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News Headlines for Fri., Aug. 27, 2015

Jamestown dog owner, attorney, lay-out complaint against deputy who shot and killed the dog; sheriff responds...

An animal rights lawyer working with a Jamestown family that says their dog was shot and killed by a Chautauqua County Sheriff's officer for no good reason says the animal wouldn't "hurt a fly."  However... Sheriff Joe Gerace says his deputy felt threatened... and, says if the dog was on a leash... last Friday's incident never would have occured.  Buffalo attorney Matt Albert addressed the county legislature last night... and, says Officer Rob Holcomb was at least reckless... and, should be held accountable for his actions.  Albert says there's a "cover-up culture," that allows officers to do what they want, and get cleared.  Albert says all the Donisi's wanted is justice for their animal... and, with that... they have formed the group "Justice 4 Rocky..." which has gotten followers across the country.  Sheriff Gerace says Holcomb is upset over the incident... but, adds that people with no knowledge of the facts have threatened the officer.  He says Holcomb feels "terrible" about what happened, and says Holcomb has been the subject of e-mail and social media death threats.  Gerace calls that appalling.  Unfortunately... he says while a dog may generally be friendly... his officers have no way of knowing what the dog's intentions are when it "comes at you" on a dead run -- and it's teeth are showing.  Several times... Albert referred to the shooting as "cold blooded."  Gerace called those comments "despicable" and "ridiculous."  Albert hinted there may be legal action coming.


Gerace says one "good thing" came out of last night's meeting... support for police body cameras...

The attorney for the Nathan Donisi family proposed two ways to help resolve police and pet incidents... such as the one involving the dog named "Rocky."  Matt Albert made the suggestion during last night's legislature session that a Citizen Review Board be established... and, that deputies be equiped with body cameras.  The move to body cameras is sweeping the nation in the wake of several high-profile officer-related shootings.  Sheriff Joe Gerace says he's already moving in that direction.  In fact... he's been working to get funding for in-car, and body cameras for his deputies.  He adds it's part of his 2016 budget proposal.  However... Gerace doesn't feel a Citizen Review Panel would be a good idea.  He questions there real effectiveness.  Albert says cameras help establish "trust and accountability."  The Jamestown Police Department is also taking a serious look at body cameras.


Residents in north county village of Forestville to vote Nov. 3 on dissolution...

Forestville residents will decide this fall on the future of the village.  The Forestville Village Board last night took action setting the official vote on dissolving the village.  Village Attorney Mike Sullivan explains that the vote will coincide with the general election on Nov. 3.  Sullivan says there will be a simple question there; "Should the village of Forestville dissolve?"  If the referendum passes... the village and Town of Hanover will be required to put together and approve a dissolution plan.  Sullivan says the village board also approved the hiring of a contractor that will do a baseline study, which will determine the impacts of dissolving on taxes and services.  The cost will be covered by grants.  The information will be provided to residents before the vote.


Gas prices drop by 4-cents a gallon this week...

Gas prices in the Jamestown-area have dropped another 4-cents a gallon for regular, unleaded fuel this week.  That from the AAA's East Central Fuel Gauge report this week.  The Fuel Gauge says the average price... based on reports from 19 local service stations... has fallen to $2.76.  It was $2.80 a gallon last week.  The current national average has dipped to $2.59.5.  Nationally... AAA says gas prices are now at the lowest levels for this time of year since 2004 due to the steep decline in the cost of crude oil.  Gas prices have dropped recently despite ongoing refinery problems, and prices should continue to fall this autumn due to declining demand and the switchover to winter-blend gasoline.


JCC official says it appears enrollment for Fall Semester is down compared to last year...

The start of the new school year at Jamestown Community College is "always an exciting time."  That from JCC's Vice-President for Enrollment, Marketing, and Communications... Kirk Young... who says classes for the Fall Semester got underway this past Monday.  Young says final enrollment figures for the first semester won't be known for about two more weeks... but, he says it looks like the number of students is down slightly from the 2014-15 academic year.  He adds, though, that the final numbers usually adjust through the first three weeks of the new year.  Young says there is still time for students to enroll for the Fall Semester.  He adds they're not sure what Freshman enrollment is going to look like... but, says it appears to be down by roughly 50 students.  Young says they should wind up at -- or close -- to where they were last year.  That's about 3,000 full-time students.  He adds that the lower numbers for the first semester are not surprising, because graduating classes at local high schools have also been trending lower.