WEST ELLICOTT – Local authorities are continuing their search of an Ellicott Senior Citizen this morning after he was first reported missing yesterday afternoon. The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office says 78 year-old John Kircher was reported missing at noon yesterday from his residence at an assisted living home on 560 Fairmont Avenue. Kircher is describd as a white male, 5’2″ and 120 lbs. with thinning brown and grey hair and beard. He also walks with a limp and has a cane.

He was last seen wearing a flannel shirt and grey winter coat. It is believed Kircher walked out from his home at lunchtime and has not been seen since. He has no money on him, but is likely to hitchhike.

Ellicott Police is asking the public’s assistance if they have seen this individual to call our dispatch center at 661-7232.

CITY MAN CHARGED WITH SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

SHERMAN – A Jamestown man was charged with sexual misconduct Tuesday after an incident that allegedly occurred in October. Authorities say 58 year old Joseph Valvo was charged with sexual misconduct, forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child on Tuesday at the Jamestown barracks in Ellicott. The arrest comes from an incident that allegedly occurred in the early evening on Oct. 19.

According to police, on Oct. 19, troopers responded to a complaint in Sherman where a 15-year-old male victim reported that a white man in a beige Ford pickup truck approached him and asked his assistance in programming his radio. The youth entered the truck and while setting the radio stations, the suspect allegedly inappropriately touched teenager. The youth then got out of the truck and reported the incident to the State Police.

Information to the man’s identity was limited until receiving information from the Ellicott Police Department that their agency handled a very similar investigation in the spring of 2011 involving a 13-year-old male in Celoron, where Valvo was developed as the suspect, but police chose not to press charges due to lack of evidence.

After conducting its own investigation, Valvo was found to be the suspect involving the 15-year-old victim and was taken into custody. He will appear in Sherman Town Court at a later date.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS TO DETERMINE CO. LEGISLATURE’S DISTRICT 14 RACE

MAYVILLE – It appears the balance of power in the Chautauqua County Legislature will once again come down to the county of absentee ballots. According to the county’s election website votechautauqua.com, the candidates in Legislative District 14 stand only 20 votes apart. Democratic candidate Timothy Hoyer is currently in the lead with a total of 210 votes. Republican candidate Michael Haddad has a total of 190 votes.

According to an article today in the Jameestown Post-Journal, 42 of the 67 absentee ballots issued for the district have so far been returned. Of the 42 absentee ballots returned to the county, a total of 26 were from registered Republicans and a total of 16 were from registered Democrats. To count in the election, absentee ballots have to have been postmarked by Monday, Nov. 7. The deadline for ballots arriving is Nov. 15 for non-military ballots and Nov. 21 for military ballots – meaning the other 25 ballots in District 14 still have time to arrive. The Board of Elections’ counting of ballots will start at 1 p.m. Nov. 21.

AUDIT AND CONTROL COMMITTEE TO ACT ON RESOLUTION INVOLVING COUNTY HOME

The County Legislature’s Audit and Control Committee is meeting this morning in Mayville with several items on its agenda. Most notebably is a resolution supporting the selection of Marcus & Millichap for the Marketing of the Potential Sale, Lease, or other Disposition of the Chautauqua County Home in Dunkirk. The home has been the subject of much debate in recent months, particularly at the county legislature voting sessions, where members of the CSEA have turned out to voice their opposition to selling the home.

This morning’s committee meeting begins at 8:35 a.m. in Room 331 of the Gerace Office Building.

HIGGINS TO MEET WITH AREA SENIORS THIS MORNING, BUSINESS LEADERS THIS AFTERNOON

DUNKIRK – Congressman Brian Higgins will be in Dunkirk this morning for Breakfast With Veterans and Seniors. Later in the day, he’sll also attend a luncheon with local business leaders. Higgins will attend the breakfast at the Dunkirk Senior Center at 45 Franklin Street beginning at 9 a.m. Several organizations will be on hand, including Meals Wheels, The Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System, Chautauqua County Veteran Service Agency, The Dunkirk VA Outpatient Clinic, CARTS and the Office of the Aging – among many others.

Later in the day, Congressman Higgins will provide an update on activities in Washington, DC and Western New York followed by a question and answer period with the chamber of commerce and other local business leaders. That event will take place at noon in the Shorewood Country Club – 4958 West Lake Road, Dunkirk.

FREE RABIES CLINIC TODAY IN MAYVILLE

MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County Department of Health announces that the final free rabies vaccination clinic of 2011 will be held today from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Town of Chautauqua Highway Building on Patterson Street in Mayville.

The clinic is sponsored by the Health Department and Dr. Joseph Powell is the attending veterinarian. For more information, go online to myhealthycounty.com or call 1-866-604-6789.

WCA AUXILIARY TO HOST HOLIDAY SALE TODAY AND TOMORROW

JAMESTOWN – The WCA Hospital Auxiliary will host their popular annual Holiday Sale on today  from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the WCA Hospital Auditorium, at 207 Foote Avenue, Jamestown, New York. Shoppers support the WCA Hospital Auxiliary’s pledge to support WCA’s Sharing the Gift of Health capital campaign for the hospital’s new Emergency Department. The public is welcome. Parking is available in the visitor parking lot.