Storm damage clean-up underway in Chautauqua County after severe storms Thursday night...
Severe thunderstorms rolled across portions of Western New York early last evening... downing trees and power lines. Chautauqua County appears to have been one of the worst hit areas... especially the city of Dunkirk, which is under a State of Emergency. That from Forecaster Kirk Apffel at the National Weather Service in Buffalo, with more than 10 reports of damage. He says that a cluster of thunderstorms moved through the area, triggering the severe weather. He says the first reports they received was at 7:10 p.m. and the last was at 7:35 p.m. Thousands of utility customers lost their power in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties. Crews from National Grid and New York State Electric and Gas were still making repairs as of Friday morning.
Jamestown woman arrested on multiple drug possession charges following raid on Prendergast Ave....
A city woman faces multiple drug possession charges following an early morning raid yesterday at an apartment on Jamestown's northside. Sheriff's officers say their Narcotics Investigtors executed a search warrant at 608 Prendergast Ave. shortly after 5 a.m. with the help of Jamestown and Dunkirk Police. Deputies say the raid was the result of a two-month long investigation into narcotics sales out of the residence. Officers say the arrested 43 year-old Alicia Alexander after finding 9.4-grams of fentanyl... 3.1-grams of methamphetamine... scales and packaging material... along with $95 in cash. Alexander was arrested during a previous raid last month for criminal using drug paraphernalia. Alexander was arrested this time on charges of third, fourth and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. She was taken to the city jail pending arraignment.
Falconer music teacher arrested for communicating with juvenile student...
A Falconer Central School music teacher has been arrested for allegedly sending more than 600 text messages to a juvenile student... and, trying to get her to meet him at various places in the village. Ellicott Town Police say they were recently alerted to a suspicious situation involving 49 year-old Jeffrey Camp of Fredonia. Investigators add that Camp also allegedly tried to bring the Juvenile into the school after hours. Police say a search warrant was issued by Ellicott Town Court... and, Camp’s cell phone was secured as evidence. Officers say he's been charged with endangering the welfare of a child. They add the investigation is continuing and further charges are possible. Town Police say they are working closely with the Falconer school administration on the case. Camp was located and arrested Thursday.
Effort underway to create new Innovation Center at former Rogers School in Jamestown...
The former Rogers Elementary School in Jamestown will be reopening this coming school year as a new Innovation Center for the district. School Superintendent Kevin Whitaker says the first-phase of the project at the 41 Hebner Street location will begin this Fall with "three or four" classrooms being moved from Fletcher Elementary School due to capital project work taking place there. Whitaker says Phase-Two of the center’s opening will include starting career and technical education programming that is slated to begin during the 2024-25 school year. He says "we are excited to begin the process of reopening Rogers." As for getting the Innovation Center itself up and running... he says that will actually take place at Jamestown High School for the 2023-24 school year... with the aviation program going in first. As for the students who'll be at Rogers this coming school year... Fletcher Elementary School principal Amanda Sischo says "we are committed to ensuring that this temporary transition takes place as smoothly as possible. Teachers, paraprofessionals, and classroom routines will all remain the same as will any services in which a student regularly participates including art, library, music, and access to a school nurse."
City man sentenced to 6 1/2 years in federal prison for possession of stolen guns...
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.
Gillibrand, Hawley introduce Ban on Stock Trading for federal lawmakers...
A bi-partisan bill that would ban stock trading -- an ownership -- by federal lawmakers, and would boost penalties for violations, has been introduced in the U.S. Senate. The proposal called the "Ban Stock Tradiing for Government Officials Act" is being sponsored by New York Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand... and, Missouri Republican Josh Hawley. During a video conference with state-wide media... Gilllibrand says it takes her 2012 Stock Act a step further... and represents the "most substantive bipartisan effort to date to ban stock trades members of Congress, and senior executive branch officials." In addition... Gillibrand says the measure creates additional transparency and financial disclosure reporting. She hopes there will be support from both sides of the political aisle on the bill.
