Local News Headlines
A nurse from Olean has been arrested by local and federal authorities on child pornography charges. U-S Attorney William Hochul, Junior announced late Tuesday that 46 year-old Willie Reid... a Registered Nurse at Olean General Hospital... was arrested... and, charged with distribution and possession of child pornography. Hochul says Reid duties at Olean General included working in the Pediatric Unit. The complaint states that between February 9th of last year... and, this past February 8th... Reid downloaded videos and images of child pornography using a 'peer-to-peer' file sharing program. Some of the videos and images included pre-pubescent children and depictions of violence. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the U-S Department of Justice. The FBI and Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Department were involved in the investigation. Hochul says the charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 5-years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a fine of 250-thousand dollars.
There's still no cause for a late night fire Monday that damaged the front entryway to an apartment house on Jamestown's northside. Fire Battlion Chief Matt Russo says crews were called to the Euclid Apartments at 28 Euclid Avenue shortly before 11:30 PM Monday... and, found fire coming from around the entrance doors. Russo says firefighters attacked the flames with a single-hand line... and, knocked it down quickly. They found no extension... but, did have to clear some smoke from the building. No one was hurt... but, crews were at the scene for about an hour and a half.
Four city teens are under arrest for allegedly shooting paintballs at several people.. houses and vehicles around Jamestown Monday night. City police were called to the area around 364 Fluvanna Avenue about 6:30 PM on several complaints of youths shooting the paintballs. Officers got a description of the suspect vehicle... and, later found it... and, the teens inside. Three of them... an 18 year-old and two 16 year-olds... face several charges... including two counts of second-degree assault... and one count each of reckless endangerment... criminal nuisance... and, conspiracy. Police say a 15 year-old who's accused of taking part will have his case petitioned to Family Court at a later date.
A long-vacant restaurant location on Fairmount Avenue in West Ellicott is being transformed into a new business. Ellicott Town Supervisor Cecil Miller confirms that Clearview Pools of Western New York has leased the former Yum-Yum's... and, will be opening sometime in the near future. Miller says he and other town officials are "very excited" about the development. He says a developer purchased the property several months ago... and, began sprucing up the property. Miller says the tenant is renovating the inside and outside of the building. Miller did not identify the developer. He adds no zoning changes are needed for the new store... which will specialize in above... and in-ground pools and spas. We have learned that the local franchiser for Clearview Pools of Western New York is Scott Axelson... who is returning to the area from the New England region.
Chautauqua County's representative in Congress says he's not against a proposal that could end tax-free shopping on the Internet. However... Corning Republican Tom Reed says he will only support the enforcement of state sales taxes on those sales. The U-S Senate yesterday (Monday) approved a bill that empowers states to require businesses with more than one-million dollars in "out-of-state" sales to collect taxes for products they sell on the Internet... in catalogs... and, through radio and TV ads. Reed says many Internet sales ARE taxable.
Reed says there is an issue of fairness with "brick and mortar" business that have to collect sales tax on merchandise not considered to be 'basic necessities.' He says the problem is there is no penalty in place for Internet sale sites. However... Reed adds he does NOT support a new tax. Under the legislation passed 69-to-27 in the Senate... the sales taxes would be sent to the states where a shopper lives. Current law says that states can only require retailers to collect sales taxes if the merchant has a physical presence in the state. As a result, many online sales are tax-free.
A Jamestown man is jailed after allegedly grabbing an early morning snack... and, stealing several bottles of booze from a downtown hotel. City police arrested 56 year-old Robert Cavender of East Fifth Street about 3 AM Tuesday at the Ramada Inn on West Fourth Street for allegedly breaking into the kitchen and banquet-area during the overnight hours. Officers say a hotel employee reportedly found Cavender inside a large kitchen cooler eating shrimp, breakfast sandwiches, and ice cream bars. The suspect ran off... but, later returned... and, was found in an elevator in possession of several liquor bottles from the banquet room. Cavender allegedly ran off again... but, was found by police a few blocks away. He was arrested... and, arraigned on charges of Felony burglary, criminal mischief and petty larceny. Cavender was then sent to the Chautauqua County Jail with no bail set.
