State Legislature approves constitutional amendment barring discrimination in two areas...
The New York State Legislature has taken a "critical step" towards adopting a constitutional amendment that would bar discrimination based on ``pregnancy outcomes'' or ``gender expression.''  Supporters say the provisions are intended to protect abortion rights, and a person's right to seek gender-affirming care.  Both the Democrat-led Assembly and Senate Tuesday approved the proposed amendment... which will now put it on New York's November 2024 general election ballots for voter ratification.  The Legislature gave initial approval to the amendment last summer after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.  It was the first step in the state's amendment process, where lawmakers have to pass a resolution twice in order to send it to voters.

City Council to vote on adding $282,000 for Senior Home Improvement Program...
The Jamestown City Council will vote next week to increase the amount of money available for senior home improvement projects funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.  That from Council Finance Committee Chairwoman Kim Ecklund... who says the just over $377,000 in funding brings the total to $1.877-million.  However... she says they did realize some savings in the original $1.5-million allocated for projects... totaling $94,672.... so they need $282,856 to complete the eligible projects.  Ecklund says the committee also decided that the additional money would come from unallocated ARPA funding... which she says is now about $3.2-million.  She says the panel also wanted to not take any of the "general" $500,000 in the Residential Home Improvement Program for people who don't qualify for the other home improvement programs.

Council to move ahead with council, mayoral salary increases beginning in 2024...
City lawmakers Monday night also discussed two local laws that would increase both the mayor's and city council salaries beginning with the next term.  Finance Committee Chairwoman Kim Ecklund says her panel agreed to a $2,000 increase in council salaries... and for the Council President.  Ecklund says that would bring council salaries to $7,000 and council president to $8,000.  The proposed salary for the full-time mayor's position would become $82,000 a year... a $10,000 a year increase.  Councilman Jeff Russell proposed an additional stipulation where the city council would have to "sign-off" if the mayor wanted to have another full or part-time job.  As a JPD officer, Russell said he had to request the ability to get "secondary employment," and the chief would have to agree to that.  Councilwoman Marie Carrubba agreed with that stipulation because that's also common practice among non-profits... and not-for-profits.  The two measures may be introduced at next Monday night's City Council voting session... and, be automatically tabled for 30 days.

Council agrees to applying for Restore-NY funding for Furniture Mart Building project...
The Jamestown City Council last night approved applying for up to $2-million in Restore New York funding to convert the Furniture Mart building into a mixed use location.  Lawmakers voted during a brief, special meeting, to move ahead with the application in an effort to help the new owners turn the building into a mix of commercial and residential use.  The building at 111 West Second St. was approved last August by Empire State Development Corporation to proceed with the application process.  City officials say the project is consistent with the city's adopted Urban Design Plan from 2006... and, the building meets Restore-New York financing guidelines.

Dolce says he's made no decision on running for mayor, or city council again...
Jamestown City Council President Tony Dolce says he hasn't made a final decision yet... but, says city Republicans do plan on running a mayoral candidate this Fall.  During our Community Spotlight program last weekend on the Media One Radio group of stations... Dolce was asked if he is running.  He says he's heard that question a lot lately... but, says he has a lot of political and professional considerations to weight first.  The professional considerations include the fact he's eligible to retire.  As a council member... Dolce did take a short break from the political spotlight some time ago.  There are at a couple of other names that have come up on the GOP side as possible mayoral candidates.  Current Democratic Mayor Eddie Sundquist announced he's running for a second term earlier this month.

Hinsdale man arrested for domestic violence incident...
A Cattaraugus County man has been arrested following a domestic violence incident in the town of Hinsdale.  Sheriff's officers in Little Valley were called to a report of a domestic incident in progress just after 5 a.m. Sunday on Fay Hollow Rd., and, arrested 31 year-old Joseph Griffin of that address.  Deputies say they arrested Griffin for second-degree strangulation... criminal obstruction of breathing... second-degree harassment... endangering the welfare of a child... fourth-degree criminal mischief... and, resisting arrest.  He was issued appearance tickets for town court.