City Council discusses CDGB and HOME Program Action Plan to be voted on in late June...
City lawmakers in Jamestown will vote later this month on the city's annual Action Plan for it's Community Development Block Grant... which totals $1.14-million. In addition... the City Council will also vote on a just under $400,000 HOME Program. The Finance Committee approved the plan Monday night... and, City Development Director Crystal Surdyk says there are a few minor changes to this year's allocation... but, adds the amount for "targeted" demolition of dilapitated housing is at the maximum of $110,000. Surdyk says that's one of their anti-blight initiatives, which also include their "Hands-On Neighborhood" clean-up programs. The largest area of funding is $210,000 for rehabiliation of publicly, or privately owned, commercial or industrial properties. Surdyk says the city will also hold it's annual Amnesty Days as part of the program... where people can dispose of large bulk items... as well as recycle electronics, and tires this year. City leaders say the formal public hearing on the 2023 CDBG-HOME Program Action Plan will be held prior to the council's June 26 voting session.
City man arrested for allegedly leading police on chase with Dirt Bike...
A Jamestown man faces multiple charges after leading police on a short vehicle chase with his dirt bike on the city's eastside yesterday morning. Jamestown police say they spotted the unregistered dirt bike with two riders passing through the intersection of East Second and Winsor Streets about 11 a.m. Officers activated their emergency lights and siren as the bike was traveling on the wrong side of the street. The operator of the dirt bike, later identified as 24-year-old Bracken Warren, led officers on a short pursuit violating multiple vehicle and traffic laws. The pursuit ended in the new portion of Lakeview Cemetery... where Warren and a female passenger... abandoned the bike and ran into the woods. However... both were found a short time later... and, Warren was arrested for unlawfully fleeing a Police Officer and reckless driving. He was later arraigned and issued appearance tickets for City Court.
City police ask public's help in solving "suspicious situations" case in Brooklyn Square...
Jamestown police are looking for the driver of a dark-colored pickup truck involved in two separate suspicious situations in the Brooklyn Square of the city. Jamestown police say the black or dark-colored truck has a red or blue fishing sticker in the back window... and, has been seen in the later evening hours in recent days. Police say the pick-up truck is believed to be an extended cab truck and the drive may act like he's working on the truck. The operator of the truck is described as a white male in his 50’s, approximately 5' 7" tall with with brown and gray hair and a mustache. Anyone with information about this person or vehicle – or anyone who sees the vehicle – is asked to call the Jamestown Police Department at 483-7537... of their confidential tip line at 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477.
Borrello says work continues on session-ending bills in state legislature prior to conclusion on Thursday...
New York state lawmakers will be busy passing bills in the remaining days of the legislative session that wraps up on Thursday in Albany. State Senator George Borrello of Sunset Bay was asked about the legislation he has been working on in recent weeks... including some extenders for the county's occupancy and sales taxes. Among the remaining bills... says Borrello... is one that would help the Dunkirk Fire Department with recruiting candidates from outside the city. He says there's also a measure designed to let local communities work together more on joint ventures to save money. Borrello, a Republican, says he is working other bills that will allow local communities to work together before legislative leaders adjourn the session.
Jackson Center to host U.S. Supreme Court, "Barnette" case seminar...
The so-called '303 Creative' case currently before the U.S. Supreme Court... and a landmark case decided 80 years ago will be the subject of seminar Wednesday at the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown. Center President, Kristan McMahon says their Jackson authority, John Q. Barrett will lead the discussion. McMahon says the "303 Creative" case involves a woman who says, due to her religious beliefs, doesn't want to create websites for same-sex couples. However, the woman says she hasn't been asked to do one yet. The case from 80 years ago is 'West Virginia versus Barnette.' Robert H. Jackson wrote the majority opinion in that decision involving mandatory rituals in the classroom... and, that the students First Amendment right as Jehovah's Witnesses allowed them to not recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The seminar on the connections among 'Barnette', '303 Creative' and other current First Amendment challenges will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Jackson Center. The program is free and open to the public.
PA State house narrowly approves new State budget...
Pennsylvania state lawmakers returned to session Monday for a weekslong slog to the budget deadline, as House Democrats advanced a spending plan that could test whether Governor Josh Shapiro can manage a politically divided Legislature in his freshman year. It could also set the tone for how the Democratic governor will boost his agenda while balancing the demands of an entrenched Senate Republican majority with those of a one-vote House Democratic majority that took power this year. Within hours... House Democrats unveiled and passed a spending plan, 102-101, that goes well beyond what Shapiro requested for the year starting July 1.
