A city man has been indicted by a federal Grand Jury on several charges for allegedly running a drug trafficking operation with his girlfriend at her home on Wescott Street. U-S Attorney James Kennedy, Junior announced Wednesday the charges against 28 year-old Jun Martinez for narcotics conspiracy, possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, maintaining a premises for drug use and distribution, and possessing with intent to distribute meth on premises where an individual under 18 was present and resided. Agents with the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force raided the home last October 16th... and, seized drugs and about 62-thousand dollars cash. The charges carry at least 10 years in prison... and, a $10-million dollar fine.
Chautauqua County Sheriff Deputies were called to West Main Street in the Village of Frewsburg Wednesday evening in response to a request to assist the Frewsburg Volunteer Fire Department. Upon arrival and after an investigation it was found that Sharon J. Torrey had struck another individual with a sharp object causing serious physical injury. This incident occurred while a child was present in the home. The individual was transported to UPMC WCA for treatment of injuries. Sharon was transported to the Chautauqua County Jail for centralized arraignment on the charges of Assault in the 2nd degree, Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd degree and Endangering the welfare of a child.
A lawsuit has been filed against Chautauqua County following the death of a Westfield man last year. 56 year old Scott Deming was killed on August 3rd after being struck by a bulldozer in the town of Ellery landfill as he emptied garbage from his truck. According to the bulldozer operator he had "no idea" that Deming was behind a pile of debris that he was pushing into a pit. Attorney Michael D. Hollenbeck of Buffalo, who is representing the estate of Deming, alleges that the death was the result of negligence by the operator of the bulldozer as well as the county who he says violated state labor law and federal OSHA safety guidelines.
The number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases in Chautauqua County remains low... and, the number of hospitalizations is at two. The county's Department of Health reports there are 14 new cases as of this morning, and that brings the total to 9,110 during the pandemic. Officials add that 85 cases are now active... and, 8,873 cases have recovered. The seven-day infection rate is at 1.4 percent.
Jamestown Police Officers responded to an area of the Hampton Inn in Jamestown early this morning on a report of subjects possibly breaking glass in the nearby wooded area of the North Main Street hotel. Upon arrival, a broken window and unsecured door led officers to believe that there were individuals inside a residence. 43 year old David Hanley of Jamestown was found inside and was placed into custody with incident. Hanley was transported to the city jail and is charged with Burglary in the 2nd Degree, Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree and Obstruction Government Administration.
The annual Fourth of July parade in the Chautauqua County capital of Mayville has been canceled for the second year in a row. The announcement was made by Village Mayor Ken Shearer at Tuesday’s Village Board meeting. Shearer said although the parade will not be happening the fireworks will be launched. They will be monitoring the New York State guidelines regarding attendance policies before they make further announcements regarding parking and spectator size limits.
After being forced to cancel the Jamestown Pride Fest last year due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Jamestown Pride Planning Group has announced their inaugural Pride Fest will be on Saturday, June 12th in conjunction with the Jamestown Public Market. The day will begin with a Pride Flag Raising ceremony at Tracy Plaza and continue with activities at the Wintergarden Plaza such as free yoga and Zumba classes, live music and a free performance by RuPaul’s Drag Race Star and Jamestown native Pandora Boxx. Details about Jamestown Pride can be found on their Facebook page.
The Dunkirk City School District will be moving forward with a plan to relocate students in several grade levels, beginning in September. The school board this week approved a resolution to relocate 7th- and 8th-grade students to the high school building, 3rd-through 5th-grade students to the middle school building, and kindergarten through 2nd-grade to Schools 3, 5 and 7. One board member voted against the resolution. Vice-President Claudia Szczerbacki (Sir-bockie) said she supports the plan, but feels that this Fall may be too soon... and, is not the right time to implement it.
The long-time superintendent at the Randolph Academy Union Free School District has announced that she is retiring at the end of the current school year. Lori DeCarlo has been superintendent for the past 15 years... and, has served in the district for 36 years total. The district says the school board is currently reviewing applications and expects to appoint a new superintendent on or about June 1st. Since 2006... DeCarlo has led the 200-student, two-campus district which supports, empowers and educates children with emotional and mental health disabilities. District officials say the new superintendent will assume his or her duties on or about July 1st.
