City Council approves new "Quality of Life" ticketing ordinance...
The Jamestown City Council has unanimously approved a new, "Quality of Life" ticketing ordinance to "speed up" action on more minor housing and property issues.  Concerns were raised over how the new ordinance will be enforced... and, the safety of code enforcement officers.  Following the vote... Council President Tony Dolce noted that... while fines could be assessed... the idea is to get people to comply quicker.  Dolce says the Dept. of Development would rather work out issues with constituents to get those matters resolved.  He adds that lawmakers realize some issues will take more time... like finding someone to paint a house.  Housing Committee Chairwoman Marie Carrubba has talked about frustrated residents who have tried to work with neighbors to get issues resolved.  She hopes this encourages people to take care of their properties in "a timely manner."  While there's more work to be done... Carrubba says taking more minor offenses out of Housing Court will not only get action sooner... it also puts some teeth into the law.

Jamestown lawmakers also give final approval to SAFER Grant agreement with city firefighters union...
Final approval has now been given by city lawmakers to the agreement with the Jamestown firefighter's union to hire eight new firefighers.  Earlier this Summer... Council gave tentative approval to receiving a $1.8-million SAFER Grant to pay for the firefighers for the next three-years.  However... attorneys for all sides continued negotiating a final deal... and Council President Tony Dolce was pleased to be able to give final approval to the contract.  Dolce says it's a matter of safety, but, also "protecting the taxpayers."  Deputy Fire Chief Matt Coon was pleased to now be able to move ahead... recruit the eight new firefighters from the Civil Service list... and, get them trained.  He says letters will likely go out right after Labor Day.  The final agreement shores up the expectations of what may happen if the city is not able to financially keep all eight positions filled.  Those eight new firefighters would not count towards IMPACT payments to the union.

Pair of city men arrested for trespassing and drug possession...
Two Jamestown men have been arrested on trespassing and drug-related charges after they were found inside a condemned home on the city's northside last weekend.  Jamestown police were called to 129 Price St. shortly before 1 p.m. last Saturday... and, found the two men inside.  Officers say they identified the pair as 44 year-old Edwin Sanchez, and 27 year-old Eric Ramos-Astacio.  Police say Ramos-Astacio allegedly tried to conceal and destroy evidence by placing glassine envelopes in his socks, and then his mouth.  He was told several times to remove the items... and, put his hands behind his back -- but, refused.  He also pulled away from officers before he and Sanchez were both taken into custody.  They were taken to the city jail.. but, a further search found that Sanchez was in possession 12.4 grams of Cocaine located inside 23 separate capsules... and, Ramos Astacio was found to be in possession of .4 grams of Fentanyl.  He is charged with trespassing, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, tampering with physical evidence and resisting arrest.  Sanchez is charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, trespassing.  Both were jailed pending arraignment.

Wendel to hold Fredonia water meeting, and work continues on new budget...
The village of Fredonia's water will be the focus of a meeting hosted by Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel this week.  Wendel says a number of people have been invited to the meeting... because with a new hospital being proposed there, they'll need a reliable water supply.  He says members of his administration and health department will meet with the mayor, and water committee.  Village trustees recently approved a comprehensive study of the water system, which includes the option of purchasing water from the city of Dunkirk.  That study is due later this year.  Wendel says there are resources available to help the village, including federal and state funding for infrastructure projects.

Plenty of interior improvements being finished up at Jamestown's Fletcher Elementary School...
Except for some new sidewalks installed this summer... the exterior of Fletcher Elementary School on Cole Avenue in Jamestown looks much like it always has.  However... Principal Amanda Sischo says inside is another story where they're "replacing the guts of the building."  The ‘original’ part of the Fletcher building will get air conditioning for the first time.  In order to make the upgrades, ceilings have been removed in the basement... and on the 2nd floor to install vents, and new ‘data lines.’  Sischo says they've updated thier public address systems, cameras... and, internet systems.  She believes the contractors involved will have the building ‘buttoned up’ in time for school to start on Tues., Sept. 5. 

Sample stepping down as Station Mgr. at WRFA-LP FM...
Big changes will be coming in mid-September at Jamestown's low-power public radio station... as Station Manager Jason Sample steps down at WRFA-LP FM.  In a press release late Monday.. the Reg Lenna Center for The Arts announced that Sample would be stepping down on Thurs., Sept. 14 to pursue another opportunity in communications and public relations.  Jason began his radio career here at Media One Radio in the early 2000s... and, joined WRFA in 2008.  He became Public Affairs Director at the station in 2011.  He became Station Manager in March of 2021.  Current WRFA Public Affairs Director, Julia Ciesla-Hanley, has been named interim station General Manager.