Florida woman now faces federal charges in traffic stop that led to seizure of 50,000 to 60,000 Fentanyl pills in Jamestown...
A Miami, Fla. woman has been now been arrested on federal charges for allegedly being found with nearly 10-pounds of Fentanyl pills during a traffic stop in Jamestown last week. U.S. Attorney Trini Ross announced Tuesday that 64 year-old Elina Martinez was arrested last Wednesday... and, taken into federal custody on charges of possession with intent to distribute, and distributing 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Prosecutors say a JPD detective requested a uniformed patrol officer to do a traffic stop on a rental car being driven by Martinez for numerous traffic violations. They say she made some suspicious movements... and, was asked to get out of the car. Police then -- with her permission -- searched the vehicle and discovered a suspicious powder residue in a suitcase. Two K-9 dogs were brought in and alerted police to the presence of “drugs” in the driver's side area and officers found a plastic bag of pills secreted in a battery of the car. Following a more extensive search, officers recovered the 9-pounds... 13 ounces of blue pills, which field tested positive for fentanyl. If convicted... Martinez faces a manditory of 10 years in prison, and a maximum of life.
City Council overrides Sundquist's five budget vetoes...
The city of Jamestown officially has a new budget in place for 2023 after the city council last night overrode the five vetoes made to Mayor Eddie Sundquist's proposal. Council Finance Committee Chairwoman Kim Ecklund says most of the 27 amendments her committee offered dealt with correcting more than $500,000 in mistakes and omissions in the mayor's original proposal. Ecklund also corrected the record on a Buffalo-TV News story that reported council was cutting $3,000 from the Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency that was reportedly dealing with the homeless issue. Ecklund says it was a reduction in the increase JURA was receiving... and, there is no change in funding. Council mustered more than the 2/3rds majority needed for each override. However... the one reducing the mayor's travel and education line by $6,500 was approved 6-to-3.
Sundquist says veto overrides are how "democracy works..."
Mayor Eddie Sundquist was disappointed by the outcome of the veto overrides... but, adds "that's how democracy works." Sundquist, though, was most disappointed by council's decision to override his veto of a $75,000 increase in the projected sales tax revenue figure for 2023. He believes the city will be hard-pressed to meet that increase... and sets the city "up for failure." Sundquist says council's amount increases the projection to 6% to 7% more than this year... while he only budgeted 3% to 4%. He says the county is only increasing it's projections about 5%. The changes include adding just over $50,000 to the amount of undesignated fund balance being used to balance the $38.6-million budget. Sundquist says... with the changes now approved... the just over $303,000 infusion of fund balance "balances" the 2023 budget. Lawmakers had to vote on the overrides by Dec. 15. The final budget still includes no tax rate increase. It will remain $23.69 per $1,000 full value in 2023.
Three arrested in stolen car in Jamestown Monday morning...
Three city residents are accused of being inside a stolen vehicle that was stopped in the area of Martin Road and Burtch Street Monday morning. Jamestown police say a patrol was in that area shortly before 8:30 a.m. when they saw the operator has pulled over, and was talking with a male subject, who was walking. Police did a check on the vehicle... which had been reported stolen from the parking lot of SUNY Jamestown Community College back in October. Officers then stopped the car... and, arrested all three people. They say the driver, 29 year-old Daniel McKay, was charged with third-degree criminal possession of stolen property... two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. Police say 23 year-old Camille Lopez was charged with false personation and third-degree criminal possession of stolen property... as was the third person... identified as 38 year-old Bart Bartlett.
National Comedy Center announces new Newhart artifact...
A couple of new artifacts, and gift shop specials await patrons who come to the National Comedy Center and Lucy-Desi Museum during the holiday season. In fact... the two new items have a holiday theme to them. That from the Comedy Center's Manager of Marketing and Communications, Megan Arnone-Eckwahl... during an interview Monday morning with our Dennis Webster. She says the now have Comedy legend Bob Newhart's papa Elf costume from the movie "Elf." Arnone-Eckwahl adds that Newhart's "Elf" costume is in a showcase with Lindsey Lohan's "Santa" costume from the movie "Mean Girls." In addition... she says the gift shop at each location is selling merchandise at 25% off, and admission is not necessary. For more information... go on-line to ComedyCenter.org.
Vehicle noise complaint leads to druge and weapons possession arrest in Jamestown...
A noise complaint for a loud vehicle on Jamestown's eastside early Monday morning has led to the arrest of a city man for alleged drug and weapons possession charges. City police were called to a location on Barrows Street shortly after 2 a.m., and, found 30 year-old Dylan Abbey inside the vehicle. Officers say they could see drug paraphernalia and narcotics in plain view... and, they ordered Abbey to open the door. However... he drove off and came to a stop a short distance away, and was arrested without furuther incident. During a search of the car... police say they found a quantity of Fentanyl, and Marijuana. They also found three different pills -- all of which were controlled substances. They add that Abbey was also found to be in possession of plastic knuckles... and, they found he had multiple driver's license suspensions. He was arrested on numerous charges including second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation... and, and Felony charges including third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... third-degree criminal possession of a weapon... and three counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was jailed pending arraignment.
