Jamestown man awaiting sentencing on Child Porn conviction arrested last weekend in Erie County, NY on drug charges...
A traffic stop early Sunday on Seneca Nation territory in Erie County led to the arrest of a Jamestown man who is awaiting sentencing for a child pornography conviction. Erie County Sheriff's deputies pulled over a vehicle in the area of the Seneca One Stop gas station on Route 20, shortly after 3:15 a.m., and found that 25-year-old Jarred Ristau was allegedly in possession of a quantity of methamphetamine. Ristau allegedly began to fight and resist arrest, but was taken into custody a short time later. During processing, officers found Ristau was wanted on a bench warrant out of Crawford County, Pennsylvania for failing to appear in court. He is also currently released under supervision and is awaiting sentencing in Chautauqua County for possessing child pornography. Charges against Ristau include: tampering with, or destroying physical evidence, two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminally using drug paraphernalia, and, resisting arrest. He was jailed in Erie County pending arraignment... and, extradition to Crawford County, Pa.
City woman arrested for allegedly stealing packages off northside porches...
A Jamestown woman faces numerous charges after allegedly stealing -- or trying to steal -- packages off the porches of homes on the city's northside last weekend. Jamestown police say they got a report of a larceny in progress shortly before 10 AM Saturday... and, were told by the victim that they saw a suspicious vehicle traveling slowly down their street. The victim says their home surveillance camera showed someone in the vehicle had just stolen a package off their porch. While on the phone with 9-1-1 dispatchers... the suspect vehicle returned to the area and parked in front of another home that also had a package on it's porch. The victim says they approached the suspect vehicle and tried to get them to stop. However... the vehicle sped towards the victim at a high rate of speed and drove around the victim... almost hitting them. The victim was able to get the license plate number... and, a patrol found the car near Fulton and Strong Streets. Police say one of the occupants... 35-year-old Kristin Dale... quickly entered a nearby residence and locked the door. They say Dale was known to have outstanding warrants for burglary and grand larceny from Busti Town Court. Officers say Dale initially refused to come out... but, was later found and arrested. Police also found Dale in possession of a quantity drugs... as well as items stolen from multiple victims. She was arrested and jailed pending arraignment.
DiNapoli says NYS needs to "right-size" SUNY and CUNY in light of falling enrollments...
New York state needs to "figure out how to right-size" both the State University of New York... and, City University of New York to allow them to "survive and thrive." Those are the feelings of State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli during last week's keynote address at the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting. DiNapoli says he understand's the SUNY College at Fredonia's recommendation to drop more than a dozen programs in light of a $10-million to $17-million deficit. Fredonia President Dr. Stephen Kolison was among those on hand for the chamber's gathering... after annoucing earlier in the week that he is recommending 13 programs be dropped due to low enrollments. DiNapoli says private colleges across the state are facing the same problem. He says his office has been working on an analysis of the economic impact of SUNY and CUNY, and, the state's private colleges, in light of demographics and enrollment changes. DiNapoli says he was happy to hear that enrollment is up at SUNY Jamestown Community College.
Borrello pleased with Court of Appeals ruling on Concealed Carry law...
While most provisions of New York's Concealed Carry Improvement Act are allowed to remain in effect, a local state lawmaker says Friday's ruling by the 2nd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals is "a victory for New York's law-abiding gun owners." That from State Senator George Borrello... who says that's because three of the provisions were struck down. Borrello says the court "rightly affirmed" that New Yorkers who are licensed to carry handguns can be armed on private property that's open to the public, including businesses. The Sunset Bay Republican adds he feels confident the rest of the CCIA will be struck down by the courts in the near future.
City man arrested for allegedly punching woman multiple times in domestic violence incident...
A Jamestown man is accused of punching a woman in the back of the head multiple times during a domestic violence incident on the city's eastside early Sunday morning. Jamestown police were called to the unidentified location about 1 a.m. for a reported "physical domestic." Officers say their investigation found that 37 year-old Robert Fraley punched the female victim numerous times... causing substantial pain. Fraley was arrested for third-degree assault... and, taken to the city jail pending arraignment.
Big Band Christmas a big success...
First Covenant Church in Jamestown was jammed with over 400 people for the first ever ‘Big Band Christmas’ last Friday night. When it was over, organizer John Cross said he was “happy the walls were still standing." Cross says they had a great turn-out and he was very pleased with the support for the program. First Covenant was the home of the annual Living Christmas Tree for 35 years, ending in 2019. John Cross hinted that legacy might continue... and some called it the "Living Christmas Tree, light."
