Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello is now working to develop a plan to fill over 700 job openings in Chautauqua County with skilled workers...  

 

Borrello says openings came from a survey he did while visiting 107 businesses during his first 100 days in office.  It was the focus of his first State of the County message that he delivered last week.  Afterwards, Borrello said among the ways he intends to assist the businesses is by establishing a one-stop location that will include a website called "Chautauquajobs.org".  Borrello says if they could fill the 767 positions with unemployed people, it would lower the county's jobless rate to 4.7-percent.  He says that's below the average upstate unemployment rate of 5.4-percent.

 

 

The latest round in New York state's annual Regional Economic Development Council competition is underway, with $750-million to be awarded to entities statewide...  

 

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced late last week that the state economic development funds will be awarded to 10 regions: western New York, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, central New York, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Capital Region, Mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island.  The Democrat adds that businesses, local governments and not-for-profits can apply for assistance from dozens of state programs aimed at creating jobs and revitalizing communities.  Since 2011, Cuomo's first year in office, the initiative has awarded $5.4-billion to more than 6,000 projects statewide.  Cuomo's main economic development program has come under fire in recent years from political opponents and government watchdog groups who say it's not transparent enough and fails to attain job-creation goals.

 

 

There are still a couple of hurdles to be cleared before the major work can begin on the NRG Repowering Project in the city of Dunkirk...  

 

That from State Senator Cathy Young during last Friday's annual State Legislative Breakfast hosted by the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce in Lakewood.  Young noted that there are still some final approvals from the state Department of Environmental Conservation and a final study by the state's Independent Systems Operator.

 

Young has been able to get some additional state funding to help ease the loss the past few years of the NRG payments in lieu of taxes.  The Olean Republican says she'll be meeting with an NRG official in the next few days to talk about the project.  In addition to the tax base, and jobs in the community, you says getting the plant up and running is important because to "grow manufacturing, you need a reliable source of energy."  She adds a number of power plants in the region have been, or are being closed up.

 

 

Three brothers were arrested following a fight at a bar in the Town of Busti on Sunday... 

 

State Police out of Jamestown say they were called to a "fight-in-progress" at the location; and report 22 year-old Cody Haller, 21 year-old Zachary Haller and 26 year-old Kyle Haller were allegedly fighting with patrons and began fighting with Troopers on-scene. Investigation revealed that Zachary and Kyle Haller assaulted patrons of the bar, while all three men caused property damage inside. The  brothers were arraigned in Busti Town Court and sent to the County Jail. 

 

 

An Ashville man has been charged with driving while intoxicated after crashing his car onto a raised embankment near a business in downtown Jamestown...  

 

City police were called to the secne early last Friday night for a car crashing in front of an East Fourth Street business.  Officers say the car, driven by 67 year-old George Kestler, came to rest on the sidewalk.  Police say they determined that Kestler was driving while drunk, and he was arrested pending further court action.

 

 

Two Brocton residents have been arrested for allegedly making and selling methamphetime after a fire broke out inside their home this past Tuesday morning...  

 

Sheriff's officers say 31 year-old Brandon Newby, and 43 year-old Tara Mlacker of 55-86 Woodcrest Avenue escaped the blaze without injury.  Deputies say Brocton firefighters were able to confine the flames to the bathroom and rear of the building.  The Chautauqua County Fire Investigation Team responded... and, team members and deputies found some suspicious items inside the home, and then called the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force to further investigate.  Officers say they got a search warrant and, found materials used to make Meth, as well as some "one pot" style methamphetamine labs.  Newby and Mlacker were both arraigned on Felony charges including second-degree criminal possession of a Controlled Substance and sent to the county jail without bail.  The cause of the fire is undetermined.  Two cats perished in the blaze.

 

 

An $86.6-million school budget will be up for a public vote on May 15 and, will likely set the stage for the next school year...  

 

That from School Superintendent Bret Apthorpe... who says the school board recently approved the spending plan for the 2018-19 school year.  The spending plan includes a stable tax levy of $14.6-million and an additional $1.1-million in state aid.  Apthorpe highlighted a support initiative in the budget that will get fully underway in 2019: the re-opening of Rogers Elementary as a healing place for kids that need extra support during the school year.

 

Apthorpe says the program would also include "instruction" so students don't fall behind academically.  He says the primary goals are to get children healthy and, keep them on track academically before returning them to school.  For the older students, Apthorpe says Rogers would house a year-round life and job-skills training in addition to supporting mental health. 

 

 

A number of local and state elected officials along with representatives from a number of state agencies were on hand for a ground-breaking ceremony held last Friday for the $16-million, Dunkirk Renovation and Ownership Program...  

 

The project at 111 Main Street has been two years in the making and, includes properties in the Main Street--Route 60 corridor.  That from Southern Tier Environments for Living Executive Director Tom Whitney, who says the program will improve the appearance of the north county city and, it will help a wide-range of people who are in need of affordable housing.  He says that ranges from seniors to people who are disabled, or have mental illness.  STEL -- which also operates in Jamestown -- is serving as the project's developer with assistance from the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal, the State Office of Temporary Disability Assistance, the State Office of Mental Health, and others.  State Senator Cathy Young, Assemblyman Andy Goodell, and County Executive George Borrello were among those taking part in the ground-breaking.  

 

 

Two more Republican members of the New York Senate are retiring in another sign of the political headwinds facing the GOP this fall...  

 

The decisions by Senate Deputy Majority Leader John DeFrancisco of Syracuse and John Bonacic of Orange County come after Democrats won two special Senate elections on Tuesday.  Democrats say voters unhappy with Washington Republicans could help them wrest Senate control from Republicans, who've the chamber for most of the last 80 years.  DeFrancisco has served in the Senate for 25 years and Bonacic for 20.  Republican Senator Kathy Marchione of Halfmoon announced Thursday that she won't seek re-election either.  Democrats now have a one-seat majority in the Senate but Republicans lead thanks to the support of a independent Democrat Simcha Felder of Brooklyn.