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News Headlines for Fri., Sept. 22, 2017

Hung Jury declared in Saeli trial...
A "hung jury" has been confirmed in the trial of a north county man accused of kidnapping a 13 year-old autisic boy in Fredonia last year.  Chautauqua County District Attorney Patrick Swanson says a mistrial was declared this afternoon in the case of 38 year-old Samuel Saeli because the 12-member jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision.  The jury spent Thursday... and, today deliberating for several hours.  Swanson says the jury continued deliberations today... but, following an eighth note from jury in which the foreman said they remained deadlocked... Acting County Court Judge Paul Wojtaszek declared a hung jury.  Swanson says the case will be re-tried... but, did not yet have a date for a pre-trial conference yet.
 
 
City man arrested for allegedly assaulting woman on westside...
A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a woman... and, taking her credit card during a domestic incident early this morning.  City police say they were called to the scene in the 300-block of Jefferson Street about 12:30 a.m., and, on arrival, they found that 56 year-old David Payne, Junior had allegedly taken the victim's credit card.  After returning to the home... Payne allegedly struck the victim in the face several times, injuring her eye.  He was arrested on charges of fourth-degree assault... and, Grand Larceny.  Payne is being held pending arraignment.
 
 
NWS Forecaster says unseasonably warm weather to remain until early next week...
Fall is getting off to a start that feels more like summer than fall!  The Autumnal Equinox began at 4 this afternoon... but, the unseasonably mild weather will continue for several more days.  That from Forecaster Aaron Reynolds with the National Weather Service in Buffalo.  Reynolds explains no major pattern changes in the works, at least in the short-term.  Reynolds says a "real strong ridge of high pressure" has allowed a lot of warm air to move into the region.  He says we may see some upper 80s in some places over the weekend and into early next week.  Temperatures are expected to hit the 80s over the next several days... away from Lake Erie.  The National Weather Service is out with the latest three-month outlook and it appears the same weather pattern will continue with above normal temperatures for Western New York.  He says there will be some colder days in there, but, not as many as usual.  There are also equal chances for above and below normal precipitation levels.  The record high in Buffalo for this Saturday is 86 degrees.  Forecasters say that's one record that could be broken.
 
 
Disagreement comes over use of bed tax dollars in County Executive's debate in Jamestown...
The "balanced" approach that Chautauqua County has taken regarding the use of it's occupancy tax revenues... and, other assets... have helped boost local tourism and the economy.  Those are the feelings of Republican County Executive Candidate George Borrello during a candidates debate in Jamestown last night in response to a point by Democrat Mike Ferguson.  Ferguson noted that the county should have provided the money needed for shoreline clean-up for Chautauqua Lake sooner -- not in late August.  Borrello defended the way the county uses it's bed tax monies... saying it's the only one in New York state that goes to where it should -- tourism and the county's lakes.  Ferguson also said the county should not be using the bed tax to support events like the PGA 's Web.com Tour event at Peek 'n Peak in Findley Lake.  The county approved $75,000 for the event this year... and, provided $150,000 last year.  Ferguson says he supports the golf tournament... but, believes that money could have been better spent taking care of the lake's issues.  However... Ferguson says that's what sponsorship and other funding mechanisms are used for in supporting such events.  He says he did that sort of work with the Jamestown Jammers, and at the Northwest Arena several years ago.  Borrello says the county's investment in the tournament helped draw thousands of people and millions of dollars in tourism to the county.
 
 
Annual Busti Apple Festival ready to go Saturday...
Final preparations are taking place for the annual Busti Apple Harvest Festival... which is set to go this Sunday on the Busti Historial Society grounds... near the five-corners in the hamlet.  Historical Society members are urging people to come early this year because it's expected to be unseasonably warm... and, there's usually a crowd to buy all the apple and other items being sold.  One of the organizers... Judy Schultz... says they'll have 85 vendors this year -- and they all have one distinction -- they have to be hand-crafted.  Schultz says they'll have a glass-blowing vendor this year... who will also do some demonstrations.  She says this man makes several unique kinds of glass-ware.  Of course... she adds they'll have all kinds of Apple items... and, others... including pulled pork and flour.  The Busti Apple Harvest Festival runs Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is $5 each.  Proceeds are split between the Historical Society and Busti Fire Department.  Schultz says parking is free... but, no pets please.