City man found guilty of drug possession in county court...
A Chautauqua County Court Jury has found a Jamestown man guilty of Felony drug possession... and, he now faces up to 14 years in state prison. District Attorney Jason Schmidt says he's pleased to announce that John Anzalone was found guilty of second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Schmidt says the conviction is the result of investigation by the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force... and, a lengthy prosecution by h;is office. The JPD Metro Drug Task Force reaised Anzalone’s home in January of 2021 and found about seven ounces of cocaine. He says JPD was assisted in their investigation by the Ellicott Police Department and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s office. He also praised the work of Second Assistant D.A. Erik Bentley and First Assistant D.A. Andrew Molitor who prosecuted the case.
Two city residents arrested for possessing significant amount of fentanyl and meth...
Two Jamestown residents are accused of being in possession of a large quantity of methamphetamine and fentanyl following a traffic stop on Jamestown's eastside early Monday morning. City police say members of their Violent Crimes Unit conducted the stop on Grant St. -- near East Seventh -- shortly before 2 a.m. because their car 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 in Cleveland, Ohio. Police arrested 38 year-old Eric Vangiesen and 41 year-old Lindsay Voye on two counts each 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 phony name to hide her identity because she was sought on active arrest warrants. 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.
Gillibrand says she's willing to work with GOP lawmakers on immigration reform...
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand says she's ready to work with Republicans in the chamber to draft and approve legislation to deal with the country's migrant crisis. While most of the issues have to be resolved with legislation... the New York Democrat says there seems to be some reluctance right now among GOP members. Gillibrand says she's been talking with GOP Senators... such as Bill Cassady of Louisiana... about helping to get migrants who want to work into employment. Gillibrand says that's especially the case for people from one particular South American nation -- Venezuala. She says asylum seekers from there should be able to get Temporary Protected Status in 30-days as opposed to 180-days before they can work. Gillibrand says allowing those migrants and asylum seekers to work while they're awaiting their court dates would help alleviate cost to the government if their cases can't be heard for six-months to a year. She says... while Republicans approved HR-2 regarding immigration... the Senate's already had a bill that had been approved eight years ago. She's also doubious of how well the House bill would address the current problems because if they "present themselves for asylum" they can enter the country legally.
Jamestown pair arrested for allegedly trafficking illegal drugs, and untaxed cigarettes...
Two city residents have been arrested following a month-long investigation into drug and untaxed cigarette trafficking on Jamestown's southside. City police say members of the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force were assisted by Ellicott Town Police, the Sheriff's Department Narcotics Investigators, K-9 units and the District Attorney's Office in executing a search warrant at an apartment at 252 South Main St. just after 8 a.m. Monday. Police say a search of the residence turned up quantities of fentanyl... crack cocaine... methamphetamine... scales... cash, and several cartons of cigarettes. Investigators arrested 52 year-old Steven Patterson and 39 year-old Jamie Bennett on charges of third and seveth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and seventh-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. Both were taken to the city jail pending arraignment.
United Way General Campaign to raise $1.4-million underway...
The theme for this year's United Way of Southern Chautauqua County general campaign 's "Better Together: Because of United Way." That will involve ways to get new people and potential donors to take part. That from United Way Executive Director Amy Rohler as the campaign kicked-off late last week. In recent years... workplace presentations have played a big role in the campaign... but, still Rohler says not everyone knows about who they are, and what they do. She says part of those presentations is a video that's also available on-line. Such moves are important... especially with an increased goal of $1.4-million this year. However... Rohler says she's "convinced that the community will again step up with their generous support." She says the need among their 29 members agencies, and the United Way itself, is as great as ever... especially with costs continuing to rise. Rohler says the United Way has a couple of significant programs they provide to the community. One is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance -- or VITA program -- which provides free tax preparation for low-income residents, and another is their 2-1-1 referral service. For more information... call the United Way at 483-1561... or go to uwayscc.org.
