Goodell reports only one budget bill approved by Midnight Thursday deadlines...
Only one of the 10 budget bills were approved by the New York State Legislature as the extended deadline of Apr. 4 came and went at Midnight. That from local State Assemblyman Andy Goodell in a phone message to Media One News. He says the lone bill adopted has been the $13.5-billion debt service measure... $10.5-billion of which is interest payments. Goodell says the budget process has been going "very slowly... " with no firm time for concluding work on the more than 240-billion dollar woth of measures approved by the Assembly and Senate. Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposal of $233-billlion was presented in January. The two legislative chambers both approved one-house bills a couple of weeks ago totaling between $245-billiion and $246-billion each.
Former County Legislature Chair Gould passes away; remembered as dedicated public servant...
A former, long-time member... and, chairman of the Chautauqua County Legislature... has passed away at the age of 82. County Executive P.J. Wendel says its "with heavy hearts and profound sorrow, we mourn the loss of former, longtime Chautauqua County Legislator Frank "Jay" Gould, whose enduring legacy of dedicated public service leaves an indelible mark on our community." He was first elected to the legislature in 1999... and represented District 17 which included parts of the towns of Clymer, Harmony and Busti... and, the village of Panama. During his tenure... Gould was elected as Legislature Chairman from 2012 to 2016. He was a member of various committees, including Human Services, Public Facilities, and Audit & Control. He served until 2022. In a printed statement... Executive Wendel said -- "Jay Gould's passing leaves a profound void in our hearts and in the fabric of Chautauqua County. His dedication to public service, unwavering integrity, and steadfast commitment to our community set an exemplary standard for us all. As a farmer himself, Jay understood the vital importance of agriculture to our county's economy and way of life."
Mayville man arrested for allegedly having multiple stolen long guns in Sherman home...
A man from Mayville has been arrested for allegedly being found in possession of multiple stolen long-guns following a parole check on a town of Sherman home. Sheriff's deputies say they had obtained information that 20 year-old Marcus Detweiler was in possession of four rifles and one shotgun... and, obtained a search warrant for the property at 3969 Route 76 last Thursday. A search of the property led to the seizure of the five guns. All of them are believed to have been stolen... and, officers are looking for the rightful owners. Detweiler was charged with five counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon... and, was taken to the county jail pending centralized arraignment. The Sheriff's Office asks anyone who believes the following guns are theirs or someone they know... contact their office at the narcotic tips line... or directly to the sheriff's office. The guns include: a Winchester model 94-22M XTR .22-caliber Magnum rifle... a Savage Axis 308... a Winchester .22-caliber Model 190 rifle... a 12-gauge Eclipse Leader double barrel shotgun... and, an Ithaca, M-49 .22 cal Rifle. The Narcotics Investigators Tip line is 800-344-8702 or 664-2420.
Gillibrand announces legislation to codify SAVE Act...
New York's junior U-S Senator has announced she is sponsoring legislation that would codify the Biden Adminstration's income-driven repayment plan for student loan debt. Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand says the Codifying the "Savings on A Valuable Education Plan" Act would protect the program from being terminated by future presidential administrations. Gillibrand says the SAVE Plan currently has more than 7.7-million federal student loan borrowers enrolled, and New Yorkers have had over $63-million forgiven under the plan. She adds that a total of 375,000 New Yorkers have been able to take advantage of the program. She adds lawmakers are looking at other measures as well... including one that's tied to public service -- after college. Gillibrand says the cost for higher education at a public college or university had doubled since 1970. She says the SAVE Plan was introduced last August... and, has helped millions of borrowers lower their monthly payments. For more information... go on-line to StudentAid.Gov/SAVE.
Removal of portion of I-90 overpass bridge in Ripley area to force Friday to Saturday am traffic detour off Thruway eastbound...
The New York State Thruway Authority has announced that the eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 from Exit 60 in Westfield to Exit 59 at Dunkirk-Fredonia will be temporarily shut down to traffic beginning at 5 p.m. Friday. Authority officials say it's to allow crews to safely remove a severely damaged portion of the North Road overpass over the Thruway at milepost 473 -- near Shortman Rd. They say the overpass has been struck at least three times by overheight trucks since the beginning of the year. Officials add the overpass is currently closed to vehicle traffic. Following multiple inspections this week... Thruway and consulting engineers determined that a damaged girder should be removed and other work completed to stabilize the overpass. Beginning at 5 p.m. Friday... the authority says all eastbound traffic on I-90 will be diverted off at Exit 60... and, you should follow the the "D" Detour route which will take traffic to Route 394 east... to Route 20 east... and, to Route 60 north, and reentering the Thruway at Exit 59. The detour will be about 18 miles. The closure is expected to be in place until 7 or 8 a.m. Saturday.
