Local State Assemblyman Andy Goodell says he believes amendments that are being made to the original legislation legalizing recreational marijuana may not make easier to get it passed....
Goodell remains strongly opposed legalization and, says among the changes is the elimination of a provision that would allow counties to opt out. The Jamestown-area Republican says that's because two large Long Island county legislatures recently voted to ban recreational sales.
Goodell also has concerns that it would expunge the records of people convicted of lower-level pot crimes, because he feels many were convicted of actually selling pot. He's concerned that convicted street dealers will again try to sell pot in the future since they won't have that on their record. Chautauqua County's representative to the Assembly believes the legalization of pot still remains "contentious" and doubts it will be approved before the end of session next month.
Democrat Andrew Cuomo plans to seek a fourth term as governor of New York state....
During an interview Tuesday morning on WAMC radio, Cuomo said he believes he is making a difference in New York and plans to run again in 2022. If Cuomo is re-elected, he'll be only the second person to win a fourth, four-year term as New York governor after Republican Nelson Rockefeller. Cuomo's father and fellow Democrat, the late Governor Mario Cuomo, lost his bid for a fourth term. New York's longest serving governor was its first: George Clinton, who served for seven three-year terms. Like Rockefeller, Clinton went on to be U.S. vice president. New York does not have gubernatorial term limits. Cuomo won his third term last fall after defeating Republican Marc Molinaro.
A Jamestown man is accused of threatening patrons at the Tim Horton's restaurant in Brooklyn Square with a knife after he became disorderly in the parking lot....
City police were called to the scene at 21 South Main Street shortly after 5 PM Monday on a report of a man with a weapon. Officers say patrons told them they confronted 50 year-old Brian Hilton when he pulled the knife and threatened to stab them. Hilton ran off before police arrived... but, he was found a short distance away... and, arrested without incident. Hilton was jailed pending arraignment on a second-degree menacing charge.
The lease that will bring the Chautauqua Belle steamship to Jamestown's Boat Landing was formally signed yesterday afternoon at Mc Crea Point....
Mayor Sam Teresi called it a 'dream come true for a lot of people' in a city born by water, and where water is an important ingredient in its re-birth. Signing the 5 year deal for U.S. Steam Lines Limited, owner of the Chautauqua Belle, was President, Paul Stage. He says sailing from Jamestown to Celoron is quite the trip, noting on Memorial Day a bald eagle left its nest and flew upriver with the ship for several minutes. Current plans are for 1 PM cruises departing the boatlanding on Saturdays and Sundays through June. The Belle will sail out of Mayville for most of July and August, but be back in Jamestown for a few days during the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival. The ship will return to Jamestown again, around Labor Day. The Jamestown to Celoron round trip is $25 for adults, $10 for children. More information is available at 269Belle.com.
The closing of Friendly's Restaurant in Jamestown was a surprise to more than the employees and the community.....
Jamestown's mayor, Sam Teresi, said the firm that had leased the property to Friendly's didn't even know of the shutdown. Speaking during the Breakfast Party hour on WJTN last Saturday, the mayor said the city's Department of Development has offered its support to the investor group that owns the Brooklyn Square building, in hopes of finding a new tenant. The mayor would like it to be a family restaurant similar to Friendly's, offering ice cream and an outdoor seating area. Teresi adds, having food service along the Riverwalk is a high priority. Local inquiries would be welcome, but Teresi emphasized the CITY is NOT interested in acquiring the property. (WJTN's Saturday Breakfast Party broadcast from Friendly's for 17 years before the abrupt closing on April 8th. The announcement for a new location for the Breakfast Party is expected in the near future.)
A Gerry man accused early last weekend of violating an order of protection was later arrested for allegedly having the utilities shut-off to another person's home....
Sheriff's officers say the intial call led to the arrest of 48 year-old Jonathan Barmore. Barmore was arraigned on a criminal contempt charge, and released on his own recognizance. However... deputies were called back to the Gerry location after the utilities had been off for an extended period of time. Barmore was again arrested, and, charged with second-degree criminal tampering. He was then taken to the county jail pending centralized arraignment.
An Erie County, New York woman faces Leandra's Law charges after she was pulled over for driving drunk in the town of Hanover with four children under the age of 16 in her car.....
Sheriff's officers say they stopped 35 year-old Sarah Burdick of Eden on Routes 5 and 20 last Friday night and, conducted sobriety tests. They found Burdick was allegedly driving while intoxicated and, she was charged with Felony DWI Leandra's Law, Aggravated DWI, DWI and, No or Inadequate Lights. She was also charged with second-degree harassment, and third-degree criminal tampering.
