A Johnstown High School teacher and coach has been arrested, accused of having inappropriate communications with a student.

The messages were “at times sexual in nature and discussed drug use and physical violence,” New York State Police said Thursday.

Police arrested Scott M. Jeffers, 42, of Johnstown. He is charged with one count of endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.

Jeffers is also a Johnstown City Council member.

He was arraigned and released to return to court later.

The investigation began in October when troopers were contacted by the Johnstown school superintendent over allegations of inappropriate communications between Jeffers and students.

Investigators say Jeffers communicated with a student under the age of 17 via social media, text messages, voice calls and in person, according to police.

Jeffers served as a coach for numerous athletic teams, providing him with additional access to the victim, police said.

The district placed Jeffers on administrative leave as soon as it became aware of the allegations and he has remained on leave since, the district said.

Jeffers has been employed as a special education teacher at Johnstown Jr./Sr. High School and coached track and field, as well as soccer. He previously served as 4th Ward councilman and currently holds an at-large position.

Johnstown Mayor Amy Praught declined comment Thursday.

“It happened at school,” Praught said. “We were just made privy to it and I cannot comment.”

Troopers thanked the school district for its cooperation.

“I understand there may be questions, but because this is an active police investigation, our ability to comment further is limited,” said Superintendent Alicia D. Koster on Thursday. “We remain in close communication with the New York State Police and Fulton County District Attorney and will provide relevant updates to our school community as we are able,” Koster said.

“The physical and mental safety of our staff and students remains our top priority at Johnstown,” Koster added. “As a district, we are incredibly proud of the student support team we have built over the past several years. In addition to four building principals, GJSD has school counselors, social workers, and a school psychologist embedded into each school building. We want to remind our families and students that these resources are available, and that these trusted adults are here to support any student or family experiencing a difficult time. Please do not hesitate to reach out if your family is in need of assistance of any kind.”

Troopers also asked that anyone with “additional information concerning Jeffers criminal activity or believe you may be a victim” to contact investigators at 518-457-6811 or email crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Thursday rejected legislation to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits, essentially guaranteeing that millions of Americans will see a steep rise in costs at the beginning of the year.

Senators rejected a Democratic bill to extend the subsidies for three years and a Republican alternative that would have created new health savings accounts — an unceremonious end to a monthslong effort by Democrats to prevent the COVID-19-era subsidies from expiring on Jan. 1.

Ahead of the votes, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York warned Republicans that if they did not vote to extend the tax credits, “there won’t be another chance to act,” before premiums rise for many people who buy insurance off the ACA marketplaces.

“Let’s avert a disaster,” Schumer said. “The American people are watching.”

Republicans have argued that Affordable Care Act plans are too expensive and need to be overhauled. The health savings accounts in the GOP bill would give money directly to consumers instead of to insurance companies, an idea that has been echoed by President Donald Trump.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said ahead of the vote that a simple extension of the subsidies is “an attempt to disguise the real impact of Obamacare’s spiraling health care costs.”

But Democrats immediately rejected the GOP........

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