A Jamestown man has been arrested for an alleged road rage incident on the city's southside in which he chopped into the hood of the victim's vehicle with a hatchet....
City Police say 19 year-old Jacob Slade allegedly drove after a vehicle that turned in front of him from the Arterial to Prather Avenue about 11:30 a.m. Monday. Officers say Slade then chased the second vehicle, and, cut it off at the intersection of Prather and Hazzard Street. Police say Slade then got out of the vehicle holding a hatchet, then struck the car's hood, causing about $1,500 damage. The victim was able to photograph Slade's license plate and, his car was later found in the village of Falconer. Slade was arrested for Felony criminal mischief, and second-degree menacing. He was jailed pending arraignment.
Some 10 people have expressed an interest in being appointed by Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi to fill the City Council seat vacated at the end of 2018 by Vanessa Weinert...
Teresi says, in the past, he has not found a lot of interest in filling vacant seats for either political party. But, he says this time he's been pleasantly surprised by the interested shown in replacing Weinert, who was an at-large Democrat.
Teresi will not say who is seeking the appointment to fill the slot but, says there are both male and female candidates with very diverse backgrounds. Since Weinert was an "at-large" member, he says there is only one main requirement he needs to be concerned with at this point and, that is the charter requirement that the person be registered as a member of the same political party as the person who resigned. Teresi says he has been talking with some councilmembers about the potential appointees to get their feedback on the appointment. He says he hopes to make a decision soon that can be voted on January 28th.
State Assemblyman Andy Goodell is back in Albany for the start of the 2019 legislative session, hoping to moderate what appears to be a very liberal and progressive agenda facing them...
The Jamestown-area Republican says the GOP Caucus will meet today in advance of Wednesday's start to the new session. Goodell says there is real concern among the GOP with Democrats in control of both the Assembly and Senate this year. Especially with regards to possibly legalizing recreational marijuana.
Goodell says he's also concerned about a push to legalize sports betting, something allowed through a federal court decision last year. He says sports betting is currently prohibited by the state constitution. He also has concern about another piece of legislation proposed before, the Farm Labor Bill, which he says could be "devastating" to local farmers. For the first time in a decade, Democrats will control both chambers of the legislature as well as the governor's office. Goodell will again be Assembly Minority Pro Temp during the coming session.
A broad coalition of good government groups and locally elected officials are urging New York state lawmakers to make changes to the state's antiquated voting laws a priority in the new year.....
The group includes more than 175 advocacy groups focused on the environment, immigration and housing issues, as well as unions, faith groups and dozens of local municipal officials. They back proposals to authorize early voting and ease registration rules as a way to encourage turnout. They also want lawmakers to strengthen campaign finance laws. The group held a rally at the state Capitol on Monday, two days before lawmakers begin the 2019 session. Similar proposals have failed in the past, but supporters are optimistic after Democrats wrested control of the Senate from Republicans in last fall's elections.
A Dunkirk teenager has been arrested for allegedly leading Sheriff's officers on a short vehicle person and, was found with two hand-guns and a quantity of cocaine.....
Deputies say they tried to stop 18 year-old Alan Wasserman-Vega on Doughty Street about 5 a.m. Saturday for an alleged traffic infraction. However, they say Wasserman-Vega failed to comply and, led police on a brief chase. He stopped in front of a local business and, tried to flee on foot. However, he was apprehended and, police found the guns and drugs. Wasserman-Vega was arraigned on charges of second and third-degree criminal possession of a Weapon and, seventh-degree Criminal Possession of a controlled substance. He was sent to the Chautauqua County Jail on $40,000 cash bail.
Jamestown High School senior, Sofia Isabella, has taken the top spot in a prestigous state-wide oratory contest and, will compete in the VFW's Voice of Democracy speech competition....
It attracts some 40,000 entrants from across the nation each year and, pays $30,000 to the winner. Sofia tapped into her immigrant heritage for the inspiration for her winning speech. In addition to a trip to the national competition in Washington in March, Sofia will receive a $500 scholarship for winning the New York state contest, and will go with her family to a VFW event in Albany in June. Sofia also works as an announcer here at the Media One Group of radio stations.
