City man arrested for violating Jamestown burn ordinance, and possessing illegal drugs...
A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly violating the city's burn ordinance by starting a fire inside a tent on the city's northside... and, being in possession of drugs. Jamestown police say a patrol in the area spotted the fire coming from the tent... which was between two houses... shortly after 4 a.m. last Friday. Officers found that 42 year-old Marcelino Hernandez had started the fire which violated the city code for Prohibited Burning within the city. While police spoke with Hernandez... they conducted a search... and, found him in posession of quantities of methamphetamine... cocaine... suboxone... and, packaging materials. He was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... four counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... second-degree criminally using Drug Paraphernalia... and, violating the city code prohibiting burning.
Four arrested on drug charges following warrant check in Panama...
A warrant check on a Panama home last Saturday afternoon led to the arrests of four people on drug and weapons related charges. Sheriff's officers say they initially took 41 year-old William Curry, Jr. into custody at 6803 Route 474 about 1:30 p.m., but, then acquired a search warrant for the home, and, found 47 year-old Harry Radke of Conewango Valley... 35 year-old Dennis Cash, Jr. of Dewittville... and, 37 year-old Jared Gilbert of Mayville. Sheriff's Department Narcotics Investigators... and, Dunkirk Police assisted with the investigation... and, police found 13.1 grams of methamphetamine, scales and packaging for the distribution of narcotics... as well as an assault rifle that had been reported stolen. All four subjects were charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... second-degree criminal possession of a weapon... and, second-degree criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. All four were jailed pending centralized arraignment.
Quattrone concerned over proposal for more "full contact" jail visitation...
As state budget talks continue in Albany... Chautauqua County's top cop is keeping an eye on a bill that would amend New York's correction law to establish a visiting program for inmates. It would require state and local correctional facilities to "give incarcerated people opportunities for personal contact with their relatives, children, friends...and other persons" during evening and weekend hours. Sheriff Jim Quattrone says it's something his department already does, but this legislation would also require a full contact visit. He has two concerns with that: especially because it can allow for more contraband to be brought into the jails. Quattrone says they want more clarification on that. Quattrone... who is First-Vice President of the New York State Sheriffs' Association... says they have offered to meet with state legislators to discuss how they can maintain safety in jails.
Even without ice castle, Mayville Winter Festival is deemed a success...
There were some challenges... but the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce says its Winter Festival in Mayville over the weekend was a success. Coordinator Shannon Biekarck with the Mayville-Chautauqua Chamber says for not have the castle, but, some crazy cold weather, she felt it was successful. Biekarck thanked residents for coming out. With a wide open Chautauqua Lake... the signature feature of the Winter Festival… an ice castle… was absent for the second year in a row. There were around two dozen other activities at Lakeside Park in Mayville between Friday and Sunday, with excellent participation in the polar plunge and the pet parade, along with a huge crowd on hand for the Saturday night fireworks. The County Chamber’s Director of Marketing and Communication, Sheila Webster, thanked everyone who made the weekend possible... namely sponsors and volunteers.
Two Jamestown women arrested on drug charges following eastside traffic stop...
Two women have been arrested following a traffic stop on Jamestown's eastside last Friday night led to the seizure of drugs and weapons. City police say members of their Violence Interdiction Team... and, K-9 Unit conducted the stop in the area of Falconer and Grant Streets shortly before 10 p.m. for alleged traffic infractions. During the stop... officers found that 28 year-old Kylah Seiberg... and, 40 year-old Janice Rogers... were both in possession of quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine... a quantity of cash... and, a throwing star. Police also found that Seiberg has previously been convicted of a crime... leading to her being charged with felony third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. She was also charged with third and fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Rogers was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... one of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Both were jailed pending arraignment.
Borrello says redrawn Congressional boundary map appears fair, but, still raises concerns...
New York State's Independent Redistricting Commission has approved a new congressional re-districting map for the state... and, it includes some minor changes to what was used for the 2022 elections. The bipartisan commission okayed the map by a 9-1 vote late last week... and, it remains subject to approval by the State Legislature. While he hasn't taken a close look at the proposed map yet... State Senator George Borrello says it appears to be a fair one, but he is concerned about a projected loss of GOP representation. Borrello says there is a minor change to the 23rd Congressional District, which includes Chautauqua County. The previous map was redrawn after the state Court of Appeals in December rejected the map that was drawn by a special master in 2022.
