There is a new executive in Chautauqua County as Irving Republican George Borrello was sworn-in during a special ceremony in Mayville yesterday afternoon. 

 

Borrello thanked everyone who helped him during the campaign, many of whom were in attendance at the County Courthouse.  He says he's ready to hit the ground-running today and pledged to work with the county legislature, all 1,200 plus county employees, and resident, to improve the area.

 

During his remarks after being sworn-in, Borrello singled out the man he succeeds Vince Horrigan, for laying the ground work for what he's hoping to do.  Borrello's "Elevating Chautauqua" platform has 10-points, which include boosting economic development, and continuing work towards stemming the Heroin and Opioid Drug Crisis in the county.  He adds that Borrello says he's already begun visiting the 100 businesses that he plans to go to in his first 100 days in office. 

 

Borrello was elected last November over Fredonia Democrat Mike Ferguson receiving 63-percent of the vote. 

 

Chautauqua County's new Executive was not the only elected official sworn-in in Mayville yesterday, as Gerry Republican Larry Barmore received the oath of office from County Court Judge David Foley. 

 

Barmore now begins his second, four-year term in the position.  He also thanked his supporters who were on hand and noted that running for county-wide office is "very difficult".

 

Barmore has been praised for being able to move the Clerk's office forward at a time where several retirements left positions open that he had to fill.  He had to replace almost half of the people in the office. 

 

Barmore is also credited, along with Jamestown officials, for finding a new and better location for the Jamestown Department of Motor Vehicles Office.  He defeated Democrat LeeAnn Lazarony in last November's election.

 

The Chautauqua County Legislature begins it's 2018 session in Mayville this afternoon and will likely have a new chairman. 

 

Lakewood-area Republican Paul Wendel has been tapped by the GOP Caucus to head up the panel this year.  His selection will be acted on during today's 4 PM meeting. 

 

Wendel says he's honored to have the Republican's backing and looks forward to continuing to work with new Executive George Borrello, who he says has "a great vision for Chautauqua County."  Wendel spent the past year as the Legislature's Majority Leader for the GOP.  He was Assistant Majority Leader the previous two years. 

 

A man from Ohio is facing driving while under the influence charges for allegedly driving a snowmobile while intoxicated in the town of Chautauqua early yesterday morning. 

 

Sheriff's officers say they made contact with the operator of the snowmobile identified as 33 year-old Douglas Emery of Ashland just before 3 AM.  Emery was found to be intoxicated and taken into custody. 

 

Deputies say he refused a breath test and was held at the Chautauqua County Jail on pre-arraignment bail.  He is scheduled to appear in court at a later date and time. 

 

There are now four states in the U-S that require employers to give workers paid time off to care for a new baby or a sick loved one. 

 

New York joined California, New Jersey, and Rhode Island in the move.  But local State Assemblyman Andy Goodell says the Paid Family Leave Law appears to be a mixed-bag for New Yorkers. 

 

The program is funded by employee payroll deductions, but Goodell says employers also wind up paying for health insurance and other items, too.  He adds that there's only a benefit to two certain groups of people.

 

The new benefits will apply to about 6-and-a-half million private-sector workers in New York and, will be phased-in over the next four years. 

 

In 2018, state officials say workers will be able take up to eight weeks of paid leave and, receive 50-percent of their average wage up to a cap weekly cap of $652.  When the phase-in is complete in 2021, they'll be able to take up to 12 weeks at two-thirds of their average weekly wage.

 

A convicted murderer whose prison break captivated the nation says he uncovered a way to escape from another maximum-security facility in New York. 

 

But, this time David Sweat said he detailed the plan involving a makeshift tool to corrections officials, asking for extra weekly visits from his girlfriend in exchange. 

 

Sweat and another inmate, Richard Matt, escaped from New York's Clinton Correctional Facility in 2015.  They were caught after three weeks.  Matt was shot and killed. 

 

In an interview with The New York Times, Sweat said he told corrections officials how he would break out of New York's Five Points Correctional Facility.  He says officials transferred him to a different prison about 90 miles away and didn't grant any perks.  State corrections officials confirmed Sweat provided details on possible "security vulnerabilities."

 

A Tidioute man was sent to the hospital following a single-car accident in Warren County, Pennsylavnia Monday afternoon. 

 

State Police in Warren say the crash occurred as 54 year-old Douglas Sager was traveling near the intersection of Market Street with Jackson Street in Conewango Township just after 3:30 PM.  Troopers say Sager's vehicle struck a crossing signal pole and struck a traffic light pole causing the light to lose power. 

 

Multiple airbags were deployed in Sager's vehicle.  He was taken to Warren General Hospital for suspected minor injuries.  Troopers were assisted on scene by the Warren Volunteer Fire and Conewango Police Departments.