City man and woman arrested for having illegal gun, Meth and fake $100 bills...
A Jamestown man and woman are jailed without bail for allegedly being found in possession of illegal gun, drugs and several fake $100 bills during a traffic stop late Thursday. City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says 24 year-old Daniel McKay and 22 year-old Kaylyn Barlow were arrested during the stop at Strong and Fulton Streets after their car was pulled over for having a loud exhaust. Samuelson says the found items including a loaded, .380-pistol with the serial number defaced... nearly 4-grams of Methamphetime... and, nine fake $100 bills during the Targeted Enforcement Detail. Samuelson says the phony bills have been cropping up a lot lately at various businesses -- especially pizzerias and pizza delivery businesses. However... he says if you're not paying attention... you can be dupped by those bills. Samuelson says -- since they aren't considered counterfeit -- there are no charges against McKay -- who is a state Parolee -- and Barlow. He says both were arraigned on charges including second-degree criminal possession of a weapon... and, third and seventh-degree criminial possession of a controlled substance, and sent to the county jail without bail.
Cattaraugus County man arrested for having venomous snakes, reptiles...
Authorities say state wildlife officers have seized three king cobras and other venomous reptiles from a western New York home. The Olean Times-Herald reports that Department of Environmental Conservation officers obtained a warrant Thursday morning to search a home in the Cattaraugus County town of Allegany. Officers say inside they found three king cobras and other venomous species, along with numerous turtles, kept in enclosures throughout the home, located on East Union Street. The snakes and other reptiles were taken to the Buffalo Zoo. It's illegal in New York state to own venomous snakes without a DEC permit. The man living at the house hasn't been charged.
Collins suspends campaign after Reed says it's up to Collins on what he should do...
Congressman Tom Reed says the charges of insider trading and lying to the FBI leveled against fellow Representative Chris Collins are "troublesome." Reed made the comment during a conference call with regional media late this past week. The Corning Republican said he would let Collins and his family handle the matter themselves and let the voters in his Western New York district decide if he should remain in office. Reed says it's "his choice." Collins finally decided to suspend his campaign for re-election this (Saturday) morning after consulting with family members and friends. Reed says House members are taking the allegations seriously, and that it will take Collins time to work through this situation. Collin's statement said he's ending his campaign in the best interest of his constituents, President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. A spokeswoman for the New York state Republican party said no decision has been made about a possible replacement for Collins on the ballot.
Olean man accused of stealing from Cattaraugus County employer sentenced to prison time, restitution...
A Cattaraugus County man will spend nearly three-years in federal prison after being convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion. U-S Attorney James Kennedy, Jr. adds that 54 year-old Joseph Stevens of Olean was also ordered to pay 512-thousand dollars in restitution to the victim, and the Internal Revenue Service. That's in addition to the 33-month sentence he received. Prosecutors say Stevens... who was a CPA... was hired by a business owner in August of 2012 for pay vendors, taxes, and to handle employee payroll. However... he was accused of later using a ruse that the business was not doing well financially. He was later found to have made more than $342,000 in unauthorized withdrawls... and, forged nearly 40 checks for nearly $88,000. Stevens also failed to file income taxes for 2015.
Audubon's new director introduced to the public Friday...
The new director of the Jamestown Audubon Nature Center says she hopes to expand the local center's outreach once she has settled into her new position. That from Rochester native Leigh Rovegno... who was formally introduced to the public Friday afternoon as the replacement for the retiring Ruth Lundin. Rovegno has already been on the job for about two-weeks and says she's very excited about returning to western New York, and putting ways to better connect with people in the Jamestown community to spread audubon's message. Audubon Board Chairman Pierre Chagnon says one thing that stood out about Rovegno is that she flew here from her home in Denver, Colorado to interview for the post. Chagnon says most of the out-of-town candidates interviewed via Skype. Rovegno had been working in horticulture... and, organic farming in Denver the past several years. She says her parents are originally from Salamanca. A welcoming reception was held for Leigh Rovegno after a press conference announing her appointment Friday.
