The four men accused of taking part in the contract killing of a Jamestown man have been acquitted in their federal trial. The Buffalo News reported last weekend that Jose "Noelle" Martinez... Angel Luis Marcial... Felix "Lolo" Vasquez... and, Carlos Jorge "Nito" Canales... all faced life in prison if convicted of the May 2008 murder of Quincy Turner. However... a federal jury in Buffalo found all four not guilty in the case. The News reports that prosecutors believe Martinez was providing cocaine that Turner was allegedly selling in the area. However... they say Turner -- who was a well-known local stock car racer -- had become an informant... and, Martinez found out. He was then accused of putting out a 20-thousand dollar contract on Turner. He was found shot to death just outside his race shop near the County Airport north of Jamestown.
A Jamestown man is now jailed without bail for allegedly shaking and assaulting his 6-month-old baby last Thursday afternoon. City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says police were called to the scene at 15 Hedges Street to investigate the case... while the baby was rushed to the hospital. Samuelson says the father, 20 year-old Steven Spencer, was babysitting the child when he allegedly shook the child... then hit the infant with an object. The child was later transferred to Women and Children's Hospital in Buffalo... where the toddler's in critical condition. Spencer was arraigned on charges of second-degree assault... and, Reckless Assault of a Child Charges. He's being held in the county lock-up.
Three Jamestown residents were hurt -- two of them seriously -- in a single-car accident early yesterday morning on Route 430 in the town of Sherman. Sheriff's officers were called to the scene -- near Armenian Road -- just after 2 AM. Deputies say their investigation shows that 20 year-old Mark Maio was eastbound when he passed another vehicle at a high rate of speed... and, lost control of his vehicle. Maio's car went off the southside of the road... and, struck several trees. Officers say Maio was taken by ambulance to Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. His front seat passenger, 18 year-old Kayla Clark, had to be freed from the wreckage, and was flown by Starflight Helicopter to Hamot. A rear seat passenger, 18 year-old Todd Clark, was taken to WCA Hospital for treatment of less serious injuries. Maio faces charges of Speeding, Unsafe passing, and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation. Additional charges are pending.
Fredonia Mayor Steve Keefe says local, county and state officials continue to have conference calls on a weekly basis concerning Carriage House. Keefe says even ConAgra has provided some ideas to the group as efforts continue to find a future developer for the Fredonia facility. Keefe says the "Start Up-New York" program has stimulated some interest in the Carriage House plants, but he says the big challenge will be finding a company or companies that are interested in staying in the area for the long term. The Carriage House facilities in Frednia and Dunkirk are expected to end production by the end of the year.
U-S Senator Charles Schumer says dozens of highway projects in New York state would be delayed if Congress can't reach an agreement on federal highway funding. The Democrat said last week that the state would be forced to either put off projects or pay for them without federal assistance if lawmakers don't replenish the federal highway trust fund. The trust fund provides money for highway and bridge projects around the country. New York receives about 1.6-billion dollars from the fund every year.
There hasn't been a lot of public discussion lately about a proposed North County Water Project... but that doesn't mean there isn't any activity going on behind the scenes. Dunkirk Mayor A.J. Dolce confirms that he met this past week with County Executive Vince Horrigan... and, Fredonia Mayor Steve Keefe about the project. Dolce says the focus of the private meeting was on the role of the two municipalities as water suppliers. Dolce would not give any specifics... but, he says the dialogue continues between the three leaders as they try to work out an acceptable plan. The mayor gives Horrigan credit for keeping the talks going. Horrigan says he does not want to comment about the discussions at this time... but continues to feel progress is being made. Efforts continue on the Consolidated Fund Application process according to Dolce.
The National Weather Service has now confirmed that five tornados touched down in upstate New York during severe storms that killed four people. The worst devastation last Tuesday was in the town of Smithfield, between Utica and Syracuse. Four people were killed and several homes were destroyed or damaged.
Rest easy, New Yorkers, the state is staying off your lawn and away from your mowers. A hoax spreading online this past week has some residents thinking they'll be forced to register their mowers... and, haul them in for annual inspections just like a car. It's not true. That from Chautauqua County Clerk Larry Barmore... who is one of several upstate New York officials trying to set the record straight with angry residents. They say mow as you please. There's no registration requirement, as the hoax indicated, no 10-dollar fee and no mandate that mowers must wear OSHA-approved safety glasses, hearing protection, and steel-toe shoes. Barmore says he could see how oft-taxed New Yorkers could fall for the hoax... and, says he hopes it ``didn't give anyone any ideas.''
