City Council rejects proposed eastbound bike lane on East Second St....
The Jamestown City Council has rejected a proposal to create an eastbound bike lane on East Second Street from East Fourth to Tiffany Avenue.  Lawmakers voted 3-to-6 against the "Complete Streets" plan that would include upgrades to the street, and new striping.  There were two major concerns... the first being safety.  Councilman Brent Sheldon said that's because parking would be eliminated on the eastbound side... and, if people can only park on the other side of the street that could create a "very dangerous" situation for people having to cross the street.  The other concern was over safety... and, Councilman Jeff Russell, who's a retired Jamestown police officer, witnessed a fatal accident on that busy street some years back.  Russell says he's also concerns about the safety of people going to The Resource Center's Clinic.  The Resource Center has on-street parking in front of it's East Second Street clinic that includes one handicapped space.  One of the three lawmakers who voted for the plan... Bill Reynolds... argued that their experts from the Public Works Department and the state Department of Transportation supported the proposal... which they believed would have a "calming effect" on motor vehicle traffic.  In addition to Reynolds... Joe Paterniti and David Daversa voted for the measure.

All but one member of the public who spoke on propsed bike lane opposed the project...
A handful of residents sounded off on the bike lane proposal prior to the council vote... with most opposing it.  One was East Second Street resident Denise Hutchison... who says the change would be a big inconvenience for her and her neighbors... as well as long-time business there.  Hutchison says she "doesn't want to park four blocks from my house.  I don't believe that's fair."  She adds there are a number of businesses on that street that would lose a significant amount of parking under the plan.  One resident... Andrew Dickson... who spoke in favor of the proposal during last week's work session... says he believes converting East Second to a "Complete Street" could be a "win-win" for that part of the city because bike lanes have lower vacancy rates, higher tax collection... and, maybe some homes will be reverted back to single-family homes.

Buffalo man arrested in connection with last week's homicide in Jamestown...
A Buffalo man has been arrested in connection with last Wedneday's alleged homicide that occured at the Parkview Apartments in Jamestown.  City police say they and several other agencies... including the Chautauqua County Forensic Investigation Team... responded to the scene and were able to quickly identify a suspect.  Last Thursday... city police detectives were helped by the FBI and Buffalo Police in a search for the suspect... who was later found to be in possession of a loaded, 9-millimeter pistol.  The unidentified suspect was arrested by Buffalo Police and is being held on charges in Erie County.  Police officials say the investigation into the death of 28 year-old Marlon Clay of Buffalo is continuing... and, charges are expected.  Clay was found, unresponsive, on the floor of an apartment at 401 West Fourth St.  The Chautauqua County District Attorneys' Office is also assisting with the investigation. 

Jamestown-area drug trafficker's wife pleads guilty to aiding his drug dealing efforts...
A Jamestown woman has pleaded guilty to allegedly being involved in a local drug conspiracy with her husband from 2018 to early 2020.  U.S. Attorney Trini Ross announced Monday that 37 year-old Stacey Beardsley... also known as Stacey Peterson... entered the plea before U.S. District Court Judge Michael Roemer to misprision of felony, which carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison.  Prosecutors say that Beardsley's husband, Rocco, was involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy.  He bought and distributed large quantities of heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other controlled substances in the Jamestown area.  They say Stacey Beardsley knew of these drug trafficking activities, financially benefited from them, and actively concealed and assisted in her husband's activities.  Following Rocco Beardsley's arrest in May 2019... he called her from jail and asked her to go to Erie, Pennsylvania to get his “stuff.”  She didn't notify any authorities about the request, and instead drove to Erie as requested to pick up his "stuff... including drugs.  On her way back to Jamestown... Stacey Beardsley was stopped by police, and they found quantities of methamphetamine and heroin during a search.  Two undercover drug buys were made from Rocco Beardsley in January of 2020... and, his wife again failed to notify authorities.

Jamestown man arrested on domestic violence charges...     
A city man faces several domestic violence-related charges after allegedly hitting, and, strangling a woman and threatening to kill her several times late Saturday night.  Jamestown police were called to an unidentified northside address around Noon Sunday... and, made contact with the victim.  Officers say she told them about the incident... which began with an argument before turning physical.  Police say 52 year-old Maurice Akins allegedly chased the victim into another room where he grabbed her around the neck... and, struck her multiple times in the face... injuring her.  After a brief struggle... the victim told police that Akins let her run from the home.  They add that a 16 year-old girl... who was present during the assault... had an order of protection against Akins... who had fled to his home.  During his arrest... officers were told by the victims that Akins had multiple firearms inside his home.  One was a loaded, semi-automatic pistol that Akins does not have a state pistol permit for.  He faces charges including: second-degree strangulation and unlawful imprisonment... third-degree assault... and, criminal possession of a firearm.