County issues public health alert after four reported drug overdose deaths last weekend...
A public health alert has been issued in Chautauqua County -- and in particular the Jamestown-area -- following a spike in suspected fatal drug overdoses over the past weekend. The alert was issued late Monday by the county's Health Department and Department of Mental Hygiene... Jamestown police and the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office. Media Information Officer Justin Gould says four deaths... suspected drug overdoses... occured this past weekend in the vicinity of Jamestown. County officials warn that any street drug should be assumed to contain fentanyl, a highly dangerous opioid that is deadly in tiny quantities. Residents are urged to reach out to loved ones who are struggling with drug abuse or addiction, and share this information. People who used drugs and their families should obtain a Narcan kit... and, be prepared to call 911 in the event of an overdose. Local sources of Narcan can be found at CombatAddictionCHQ.com.
City man faces numerous felony and traffic charges following vehicle pursuit...
A Jamestown man faces numerous traffic and other charges following a car chase Monday night that began when police spotted a stolen car in the town of Ellicott. Sheriff's officers say they tried to stop the vehicle just after 8 p.m., but, the driver failed to comply... and, led deputies on a pursuit on Route 394 into the village of Lakewood, and town of North Harmony. Officers say they lost sight of the vehicle... but, were alerted a short time later that the driver had abandoned the vehicle at a Bemus Point home and fled on foot. Deputies brought in K-9 "Drake" to help track the man... later identified as 32 year-old Matthew Buck... and, he was located and apprehended without incident. Buck faces charges including first-degree reckless endangerment... third-degree criminal possession of stolen property... fourth-degree criminal mischief... and, driving while ability impaired by drugs. Buck was taken to the county jail pending arraignment.
Jamestown man arrested after allegedly hiding stolen handgun...
A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly hiding a handgun inside a home after a call for a person with a weapon on Crown Street. City police say they were called to the scene about 1 p.m. Monday on a report of a person being armed with a handgun walking in the street. Officers say they found that 19 year-old Jaden Rogers had hidden the gun inside a nearby residence. Rogers was found to be wanted on warrants for third-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child from a separate incident. He was also charged with Felony tamping with physical evidence... and, jailed pending arraignment.
National Weather Service says "flipping" of warm and cold weather systems bringing current "Summerlike" conditions to Western New York...
It's going to feel like Summer most of this week... starting Monday with a high that reached 80-degrees in many parts of our region. That from Forecaster Jon Hitchcock with the National Weather Service in Buffalo... who says we'll see warmer than average temperatures through Thursday. Hitchcock says highs will be in the low to mid-80s Tuesday and Wednesday. He says overnight lows on Wednesday into Thursday may create another chance at record highs that day. Hitchcock says we've seen a weather "flip" with warmer, milder conditions here in the east... while it's been cooler out west and in the mid-west. However... he says that cames to an end on Thursday night into Friday... as highs will only get into the low 60s... the the 50s on Saturday and Sunday.
Falconer Mayor expresses appreciation for county officials working with village on emergency housing for the homeless...
County leaders and officials from Falconer are now discussing ways to relieve the pressure of housing homeless and transitional residents in a village hotel. That from Falconer Mayor Jim Jaroszynski in comments to the county legislature this past week. Jaroszynski was especially appreciative of 3 or 4 lawmakers who have spoken with him about the situation. He says village leaders talked with legislators, and officials from the Department of Social Services. Jaroszynski says DSS officials explained how those decisions are made, and the village discussed those impacts. He added he appreciated the questions posed by Jamestown legislator Elisabeth Rankin during last month's Human Services Committee meeting. He says he was able to meet with County Executive P.J. Wendel about the situation, as well. Jaroszynski and some residents from the village have attended legislature meetings the past two to three months complaining about the impact housing so many homeless people who have mental or behavioral issues. They say it's negatively impacted their "quality of life" and have called on the county to fix the situation.
County Legislature begins budget deliberations...
The Chautauqua County Legislature has begun deliberations on Executive P.J. Wendel's tentative, $294.l-million budget for 2024. Wendel presented the budget to lawmakers last Wednesday night... and, it includes an 89-cent per $1,000 full value tax rate decrease. However... the levy is up about $1.8-million. With that... the spending plan is right at the state's 2% property tax cap. Legislature Chairman Pierre Chagnon said last Wednesday the Audit and Control Committee will give the budget a "very thorough review (this) week." He says they'll look at suggested changes on Friday. The review will continue through the month of October... with the intention of holding a public hearing on the spending plan -- and vote -- at the legislature's Oct. 25 meeting.
