A developer has stepped forward to purchase the former Friendly's Restaurant in Jamestown's Brooklyn Square and open a new family-style restaurant -- similar to Friendly's....
The unnamed developer requested a loan from the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, which was approved during this week's meeting. IDA Chief Executive Officer Mark Geise says they hope to be up and running soon.
Geise says some former Friendly's employees will reportedly be part of the new restaurant business and he says that's great news. He says before approving the $55,000 low-interest loan, the board took a good look at all the particulars. The local Friendly's was among a number of stores in the chain that were closed early last April as part of a restructuring of the company. However, it was apparently not related to the number of customers at the Jamestown location. In fact, officials had noted that the Brooklyn Square location was one of the chain's best. The WJTN Saturday Breakfast Party was broadcast from Friendly's every Saturday since early 2002 and, was recently moved to the Double-Tree by Hilton after Friendly's closed.
Two people from Dunkirk face charges following a raid in the city where various drugs and weapons were found on Tuesday afternoon....
Sheriff's officers and agents with the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at 50-40 West Lake Road about 3:15 PM and, took 21 year-old Jorge Ortiz-Reyes into custody on an outstanding arrest warrant. Police say a search of the home revealed a quantity of crack-cocaine, heroin, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and, a large sum of cash. Officers also located a loaded, stolen handgun,sawed-off firearm, assault rifle and a stun-gun. Ortiz-Reyes was sent to the county jail on $500,000 bail. A 17 year-old female was also located at the residence and was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Officers say she faces more charges pending their investigation. Officers with the Dunkirk Police Department and Sheriff's Office SWAT Team also assisted at the scene.
There has been a problem with fireworks in the city of Jamestown for the past month...
Police Chief and Public Safety Director Harry Snellings says his officers have responded to 31 fireworks complaints this month and, he reminds residents that it's illegal to possess or use fireworks in the city. He addressed the matter during a recent City Council work session as well, says that they are cracking down on the illegal pyrotechnics in their "target areas" in particular. Snellings recently reminded lawmakers that "sparkling devices" can now be sold on a limited basis in designated counties in New York state. Chautauqua County is one of those. However, he says they are ALL that is legal in New York state. Snellings says they are supposed to be "ground-based, or hand-held devices." He also says it's best to leave the fireworks to the professionals.
The opening reception for the summer exhibit at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute is tonight....
RTPI's Jane Johnson says it features the lifelike artistry of the late Ned Smith. Smith drew over 100 original covers for the popular 'Pennsylvania Game News' magazine. Around 50 of Smith's works are on display at the Peterson Institute on Curtis Street. Tonight's reception runs from 5 to 7 PM and will feature an appearance by John Booth, the Executive Director of the Ned Smith Center in Millersburg, Pa. Booth will also be at RTPI from 10 AM to 1 PM Saturday. Both events are free.
A Sinclairville woman was arrested on criminal mischief charges for allegedly slashing a man's tires with a machete on Tuesday....
State Police in Jamestown responded to a domestic incident in the village and, through investigation, learned 36 year-old Nichole Olmstead cut the victim's car tires to prevent him from driving away. She was taken into custody and issued an appearance ticket for Charlotte Town Court next month.
Chautauqua County's top economic development official says he is pleased that there were 10 proposals from a RFP for a study on repurposing the NRG plant in the city of Dunkirk....
Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency Chief Executive Officer Mark Geise says they will begin a review of the proposals later this week and, they hope to narrow down the number in the coming weeks.
Geise says the current owner is on board with the study and wants to be part of the process. He says the meeting was held about a month and a half ago and, included three "high-level" officials from NRG itself. Once a selection is made, Geise says the study will take about 6 to 8 months to complete.
The Pennsylvania state Senate is sending Governor Tom Wolf the main bill in a $34-billion compromise budget plan that uses strong tax collections to boost aid to public schools and universities, hold the line on taxes and put cash into reserve....
Thursday's 42-8 vote comes amid a scramble in the Republican-controlled Legislature to approve hundreds of just-unveiled pages of budget-related legislation. The 2019-20 fiscal year starts next Monday. It authorizes almost $2 billion more in spending through the state's main operating account, or 6% more, counting cost overruns in the current fiscal year. It covers rising costs for prisons, debt, pension obligations and health care, while budget makers are using various cash maneuvers to veil the true cost of government operations by moving hundreds of millions of dollars in costs to outside accounts.
