Pair of drug busts in Jamestown early Tuesday morning net six arrests...
Six people from Jamestown have been arrested following two early morning drug raids Tuesday in the city. Jamestown police say members of the Metro Drug Task Force and Chautauqua County Sheriffs office narcotics investigators executed search warrants at 13 Crossman St., and, a basement apartment at 15 Hazzard St. shortly after 6 a.m. At 13 Crossman... officers say they located 41 year-old Jarvelle Leeper inside... along with 33.5-grams of fentanyl, scales, packaging materials, and a small amount of cash. Leeper was arrested on two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, two counts of third-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. Immediately following that raid... detectives raided the apartment on Hazzard St. with the help of the JPD SWAT Team. Investigators found 36 year-old Amanda Penhollow, 45 year-old Monroe Wilcox, 38 year-old Christopher Haberberger, 34 year-old Amanda McKendree, and 36 year-old Luis Ruiz inside. A search of the residence revealed a small quantity of fentanyl. All five suspects were arrested... and, taken to the city jail pending arraignment on a charge of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. They say Penhollow is also charged with second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. If you have information about illegal drug or other criminal activity... you are asked to call the Jamestown Police Department's Tip line at 483-TIPS.. that's 483-8477... or the Sheriff's Office Tipline at 1-800-344-8702 or 664-2420.
With Winter Weather here, Co. Executive Wendel urges caution and readiness...
The county's top-elected official says says the county's fleet of snow plow trucks is ready to handle what is expected to be a prolonged lake effect snow event. County Executive P.J. Wendel says he saw some trucks treating roadways while traveling around the county Monday morning. He says early season snowstorms like this can be concerning... mainly because we're often just trying to re-learn how to drive when it's like this. He adds the roads can often get slushly because some surfaces may still be warm... and that can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. We've seen about 8 to 10 inches of snow up to now, and our Lake Effect Snow Warning runs until 7 a.m. Wednesday.
Anzalone sentenced to a dozen year in prison for drug trafficking...
A city man has been sentenced to 12 years in state prison for his conviction on a charge of felony second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Chautauqua Count District Attorney Jason Schmidt says 50 year-old John Anzalone received the sentence... along with five-years post-release supervision Monday in County Court. Schmidt says Anzalone was convicted during a jury trial last Sept. 19. He says during sentencing... Assistant D.A. Erik Bentley argued that the defendent was "a piece of the illegal drug system that has taken countless lives." He asked the court to send a message to the people who are a part of that system that the “endless cycle of addiction and destruction brought about by dealing drugs will not be tolerated in Chautauqua County.” Schmidt thanked the Jamestown Police Department’s Metro Drug Task Force... JPD detectives... Ellicott Town Police... and, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s office for their hard work on the case.
City Council approves heavily-amended 2024, $40.15-million budget...
The city of Jamestown's 2024 budget has been approved... but, work on the $40.15-million spending plan is not done. That from Council Finance Committee Chairwoman Kim Ecklund after lawmakers adopted the budget... which includes a slight tax levy increase... but, no increase in the tax rate. Council approved 15 amendments before adopting the spending plan Monday night... in large part because of loss of taxable properties... and, the limit for seniors to have a tax exemption being raised to $22,000 a year of income. Ecklund thanked panel members... and, the administration for their work on the budget which is being further reviewed by retired Comptroller Joe Bellitto. At the end of last night's voting session... Council President Tony Dolce further explained what Bellitto will be doing... noting that he will further review the 2022, 2023 and next year's budget plans to make sure everything is properly accounted for, and balanced. The biggest single offsets in the budget to deal with the changes are some reductions in management salary increases... along with eliminating $41,000 for a new, unmarked Jamestown Police car. Three other cars -- including one unmarked vehicle -- remain in the spending plan. Council also agreed to use another $113,000 from fund balance for the budget.
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Mayor Eddie Sundquist has five days to review the approved spending plan... and, sign... veto... or not sign the budget. He did not indicate Monday night what he anticipates doing.
Fire damages Dunkirk apartment house...
Dunkirk city firefighters braved wintry conditions while battling a fire at an apartment building Monday evening. City Fire Chief Mike Edwards says crews were called to 85 East Second St. around 6:45 p.m., and, found the fire in the second-floor bedroom of Apartment B. All occupants evacuated before crews arrived, and the flames were quickly extinguished. The fire heavily damaged the apartment of origin. No injuries were reported, and the cause is under investigation. East Dunkirk Fire crews provided mutual aid.
