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WJTN News Headlines

An investigation into a reported shooting incident last Sunday morning has led to the arrest of three people in Jamestown for allegedly trafficking illegal narcotics.  City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says officers arrested 20 year-old Emil Deprospo during a raid on a Barker Street late Monday afternoon.  Samuelson says Deprospo is accused of firing a single-shot during an alleged altercation at 81 Hazard Street about 4:30 AM Sunday. Samuelson says Deprospo and the two others... identified as 18 year-old Kevin Philbrick... and, 17 year-old Donald Dean, Junior... were arrested.  He says they found a quantity to powder cocaine, marijuana, prescription pills, packaging material... and, drug paraphernalia inside.  Samuelson adds that Dean also faces one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon for allegedly having a stun gun inside the home.  However... he says they are still looking for the gun allegedly used by Deprospo in the Hazard Street incident.  Anyone with information on the incident... or other drug activity... is asked to call the JPD Tips-line at 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477.

 

A Jamestown man has been arrested in the town of North Harmony for allegedly selling more than an ounce of Methamphetime to an undercover police officer.  Members of the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force arrested 61 year-old James Bess, Junior last Sunday afternoon at a location on Stow Road.  Task Force agents add that they also seized more than 3-ounces of additional Meth... as well as a large quantity of money and scales that are used to weigh the drug.  Based on the alleged sale and seizure... Bess was initially charged with one count each of second-degree criminal sale of a Controlled Substance... and, third-degree criminal possession of a Controlled Substance.  He was also charged with second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia.  Bess was arraigned in North Harmony Town Court... and, sent to the County Jail on 100-thiousand dollars cash bail.  However... further investigation led the Task Force to a motel in the Town of Ellicott where they seized several additional ounces of Meth. after a search.  With that... Bess will be arraigned on a second count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance at a later date.  The task force again urges anyone to call them if they spot suspicious... or narcotics related activity at 1-800-344-8702.

 

The Democratic challenger for Congress in the Jamestown-area was in town yesterday to hear more about what's been done... and, needs to be done to address the Heroin and Opioid Addiction crisis.  John Plumb was invited by a recovering addict who works for his campaign to be at the Mental Health Association of Chautauqua County.  Plumb says while it was more of an urban problem years ago... Heroin is as much a rural problem now. More than a dozen people... many of them recovering addicts and their families... spoke with Plumb.  One emphasized the need for a long-term treatment facility... and, transitional housing.  Plumb says there are also some other options... including the use of the drug Vivitrol for "more serious" addictions.  He adds that he's also encouraged by what he's heard about Drug Treatment Court.  As for the campaign, he says it's been very well-received.  Plumb says people have become increasingly frustrated with the politics of Washington.  He is a former Naval Commander, who has also worked at the Pentagon.

 

A Westfield man has been arrested for allegedly trying to use a counterfeit 100-dollar bill to purchase items at a convenience store in the village of Mayville.  Sheriff's officers say 62 year-old Rance Freeman, Senior of Walker Road allegeldy entered the Crosby Store on North Erie Street just after 5 PM Sunday... and, tried to make the purchase with the fake bill.  Following a brief investigation... officers say they found that Freeman was the suspect... and, an arrest warrant was issued out of Chautauqua Town Court for first-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument... and, petty larceny.  Freeman was arrested, and arraigned in town court... and, sent to the county jail on 5-thousand dollars bail.

 

Chautauqua County has a new Veteran's Services Agency Director who will take over for the current director when he retires next month.  County Executive Vince Horrigan announced Tuesday morning that Celoron native Greg Carlson will replace Gary Chilcotte when Chilcotte retires on Veteran's Day.  During a press conference at the Veteran's Services office in Jamestown... Horrigan said Carlson's 'unique' military career before recently retiring from the U-S Air Force... stood out. Horrigan says Carlson served as a liason to the Army during a stint at Fort Drum, New York.  Most of all... he adds that Carlson's passion also stood out.  The new director adds that he's excited to be taking on this new challenge... because this is a "very patriotic" area.  Carlson says he's not going to be able to fill Chilcotte's shoes... but, will benefit from his leadership and guidance while heading up the agency the past three years.  Chilcotte says he'll be working with Carlson until he takes over in November.

 

County Executive Vince Horrigan also spent much time Tuesday lauding his retiring Veteran's Services Director.  During the announcement of Greg Carlson taking over the position next month... Horrigan praised Gary Chilcotte for his "incredible work" done on behalf of the county's 11-thousand veterans the past three years.  He cited the retired Air Force Colonel's work with State Senator Cathy Young to get a new "peer-to-peer" program underway.
The "peer to peer" program is designed to help address the issues facing veteran's who return from the battlefield overseas in rejoining society... and, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Horrigan says Chilcotte showed his passion for helping veteran's by being at events, parades, and nursing homes during his time leading the agency.

 


A potential raise for New York state lawmakers has become a campaign issue in this fall's elections, with many challengers saying lawmakers don't deserve more money following a wave of corruption arrests.  An appointed commission is now considering whether to recommend an increase for legislators, whose $79,500-a-year salary has stayed flat since 1998.  Some lawmakers, particularly from New York City, say a raise is needed to keep up with the cost of living.  A decision is expected shortly after the election, and any increase will take effect automatically unless lawmakers vote to block it.  Several candidates challenging incumbents are blasting the idea of an increase, noting that lawmakers have done little to address widespread corruption that has seen many lawmakers leave office facing allegations of misconduct.