The DEC cited lack of Eurasian milfoil or requested areas being in critical fish habitats for why herbicide use was denied for portions of the permits for Busti, Ellery and Ellicott.

Under the permit guidelines, spraying for curly leaf pond weed is permitted to happen between May 10th and 21st. Eurasian milfoil treatment will be allowed to start June 7th through 18th.

The NYS DEC permit letters to municipalities can be reviewed here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iqewkyJZxpZRA6mYKYtqMATeyL9eR6Iv?usp=sharing

• READ THE AUDIT

The audit states that the town board and town supervisor unnecessarily increased tax rates for town residents residing within the village of Lakewood, and subsequently lowered tax rates for town residents living outside of the village. At issue was how the town allocated the cost of a $135,000 truck for the highway department in 2014.

Due to the special circumstances, the report stated that the board should have acted on a resolution that stated how the funding would be spent, rather than simply include it in the budget.

Town officials responded to the letter by acknowledging the oversight, but also stating they were within their right to appropriate the money the way they did because of a shared service agreement the town has with the village.

Fire crews were called to the scene at about 10:30 a.m. and upon arrival, fire crews found the structure completely engulfed by flames. To prevent the flames from spreading to a nearby home because of strong winds, crews began spraying it with water. That action is credited with actually saving the residence.

No injuries were reported and four animals in the barn at the time the fire started were able to escape without injury. Fire investigators in Cattaraugus County did not release the cause of the fire but it is believed a piece of machinery in the barn may have started the blaze.

BUSTI AUTO SALES FIRE

Fire crews were also busy yesterday here in Chautauqua County battling a fire at a Busti Business. The Post-Journal is reporting that firefighters from Busti, Lakewood, Kiantone, Fluvanna and Frewsburg were called to the Busti Auto Sales business on Busti-Stillwater Road Monday afternoon at about 2:30 p.m.

Fire crews say it took roughly two hours to bring the flames under control after engines began to arrive on the scene. No injuries were reported. According to a report, workers were present in the building using cutting torches at the time of the fire.

The town is currently working out a contract with the village regarding police services. However, it has been learned the village would like to see the town pay for 37 percent of the annual police department budget, since about 37 percent of the calls come from the area of the town outside of the village.

This year the town is paying $360,000 to the village for police services – which is about 28 percent of the police budget. budget. If the town were to pay 37 percent of the share, the cost would go up by $120,000.

As a result, Busti town officials are discussing whether or not it would be best to let the residents decide if they want to continue paying for police services from the village police department.

Busti Down Supervisor Jesse Robbins says they are still discussing the idea of a public vote and no decision has been made yet.

BUSTI – Local authorities have yet to release the names of the five people who were involved in a two-vehicle accident yesterday afternoon in the town of Busti. According to Lakewood-Busti police, the five were rushed to WCA Hospital for treatment of severe injuries after one of the vehicle drove through a stop sign at the intersection of Lawson Road and Big Tree Road and collided with another vehicle. The vehicle that ran the stop sign was moving at a rate of 50 miles an hour and it did not appear there was any attempt to stop. The speed limit on Big Tree Road near that intersection is 55 miles an hour.

OBAMA TO DELIVER STATE OF THE UNION TONIGHT

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama will pitch new initiatives on jobs, taxes and housing in an election-year State of the Union address tonight. It’s his biggest moment yet on the national stage to make a sweeping case for a second term.

When he stands before a joint session of Congress at 9 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Obama is expected to push tax breaks for bringing manufacturing jobs home from overseas, ideas to help the troubled home-mortgage market and incentives for alternative energy development, people familiar with the speech say. He is also likely to call again for higher taxes on the wealthy – despite consistent Republican opposition – and speak of further pressure on China over its currency and trade practices.

Framed in what is expected to be a starkly populist speech, most of Obama’s proposals surely will face stiff Republican resistance, limiting any chance of headway in a divided Congress before the November 6 general election. But the White House hopes Obama can gain enough traction with voters to help restore faith in his economic leadership as the Democratic president defends himself against escalating attacks by Republican candidates vying to face him on the November ballot.

HIGGINS PROVIDES OUTLINE OF WHAT HE WANTS TO SEE ADDRESSED IN 2012

WASHINGTON – As Americans prepare to tune into tonight’s State of the Union Address, Congressman Brian Higgins has outlined some of the actions he would like to see addressed in tonight’s state of the union. The South Buffalo democrat, who also represents Chautauqua County, is calling on the president to address the need for infrastructure improvements. Higgins cites a recent study that says investing $1.2 trillion over five years in rebuilding our infrastructure would create 27 million jobs.

Higgins also said the president should call on the nation to simplify, extend and enhance tax incentives for research and development into the next generation of technological breakthroughs. And Higgins said the country must also refocus our national commitment to developing research toward the goal fighting serious diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s.

Other issues Congressman Higgins would like to see addressed are alternative energy development, investment in worker training programs, and increased cooperation on both sides of the aisle in Congress.

FORMER LEON VFD TREASURER PLEADS GUILTY ON EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGES

LITTLE VALLEY – The former treasurer of the Leon Fire Department pleaded guilty Monday in Cattaraugus County Court to stealing more than $30,000 from the Fire Department over three years.

Frederick Weaver Jr., 75, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny.  According to Weaver’s attorney, he could face a sentence of one to four years in prison. Weaver has no previous criminal record.

Court records indicate that between January 2008 and last February, while serving as treasurer, Weaver falsified business records involving a savings account of the Leon Fire Department, stealing $33,442. Weaver said he took the money because he was having problems making ends meet and is unable to pay the money back. His sentencing date is set for April 23.

