One witness took the stand on day-three of the Davide Coggins double-murder trial in Chautauqua County Court yesterday... and, that witness will again be on the stand to start the day Friday. That from District Attorney David Foley... who says he thought he would be further along on his list of witnesses by now. Foley says Sheriff's Department Lieutenant Vincent Gerace... a forensics officer... was on the stand all day Thursday. We understand a number of points of clarification and objections were raised over the introduction of evidence. This follows a day of "grisly" details revealed about the murders of 66 year-old Gordon Skinner, and his 59 year-old wife, Joyce.
A Jamestown woman has been arrested for allegedly setting fire to a home on the city's northside one week ago last night. Jamestown Police Captain Bob Samuelson says fire investigators ruled the blaze at 719 Cherry Street... which was called in about 6:30 PM on Thursday, October 2nd... was the work of arson. Samuelson says city fire and police investigators accuse 48 year-old Elizabeth Connie Altieri of setting the fire... while the building was occupied. A warrant was issued for Altieri's arrest... and, she was taken into custody without incident. She was arraigned on one count of second-degree arson... and, sent to the county jail without bail.
A new agreement to provide lower-cost electricity for a major manufacturer in Jamestown's industrial corridor will help keep that company in the area... along with it's jobs. That from Board of Public Utilities General Manager Dave Leathers... who says it took about six-months to negotiate a four-year, Flex Plan extension with TitanX Corporation on Allen Street Extension. City officials and TitanX leaders were on hand yesterday (Wednesday) to sign the contract. Leathers credited Electric Division Manager Dave Gustafson for doing the hard work on the new agreement. Leathers says it was important to wrap-up work on the new agreement... because the old one expires at the end of the month. He says there are four Flex Rate agreements in place with the Greater Jamestown area's major manufacturers. Leathers adds the state Public Service Commission just recently approved new parameters that would allow more companies to take advantage of the program. He says those should take effect on October 15th... and, adds he's "very excited" about it. The Flex Agreements with TitanX has saved the company about 75 to 80-thousand dollars a year on it's electrical costs.
The state reports saving more than 2-billion dollars... and, recovering 879-million dollars last year from spending on the Medicaid program that pays for health care for low-income New Yorkers. The Office of the Medicaid Inspector reports three-year recoveries of 1.73-billion dollars from overbilling, errors and fraud, up 34 percent from the previous three years.
In an effort to create jobs to replace those that will be lost by the closing of the Carriage House plants in the Dunkirk-Fredonia area... the county's Industrial Development Agency is considering a move to acquire the Dunkirk facility from ConAgra. The IDA is looking to issue a $2 million bond to Chautauqua County in order to purchase the facility. County Executive Vince Horrigan backs proposed action, which needs the backing of the County IDA Board and the County Legislature. Horrigan says this is not a new approach, since the IDA has done this with other plants... including the former Sysco building on Allen Street in Jamestown... as well as Maplevale Farms in Clymer. If they have the building... he says they can directly market the facility. Horrigan says the county IDA board is expected to take up the proposal during it's meeting October 21st... with the the full County Legislature likely to take similar action when they meet the following night.
A date has now been set for the one-and-only debate for New York's gubernatorial race. The debate will be held on Wednesday, October 22nd in Buffalo. It will feature incumbant Democrat Andrew Cuomo, Republican Rob Astorino, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins and Libertarian Michael McDermott. The debate is sponsored by The Buffalo News and WNED/WBFO of Buffalo... and, will be televised. The exchange is likely to be the only one before the November 4th election.
Three city teens have been arrested for allegedly putting "caution tape" across a location on Ellis Street early yesterday morning. Jamestown police were called to the scene near 118 Ellis about 2 AM... and, took down the tape. However... they were called back to the scene a short time later... and, found the trio allegedly putting tape across the street again. This time... officers say the three ran off. However... with the help of JPD's K-9 "Mitchell..." they found the trio hiding behind a garage. Police say they arrested a pair of 18 year-olds -- Andrew Hinman and Brandon Propheter... and, an unidentified 17 year-old. All three are charged with littering... and, obstructing governmental administration.
