Thursday, April 3
15Nov By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Arrests

Angola Man Arrested on Drug and Theft Charges in Machias

(WNY News Now) – A bench warrant arrest led to the discovery of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia on Shawn S. Esis in Machias, New York.MACHIAS, N.Y. — Deputies from the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office arrested 30-year-old Shawn S. Esis of Angola, New York, on Friday, Nov. 9, at approximately 2:03 PM. The arrest stemmed from an active bench warrant issued by the Allegany County Superior Criminal Court for criminal possession of stolen property.During the arrest, law enforcement officials discovered Esis in possession of an electronic scale commonly used to measure narcotic substances. Further investigation revealed a quantity of fentanyl on Esis’ person.Esis was processed at the scene and subsequently turned over to the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office. He is facing charges under New Yor...
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Olean Man Arrested on Two Probation Violation Warrants
15Nov By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Arrests

Olean Man Arrested on Two Probation Violation Warrants

(WNY News Now) – A 29-year-old Olean resident was taken into custody on probation violation warrants.Olean, N.Y. – On the morning of November 13, 2024, the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office executed two Violation of Probation Warrants, leading to the arrest of Dalton J. Russell, a resident of Olean, New York. Sheriff Eric A. Butler confirmed Russell’s apprehension at approximately 9:34 a.m. on E State St., Olean, NY.Russell, who resides at 554 Martha Ave G2, was detained without bail and transported to the Cattaraugus County Jail, where he remains in custody pending further court proceedings. As are all persons accused of a crime, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.Share this:FacebookXNote: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you info...
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15Nov By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Community

Southern Zone Firearms Hunting Season Opens Nov. 16: DEC Urges CWD Testing for Deer in Herkimer and Otsego Counties

(WNY News Now) – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation kicks off the highly anticipated regular firearms season for deer and bear hunting in the Southern Zone urging hunters to participate in critical Chronic Wasting Diseas testing in select counties.The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that the state’s most popular big game hunting season begins on Saturday, Nov. 16, and continues through Dec. 8. With an estimated 470,000 licensed hunters participating, approximately 60 percent of the total statewide deer harvest and 30 to 60 percent of the statewide bear harvest occurs during this season.DEC is simultaneously responding to an isolated detection of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a captive deer facility in southern Herkim...
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Find Your Perfect Christmas Tree at Local Farms This Holiday Season
15Nov By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Community

Find Your Perfect Christmas Tree at Local Farms This Holiday Season

As the holiday season approaches, families across our region are preparing to deck their halls—and what better way to start than by choosing the perfect Christmas tree from a local farm? Several area farms are offering fresh-cut and choose-and-cut Christmas trees along with festive extras to make the experience special. Here are a few great farms to find your perfect tree and holiday goodies this season. Cherry Place Farm – Rock Hill A family farm established in 1940, Cherry Place Farm invites visitors to share in the joy of the season. Starting the day after Thanksgiving, they’ll offer premium Fraser Fir Christmas trees freshly cut in North Carolina. Wreaths made on-site are also available, starting at $25, with bows available for an additional cost. Hours of operation: Friday, Nov. 29: ...
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Falconer Woman Admits to Role in Sex Trafficking and Drug Operation
15Nov By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Courts

Falconer Woman Admits to Role in Sex Trafficking and Drug Operation

(WNY News Now) – BUFFALO, N.Y. – Cora Waddington, 25, of Falconer, NY, pleaded guilty to sex trafficking and drug distribution charges, marking a disturbing case of exploitation and substance abuse. The charges include conspiring to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine and benefitting financially from trafficking in persons, carrying a potential sentence of five years to life in prison.Federal prosecutors revealed that between October and December 2022, Waddington conspired with co-defendants Zaid Mendoza, also known as “Diamond,” and Kelvin O. Thomas to run a sex trafficking operation. The scheme targeted vulnerable victims struggling with drug addiction, luring them into commercial sex work with shelter, food, and daily doses of heroin and fentanyl.The trio used a residence on West Ma...
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Hochul and Clinton Discuss Cybersecurity, Tech Safety, and Protecting New Yorkers from Digital Threats
15Nov By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Government

