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WJTN News Headlines

Two Jamestown residents face several drug-related charges following a traffic stop Tuesday afternoon on the city's eastside.  City Police say a patrol spotted the car, driven by 32 year-old Charles Washington, fail to signal a turn in the area of 65 River Street about 2 PM.  Officers say they found Washington's passenger, 18 year-old Mariah Snyder, in possession of a small amount of marijuana.  However... further investigation found Snyder also allegedly had 9 grams of cocaine, and more than 6-grams of 'crack" cocaine, in her possession.  Police say they also found more than 11 ounces of marijuana inside the car... along with drug paraphernalia and packing materials.  Washington faces charges including Felony third-degree criminal possession of marijuana... while Snyder faces charges including two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, one count of third-degree criminal possession of marijuana.  Both are being held pending a preliminary hearing.


Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan has found his new Budget Director in the Sheriff's Office.  Horrigan has announced the appointment of Kathleen Dennison to replace Kitty Crow on February 1st.  The Fredonia resident will replace current director Kitty Crow... who will become the county's new Finance Director on that same date.  Horrigan says Dennison has served as the Accounting Supervisor for the Sheriff's Office for the past five years.  He adds that she has over 30 yeaeers of experience in budgeting, payroll, and financial reporting.
Prior to her current position... Dennison served as Assistant General Manager at the Clarion Hotel from 2010-2011, General Manager a hotel in Mongolia from 2009-2010, Accountant at Lake Shore Savings and Loan in 2009, and Innkeeper and Owner of The White Inn from 1993 to 2009.  Horrigan adds that Dennison's "distinct background in financial management will be a great asset to the county and I look forward to working with her in her new role as Budget Director."  Dennison says she is "honored" to be selected.


Governor Andrew Cuomo released his proposed state budget last night that he says is aimed at strengthening the middle class.  It also addresses some vital infrastructure issues in the state... namely water utilities.  Cuomo says the 152-billion dollar spending plan includes 2-billion dollars in spending to help deal with water quality issues facing certain places in upstate New York... and, Long Island. Back to the Middle-Class... Cuomo is proposing a middle-class income tax cut... and, a "free-tuition" program for the State University of New York... and, City University of New York.  He says that program would cost 163-million additional dollars... and, would be for instate students only.  He says the budget also increases education aid by one-billion dollars to 25.6-billion... along with an expanded child care tax credit.  Republican Senate Leader John Flanagan said the college tuition plan is just one of the budget proposals that will get close scrutiny from lawmakers.  The governor says the budget holds spending growth below two percent for the seventh consecutive year.

 

State Senator Cathy Young says the Governor's budget presentation was "very unusual..." and, lacked in transparency.  Young was among the Senate Majority members who attended a power-point presentation at the Governor's Mansion.  However... the Olean Republican says few details about the plan were offered.  Young says she would like to see the budget presentation return to being made to the entire legislature... with the media present... and, more disclosure. Young says she does have serious concerns about the governor's proposal of "free tuition" for in-state low and middle-income taxpaying families who have members attending either SUNY or CUNY.  However... she says it will all be sorted out by the Senate Finance Committee that she chairs.  Overall... Young says -- like always -- the budget has it's good and bad points.  She says her panel is already holding budget hearings on the spending plan.

 

Democratic New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is saying he stressed to President-elect Donald Trump the impact of federal spending on state budgets.  Cuomo had a nearly hour-long meeting with the Republican president-elect at Trump Tower on Wednesday.  The governor said they discussed the impact of federal tax policy and the potential repeal of the federal health care law on New York.  Cuomo has placed major infrastructure projects at the center of his agenda and said he hopes Trump will authorize federal spending for some of the projects, including a rehabilitation of Kennedy Airport.  Cuomo said, "New York is ready to build."  Cuomo is a rumored 2020 presidential candidate.

 

The region's State Senator has introduced legislation that would make it a Felony to injure a police K-9 officer in the line of duty.  Olean Republican Cathy Young has proposed "Mitchell's Law..." named after Jamestown Police K-9 "Mitchell" who was seriously injured apprehending a murder suspect late last November.  Young says that Mitchell, a six-year-old German Shepherd who has been with JPD since 2011, was grievously injured during a confrontation with suspected murderer Keith Robbins following a six-hour standoff.  During the apprehension of Robbins, K-9 Officer Mitchell was stabbed in the throat and under his jaw, causing the knife to penetrate his tongue, resulting in emergency surgery.  During a visit to Senator Young’s office, "Mitchell" and his handler, Officer Eric Kraft, and Police Chief Harry Snellings asked Senator Young to sponsor legislation that would make it a felony to injure a K-9 officer in the line of duty.

 

A Jamestown man sought for an alleged break-in in the town of Harmony last month has been arrested on a warrant on the city's eastside.  Chautauqua County Sheriff's officers executed an arrest warrant at 144 Chandler Street about 12:45 AM Wednesday... and, took 48 year-old Luis Sanchez into custody.  Deputies say Sanchez was wanted for fourth-degree grand larceny... and, conspiracy.  They say the charges were the result of a December 2016 incident at 51-51 Fairbanks Road in Ashville.  Sanchez was arraigned... and, sent to the Chautauqua County Jail without bail.