Four JPD officers treated at hospital following Fentanyl exposure during arrest...
Four police officers in Jamestown have recovered from exposure to fentanyl after struggling with a city woman who was being arrested on a bench warrant Monday. City police say officers had brought 34 year-old Jennifer Conti to the city jail just before 2 p.m., and, while searching her, found suspected drugs in her possession. Police say Conti fought with officers and tried to ingest the narcotics when a bag fo suspected drugs split open... and, a white powdery substance became airborne. The four officers were taken to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital after the substance tested positive for fentanyl. All four were treated and released. Conti was also charged with four counts of second-degree assault... tampering with evidence... and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. She was jailed pending arraignment.
Borrello signs onto letter to Hochul calling for passage of Cannabis Growers relief bill...
A bipartisan coalition of nearly 70 state lawmakers is urging Governor Kathy Hochul to sign legislation that would provide a lifeline to struggling cannabis farmers across New York. Local State Senator George Borrello is among the lawmakers pushing for Hochul to sign the Cannabis Crop Rescue Act. Borrello, who is the Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, says issues with the launch of the state's legal adult-use cannabis market has hurt numerous cannabis farmers. He says this "botched" roll-out of recreational marijuana... but, the farmers are paying the price for raising those crops for "this legal market." Borrello... a Republican from Sunset Bay... says there is more than 250,000 pounds of unsold cannabis in storage. He says there are more than 200 farmers who "invested a lot of money..." and there were supposed to be 800 dispensaries open by now... but, only about 20 have now opened. Borrello says while signing the bill would not be a "cure-all," it would provide some immediate relief. The effort comes two weeks after the coalition released a statement on the issue, noting that it is becoming an "agricultural emergency."
Two management employees of Weber-Knapp now buying the company, keeping it local...
A local, long-time maker of hardware for the furniture industry in the Jamestown-area is being sold to two people involved in the company's day-to-day operations. The Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency's Board of Directors has approved a one-million dollar Al Tech loan to Weber-Knapp President Rhonda Johnson... and, Chief Financial Officer Wayne Rishell... for the purchase of the company. Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and IDA Chief Executive Officer Mark Geise says they're purchasing Weber-Knapp from Rex McCray and Donald Pangborn... who purchased the company from an overseas firm in 2011. Geise says they are both now retiring. He says Weber-Knapp has two facilities... one located on Chandler Street in Jamestown... and the other on Allen Street in Falconer. Both facilities have a combined 243,000 square feet of space. Geise says -- "it's essential that the CCIDA supports local manufacturers, such as Weber-Knapp, especially when that assistance results in local ownership." He says the new owners don't have any expansion plans right now... but, are looking for workers."
Jamestown man arrested for allegedly threatening woman with BB gun during domestic incident...
A city man has been arrested for allegedly choking his girlfriend... and, threatening her with a BB gun early Monday afternoon on Jamestown's eastside. City police responded to a 911 call at an apartment complex shortly after 1 p.m., and on arrival, officers say the victim told them that 19 year-old Joseph Connolly had threatened her. Police found Connolly outside the residence... and, he was detained. The victim told officers that Connolly had threatened to shoot her in the eyes... then choked her... and, tried to prevent her from calling police. She also told them that he did all that while she was holding a 3-month-old child. Connolly was arrested for second-degree menacing... criminal obstruction of breathing... endangering the welfare of a child... and, fourth-degree criminal
mischief. He was jailed pending arraignment.
Dolce says council approves "once in a lifetime generational" investment in Chadakoin River...
The Jamestown City Council has approved another nearly $225,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to continue the restoration of the Chadakoin River in the city. Lawmakers voted unanimously to approve the funding to the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy to continue the efforts to secure shoreline areas... and, eliminate growth of the invasive "Tree of Heaven." Council President Tony Dolce says the $224,500 goes for Phase-Two of the program... to shore up more river bank areas and eliminate more "Tree of Heaven." One of the first APRA grants the city awarded went to the conservancy... which used that $277,000 to clear a lot of debris... and, beaver dams... along the river. Conservancy Director of Conservation, Twan Leenders, says they've been able to remove about 90% of the "Tree of Heaven" so far. Phase-Two work should begin shortly.
Woman arrested in Celoron after 2 year-old found wandering in street...
A Celoron woman has been arrested for allegedly allowing her two-year old child wander in the street unsupervised Monday. Ellicott Town Police were called to an undisclosed address to check on the well-being of a young child running in the street without parental supervision. Officers found the child, and took the toddler to safety. Following an investigation... police arrested 32 year-old Brea Carlson for endangering the welfare of a child. She was issued an appearance ticket for Ellicott Town Court.
