City man arrested following two-hour stand-off in Jamestown...
A Jamestown man wanted by city police on Felony charges was arrested following a two-hour long stand-off with officers last night. City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says officers were conducting a warrant check at 15 West Cowden Pl. just before 4:30 p.m. Monday for 34 year-old "Silk" Spencer. Samuelson says officers found that Spencer fled through the house, and into the basement. Spencer then told police he was armed and was going to start shooting... and, that he was going to kill officers. Police set up a perimeter... and, began negotiating with Spencer to get him to peacefully surrender. However... Spencer refused and continued to shout threats towards officers. Police continued trying to talk with Spencer from the basement stairway, and additional officers and units arrived to assist. Just before 6:30 p.m., Spencer surrendered without incident, and was not found to have any weapons in his possession. He was jailed pending arraignment on charges including Felony Assault from a stabbing... two counts of Aggravated Family Offense... and, one count of second-degree robbery. JPD was assisted by State Police, the JPD SWAT Team, UPMC Paramedics, and the Jamestown Police Crisis Resolution Team.
State Supreme Court judge rules County Legislature cannot name, and then confirm a new Democratic Elections Commissioner...
A State Supreme Court Judge has ruled that the Chautauqua County Legislature and it's Democratic Minority do not have the ability to nominate, and vote on a new Elections Commissioner. Judge Lynn Keane issued the ruling in Mayville after both sides argued their cases in late April. Former Democratic Elections Commissioner Norm Green says Keane simply upheld the law... which says the Democratic Committee -- which Green chairs -- makes the selection... not the legislature. Green says, unfortunately, the legislature has not allowed an up or down vote on anyone for the post. The Democratic Committee -- which Green chairs -- did put up the name of Deputy Commissioner Luz Torres. However... that was pulled by the legislature's Administrative Services Committee earlier this year after a group of Democratic Committee members protested, saying that Green changed the rules, and they wanted Loren Kent named to the post. The legislature then voted in favor of Kent during it's March meeting. With the court's ruling... Green says Torres remains Acting Democratic Elections Commissioner.
City police now looking for pick-up truck that may have been involved in stealing Underground Railroad Tableau statue...
Jamestown Police say they are now looking for an older model pick-up truck with wood tail gate in connection with the weekend theft of one of the three Down Park statues. Those statues make up what's called the "Underground Railroad Tableau." City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says the wooden tail gate is described as a "a 2 x 10 across the back acting as the tailgate." The person giving the tip, however, did not have a plate or a color only remembered the wood tailgate and seeing what he believes was the missing statue in the back of the truck. The copper statue was reported missing Monday morning by a city Parks Department worker who was checking on the park... and, discovered it was missing. Police say the 500 to 600-pound statue was taken sometime between last Thursday, and Monday morning. Samuelson says the statute -- worth upwards of $2,000 -- was re-installed by a Parks crew last Thursday. Police are continuing to check video in that area, and are asking for anyone who may have information on the statue's wherebaouts to call them at 483-7537... or their anonymous tips line at 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477.
NYS weighing mandate for SUNY and CUNY students to have COVID vaccine before returning for in-person classes in the Fall...
Governor Andrew Cuomo says his administration is trying a mix of mandates and incentives to overcome vaccine hesitancy in New York state. That includes plans to mandate vaccinations for all public college students to get them... and, offer a week of free train rides to people who get shots at walk-in clinics set up in New York City subway stations. On the first item... Cuomo says they're just waiting for final approval from the federal government. If the final approval is given... Cuomo says students attending class in-person will have to be vaccinated. He adds that they will also urge private colleges and universities to do the same.
County reports 44 New COVID-19 cases Monday...
The Chautauqua County Health Department is reporting 44 new cases of COVID-19 over the past weekend... but, say infection rate, number of active cases, and people hospitalized continued to go in the right direction. Health officials say the new cases include 12 in the Jamestown 14701 zip code... and, brings the total to 9,075 cases. Officials say there are now 73 active cases... and, seven of those are hospitalized. There were no new deaths.
Sundquist and Lehman announce Jamestown's 2021 Streets Program...
A significant increase in aid from New York state is allowing the city of Jamestown to undertake nearly 150 street projects this construction season. Mayor Eddie Sundquist and Public Works Director Jeff Lehman released the city's 2021 Streets Program Monday... and, Sundquist says they plan to engage in an "aggressive and expanded" program this year, that includes a couple of total reconstructions, filling cracks, curbing, mill and overlay. Sundquist says some projects are already underway in the city. He says the complete street reconstruction projects include one on part of Kidder Street, and the other will be on Jefferson. A detailed map of the projects can be found on line at JamestownNY.gov/2021Streets.
