An expert in illegal drug use says -- from her observations -- outreach to drug addicts in the Jamestown-area is "desperately needed." That from Dr. Karen McElrath... who was one of three panelists for last night's Community Education Program on the Heroin epidemic in the area. McElrath -- who has done a lot of research in the U-S and Ireland -- is a Criminal Justice professor at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina. She told a full-house at Jamestown Community College's Scharmann Theater that a couple of Outreach Liasons can help addicts... and, their doctors. McElrath says stopping the use of needles will reduce the spread of diseases -- like Hepatitus "C." She adds primary care doctors don't have the background to fully deal with drug addiction. Jamestown Police Chief Harry Snellings told the audience his department recognized more than two years ago that drugs and drug addiction was fueling about 90-percent of their crime. With that... they have come down hard on drug traffickers... with several recent raids. Last night's program was hosted by the Jamestown Strategic Planning and Partnerships Health Care Action Team.
Jamestown police have formed a new collaboration with Ellicott Town Police to deal with drug-related crime in the Greater Jamestown-area. Mayor Sam Teresi says the collaboration with other agencies really isn't new... but, adds that city Police have been working a lot with the Ellicott Department on recent investigations... so, a more formal title was the logical next step. Ellicott Police officials say -- while there is a new task force in place -- it does NOT change their agreement in place with the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force. In addition... Ellicott Police Detective Brad Knight says they've established their own Tip-line for people who want to leave information... but, want to do it confidentially. Knight says the timing is right... because people seem less and less inclined to give information if they have to give their name. Knight says their tip-line number is 241-9877... that's 241-9877. The line is available 24-hours, 7-days a week. The line has only been up a couple of days... and, police say they've received no tips as yet.
The first mother-and-son team to head up the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County's annual campaign called on volunteers to make a difference in the Greater Jamestown-area. Melissa and Shane Uber are heading up this year's effort... and, Melissa says it's "great" to finally 'kick-off' the campaign after spending several months working behind the scenes to put together their team of volunteers. She says her family has been involved with the United Way for many years. Melissa Uber says this year's General Campaign goal is 1.32-million dollars... which is about 5-thousand dollars more than last year. Officials stress that all the money raised stays in the Jamestown-area for local human services agencies... and, the United Way itself. Shane Uber says says it's a "great way to give back to the community." This year's theme is the "Difference Your Dollar Can Make" to emphasize how all donations... big and small... can make a difference. The campaign benefits 42 programs at 20 different human service agencies. For more information... call the United Way at 483-1561.
Thursday afternoon's kick-off for the United Way Campaign was held on September 11th as part of the National Day of Service and Rememberance. United Way volunteers were on hand at the Boys and Girls Club earlier assembling activity kits for the Parents as Teachers program at the Jamestown Community Learning Council. Campaign Co-Chair Melissa Uber says more than 100 families will be helped by the effort. Also during the program... United Way volunteers heard from "Alexandra..." who took part in the literacy program to help improve her children's early reading skills... and, their readiness for school. Alexandra was helped by specially-trained home visitors in the program.
Portions of two streets in downtown Jamestown that recently underwent surface milling So they could be re-surfaced... will be paved today and Saturday. City Public Works Director Jeff Lehman says DPW crews will be paving West Third Street from Washington Street to North Main today... and, West Second Street from Washington to North Main on Saturday, the 13th. Lehman urges motorists to arrange their travel to avoid those areas during the day-time hours. He says all vehicles must be moved off the street... and, out of the parking lots -- if they are to be used that day -- by no later than 7 AM each day. Lehman says the road will be closed within the project area each day. Motorists must use alternate routes of travel. Also... use extra caution while driving near these and other construction areas.
The state has posted its first fall foliage map for the leaf-peeping season. Tourism officials posted the initial map yesterday on the I Love New York website with field observers saying fall colors are already beginning to appear in the Adirondacks, Catskills and Thousand Islands regions.
