Matar convicted on all counts in federal terrorism trial...
A New Jersey man has been convicted of federal terrorism charges in the 2022 stabbing of Salman Rushdie at Chautauqua Institution. A jury Wednesday found 28 year-old Hadi Matar guilty of all the charges against him, including engaging in an act of trans-national terrorism. Matar is already serving a 25-year New York state prison sentence on an attempted murder conviction in the August 2022 attack on the Chautauqua Amphitheater stage. The federal conviction carries a potential life sentence. Rushdie, who was about to speak on writers’ safety, was slashed 15 times in front of a stunned audience. He was gravely wounded and lost the sight in his right eye. Prosecutors asserted that Matar was motivated by the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini ’s 1989 call for Rushdie’s death because of Rushdie's book "The Satanic Verses." Defense lawyer Ned Barone countered that the government had no proof of what was in Matar’s head.
Man from Falconer arrested for allegedly menacing others with a Hatchet...
A Falconer man is charged with two felonies after allegedly waving a hatchet and threatening to burn an apartment earlier this month. Ellicott Town Police say they responded to a disorderly person call back on July 21... and arrested 45 year-old Michael Newman. Officers say Newman waved the hatchet... and, poured lighter fluid on the floor while threatening to burn down the apartment and building. Newman was arrested for first-degree menacing with a weapon... and, second-degree harassment. He was taken to the county jail pending centralized arraignment.
The Local Planning Committee that will decide which projects to include from the city of Jamestown's second Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant has met for the first time. The committee... which is made up of a cross-section of business people... heads of local non-profits... and, the CHQ Chamber met at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts Wednesday morning. Mayor Kim Ecklund... who co-chairs the committee... welcomed everyone and thanked those on the panel for being part of the process. Ecklund refers to this as "DRI 2.0," and it's theme is "Core to Shore" and signifies the importance of tying in downtown redevelopment with the Chadakoin River. The Western New York Regional Economic Development Council's Laura Smith is the other co-chair. Western New York DRI Project Manager Ben Gunnell says the committee will decide which of the 24 project proposals will be in the final DRI. Once the planning process is completed... Gunnell says they will have identified a slate of $12-million to $15-million for the state to review and make final choices on for the available $9.7-million. Ecklund says the city's DRI builds on the city's first award about 10 years ago... and, several more public meetings will be scheduled.
Wendel says he supports moratorium on Data Centers in NYS until questions about them are answered...
The growing concern surrounding data centers was a major topic of discussion during a recent gathering of elected and appointed officials from across the country. Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel, who attended the National Association of Counties' Annual Conference and Expo earlier this month, says the big concern officials spoke about during the four-day conference was about the push to get everyone to "jump on board." Wendel says some leaders are saying "you're a fool if you're not taking one... and, look at the money available." In addition to high water and electric usage, he questions what happens to them once their outdated. Wendel says there are many questions that need to be answered about data centers. He says what's most disappointing is that money is being "dangled" in front of people in rural counties who need it... in places like Clinton, Jefferson and Chautauqua Counties. Wendel... who is one of two representatives from New York on the NACo Board of Directors, says it's important that our county has a voice on that matter. The Lakewood Republican adds that he "100%" supports New York Governor Kathy Hochul's one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers in the state.
Thomas says early sales tax figures for second-quarter look good, but June could change thing; city's independent audit now underway...
After a difficult first-quarter of 2026 for the city of Jamestown... early sales tax figures are pointing to a better second-quarter. That from City Comptroller Ericka Thomas... who is still waiting for final figures for April through June. However... for the first two months of the second quarter... Thomas says the numbers look good. She recently reported to the City Council... telling them that April and May were both above 2025 at those times. She says April was by just over 14%... while May was about 5%. However... Thomas says she's expecting a correction in the month of June that may produce a final increase of 5% in that revenue line. She also reported that the city's third-party auditing firm, Drescher and Malecki, is beginning work on the 2025 city audit and will be in house for about three weeks. Drescher and Malecki have done the city's third-party audits the past few years.
Man from Busti arrested for allegedly threatening neighbor and neighbor's pets...
A man from the town of Busti has been arrested after allegedly threatening to kill a neighbor's pets and the people living there. Lakewood-Busti Police were called to a Big Tree Road home last Saturday afternoon to investigate... and, arrested Thomas Maher. Maher was arrested... without incident... on one count of second-degree harassment. He was taken to the county jail pending centralized arraignment.
