A Clymer man was ticketed for failure to keep right following a fatal motor vehicle accident in the Town late last week. The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office says the crash occurred on Clymer Center Road just before 4:30 PM last Thursday. Deputies say 52 year-old Michael Wade reportedly failed to keep right and struck another vehicle in the on-coming lane. The driver of the other vehicle was identified as 69 year-old David Bensink, of Wattsburg-Pennsylvania. Futher investigation revealed he was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident. Both men were transported to UPMC Hamot Medical Center for treatment. Police say Bensink succumbed to his injuries yesterday. No additional charges were filed.
A city man is in federal custody in Buffalo after local drug agents executed a search warrant at a home on Jamestown's eastside... and, arrested him on drug and weapons charges.
City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says members of the Jamestown Metro... and, Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Forces had been searching for 35 year-old Richard Kinsey, Junior for sometime, and found him staying at 126 Hedges Avenue home early Thursday morning. Samuelson says Kinsey tried to flee police, but, was quickly taken into custody. He was then found in possession of more than 25-grams of methamphetamine, and a loaded handgun.
Samuelson says police also found some brass knuckles, and drug paraphernalia. He says Kinsey is to be arraigned later today. If you have any information on illegal drug trafficking and sales in Jaemstown... Samuelson says you are asked to call the JPD Tips-line anonymously at 483-TIPS You can also go to their Tips 4-1-1 app.
Chautauqua County's public bus system is receiving a $1.5 million grant from the New York State Department of Transportation for the modernization and enhancement of its transportation fleet.
State Senator George Borrello says the county applied for this grant for CARTS over a year ago, when he was County Executive.
Borrello says the money will be used to upgrade the CARTS system by purchasing clean-fuel hybrid trolley buses and associated equipment. In addition, he says it will make the system more user-friendly... using new technology to make it easier and more convenient to get tickets, and check bus routes. Borrello says modernizing CARTS was a priority for him when he was County Executive. The grant is part of $14.2-million awarded to 13 counties, cities, and regional authorities statewide to modernize and enhance municipally sponsored public transportation services.
The city of Jamestown and it's Board of Public Utilities have officially signed new, 10-year water agreements to provide water service to the towns of North Harmony and Busti.
Officials with both municipalities were on hand at the BPU's offices this afternoon to sign the agreements... which run through the year 2030. BPU General Manager Dave Leathers says the new contracts replace an extension of the last agreement... which expired in 2015. Leathers says there are no big changes from the previous agreements.
North Harmony Town Supervisor Louise Ortman, and Busti Supervisor Jesse Robbins were on hand to sign the new pact... and, Robbins says they're both pleased with the agreement... which he says shows all three municipalities are willing to work together for the betterment of their respective communities. Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist says he's pleased with the outstanding collaboration that's again been shown between the city and, the surrounding towns. Leathers says both municipalities will be paying the BPU 280-percent of the city rate for water.
The woman who ran against local Congressman Tom Reed two years ago says he's done little to help make health care more affordable... and it's time to do something comprehensive about it.
However... Yates County Democrat Tracy Mitrano says it doesn't have to be done all at once. Mitrano says those were her big takeaways from five recent town halls she hosted about health care reform in the district. She likened her approach to something she did when she was in charge of Information Technology at Cornell University. She had a 14-point policy that people initially balked at.
During the town halls... one of which was held in Jamestown... Mitrano says while her audiences were mostly Democrats, there were some Republicans there as well who wanted to see changes. Reed argued that the Democratic policy used artificial means to bring down prescription drug costs, instead of allowing free market forces to dictate those costs.
An Amish buggy was extensively damaged after a passenger vehicle struck it from behind in the Village of Panama Wednesday.
State Police in Jamestown responded to the scene on Rock Hill Road... and, learned the driver of the car reportedly became distracted by the sun when the crash occurred. Troopers say occupants of both vehicles... as well as the horse... were not hurt. The unidentified driver of the car was ticketed for Failure to Reduce Speed for Special Hazards.
A couple dozen people gathered in light snow and a stiff breeze on Central Avenue in Silver Creek around 5 PM last evening for the ribbon cutting of a new restaurant... Villaggio Italiano.
Among the crowd were FOUR Chautauqua County Executives: P.J. Wendel, Andy Goodell, Greg Edwards and George Borello. The restaurant project is the work of Borello's wife, Kelly, who already owns the nearby Sunset Bay Beach Club and Cabana Sams. Since those are just seasonal businesses, she's hopeful the year-round restaurant will allow her to keep key staff members employed. George Borello, now a state senator, says he's mostly a 'silent partner' in the restaurant, but added they're proud to bring a full service restaurant back to Silver Creek for the first time in decades. Villaggio Italiano features pizza and pasta. More information is available at villaggioSilverCreek.com or on Facebook.
