ELLICOTT POLICE INVESTIGATE ROBBERY INCIDENTS
ELLICOTT – The Ellicott Police Department is continuing its investigation into two recent robberies that may be connected to one another. Police say the first incident took place just before 9:30 p.m. Monday at the Arrow Mart at 2805 N. Main Street Ext., just north of the city line. A white male described as 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-9 entered the store wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, jeans and white gym shoes and allegedly handed the cashier a note demanding cash. The suspect left the store when his demands were not meant.
Later the same evening, just before 10 p.m., police were called to the Crosby’s Store on E. Main St. in Falconer for a robbery. Upon arrival, police learned that a white male in his late 20s or early 30s entered the store and demanded cash from the cashier. The employees complied with the suspect, who then fled on food hading south from east Main St. Police believe the suspect was the same one as the individual who attempted to rob the Arrow Mart earlier in the evening.
Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect is asked to call the Ellicott Police at 665-7083.
JAMESTOWN BPU APPROVES THREE DIVISION BUDGETS FOR 2012
JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities has approved three of its budgets for 2012. On Monday, the board unanimously voted on passing the 2012 Solid Waste, District heat and Wastewater spending plans. According to a report in Tuesday’s Post-Journal, the three will dedicate $228,900 for capital improvements, yet will rely on a zero rate increase to customers.
The BPU still has to consider whether to enact a rate increase at the Water Division in 2012 at 3.25 percent or defer and potentially increase the rate hike in coming years. BPU General Manager David Leathers and the finance committee will wait for more numbers to come in for this current year before putting a final plan up for a vote during the December 21 meeting. The panel will also vote on the Electric Division budget at that same time.
REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO PRESENT PLAN TO STATE OFFICIALS TODAY
ALBANY – Members of the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council will be in Albany today pitching their plan to members of a governor-appointed panel, charged with deciding how to doll $200 million in economic development funding. The panel has been hearing presentations all week from the state’s 10 economic development regions, with four regions to be selected as “winners,” enabling them to get as much as $40 million apiece – which includes $15 million in tax credits.
In addition to the $200 million being sought, a separate assortment of other money from nine different agencies and authorities was also retooled into a “consolidated funding application” program. Individual companies, local development agencies and others can apply directly for that money, about $800 million, which is not a part of the new regional approach program.
The Western New York plan puts a top priority on creating jobs and finding ways to get the biggest bang for the buck out of investments made in Western New York. It also calls for increased collaboration among area schools, businesses and government agencies, and it places a major emphasis on improved worker training
The Western New York wish-list includes 20 projects that are seeking $74 million in state aid, almost double the maximum award available. If the Western New York plan wins the maximum funding, officials from the state and local council would have to parcel out the available funds, which would mean many projects would get less than they are seeking and some may get no money at all.
TOYS FOR TOTS PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
JAMESTOWN – Applications to receive toys through the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots drive in Chautauqua County are being accepted at local social service agencies.
Applicants must meet income criteria and bring proof of household income as well as identification for themselves and all children living in the household. Children from birth to age 17 living at home are eligible to receive toys.
Families who are unable to register at a social service organization will have several opportunities to apply directly: in Jamestown, applications will be accepted from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Friday, December 2, and from 9:00 to noon Saturday, December 3, at 210 Cherry Street.
For the 11th straight year, The Resource Center is coordinating the Toys for Tots drive. This year, organizers expect to make the holidays brighter for more than 2,500 underprivileged children. Donations of new, unwrapped toys are being accepted at more than 100 area business locations until December 16.
Cash donations also are encouraged so that money is available to buy gifts for those age groups that typically don’t see a lot of donated toys. To make a monetary donation, send a check to The Resource Center at 200 Dunham Avenue, Jamestown, NY, 14701. Do not make checks payable to The Resource Center; instead, checks must be made payable to Toys for Tots.
Volunteers will be needed the weekend of December 17-18 to sort toys, then bag toys for individual families. If interested in helping, phone Heather Brown at 661-1042.
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