The 50 year-old woman struck by a mini-van Wednesday afternoon while standing on a sidewalk near Jamestown High School is now in serious... but, stable condition at an Erie-area hospital. That from City Police Captain Bob Samuelson... who says the accident -- at the corner of East Second and Third Streets -- occured just after 2:30 PM. Samuelson says the driver of the van... 44 year-old Lucinda T Tobias of Jamestown... was allegedly under the influence of drugs at the time. They say her van hopped the curb... and, struck the victim. The unidentified woman was initially taken to WCA Hospital... then transferred to the Hamot Medical Center. Police say Tobias has arraigned today on charges... including driving while ability impaired by drugs... and, sent to the county jail without bail.
Two Jamestown men are jailed for allegedly breaking into a location in the town of Charlotte several times over the past Summer... and, stealing property there. Sheriff's Deputies say they arrested 49 year-old Shawn Sweatman... and, 20 year-old Joshua Sweatman on warrants issued out of Stockton Town Court. Both men were taken into custody in Stockton following a lengthy investigation. Officers say each has been charged with one count of third-degree burglary... but, more charges are pending. They both were arraigned in Stockton Town Court... and, sent to the county jail with bail to be set.
The goal is in sight for the Jamestown Veteran's Memorial Commission... which is trying to match a local grant for the new Veteran's Memorial Park on the city's westside. Earlier this week... Mayor Sam Teresi told the City Council that the amount the commission had to raise to match the 20-thousand dollar grant was about 18-hundred dollars. Commission Chairman Ron Cotton says he doesn't have the exact figure... but, says he knows it's a little less than that now. Cotton says they are also waiting for word from Public Works Director Jeff Lehman on the cost for the DPW to do it's work in getting the new memorial put in place at West Third Street and Logan Avenue. He's hoping that the final cost is less... because he says there is still money that has to be raised in addition to the grant. Cotton says he feels "wonderful" about how the park has turned out. A formal dedication will be held this Saturday morning at 10 AM. Cotton says they need to match the grant by Veteran's Day -- next Tuesday. If you would like to make a donation, send it to the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation at 418 Spring Street, Jamestown. The zip code is 14701.
Energy improvements to Cummins Engine Company's Jamestown Engine Plant has led to a 30-percent reduction in energy use... helping it to save about 1.4-million dollars a year in costs. The local plant was a founding partner with the U-S Department of Energy's "Better Buildings, Better Plants Challenge..." which provides technical assistance... and, incentives for companies to cut their energy use by 20-percent over 10 years. The Jamestown plant has achieved that in four years... and, DOE officials were on hand to tour the facility Thursday morning. Senior DOE Program Advisor Maria Vargas says Cummins has been an "amazing partner...." Among those 'things' has been a new, thermal insulated roof that includes solar panels. Officials say the 2-megawatt solar array is capable of generating about one-third of the Ashville facility's power on the sunniest days. Jamestown Engine Plant Manager Mike Abbate says they've also installed energy efficient lighting in the one-million square foot plant... among other measures. Cummins had committed to a 25-percent reduction in energy intensity by 2016 across it's 104 facilities... including 19 plants of which the Jamestown Engine Plant is one.
A Senate Republican leader has asked a judge to dismiss a federal charge against him. Senator Thomas Libous has represented the Binghamton area since 1989. He won re-election on Tuesday to help the GOP regain sole majority control of the Senate next year. Libous denies lying to the FBI four years ago in stating that he made no political deals to get his son a job at a now defunct law firm.
It was a big day Thursday in the nation's Capitol for the village of Fredonia and Chautauqua County. That from Fredonia Mayor Steve Keefe... who was among those on hand for yesterday's Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House in honor of Lieutenant Alonzo Cushing. President Obama recognized "Alon" for his heroism and bravery during the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. While Cushing was born in Delafield, Wisconsin and he was raised in Fredonia... a fact that did not escape the President. Cushing was recognized for leading his men during Pickett's Charge, even after suffering a wound that would later prove to be fatal. The President presented the Medal of Honor to Alonzo Cushing's closest living relative, 85-year-old Helen Loring Ensign of California.
