Prison worker arraigned on charges in connection with aiding escaped murders...
A northern New York prison worker accused of helping two killers escape last weekend looked scared and didn't speak during her arraignment. Prison tailor shop instructor Joyce Mitchell is accused of befriending inmates David Sweat and Richard Matt at the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora and giving them contraband. Mitchell's hands were cuffed in front of her and she stared straight ahead while she was arraigned Friday night in Plattsburgh on charges of felony promoting prison contraband and misdemeanor criminal facilitation. She was ordered jailed. Mitchell's family has said she would not have helped the convicts break out. Mitchell has another court appearance scheduled for Monday. Her court-appointed attorney says he'll make arguments then after having time to speak with her.
Three arrested in connection with three drug raids in Jamestown...
Three men -- including one from Jamestown -- have been arrested as part of two drug raids in the city early yesterday morning... and, one this past Wednesday. City Police Captain Bob Samuelson Friday's raids took place about 6:40 a.m., one at 19 Crossman Street... the other at 841 East Second Street. Samuelson says police arrested 28 year-old Miles Jordan of Cleveland, Ohio at 19 Crossman. He says Jordan is a parolee... and, members of the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force found quantities of heroin... ecstacy... and cash inside the apartment. At 841 East Second... police arrested 33 year-old Lawrence McGrigg of Jamestown... and, found a quantity of cocaine. On Wednesday... officers raided an apartment at 21 Sturges Street... where they arrested another parolee -- 35 year-old Anthony Dunmore of Rochester. He was allegedly found with a quantity of "crack" cocaine... cash and drug paraphernalia. All three were arraigned... and, sent to the county jail without bail.
Fire in Dunkirk that leaves four hurt ruled "suspicious..."
Dunkirk fire investigators have listed the fire that extensively damaged a home at 80 King Street -- and injured four residents -- as suspicious. Dunkirk Fire and Police and fire units responded to the scene around 2:50 a.m. Friday morning. Dunkirk Fire Chief Mike Edwards says when crews reached the scene... they were informed by police patrol units that people were trapped and hanging from the second-floor windows. Edwards says the occupants all jumped. He says five people were there... and, four were hurt -- including a child. He says crews also did a further search in the building because they weren't sure everyone was out. Edwards says it took about 45 minutes to bring the smokey blaze under control. Three of the injured people were sent to Brooks Memorial Hospital... while the fourth was transported by Starflight to the UPMC Hamot Medical Center in Erie. Firefighters used multiple hose-lines to douse the flames. A house at 78 King Street sustained minor damage to the exterior of the structure. Edwards says one firefighter was transported to Brooks Memorial for evaluation of possible heat exhaustion.
Teresi says city leaders will likely consider making Fourth Street in Jamestown a two-way street again...
Motorists who have complained about all the one-way streets in the city of Jamestown may be happy to hear that another street may be reverting to two-way traffic again sometime in the future. However... it won't be happening immediately. That from Mayor Sam Teresi... responding to a recent report by Jamestown Renaissance Corporation Deputy Director Peter Lombardi about changing Fourth Street back from it's current, one-way status. Lombardi recently proposed looking at the idea for a number of reasons. Teresi says the main one is helping to get traffic to the businesses there... along with slowing traffic, and making it safe for pedestrians. Fourth Street was among several that were made one-way back in the 1960s to relieve downtown traffic congestion... which was a major problem at the time. Teresi says... during the coming months... city lawmakers may begin looking at the idea. However... he says it's going to require more study, and resources. Teresi made his comments for this weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the Media One Group stations.
Chautauqua Co. receives $35,000 state grant to raise awarness, and help sexually exploited youth involved in human trafficking...
The Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services is receiving a $35,000 state grant to help raise awareness about human trafficking... and, address the needs of sexually-exploited youth locally. The county's Department of Health and Human Services Youth Bureau has just received word of the grant from the state Office of Children and Family Services. The campaign will fund a Billboard Awareness Campaign that'll be launched next Monday. Youth Bureau Program coordinator Patty Yokom says the grant will also fund training... coordination... and safe housing options for local agencies that deal with the victims of human trafficking. For more information... call the county Youth Bureau at 753-4725.
