Two city residents arrested during traffic stop for possessing "large quantities" of Fentanyl and methamphetamine...
Two people from Jamestown have been arrested for allegedly being in possession of a large quantity of methamphetamine and fentanyl following a traffic stop on the eastside early Monday morning. City police say members of their Violent Crimes Unit conducted the stop on Grant St. -- near East Seventh St. -- shortly before 2 a.m. because the vehicle had no visable license plates. Officers searched the vehicle... and, found the meth and fentanyl... which was individually packaged for sale. They also found the vehicle had been stolen out of Cleveland, Ohio. Police arrested 38 year-old Eric Vangiesen and 41 year-old Lindsay Voye on two counts of Felony third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance -- with intent to sell... and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. Officers add that Voye tried to use a false name to hide her identity because she had active warrants for her arrest. She was also charged with second-degree criminal impersonation... along with traffic tickets for unlicensed operation... and, having an unregistered motor vehicle. Both were jailed pending arraignment.
City man arrested on drug charges following northside raid Monday...
A Jamestown man faces drug-related charges following a raid on his northside residence early Monday afternoon. Chautauqua County Sheriff's offcers say they... along with Jamestown Police, and other agencies... executed a search warrant on an apartment at 854 Prendergast Ave. just after 2 p.m. Deputies say investigators seized a quantity of cocaine... and, drug paraphernalia diluents used in the preparation or mixing of narcotics. Officers arrested 37 year-old Joshua Dorsey for fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. Police say Dorsey was released with appearance tickets for Jamestown City Court. If you see any suspicious or narcotics-related activity in your area... you're asked to call the Sheriff's Deparment Narcotics Investigators tip line at 800-344-8702... or 664-2420. For the JPD Tip line call 716-483-TIPs.. or 483-8477.
City lawmakers discuss and raise concerns over proposed, $6.9-million bonding resolutions...
There are still several questions to be answered before the Jamestown City Council votes on borrowing $6.9-million for repairs to city hall... and, to complete the new fleet management building. There are actually two bonds... one for $5.9-million for city hall -- including replacing the roof -- and several windows -- among others. The other is $1-million to help complete the new maintenance building on Washington Street. Finance Committee Chairwoman Kim Ecklund says Councilwoman Marie Carrubba voiced concern over the $350,000 costs for the new windows. Ecklund voiced concern over having no other bonds coming off the books in 2024, and she requested a bond plan so they know what's coming off next year, and after that. Some 17 windows in all need to be replaced in the building. There was also much discussion about the roof... and why a new one is being looked at now. Councilman Jeff Russell says -- if considered earlier -- they might have been able to use more of the city's American Rescue Plan Act funds. Mayor Eddie Sundquist says there was a recent engineering study done... and that included a detailed look at the roof. Council President Tony Dolce suggested looking at other options -- including remaining ARPA funding -- to bring down the cost.
County Legislator from Jamestown announces Democratic "Pro-Housing" proposal...
The city of Jamestown is not the only community in Chautauqua County that's dealing with housing challenges. That from County Legislature Democrats... who say they'll be proposing a measure next month that would allow the county to partner with local municipalities to address some long-standing issues. District 13 Legislator Tom Nelson offered the proposal during a recent announcement about a city initiative by incumbant Mayor Eddie Sundquist... for a "Pro-Housing" program to help local municipalities become "Pro-Housing Communities..." which would be able to take advantage of state funding available for those programs. Nelson says the want to create a group that would work together to attact some of the $650-million in discretionary funding Governor Kathy Hochul launched last month with the "Pro-Housing Communities Program." It's a statewide initiative to give priority consideration for those funds to local governments who are committed to housing growth. The program was announced by Governor Hochul in August.
Federal Housing program charges local owner and property manager of housing discrimination against tenant...
The owner and property manager of a rental property in Jamestown home have been accused by federal officials with violating the Fair Housing Act by refusing to allow a tenant with a disability to live with her assistance animal. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the charges against Ronit, and Voyl “Tom” Mecham. HUD's Principal Assistant Deputy Secretary, Dementria McCain says "assistance animals provide people with disabilities the support they need to enjoy the benefits of their housing. HUD is committed to zealously enforcing the Act to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities.” McCain adds that the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on disability. She says this includes refusing to provide reasonable accommodation so that persons with disabilities can have an equal opportunity to enjoy their housing. A reasonable accommodation includes waiving a “no pet” policy for assistance animals. An administrative law judge will hear HUD’s charge, unless any party to the Charge elects to have the case heard in federal district court.
