Hochul announces "general agreement" on new state budget; Assembly Minority Leader says not so fast...
There is apparently no final state budget deal in Albany... but... it depends on who you talk to. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the general agreement Thursday morning... just over a month after the due date of April 1. However... Assembly Minority Leader Ed Ra later said that one of the "three people in the negotiating room..." Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie... said that was no deal yet. Ra did acknowledge though... that the spending plan would total $268-billion, about $14-billion more than the past year's budget. In her announcement... Hochul said the 2026-27 budget "includes major investments... including a "Comprehensive Path to Universal Child Care..." and making the state more affordable for families." Hochul says that includes cutting car insurance costs... and, $1-billion in energy rebates.
Molitor says -- even if there is an agreement -- more budget extenders will be needed...
Local State Assemblyman Andrew Molitor says -- even if there was an agreement -- the legislature will still need to pass additional budget extenders because bills have to be printed... and, have to sit on lawmakers desks for three days. Molitor says the proposal still needs to be put into each of the nine-bills that haven't been finalized yet... and, those have to be printed. He says that will likely happen next week. In the meantime... lawmakers approved a 10th budget extender on Thursday.
City teen arrested for choking victim during domestic incident...
An 18 year-old from Jamestown has been arrested for allegedly getting into an altercation with another person... and, then choking the victim. City police were called to a domestic dispute on the city's southside shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday... and, found that the teen had gotten into the physical altercation with the victim... and, then put his hand around the victim's throat in an effort to choke them. After the unnamed suspect was advised he was being arrested... he tried to run away from officers. Following a brief foot chase... the 18 year-old was taken into custody and transported to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital... where he was evaluated for injuries sustained in the pursuit. He was later discharged and taken to the City Jail without further incident on charges of criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation... and, resisting arrest.
Annual "Cents for St. Susan's" campaign underway...
The bright yellow canisters are out... but, there are a number of ways to donate to the annual "Cents for St. Susan's" campaign. Officials with the Jamestown-area's largest soup kitchen, and major contributors met to kick-off the 27th annual campaign on Wednesday. It's been headed up the past 20 years by Jamestown Board of Public Utilities Communications Coordinator Becky Robbins... who says look for those bright yellow coin canisters at dozens of local businesses and organizations. Robbins says another way to donate is to come to the annual Hot Dog Sale outside the BPU Customer Service area at 92 Steele St. on Friday, June 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until the hot dogs are gone. She says it all helps out the St. Susan's Center. In addition... Robbins says you can also take redeemable cans and bottles to Customer Service... or Don's Car Wash in Lakewood. To make a direct contributions... you can mail a check to St. Susan's to the BPU at PO Box 700, Jamestown, NY 14701.
This year's "Cents for St. Susan's campaign will be last for Robbins to head up...
The BPU's Becky Robbins says her 20th "Cent's for St. Susan's" campaign will be her last. Robbins is retiring from the BPU later this year... but, was honored during Wednesday's kick-off breakfast at the center. St. Susan's Board President Greg Lindquist praised Robbins for her leadership, steadfastness, and compassion in heading up the program... and says a new award -- the "Rebecca Robbins Community Partner Award" -- will be presented annually to those who do the same in the community... be they an individual, business, or community organization. St. Susan's Executive Director Cherie Rowland... and, BPU General Manager Kris Sellstrom also spoke about Robbins contributions to the center, and community.
City man arrested after allegedly stealing e-Bike...
A city man has been arrested for allegedly stealing an e-Bike... and riding it on street on Jamestown's southside. City police say they spotted 20 year-old Brandon Gilliam riding the black e-Bike... which had been previously reported stolen early Wednesday afternoon. Officers say they stopped the bike on the Arterial at South Main Street... and, arrested Gilliam for fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. He was booked at the city jail... and, issued an appearance ticket for city court at a later date.
Two city women arrested for stealing... and, eating food... at Lakewood Wal-Mart store...
Two women from Jamestown have been arrested for allegedly opening up food items -- and eating them - while shopping at a store in Lakewood. Lakewood-Busti Police say 24 year-old Trista Hammond and 32 year-old Maria Sams also left their wrappers throughout the Wal-Mart SuperCenter during the incident Tuesday afternoon. Officers were called to a "shoplifting in progress" just after 5 p.m., and, found that Hammond and Sams had also taken and eaten the items in the presence of three young children. Both women were arrested for petty larceny... and, Hammond was also charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Both were issued appearance tickets for Busti Town Court.