LEGISLATURE DEMS ANNOUNCE WHITNEY AS ASSISTANT MINORITY LEADER

MAYVILLE – The Jamestown Post-Journal is reporting this morning that Chautauqua County Legislature Minority Leader Lori Cornell, D-Jamestown, announced Monday that the legislature’s Democratic caucus has selected Robert Whitney, D-Jamestown, to serve as assistant minority leader for the 2012-2013 term.  Whitney is a Jamestown High School and Jamestown Community College graduate. He is a member of IBEW Local 106, where he currently sits as union president.

JACKSON CENTER CALLS ON RESIDENTS TO DONATE WWII ITEMS

JAMESTOWN – The Robert H. Jackson Center is curating a new exhibit on Chautauqua County during World War II (1941-1945), scheduled to open in late May 2012. From now to  February 6, by appointment only, the Jackson Center is seeking local submissions of artifacts to potentially be used in this exhibit. Items may either be provided on loan or as a permanent donation to the Jackson Center’s archives.

Examples of sought after artifacts include WWII-era local newspapers, War Department signs or posters, ration books, collection drive posters, information on local victory gardens, war bonds, letters to and from soldiers, any information about women working during the war in local businesses, recruitment posters, original photographs and more.

If you have any materials you think would be appropriate for this exhibit, please contact Jenn Champ, Exhibit Manager, at 716-483-6646 (jchamp @ roberthjackson . org) to schedule an appointment for review.

JAMESTOWN – A Jamestown man is behind bars after being arrested late last night on domestic violence charges. Jamestown Police were called to the WCA Hospital Emergency room for a report of an assault victim. After an investigation, police learned that 31 year-old Jose Figueroa of 10-27 Newland Ave. allegedly assaulted his girlfriend, who received several stitches in her harm after being cut by a utility knife during the incident. Figueroa was arrested on charges of assault, menacing, unlawful imprisonment and coercion. He is currently in the city jail awaiting arraignment.

LAKEWOOD-BUSTI POLICE INVESTIGATE AUTO LARCENIES

LAKEWOOD – Police in Lakewood are looking for suspects in a rash of car larcenies that took place over the weekend. According to an article in today’s Jamestown Post-Journal, several larcenies occurred in the shopping district on Fairmount Ave. between Davidson’s Restaurant and the Wendy’s Restaurant.

The incidents involved windows being smashed out of parked vehicle and purses being stolen.  Police obtained video surveillance and describe a possible Ford Windstar minivan, either tan or light gray, involved in the incident at Davidson’s. At around 8:20 p.m., three individuals had exited the vehicle at Davidson’s and stole a purse out of another vehicle. That incident occurred at 8:20 p.m. Shortly before that a vehicle larceny was also reported at Wendy’s.

Police are advising the public to secure property out of sight or take the property with them when they park their vehicles. Making sure vehicles are locked and parked in well-lighted areas is also important. Anyone with information in regards to these crimes is asked to call the Lakewood-Busti Police at 763-9563.

BUSTI RESIDENTS CHARGED WITH STEALING ELECTRICITY, GROWING POT

BUSTI – Two Busit residents are in hot water for allegedly steeling electricity and illegally growing marijuana. Lakewood-Busti Police say they were called by National Grid to investigate an alleged theft-of-services investigation at 529 Busti-Sugargrove Road. Police say the power company had been in the area working on the power lines and discovered that the meter had been bypassed. National Grid then contacted the police to initiate a theft-of-services investigation. Police obtained a search warrant and discovered about 50 marijuana plants growing in the basement.

After the investigation, police arrested the residents – 29 year old John Boardman and 28-year old Jennifer Grundstrom. Boardman was charged with third-degree criminal possession of marijuana, growing cannabis and theft of services. Grundstrom was also charged with theft of services.  Both are due in Busti Town Court at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

SENECAS AGREE TO ENTER BINDING ARBITRATION WITH STATE

ALBANY — The Seneca Nation has agreed to a year-old request by the state to take a $350 -million dispute over stalled casino revenue sharing payments to a binding arbitration panel.

Seneca Nation President Robert Odawi Porter said the Seneca’s don’t take the decision lightly, but it is one he and the council must make to defend their rights under the nation’s 2002 compact with New York State. Porter claims the state has violated that compact for years, and the nation has lost its patience with the lack of progress. The Senecas began withholding slot machine proceeds from the state — which shares them with local “host” communities — in 2009 after declaring that Albany had broken the terms of its compact, which gives the tribe exclusive casino rights within a large part of Western New York. Among its claims is that slot-like devices known as video lottery terminals at area racetracks violate the terms of the exclusivity arrangement. Since then, both sides have accused each other of not negotiating in good faith.

Arbitration comes as Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders last week said they would push for a constitutional amendment to permit the spread of casinos on non-Indian owned lands. The Seneca Nation has opposed the idea. Voters statewide would have to approve such a casino expansion, which, given the constitutional amendment process, could not occur until at least November 2013.

CELORON HOSTS PUBLIC MEETING TONIGHT ON WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION

CELORON – Residents in and around Celoron are invited to attend another public meeting tonight dealing with the village’s Waterfront Revitalization Plan. The meeting will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Center at 47 Dunham Ave. in Celoron.

The Waterfront Revitalization Plan is an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to help shape the future of the community. The plan will develop a revitalization strategy for the future of the Village commercial district, Lucille Ball Memorial Park and the former Celoron Amusement Park site. The Village wants resident and stakeholders to stop by tonight and help prioritize implementation options for waterfront revitalization.

The meeting is free and open to the public and the public is encouraged to attend. For more information call Shirley Sanfilippo at 487-4175.