The second suspect in this past Monday afternoon's vicious assault on two teachers at Jamestown High School's Tech Academy has been arrested at his home in the city. City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says the second, 16 year-old student was taken into custody Thursday morning after he was found hiding in a closet. Samuelson says the suspect had fled the scene shortly before officers arrived about 12:30 PM Monday. In addition to criminal charges... School Superintendent Tim Mains says the student will face consequences from the district. Samuelson says the teenager was taken to the city jail where he's being held pending arraignment. The other teen was caught a short distance away from the scene on Monday. Both teachers were punched in the face several times by the suspects... while one was also hit over the head by a metal wall clock. Both victims were taken to the hospital... but, were back in the classroom Tuesday morning.
One of two Jamestown residents wanted for allegedly passing more than two-dozen counterfeit 50-dollars bills at last year's Warren County Fair has been arrested in the city. Jamestown police say they located 28 year-old Jordan Adams at 13 Axtel Street about 10:45 AM Thursday after receiving a tip on his whereabouts. Officers say Adams faces 27 counts of five separate charges... including Forgery... Theft by Deception... and, Conspiracy - Forgery. Adams and another Jamestown resident... 35 year-old Christine Snow... were recently identified by State Police in Warren for allegedly circulating the phony 50s. It's also believed pair may have passed counterfeit bills in New York state. However... no charges have been placed here yet. Police continue to look for Redding... also known as Christine Snow. Adams is being held pending arraignment as a fugitive from justice.
It's not what Jamestown-area residents were looking for yesterday... but, we did get a measureable snowfall overnight in many locations around Western New York. In fact... at least one location received nearly a half foot of snow in Cattaraugus County. An upper level storm brought frequent snow showers to the area early Thursday. That from Forecaster Dave Thomas of the National Weather Service in Buffalo. The National Weather Service reports that 5 inches of snow fell in West Valley in Cattaraugus County... 2.4 inches in Colden in Erie County... and, about 7-tenths of an inch has been reported by weather observers in Jamestown. We had just over an inch here at our Media One Studios. Thomas says late April snow is not as unusual as you would think. Last year... he says we had a trace of snow on this date.
Chautauqua County's Director of Health and Human Services has high hopes for a coordinated school health program to be offered to districts beginning this fall. Christine Schuyler believes the curriculum called 'ICE 8' is a long term, positive community response to the area's major drug problem. Schuyler says the program is being made available through BOCES, and 300-thousand dollars has been secured to get the cirriculum started in every school district in the county. What's needed now is school boards to adopt the program... and what she calls 'buy in' by the community at-large that "health is a priority." Schuyler says the program is evidence based, and touches on many aspects of health in ways appropriate for each grade level. She adds ICE 8 will be helpful to classroom teachers because it meets the health and safety standards established for "common core." Schuyler outlined the basics of ICE 8 at a Drug Forum this past Wednesday sponsored by the AAUW and League of Women Voters.
The Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County is set to launch two pilot programs next month to improve treatment for drug addicts. Association Director Rick Huber says The 'Treatment Court Jail Diversion Program' will allow immediate access to help for 10 people accepted into Drug Court. The program is being developed in cooperation with Jamestown City Court Judge John LaMancuso. The second new program will provide withdrawl medication from a psychiatrist for two people fighting addiction... and intensive counseling. Huber says someone who's been through "withdraw" will be with them 24/7. He says that counseling will be provided by certified councelors at the Mental Health Association. Huber says May is Mental Health Month... and, the ideal time to start new initiatives. Huber previewed the programs at a Drug Forum held Wednesday by the AAUW and the League of Women Voters.
A city man is jailed without bail for allegedly holding a Jamestown woman against her will... and, threatening to kill her. City police were called to the scene of a "violent" domestic incident late this past Sunday night... and, the victim told them she was attacked by 34 year-old Fred Lee. The victim reportedly told officers that she was held by the throat against a wall... and, not allowed to move. She says he also threatened her, and, broke two of her necklaces when he pulled her by the shirt collar. When they arrested him... police say they struggled with Lee briefly. They say the victim had an order of protection against him. Lee was arraigned in city court on several charges... including Felony criminal contempt... unlawful imprisonment... and, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation. He was then sent to the county lock-up.
The Catholic church is opposing efforts in New York to allow alleged sex abuse victims to sue after the statute of limitations has expired. Currently... victims have only until they turn 23 to seek charges or file a civil suit. The bill would create a one-year window for anyone to file lawsuits no matter when the alleged abuse occurred. A similar law in California passed in 2002 resulted in dioceses paying 1.2-billion dollars in settlements. New York's Catholic Conference says allowing claims of decades-old abuse would cause the church ``catastrophic financial harm.'' Bill supporters say current laws fail to acknowledge the seriousness of sex abuse _ or that victims often struggle for years before stepping forward. The measure would entirely eliminate the statute of limitations on abuse cases going forward.
The national competition is still about two-months away... but, it's been a busy week for the Distinguished Young Woman in New York state. Cassadaga Valley Central School Senior Heather Dorler is taking time this week to work with younger student on positive ways to be their "best self." It's part of the national program's "Be Your Best Self Initiative. Heather will speak today to a group of sixth-grade Chorus members at Cassadaga about the "Best Your Best Self" Programs five-elements. Dorler, who lives in Stockton, won the Distinguished Young Woman of the Lakewood Area last November... then went on to win the State Title. She'll head to Mobile, Alabama in mid-June to taken part in the national competition. Heather is also promoting this November's local competition... and, says it's a great experience. She says it brings together "lots of young women who are just trying to build friendships, and work together." Heather adds it's also a great chance to win some scholarship money for college. She says she looks forward to the national competition in Mobile, which begins June 15th.
