City man gets 6 1/2 years in federal prison on Felony firearm's possession...
A Jamestown man convicted of being a Felon in possession of a firearm has been sentenced to 6-1/2 years in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Trini Ross has announced that 35 year-old Angelo Pollino received the 78-month term from U.S. District Court Judge Richard Arcara. Prosecutors say Pollino and two other men broke into a home in the town of Ellicott in January of 2019... and, stole a .380-caliber pistol... .38 caliber revolver... a Glock pistol... and various bank and credit cards of the victim. The following day, the trio used the victim’s bank and credit cards at various locations in New York and Pennsylvania. Pollino then traded the pistol and revolver for heroin. Pollino had been convicted in 2012 in Chautauqua County Court for burglary and criminal possession of stolen property.... as a result... he was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Schmidt announces two County Court sentencings...
A man from Erie, Pa. involved in a manhunt in the town of Westfield in October 2021 has been sentenced to six years in state prison after pleading guilty to second-degree burglary. Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt says 40 year-old James Gnacinski received the sentence... plus five years post-release supervision... from County Court Judge David Foley Wednesday. Schmidt says Gnacinski was originally charged with first-degree burglary for the incident....but, he agreed to plea to the lesser charge last February.
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Also in County Court Wednesday... a Buffalo man was sentenced to five-years in prison... and, five-years post-release supervision on one count of second-degree attempted criminal possession of a weapon. D-A Schmidt says 28 year-old Michael Bland pled guilty to the charge last April in connection with an incident in the city of Jamestown in March of 2022.
Sundquist says new Deputy City Comptroller now in place...
There's a new Deputy City Comptroller in place for Jamestown to deal with financial matters for the first time in more than three months. Mayor Eddie Sundquist says Carol Malek was hired last month... and, recently took on the position... replacing Katie Maycock. She left the position back in March for a job in the private sector. Sundquist says Malek is currently working retired Comptroller Joe Bellitto... who has been helping out in a part-time basis. He says it's important to have someone in the post full-time to help finish the city's audit for 2022, and begin the 2024 budget process shortly. Malek will be the fifth Comptroller for Jamestown in the past three years. Sundquist says she has a lot of accounting experience... serving in the non-profit... and, private sectors.
County Health Dept. unveils new Mobile Health Unit...
The Chautauqua County Health Department now has the ability to take it's outreach and education programs out to the local communities. Health Department staff unveiled their new mobile health unit as part of an open house Wednesday afternoon in Mayville. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael Faulk says they first pitched the idea in 2021... during the height of the COVID Pandemic. Faulk says the county received a grant to initially get the van to provide health services to schools, and others to enhance testing and dispensing COVID vaccines. With the pandemic now over... Faulk says the mobile vehicle will be used to primarily bring health education and services to "local vulnerable" populations. He says they'll be at the County Fair in Dunkirk this Friday through Sunday. For more information on the mobile unit... go on-line to healthychq.com
4-H Meat Animal Sale at Chautauqua County Fair set for Friday... featuring new "Dairy Boxes..."
When the 59th annual 4-H Meat Animal Sale gets underway this Friday at 12 Noon at the Chautauqua County Fair... there will be the usual offerings of hogs, goats, chickens, lamb, steer... and something new... dairy boxes. Leighanne Swan of Sherman is one of 13 4-Her's selling a box which she says will have a variety of dairy related items. Buyers will bid on the boxes, just as they do with other auction items. Items in the boxes were donated... to give 4-H dairy kids an opportunity to get some help with their expenses. Proceeds can also be used to buy next year's projects, or put away for college.
Attendance at Nat. Comedy Center this Summer reported good, with boost from free kids program...
The annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival in Jamestown is still a couple of weeks away... but, the National Comedy Center has already had a great summer. Center Executive Director, Journey Gunderson, says it started with Memorial Day weekend, when it seems like the "turnstile flood gates opened." The Shults Auto Group is underwriting the cost of attendance for young people visiting the Comedy Center this summer. Gunderson believes that's made a big difference... because they're seeing more families coming to the center, and taking part in the exhibits people can take part in. Gunderson says sales have been brisk for the two headliners coming to Jamestown in early August for the Comedy Festival: Gabriel Iglesias and Taylor Tomlinson. Iglasias performs at the Northwest Arena on Thursday night, Aug. 3, while Tomlinson performs the following night, Friday, Aug. 4. Gunderson advises anyone wanting tickets for those shows to get them soon. The website is comedycenter.org.
