A Warren, Pennsylvania man has been arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of drugs and, he and his passenger are accused of being in possession of three kinds of illegal drugs during a traffic stop in Jamestown.
City Police say a car, driven by 55 year-old Dennis Denardi, pulled from the curb directly in front of a patrol car on West Seventh Street at Lafayette Street just after 2 PM Saturday. Officers say Denardi appeared to be under the influence of drugs and, later admitted to smoking marihuana, and using crack cocaine.
His passenger, 27 year-old Johnee Thompson, was asked to get out of the vehicle and, a State Police K-9 sniffed out drugs in the center console area and, found 4.3-grams of cocaine, 5.2-grams of "crack" cocaine, and, 9.5 loose oxycodone pills inside.
Denardi faces charges including two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance while Thompson is charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal possession. Both were being held pending arraignment on Sunday.
Jamestown Police seized quantities of Methamphetamine, Heroin and prescription pills during the latest "Targeted Enforcement Patrol" detail on the city's northside early last weekend.
Officers say they and state Police conducted a vehicle stop early last Friday evening at the corner of Prendergast Avenue and Crossman Street and, arrested two city residents. Police say the vehicle allegedly had inadequate tail lights.
They say the subsequent investigation led to the arrest of 55 year-old Chris Byrne and 28 year-old Heather Caylor. Both are charged with one count each of fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance three counts of seventh-degree criminal possession and, Unlawful Possession of marihuana.
Byrne was also charged with operating a vehicle with inadequate tail lamps. Both were arraigned and sent to the county jail without bail.
Drug Awareness and Prevention Week in Chautauqua County kicked off last Saturday afternoon with a special speaker and concert in Jamestown.
County Executive Vince Horrigan welcomed an indoor and outdoor crowd for the program highlighted by a special performance by local pop star "Brielle" at Shawbuck's restaurant. Horrigan said the local drug crisis has been a "terrible epidemic" that's brought people together from across the region.
He says what's become the county's major drug forum will be held this Tuesday at Chautauqua Inns and Suites in Mayville. The featured speaker for Saturday's event was Erie County Executive Mark Polencarz who is also the only New York member of a national task force of executives and mayors dealing with the issue.
Polencarz says the numbers nationwide, and in Erie County peaked in 2014-15. In the US he says just over 54,000 people died nationally in 2015, more than died in car crashes that year.
However Polencarz says a multi-faceted approach in Erie County helped slowing the number of overdose dealths last year. He and Horrigan spoke prior to the Brielle "Rockin' for Recovery" event.
A Bemus Point man faces menacing and sexual abuse charges after allegedly pointing a pistol at several people during an altercation at a location in Greenhurst early last Saturday morning.
Sheriff's officers were called to the scene at 30-41 Route 430 about 1:30 AM for a report of a man with a weapon. Deputies say they found the suspect 46 year-old Blake Davis of Dutch Hollow Road, had fled the scene following the altercation.
Officers say they later found Davis at UPMC Chautauqua WCA Hospital being treated for minor injuries. He was arrested on three counts of second-degree menacing, third-degree sexual abuse and, harassment. David was arraigned in Ellery Town Court, and sent to the county jail with bail to be set. Sheriff's officers were assisted by Ellicott Town Police.
It's shaping up as a "huge week" of comedy in Chautauqua County and the Jamestown-area during the annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival and, Week-6 at Chautauqua Institution.
That from National Comedy Center Director Journey Gunderson who says there are now three headliners for this year's Comedy Festival with the addition's of stars Kevin James and Robert Klein. They'll be appearing during the August 3rd through 6th event.
Gunderson adds that's not likely the end of big announcements. The week-long program on Comedy at Chautauqua begins on July 30th and, will feature an appearance of Lewis Black, among others. Gunderson says tickets for the Kevin James and Robert Klein shows in Jamestown go on saleTuesday on line at Lucycomendyfest.com or call 484-0800.
Kevin James will appear the second night of the festival, Friday, August 4th, at the Northwest Arena, while Robert Klein, a comedy legend will appear on stage at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts on Saturday night, August 5th. Comedic star Jim Gaffigan appears to open the festival on Thursday, August 3rd.
Former President Bill Clinton told graduating students at their commencement that they must decide whether ``our common humanity is more important or our differences matter more.''
Clinton spoke Sunday at the ceremony for Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York, about 40 miles west of Syracuse. Clinton, who received an honorary degree, focused his remarks around diversity, saying it was a strength but that the differences between people were vastly outweighed by what all people share as human beings.
He told students they didn't need an America that focused more on ``us and them'' instead of trying to expand the definition of who fell in the category of ``us.'' Clinton told the graduates there were no permanent victories or permanent defeats, only lives of ``permanent possibilities.''
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will be the commencement speaker at West Point's graduation this month.
The U.S. Military Academy said Tuesday that Mattis will speak at the ceremony for the Class of 2017 on Saturday, May 27. The retired four-star Marine general became the 26th defense secretary on Jan. 20, hours after President Donald Trump was sworn in.
