French parent company of Monofrax, Saint Gobain announces closing of production lines, and lay-offs of 79 workers...
A maker of fused-cast refractories in Falconer since 1948 will be ending three product lines late this Summer... eliminating nearly 80 jobs.  In a press release Wednesday morning... parent company Saint-Gobain of France announced it would be closing the Monofrax plant... which became SEFPRO in 2022.  The move will impact 79 union, and salaried positions associated with the plant's Zirconia, alumina and chrome product lines.  Saint-Gobain says production is expected to end in August.  The company says "this will not impact every product line at Falconer, and the facility will continue the production of its remaining product lines.  This decision comes after careful consideration and evaluation of Saint-Gobain’s core business goals and is in line with the company’s mission and strategy." 

Lakeview Shock inmate accused of assaulting two DOCCS employees indicted...
The Lakeview Shock Incarceration Facility inmate accused of attacking two corrections employees last February has now been indicted.  Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt says the secret indictment against Jkendric Agee was unsealed in County Court Tuesday... charging him with two counts of second-degree assault.  Schmidt says the incident occured back on Feb. 23, and alleges that Agee brutally attacked and injured a female civilian staff member without provocation, and then attacked and injured a Corrections Officer who came to her aid.  Agee was arraigned Tuesday morning... and, County Court Judge David Foley entered a "not guilty" plea for him.  Bail was set at $250,000 cash bail... $500,000 property bond.  He was then returned to Attica Correctional Facility where he has been held since the attacks.  The first was against a woman instructing Agee and other inmates as part of a HALT Act rehabition program.  Schmidt says "no one should ever have to earn a living while in fear for their personal safety or that of their co-workers.  Unless you’ve experienced it for yourself, and I hope no person reading this ever does, an unprovoked attack doesn’t just threaten bodily harm and one’s physical safety but leaves behind substantial emotional scars that can last a lifetime."  Corrections and Community Services Commissioner Daniel Martuscello says "this indictment sends a clear message that violent assaults on correctional staff will be met with swift accountability.  Our officers and civilian staff report to work each day to maintain safety and order and deliver rehabilitative services in challenging environments. They deserve to do so without fear of violence, and DOCCS will continue working with our law enforcement partners to ensure those who attack staff are fully prosecuted."

Jamestown teen arrested for possessing loaded firearm during large fight...
A city teen has been arrested for allegedly being found in possession of a loaded hand-gun during a large fight on Jamestown's southside.  City police were called to the scene shortly after Midnight Monday for the fight.  When officers arrived... they spoke with one of the people involved... and, then canvassed the area for the opposing person involved.  They then located 18 year-old Calvis King Emanuel... and, found him in possession of the gun along with a large capacity feeding device.  Police also found a fake ID number on the gun... essentially making it a "ghost gun."  Officers took Emanuel into custody without further incident... and, he was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon... and, two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.  He was taken to the city jail pending arraignment.

Carle announces run for NYS Assembly's 150th District seat...
A former Chautauqua County Legislator who ran unsuccessfully for county executive is throwing his hat into the ring for State Assembly.  Fredonia Democrat Tom Carle has announced that he's running this Fall for the 150th District seat currently held by Westfield's Andrew Molitor... who is completing his first term.  Previously... Carle ran for Congress... and, say he still feels a call to do public service.  He says no one else stepped up that has his "street cred..." or more experience.  Carle's "street cred..." is his resume of managing and turning around companies and businesses in the eastern US and in other parts of the world.  He says he's still concerned about the county losing businesses... and, 12,000 to 14,000 residents the past 20 years.... with losses of Absolut Care of Westfield, Serta Mattress and others.  Carle says in his more than one-year on the county legislature... he learned there's more that could be done if people with the right "skill sets" were involved in government.

Langworthy touts farm bill legislation that he crafted while on committee...
Local Congressman Nick Langworthy says he's proud that several of his agriculture-related bills are in the Farm Bill recently adopted in the House.  Langworthy says the measure... which was approved, 224-200... included 14 Democrat votes.  The Buffalo-area Republican is not on the Agriculture Committee this year... but, says the Chairman -- Glenn Thompson -- was able to keep four items he pushed for.  Langworthy says those include the GRAPE Act... and, MAPLE Act.  Right now... the House is waiting for Senate action on the new bill.  Among the key items Langworthy pushed for in the "Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026" was the GRAPE Act... which establishes a crop insurance program to protect table wines, and juice producers due to freezes and frosts.  Another big item is the MAPLE Act... which expands the Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program to include maple syrup as an eligible purchase.