Sunday, January 26

Author: Grace Thompson

Community Concerns

NY Leaders Vow to Shield Fundamental Rights as Trump Prepares to Take Office

(WNY News Now) – As President-elect Trump’s second term approaches, New York’s Attorney General Letitia James and Governor Kathy Hochul are ramping up efforts to safeguard New Yorkers’ freedoms.NEW YORK – Attorney General Letitia James and Governor Kathy Hochul updated New Yorkers yesterday on the ongoing work to protect the fundamental freedoms of New Yorkers in preparation for President-Elect Donald Trump’s second term. Attorney General James and Governor Hochul announced a strengthened partnership, including new dedicated staff, to address potential federal legal threats to reproductive freedom, gun safety laws, and other key issues. Governor Hochul also announced the new Empire State Freedom Initiative, which convened prior to Election Day and has already begun developing comprehensive...
Arrests

Salamanca Man Arrested on Family Court Warrant, Held on $10,000 Bond

(WNY News Now) – Following a tip, Salamanca Police located and apprehended a 44-year-old Salamanca resident for a Family Court warrant, later remanding him to jail pending further court appearances.Salamanca, N.Y. – The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office reported the arrest of Harry J. Lafountaine, 44, of Salamanca, New York, on October 31, 2024. Acting on a tip, the Salamanca Police Department (SPD) located Lafountaine at a residence on Barrett Drive at approximately 12:35 p.m. and took him into custody for an outstanding Family Court Violation Warrant.After his arrest, Lafountaine was transferred to the custody of the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities promptly transported him to Family Court for arraignment, where he was remanded to the Cattaraugus County Jail with bail s...
Arrests

Little Valley Man Arrested in Otto for Alleged Larceny at Local Business

(WNY News Now) – A local resident faces charges after allegedly stealing cash and property from a business in Otto, New York.Otto, N.Y. – The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office has reported the arrest of 35-year-old Cory A. Foster from Little Valley, New York, following an investigation into a larceny incident in Otto. According to Sheriff Eric A. Butler, deputies responded to the call on October 31, 2024, at approximately 2:37 PM.Foster is accused of taking U.S. currency and other property from a business on Maples-Otto Road without providing payment. After deputies conducted a thorough investigation, Foster was charged with petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor in New York State.He was processed at the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office and subsequently released with an appearance ticke...
Arrests

East Otto Larceny Leads to Arrest: Little Valley Woman Accused of Theft from Local Business

(WNY News Now) – Kristin P. Green, 29, of Little Valley, NY, faces a charge of petit larceny after allegedly taking cash from a business in East Otto.East Otto, N.Y. – The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office reported an arrest following a larceny incident on East Otto Springville Road in East Otto, NY. According to Sheriff Eric A. Butler, deputies responded to a call at approximately 12:46 PM on November 1, 2024, after receiving reports of theft from a local business.Following an investigation, deputies determined that Kristin P. Green had taken U.S. currency without payment. Green, who resides on Krager Hill Road in Little Valley, NY, was subsequently arrested and charged with petit larceny under New York Penal Law 155.25.After processing at the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, Green ...
Arrests

Cattaraugus County Court Bench Warrant Leads to Arrest in Salamanca

(WNY News Now) – A bench warrant from Cattaraugus County Court resulted in the arrest of a Gowanda man, bringing him into custody as he awaits further court proceedings.On November 1, 2024, at approximately 4:23 p.m., law enforcement officers apprehended Bradley E. Gabel, 38, of Gowanda, New York, on an active bench warrant issued by Cattaraugus County Court. The incident occurred at 1 Barrett Drive in Salamanca, NY, where Gabel was initially detained by the Salamanca Police Department.Upon verifying the outstanding warrant, Salamanca PD transferred custody of Gabel to deputies from the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office. Gabel was subsequently remanded to the Cattaraugus County Jail, where he will remain until his next scheduled court appearance before Judge Ploetz. As are all persons ac...
Chautauqua County Prepares for Winter: New Overnight Shelter and Warming Centers Open for Those in Need
Chautauqua County

Chautauqua County Prepares for Winter: New Overnight Shelter and Warming Centers Open for Those in Need

