A proposal to establish a "Community Funding Initiative" for the Prendergast Library in Jamestown was soundly defeated Tuesday in what was a huge voter turn-out. Library officials say the 850-thousand dollar referendum was rejected with 13-hundred-6 "no" votes... to just 856 "yes" votes. Library Board President Tom Rankin called it a "very sad day for the library, and a very sad day for Jamestown...." Rankin says... while no decisions have been made on cost cutting... or possibly selling some of the library's art work... all options will be "on the table." Library Director Tina Scott says they had no real "feeling" for which way the vote was going to go... but, was obviously disappointed. She says you never "really know how people feel until you ask." At the same time... Scott expressed her appreciation to those who took the time to vote during the 9-hours of voting Tuesday. Officials with the Jamestown City School District... who conducted the vote... say vote totals are still unofficial at this time. However... the totals do include absentee ballots.
Jamestown school officials celebrated the more than four decades that Joe DiMaio has taught... coached... and, been a school board member in the city district last night. It was DiMaio's final school board meeting... and, he was presented several gifts by the board and Superintendent Tim Mains. DiMaio was presented with a life-time Harley-Davidson of Jamestown membership and a commemorative clock. Mains called DiMaio the board's "QB" who didn't take state funding cuts "laying down." He presented DiMaio with a special "Jamestown" football.
DiMaio was a bit overwhelmed by the recognition... but, says he feels good about his decision to retire from the board because he feels the district is in "good hands." He especially noted that he was "very pleased" to see that his old board seat had been won by former Board Member Joe Pawelski... who'll take his seat on the panel at next month's reorganizational meeting.
A traffic stop in Salamanca has led to the arrest of a Buffalo man for allegedly trafficking cocaine in the Cattaraugus County city. Agents with the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force say they arrested 34 year-old Ronald Mitchell of Brinkman Street shortly after 7 AM Tuesday. Deputies say they found a quantity of the narcotic drug... and, a large sum of cash in Mitchell's possession. Officers arrested him on one count of Felony third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Mitchell was arraigned in Great Valley Town Court... and, sent to the Cattaraugus County Jail without bail. The Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force includes members of the Salamanca City Police Department.
Dunkirk City Police made two drug-related arrests early Tuesday morning after a routine check of Wright Park. City officers picked up 52-year-old Darryl Devore of Irving... and, 39-year-old Amber Harrison of Lemming Street, Dunkirk after investigating a suspicious vehicle located in the city park around 1:30 AM. Police determined that Harrison was wanted on several outstanding bench warrants for failing to appear in Dunkirk City Court. Police also observed a makeshift pipe commonly used for smoking crack cocaine and located a package of crack cocaine under the pipe. While being booked at headquarters, police found two more packages of crack cocaine concealed in Devore's socks. A substantial amount of cash was also seized from Devore. Both are jailed pending arraignment.
The author of a bill in the U-S Senate designed to make it easier for the victims of sexual assault in the military to come forward is calling on lawmakers to again consider the measure. The Military Justice Improvement Act was proposed last year by New York Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand... but, after testimony by a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff... it was fillibustered and died. Gillibrand says today she is bringing it foward again because she says that testimony has now been proven to be false. Gillibrand says... unlike last year's testimony stateed... there are still a number of alleged victims who haven't come forward because they have "no faith" in the current system. She says there is one change in the legislation... which she says empowers the prosecutor involved to now bring charges against anyone who retaliates against a victim. Gillibrand says that's mainly because there have been no prosecutions for retaliations over the past two years. She's urging the public to contact their Congressman to support the bill when it comes up in the House.
New York corrections authorities say they have made several security upgrades at the prison in northern New York where two killers escaped a year ago. The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision says new cameras and security gates have been installed at Clinton Correctional Facility at Dannemora... near the Canadian border. Spokesman Thomas Mailey says the prison also has retrained staff, disciplined employees responsible and named a new superintendent and senior administrators. The department says it's reviewing the inspector general's investigative report released Monday into security failures and will implement reforms throughout the prison system. The union representing 18-thousand corrections officers at New York's 54 prisons says this "disturbing incident" shined a light on the need for sustained investment in training, technology and tools.
Getting on the CBS Morning game show... "The Price is Right..." has become a family thing for the Johnson's in Lakewood. Mother Lisa has been on... then son Michael... now, daughter Morgan has made it on. Morgan -- a Senior at Southwestern High School -- won a spot on Contestant's Row for Tuesday morning's show... and, made it to the final wheel spin for a chance at the Final Showcase Showdown. Morgan didn't make the final round... but, she did win some video equipment, and 8-thousand dollars more in cash and prizes. She won't have much time, though, to celebrate her success -- and meeting host Drew Carey on "The Price is Right." Morgan is the 2016 Distinguished Young Woman of the Year in New York State... and, will be traveling this weekend to Mobile, Alabama for the National competition... which will be held June 23rd through 25th.
Five 'strong women' were honored Tuesday night at the Jamestown YWCA's 'Women of Achievement' awards at Moonbrook Country Club. Jan Bowman, Coordinator of JCC's Environmental Science Program, won the education award. In the arts and culture category, Sue Huther, the director of choirs at Southwestern Central... and the vocal group Serendipity, was named the winner. The 'Leader of the Future' honor went to Christina King, manager of the Jamestown Farmer's Market for the Renaissance Corporation. The health and wellness honor was given to Christine Schuyler, the county's Director of Health and Human Services. Julie Rockcastle, one of the founders of the Blue Heron Festival, was named 'Outstanding Entrepreneur'.