Hochul and Clinton Discuss Cybersecurity, Tech Safety, and Protecting New Yorkers from Digital Threats

(WNY News Now) – Governor Kathy Hochul and Secretary Hillary Clinton Highlight New York’s Cybersecurity Leadership in Fireside Chat.Yesterday, Governor Kathy Hochul participated in a fireside chat on cybersecurity with Secretary Hillary Clinton. Today’s cyber threats are marked by a convergence of criminal and nation-state actors, who increasingly rely on cyber criminals to execute state actions. Those criminals, in turn, continue to perpetrate crimes, aided by additional resources and technical capabilities. This blending of criminal and nation-state malicious activity has increased the magnitude and complexity of cyber threats. In today’s fireside chat, Governor Hochul outlines New York’s first-ever cybersecurity strategy, and highlights her plan for ensuring that New Yorkers continue to...
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15Nov By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Community

DEC Finalizes Regulation to Ease Transition to Paper Sporting Licenses and Tags for Issuing Agents

(WNY News Now) – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has finalized a new regulation that allows License Issuing Agents to recover costs tied to printing and mailing paper sporting licenses, as part of a shift away from plastic tags.The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the adoption of a regulation that enables License Issuing Agents (LIAs) to recover costs associated with printing and mailing paper sporting licenses and other items sold through DEC’s Automated Licensing System. DEC is transitioning plastic Valeron material to plain paper for all hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and associated tags. With this change, LIAs now supply their own paper, printers, and ink. The new $1 printing fee enables LIAs to cover their mat...
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Sotheby’s to Pay $6.25 Million in Settlement Over Tax Fraud on High-Value Art Sales
15Nov By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Arts & Music

Sotheby’s to Pay $6.25 Million in Settlement Over Tax Fraud on High-Value Art Sales

(WNY News Now) – New York Attorney General Letitia James and Acting Commissioner Amanda Hiller secure $6.25 million from Sotheby’s for assisting clients in dodging taxes on millions in art purchases.NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James and Acting Commissioner for the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF) Amanda Hiller announced yesterday a $6.25 million settlement with Sotheby’s, Inc. (Sotheby’s) for using fraudulent methods to secure tax breaks for its clients on tens of millions of dollars of art purchases. A lawsuit brought by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) revealed that Sotheby’s encouraged clients to fraudulently claim to be purchasing art for resale, allowing them to avoid paying sales tax on tens of millions of dollars of art they purchased ...
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Lebanese cease-fire efforts inch ahead as Israel keeps up fierce bombardment
15Nov By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
News

Lebanese cease-fire efforts inch ahead as Israel keeps up fierce bombardment

Diplomacy aimed at securing a cease-fire in Lebanon showed tentative signs of progress on Friday as Israel pounded its northern neighbor including heavy airstrikes on the stronghold of militant group Hezbollah near Beirut. Pressing its offensive against the Iran-backed group, Israel hit Beirut’s Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs on Thursday, carrying out intense attacks there for a third consecutive day. Plumes of smoke rose over the suburbs known as Dahiyeh, where the Israeli military said its fighter jets targeted weapons warehouses, military headquarters and other Hezbollah sites. In addition, Israeli strikes in the eastern city of Baalbek killed at least 15 members of the country's civil defense, according to the region's governor. In a more hopeful sign, the U.S. a...
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Xi Jinping opens huge port in Peru funded by China
15Nov By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
News

Xi Jinping opens huge port in Peru funded by China

LIMA, Peru — Chinese President Xi Jinping launched a weeklong diplomatic blitz of South America on Thursday by inaugurating a massive deep-water port in Peru , a $1.3 billion investment by Beijing as it seeks to expand trade and influence on the continent. With China’s demand for agricultural goods and metals from Latin America growing, Xi will participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima and then head to the Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro next week, where he will also make a state visit to Brazil. Xi and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte participated on Thursday by video link in the opening of the Chancay port, about 48 miles north of Lima on the Pacific Ocean , and signed a deal to widen an existing free t...
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