AG James announces settlement with Colas and Suit-Kote on proposed merger she says would have been a road repair monopoly...
The New York State Attorney General's Office has announced a court settlement that ends a proposed merger of two companies... one in Jamestown... they say would have unfairly raised road repair costs in the region.  A.G. Letitia James says the move to stop the merger of Colas, Inc., and, Suit-Kote Corporation in Jamestown, will allow towns and counties in Western and Central New York to have "fair options for critical road repair services."  James says her office's investigation showed that if the merger would have gone through... it would have unfairly reduced competition for road maintenance services... leaving many local governments with just one company to turn to when they need to conduct repairs.  Under the settlement...both entities must sell four of their facilities to qualified buyers to maintain competition.  James says the investigation was conducted jointly with the U.S. Department of Justice... and, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General. 

Pair of Jamestown juveniles arrested for possession of stolen gun during investigation into firearms and vehicle thefts...
Two city youths have been arrested for allegedly being in possession of a stolen, loaded, 9-millimeter handgun during a raid Monday afternoon in Jamestown.  City police say they executived a search warrant at the location about 2:15 p.m., as part of an investigation into the thefts of firearms and motor vehicles in Jamestown.  Officers say the JPD SWAT Team forced entry into the home... and, their search led to the firearm... which was allegedly defaced.  They also found the two juveniles... who were each charged with third and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.  Police say the investigation is ongoing... and, more charges are pending.  If you have any information that may help the investigation... you can call 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477.

City lawmakers review police, fire and city comptroller budgets are first hearing on proposed, 2027 budget plan...
Jamestown City Council members were able to discuss 2027 budgets with three department heads during last night's first budget hearing.  Lawmakers heard from Police Chief Scott Forster... who says his budget is pretty much the same with a few larger increases.  One of those areas is in the number of officers... which is currently at 55.  However... Forster is hoping to finally add five new officers in 2027... as candidates graduate from Sheriff's Academies going on now, and into next year.  Forster says if they can fill those positions... he could resume JPD's K-9... Nuisance Officer... and, DWI programs.  Acting Fire Chief Ryan Rousch says his department has now lost five firefighters through attrition... but, is still operating within perameters of both their American Rescue Plan Act... and, SAFER Grants.  He says they peaked at 68, but, are now at 65... and, they expect to lose three next year due to retirements.  Rousch says retaining 62 firefighters would allow them to keep all city fire stations open on a rotating schedule.  City Comptroller Ericka Thomas also presented her budget last night... noting that it's down from $457,591 to $448,864 in 2027.
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More budget hearings will be held before next Monday night's council voting session.  The budget... which includes a tenative 7.3% tax increase... is due by Dec. 1.

City Council Finance Chairman says it's a difficult budget, but, cities across WNY are pretty much in the same boat...
Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund's budget plan includes no lay-offs... but, increases taxes by 7.3%... and, uses $2.77-million in undesignated fund balance to reduce the tax levy -- or the amount to be raised by taxes.  Finance Committee  Chairman Doug Scotchmer says he heard no real surprises in the mayor's budget presentation.  Scotchmer says spending increases are being seen in a number of areas:  including gasoline and diesel fuel... and others -- like road salt.  He adds that Jamestown is not alone.  He read a recent story in The Buffalo News about seven communities in that area facing the same challenges. 

Next public workshop on Jamestown's DRI award is next week...
A second public workshop on the city of Jamestown's $10-million, Downtown Revitalization Initiative is scheduled for next week.  Mayor Kim Ecklund says it'll be held on Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Robert H. Jackson Center... and will provide an opportunity for members of the Local DRI Planning Committee... and, the public to hear directly from project sponsors as they pitch their projects for a share of the funding available.  There are about two-dozen projects that have been proposed.  Beginning the day of the workshop... a Project Feedback Form will be available in hard copy and on-line at JamestownDRI.com.

Ellicott man arrested for allowing school bus assault...
A man from the town of Ellicott has been arrested for allegedly allowing a banned juvenile onto a school bus... where the youth then assaulted another juvenile.  Ellicott Town Police say they were called to the scene on Thursday, Oct. 8, for the alleged assault.  Officers say they determined that 68-year-old John Larsen had failed to "exercise control over" the juvenile... who was not allowed to be on the bus.  The school district involved was not identified.  Larsen was arrested for endangering the welfare of a child... and, he was later released with an appearance ticket for Ellicott Town Court at a later date.