A city man has been arrested for allegedly being found in possession of a loaded hand-gun, and drugs during a parole check on Jamestown's eastside Monday morning. City Police assisted the Chautauqua County Sheriff's K-9 unit, and State Parole officials with the check at 18 Hedges Avenue. During the check... police say they found ammunition and a quantity of marijuana... and called in the Jamestown Metro, and Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Forces. Police got a search warrant... and, arrested 20 year-old Tajah Warren and found a .380-calibur handgun, a quantity of cocaine, and drug paraphernalia. Warren is jailed... pending arraignment... on charges including Felony second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal possession of a controlled substance.
A city woman faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to a federal charge of maintaining a drug-involved premises.. U-S Attorney James Kennedy, Junior says 24 year-old Brandi Whitford of Jamestown pleaded guilty in U-S District Court Tuesday to the charge. Prosecutors say that between September and late October of last year, Whitford and co-defendant Richard Kinsey, Junior used a Newland Avenue home to make, distribute, and use methamphetamine. On September 6th of 2019... investigators raided the home, and recovered four guns... a quantity of meth... and, just over $12,000 in cash. Kennedy says Whitford also faces a $500,000 fine. Charges are pending against Kinsey.
A craft brewery and restaurant in Bemus Point will be closed today after an employee tested positive for the COVID-19 Virus. Operators of Ellicottvile Brewing on Chautauqua says in a Facebook post that the employee worked recently at the restaurant, and they were notified Tuesday by the Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services. In response... they have temporarily closed their Bemus Point operation to do a deep cleaning, and sanitizing of the facility. They plan to re-open on Thursday August 20th for regular business. Ellicottville Brewing says "we want to be as transparent and pro-active in our response as possible during these unprecedented times."
It's not uncommon for college students to be handed some 'welcoming gifts' when they get to campus. Jamestown Community College President Daniel DeMarte says the package at his school will include something different this year -- a PPE Kit.
That's just one of a number of steps the school is taking to make sure everyone is safe... if they are attending classes in person. But... Dr. DeMarte says not everyone will. Some classes will be entirely on line. DeMarte emphasizes JCC will be ready to adapt the schedule if the coronavirus should surge. The fall semester starts Monday, August 24th. Registrations are still being accepted.
There are three new cases of the COVID-19 Virus in Chautauqua County... and, there are currently 12 active cases. Interim County Executive P-J Wendel says the new cases are a young male adult, a woman in her 20s, and a man in his 30s. Wendel says that brings the total to 274 confirmed cases... while 253 have now recovered. He says there are 86 cases under now under quarantine or isolation orders... and, there are 1,141 persons under the "domestic traveler quarantine" after arriving here from a state listed on the New York travel advisory. There have been 28,979 negative test results.
Nominations are now being accepted for the Resource Center's annual Ability Awareness Awards. There are eight award categories, but Development and Special Events Coordinator, Vicky Bardo, says there's one general theme, goals and success. Some of the awards go to people who achieved their goals, while others celebrate those who've helped in the process. Nominations are due next Monday, August 24th. Bardo emphasizes the awards are open to anyone in the community... not just the Resource Center. More information is available at the Resource Center website, or by calling 661-1477. The program was previously known as the Disability Awareness Awards, but the name was changed in 2019, to be more positive.
A new restaurant is opening in the village of Lakewood... in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Owners Bruce and Laurie Stanton were joined by a number of local officials Tuesday to officially open "Stella's: A Kitchen and Bar" at 60 Chautauqua Avenue. Both are Chautauqua County natives... and, Bruce says they'll be offering southern cusine, and others five days a week.
Bruce Stanton says those "traditional" dishes will include a Friday Night Fish Fry. He and his wife have been involved in the food service industry most of their lives. Stanton says they had hoped to open last April... but, the pandemic hit... and, businesses were shut-down. He says Stella's is open for dinner Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 9 PM... and, on Friday's and Saturday's from 5 to 9:30 PM. They'll also be open on Sunday's for brunch from 10 AM to 2 PM.
