A Jamestown man is accused of robbing a woman early last Saturday morning on the city's eastside. Jamestown Police say they were called to the scene in the area of Buffalo and Newton Streets shortly before 4 PM Saturday. Officers say the alleged victim told them that she and 24 year-old Cody Mason of Palmer Street had gotten into a physical altercation about 2 AM. The woman told police that Mason allegedly pushed her several times... and, kept her from calling officers. She also said that Mason stole her cellphone... cash... and, pushed her into a wooden railing. Mason was found at another address... and, arrested for second-degree robbery... third-degree assault... and, criminal mischief. He was arraigned, and sent to the county jail without bail.
It was almost a record-setting weekend in Western New York with weather conditions that were closer to "mid-Summer." The National Weather Service in Buffalo reports some later afternoon rain showers held down the high temperature Sunday to 81-degrees. The record for May 10th was 86. However... on Saturday... Buffalo not only set a new record, but, smashed it. The high at the Buffalo-Niagara Airport reached 89-degrees. Forecasters says the previous record was 82. In Jamestown... the high both days was 85. Most of western New York was in the 80s both Saturday and Sunday. We'll see the low 80s again today before a cold front moves through tonight... and, drops our high for Tuesday into the upper 60s.
The latest training in how to adminster the anti-Heroin and opiate drug, Naloxone, will be held Tuesday afternoon in Jamestown. That from Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan... who says they received clearance to use the drug -- also known as "Narcan" -- last year through the county Health and Human Services Department. Horrigan says they initially trained first-responders... and, law enforcement... in how to get the drug to people who had overdosed. Horrigan says the training will be held at the Chautauqua Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Council's headquarters in the Sprinchorn Building on West Third Street. He says the training session begins at 4 PM. Between first-responders and law enforcement... several dozen "saves" have been made using Narcan. Jamestown Police recently had their first. Horrigan says he learned at another training last week in Dunkirk with some former addicts that "relapse is part of recovery..." and, he fully-supports helping addicts have a "second-chance." For more information on the free training... call CASAC at 664-3608. Horrigan made his comments on this past weekend's "Community Spotlight" program.
A State of Emergency has been declared regarding the old McNally Building in the Cattaraugus County town of Randolph. Town officials last night said the building... located at the "Y" intersection in the former village... is in danger of "eminent collapse." They say they have closed Route 394 and Main Street between Cold Spring and Weeden Roads until the structure has been secured.
Albany's latest corruption cases focus on New York City real estate interests seeking tax breaks from politicians. Most notable is an exemption worth about one-billion dollars a year that legislators and the governor must now decide whether to extend. Federal prosecutors allege Senate and Assembly leaders took hefty campaign contributions or other payments in return for laws benefiting the city's wealthiest landlords. Real estate developers say without the tax breaks, rents would be higher and many tenants would have fewer options. Advocates for the less affluent say the exemption amounts to a needless subsidy in a hot commercial real estate market. They say it mostly helps build luxury high-rise apartments. The tax breaks have been packaged with rent controls for a million city apartments, all scheduled to expire in June.
New York Senate leader Dean Skelos may be fighting for his political life in the wake of public corruption charges, but many folks back in his Long Island hometown are more than willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. They describe him as a ``pillar of the community'' and ``good guy.'' One Vietnam veteran walking into a barber shop this week was even more effusive. The man said, ``If I have to go back to combat, I want him next to me.'' Skelos is under fire from Democrats and some fellow Republicans in the state Legislature to step down. He and his son Adam have pleaded not guilty to charges they pressured Nassau County officials to award a contract for a storm water project to a company represented by Adam Skelos.
New York state is setting aside 2-million dollars to invest in new high-tech businesses owned by minorities and women. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the investment fund on Friday. The Democrat says the goal of the initiative is to expand opportunities for entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds while promoting economic growth around the state. The money will be managed by a venture capital firm based in Rochester. Preference will be given to start-ups in the life sciences, green technology, advanced materials and other high-tech industries. To be eligible for the funds, companies must be a certified minority- or women-owned business.
Two people from Warren, Pennsylvania were hurt... one seriously... when the motorcycle they were riding struck a deer early last weekend in Sugar Grove Township. State Police in Warren say the bike's operator, 56 year-old David Armstrong, was eastbound on Route 957 about 10 PM last Friday. Troopers say Armstrong's motorcycle struck the animal... and, tipped onto it's left side. Armstrong was seriously hurt... and, was flown by Lifestar Helicopter to the Hamot Medical Center in Erie. His passenger, 53 year-old Janice Armstrong, was taken to WCA Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. No charges were filed.
