Silver Creek HS Junior killed after being struck by CSX Train...
A north county teenager has died after being struck by a CSX train in the village of Silver Creek. Sheriff's officers were called to the tracks shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday on a report of a pedestrian being hit. Deputies say their investigation showed that a 16-year-old juvenile had been struck. The victim... identified by the Silver Creek school district as Kiera Beckstom... was pronounced dead at the scene. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Silver Creek fire rescuers... County EMS... and CSX personnel.
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In a Facebook post this morning... Silver Creek Superintendent Katie Ralston announced the "tragic and unexpected death of Beckstrom... an 11th-grade student at our high school. Our deepest condolences, thoughts, and prayers are with Koda's family, friends, classmates, teachers, and all those who knew and loved her." Ralston says the district has activated it's crisis response plan... and, have additional counselors and support staff available in the library today. She says if you have concerns about your child or would like help in supporting them... call their Guidance Office at 716-934-2603, ext. 1123.
Westfield Academy and Central School put into lock-out status after incident at Westfield Memorial Hospital...
A report of a disorderly person in the area late Wednesday morning led to the Westfield Academy and Central Schools to go into a lock-out. Westfield Police say they, and State Police, along with the Sheriff's Office, were called to Westfield Memorial Hospital about 10 a.m. on a report of a disorderly person inside. Out of an abundance of caution... police say the Westfield schools activated their Shelter-in-Place, Hold-in-Place, Evacuate, Lock-out, and Lock-down -- or SHELL -- Protocol to ensure the safety and security of students and staff. The district activated a lockout... which is a security measure intended to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering the school while normal activities continue inside the building. However... there was no direct threat to the school associated with the incident. The situation at Westfield Memorial Hospital was resolved... and, the school lock-out was lifted.
Wendel presents tentative 2027 county budget that again cuts tax rate... leaves tax levy flat...
Chautauqua County's property tax rate could be the lowest it's been since it's current form of government began five decades ago. That will happen if the county legislature keeps that part of County Executive P.J. Wendel's 2027 budget proposal in place. Wendel outlined the $330-million spending plan at last night's legislature meeting... noting that the rate will fall to $5.32 per $1,000... the lowest it's been since the county's current form of government has been in place. This is the first time in a while that a "flat" tax levy... or the amount to be raised by taxes... has been proposed. It's something most Democrats... and, some Republicans have called for in the wake of rising costs here and nationwide. He says government needs to be just as responsible with it's tax dollars as families are with their own. However... Wendel says there are still "scary parts" to the budget... including the fact that anticipated state mandated costs are rising to $113-million. He says that includes the county having to take on 75% of the administrative costs for the Supplimental Nutrition Assistance Program. However... he says being fiscally-responsible the past several years is helping the county weather that storm. The legislature's Audit and Control Committee will hold it's budget meetings the week of Oct. 5 through 8.
Chagnon receives 2026 Hamilton Community Service Award...
The man who has chaired the Chautauqua County Legislature in recent years has been presented a life-time service award from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. The foundation says it recently celebrated a "lifetime of service" by Ellery's Pierre Chagnon by presenting him with the 2026 John D. Hamilton Community Service Award. The award annually recognizes an individual whose "dedication, leadership and service have strengthened community spirit and enhanced the quality of life throughout the Chautauqua region." The chair of the award committee -- Laura Otander -- says "working together is the theme for tonight’s celebration. There are few people who have demonstrated the ability to work with a team to accomplish significant impact more than Pierre Chagnon." For more than 40 years... Chagnon has served as a director, board member, board chair, committee chair or president for an extraordinary number of local organizations. His leadership has helped guide economic development initiatives, strengthen educational institutions, protect Chautauqua Lake and the county’s natural resources, advance community development, support youth programs and improve local government.
Langworthy announces bi-partisan COMPACT Act to spare dogs and cats from being used in biomedical research...
A bi-partisan bill that would revolutionize biomedical research... and, stop the barbaric treatment of dogs and cats bred for testing has been introduced in Congress. Local Representative Nick Langworthy and fellow lawmaker Mark Pocan were outside the Capitol Wednesday afternoon to announce the "Companion Animal Protection Against Cruel Testing" Act. They were joined by animal rights advocates and biomedical research professionals in making the announcement. Langworthy calls it the most "comprehensive effort ever written" to eliminate those inhumane tests. The congressmen and advocates were joined by four beagle dogs... two from a facility Langworthy saw in Wisconsin... that bred and used the beagles in that way. He says the dogs and cats had been subjected to testing and even painful surgery to advance "biomedical" research. Once the animals have served their purpose... they are then terminated.