(WNY News Now) – As winter’s chill sets in, Chautauqua County is stepping up its efforts to ensure that no one is left out in the cold.JAMESTOWN, NY — As the winter months approach, Chautauqua County is ready to provide support for individuals in need of warm shelter during extreme cold weather. With temperatures forecasted to drop, Code Blue shelters will be activated, offering a lifeline to those facing homelessness.This year, a new Overnight Code Blue Warming Center, operated by Recovery Options Made Easy, will open at 917 Washington Street, Jamestown, on qualifying nights starting Nov. 1, 2024, through April 30, 2025.Chautauqua County Executive Paul M. Wendel Jr. emphasized the importance of the new initiative, stating, “I want to formally acknowledge Recovery Options Made Easy for tak...
Chautauqua County Continues Hurricane Relief with Airlift to North Carolina: Community Joins Forces for Recovery
Chautauqua County

Chautauqua County Continues Hurricane Relief with Airlift to North Carolina: Community Joins Forces for Recovery

(WNY News Now) – Chautauqua County’s relief efforts for North Carolina’s hurricane victims soar to new heights as local pilots transport critical supplies, demonstrating the power of community-driven generosity.JAMESTOWN, NY — Chautauqua County continues its commitment to supporting hurricane victims in North Carolina through coordinated relief efforts, by flying donations to hard hit areas.On Sunday, Jeff Holowienko, a dedicated local pilot, flew a plane loaded with critical supplies from the Chautauqua County-Jamestown Airport to Avery County Airport in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, approximately 50 miles from Asheville. This flight is part of the ongoing efforts initiated by County Executive Paul M. Wendel Jr. and the airport management to address the needs arising from Hurricanes Helene...
Jamestown Lights Up the Season: Enter the 2024 Holiday Lights Contest for a Chance to Win Big!
Community

Jamestown Lights Up the Season: Enter the 2024 Holiday Lights Contest for a Chance to Win Big!

(WNY News Now) – The City of Jamestown invites residents to get festive this holiday season by entering the 2024 Holiday Lights Contest for a chance to win a $100 ShopLocalCHQ gift card and spread seasonal cheer across the community.JAMESTOWN, NY – November 5, 2024 – The City of Jamestown is excited to announce its 2024 Holiday Lights Contest, encouraging residents to deck their homes in festive décor for a chance to win a ShopLocalCHQ gift card! Open to all residential properties within the city, this contest celebrates the creativity and holiday spirit of Jamestown residents across the six wards. Sponsored by the City of Jamestown, Greater Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, and Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, this festive event aims to spread joy and community pride throughout th...
New York City Subway Hits 1 Billion Riders in 2024, Setting New Milestones for Transit System
Community

New York City Subway Hits 1 Billion Riders in 2024, Setting New Milestones for Transit System

(WNY News Now) – Governor Hochul Celebrates Record Ridership, Rebounding Faster Than Pre-Pandemic Levels.Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority hit one billion trips on the New York City subway in 2024. The billionth customer was identified as Sir Michael Carrasquillo from Prospect Heights, Brooklyn who tapped into the subway system at Atlantic Av–Barclays Ctr 2 3 4 5 B D N R Q Station at 1:45 p.m. Mr. Carrasquillo received four weeks of unlimited rides on an OMNY card, and an OMNY hat and T-shirt. This milestone follows the busiest Sunday since the pandemic with the subway carrying 2.6 million riders during the New York City Marathon and comes nearly two months earlier than in 2022. October was the busiest October for New York City Transit since the...
Hochul Unveils $20M in Funding for Home Flood Resilience and Energy Upgrades
Community

Hochul Unveils $20M in Funding for Home Flood Resilience and Energy Upgrades

(WNY News Now) – Governor’s Program Boosts Climate Resilience with New Round of Support for Homeowners in Flood-Prone Areas.Governor Kathy Hochul announced up to $20 million is available for eligible homeowners in flood prone areas to make proactive flood mitigation and energy-efficiency improvements to their homes as part of a new round of funding for the Resilient Retrofits Program. This latest round of funding builds upon the program’s initial $10 million allocation as part of a pilot phase in 2023.“We are committed to building resilient communities and ensuring more New Yorkers are protected from extreme weather before it occurs,” Governor Hochul said. “By expanding our successful Resilient Retrofits program, eligible homeowners have access to additional resources that can help keep th...