blazes were intentionallyl set.  Fire crews from Sinclairville, Gerry and Ellington responded to the call around 9 p.m. last night.  The fires were located several hundred feet off the roadway.  Gerace says if anyone has information about the fire, they should contact the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office or the We Tip hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME and become eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
 
 
Horrigan concludes State of County message with announcement he's not running for re-election...
Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan delivered what will be his final State of the County Address last night.  The reason was revealed at the end of his message... when he announced that after "careful consideration," and talking it over with his wife... he was not going to seek re-election.  In his announcement... Horrigan says he has a "firm believe that new ideas and new energy comes from new leaders."  The Bemus Point Republican says he wants to spend more time with his kids and grandkids who live in Florida.  Before serving as County Executive for the past three years... Horrigan completed a two-year term on the County Legislature.  Besides his 27-years in U.S. Air Force, Horrigan also served several years as Executive Director of the county-wide Red Cross chapter. 
 
 
Horrigan says County has made a lot of progress over past year...
In his fourth State County address, County Executive Vince Horrigan gave a progress report on Chautauqua County's Comprehensive Plan, Chautauqua 20/20, which was passed by the County Legislature in 2011.  Horrigan examined each of the 15 focus areas contained in the report including Business/Economic Development... including expansions in strengthened management at TitanX, and Castelli Cheese... and, new plants such as New Flyer and Athenex have and will become part of the industrial landscape of the county.  In the area of Infrastructure/Public Investment... Horrigan reported on what he considers a true regional solution, the creation of the North County Water District.  He also pointed out that the goal of completing the sewer system around Chautauqua Lake is now in sight.
 
 
Huber says numbers of drug addicts, those with drug-mental issues, came to MHA in record numbers in 2016...
There are no signs of any let-up in the Heroin and Opioid Drug crisis in the Jamestown-area... and, the numbers bear that out.  That from the new director of New Program Development at the Mental Health Association of Chautauqua County.  Rick Huber has a new position this year with a restructuring of the MHA in light of skyrocketing visits to the MHA's Water Street headquarters.  Huber says they had just over 7,700 "visits" for their help in 2015... but, that number doubled last year to more than 15,000... and, there's been no let-up.  He says the January numbers are also up over last year.  Huber says some of those people who visited did so more than once.  However... with the big increase... Huber says the Mental Health Association has had to re-organize... with him taking on the new post of director of New program Development.  He thanked the local foundations that have strongly supported their mission in recent years... but, says they need to find more support.
 
 
Maple Season starting early due to unseasonably warm temperatures...
The maple syrup season has had one of its earliest starts ever.  Lloyd Munsee has been been making syrup at Big Tree Maple in Lakewood for more than 20 years now... and, says this is the first time they've actually tapped trees in January.  Munsee adds they've also made some syrup already.  With the most recent warmup, Munsee says one of the woods they tap has already produced 60 percent of a normal crop.  This year's Maple Weekends are set for March 18-19, and 25-26.  He hopes they'll still be making syrup at that time.  Munsee says one or two days of 60-degree temperatures won't cause the sap to stop flowing... and, we should see some freezing temperatures by late this weekend.  He says many of area's producers have had a similar early start.  More information on Maple Weekend is available at www.nysmaple.com.  
 
 
Gas prices in Chautauqua Co. up slightly this week...
Gas prices in the Jamestown-area have held steady for a fourth-week in a row.  The AAA's Fuel Gauge Report says local motorists saw a "fraction of a penny" increase over the past week.  The Fuel Gauge reports the price for regular, unleaded is now an even $2.50 per gallon.  Last weeks' price was about $2.49.6.  Nationally... AAA says prices have increased fractions of a penny to reach today's average price of $2.28 per gallon.