Most of the funding is coming together... but, the new National Comedy Center in downtown Jamestown will not be ready for this year's Lucille Ball Comedy Festival. After breaking ground on the project on West Second Street during the festival in August of 2015... officials said they hoped the project would be completed in time for the 2017 festival. However... Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson says the date has been pushed back. Gunderson spoke following this week's announcement that Jim Gaffigan will be headlining next year's festival.
Gunderson recently told us that she was "hopeful" about a Spring of 2018 opening. Ideally... she says it would be best to open in the Spring once nice weather arrives in the area. She says they are working right now to get a small amount of "gap funding" for the 50-million dollar endeavor. Gunderson says they are seeking 2-million dollars of that from the city's 10-million dollar, Downtown Revitalization Initative grant from the state. She says they have "the lion's share of funding" in place for the comedy center. Work on the project is underway.
A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly trying to flee from police who were trying to arrest him on a Felony warrant Wednesday morning. Jamestown police say officers on patrol spotted 23 year-old Cody DiDomenico near 207 Foote Avenue... but, add he ran into UPMC Chautauqua-WCA when confronted. Police say DiDomenico led officers on a brief foot chase inside the hospital before he was taken into custody. Officers say that... in addition to the warrant... he is charged with resisting arrest. DiDomenico was arraigned and sent to the county jail without bail.
Two Jamestown residents have been arrested for allegedly stealing a number of items from a store in the Warren Mall near Warren, Pennsylvania Wednesday. Sheriff's officers say they were contacted by Warren County authorities about the shoplifting of more than 13-hundred dollars worth of merchandise from The Bon-Ton in the Mall. Police say the vehicle was traveling north on Route 62 towards the Jamestown area. Deputies say they located the car in the CVS parking lot in Brooklyn Square in the city... and, arrested 42 year-old Miguel Soto and 29 year-old Kelly Sherlock -- both of 601 Lafayette Street... about 12 Noon. Officers say both were arraigned on one count each of Felony criminal possession of stolen property... and, sent to the county jail without bail. More charges are pending.
The new labor agreements and 20-year retirement plans approved at the Chautauqua County Legislature meeting this past Wednesday night should benefit both taxpayers and the Sheriff's Office. That from Sheriff Joe Gerace... who is pleased that county lawmakers approved the agreements with the Deputy Sheriff's Association of Chautauqua County and the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Supervisors' Association. Gerace says it will not only benefit current deputies and supervisors, but it will also help with recruitment efforts. Gerace adds, though, that there is a downside... and, that's a "little bit of a brain-drain" as deputies and other department leaders retire... and, take that experience with them. But, overall... Gerace says he's pleased with the outcome. He says it’s rare to see the county benefit economically from such a labor agreement.
U-S Senator Charles Schumer has once again completed his tour of all of New York state's counties. The Democrat visited the Columbia County city of Hudson on Wednesday, the final leg of this year's 62-county tour. Schumer has visited each county in the state at least once for 18th straight years. This year Schumer's travels took him to Long Island 47 times, Rochester and the Finger Lakes 26 times, the Hudson Valley 27 times and western New York 19 times. He says he keeps the tradition going because the visits teach him so much about the state he serves - and because he enjoys it. Schumer isn't giving up on the tour now that he is serving as Senate minority leader. He plans to start his next 62-county tour in January.
The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities is offering extended hours at its Customer Service Office during a previously scheduled closed holiday period. According to BPU Spokesperson Christy Cuifilo (Shoe-fuh-low)... limited service at the Customer Service area at 92 Steele Street will be offered from 12-to-4 PM on Monday, January 2nd. Payments and simple account assistance will be available. Christy Cuifilo says -- as always -- in the case of any Jamestown BPU utility trouble outside regular business hours, customers may call the emergency number at 661-1640. The BPU will also be closed for the holiday today... and, on Monday, December 26th for Christmas. They will also be closed on Friday, December 30th, for New Year's.
A Pennsylvania man accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old runaway and giving her drugs has been sentenced to six to 12 years in prison. The Erie Times-News reports Devonne Jordan was sentenced on Tuesday. He must also register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life. The 32-year-old Corry man had pleaded guilty in October to statutory sexual assault and corruption of minors. Police say Jordan picked the girl up after she ran away from home in May. They say he took her to an Erie residence, sexually assaulted her and gave her alcohol, marijuana and cocaine.
