JPD announces results of two drug investigations...
One person has been arrested... and, two others detained... following a two drug-related investigations over the past two days. City police say members of the Jamestown Metro, and Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Forces raided an apartment at Covenant Manor at 23 West Third St. shortly after Noon Thursday... and found quantities of methamphetamine, and crack-cocaine. A man and a woman were detained... and, charges are pending. city Task Force members this morning assisted State Parole with a home visit to 41 year-old Larry Hicks on Fairmount Avenue. Police say they found 15-grams of cocaine, a scale, packaging materials, and money in Hicks' posession. He was arrested for Felony third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and criminally using drug paraphernalia. Hicks was arrainged and sent to the county jail pending further court action.
Cuomo announces $250-million in competitive funding made available for 24 upstate airports -- including Jamestown...
The Chautauqua County Airport near Jamestown is among the upstate airports eligible for funding from a quarter-of a billion dollar initiative to revitalize and develop those facilities. Gov. Andrew Cuomo made the announcement this afternoon that the airport... along with 23 other public use facilities... are eligible for modernization funding. Cuomo is urging those airports eligible should "think big" and lay out a vision for those facilities. Cuomo says the program includes $230-million through the new, Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition, for projects that promote and accelerate improvements at upstate commercial passenger service airports. He says another $20-million will be allocated through his Aviation Capital Grant Program to support safety, infrastructure, and economic development projects at smaller airports.
City fire investigators still looking into cause of fire at 85 Prospect St. Thursday morning...
The investigation is continuing into an overnight fire Thursday that extensively damaged a one-family apartment house on Jamestown's southside. City Fire Battalion Chief Brian Aceterberg says crews were called to the scene at 85 Prospect Street shortly after 1 a.m., and, found a lot of fire and smoke on the first floor. However... he says all six occupants had all gotten out safely by the time they arrived. Aceterberg says they did have to search for a pair of dogs. One was later found deceased... while the other was recuscitated at the scene. He says it took firefighters about an hour-and-a-half to bring the blaze under control. Acterberg says an off-duty shift of 12 firefighters was called in. No firefighters were hurt. Crews were at the scene about six hours.
Reed is among 35 Republican House members to vote in favor of Jan. 6th Capitol Riot Commission...
Local Congressman Tom Reed was among the 35 Republicans who voted with Democrats to create an independent commission on the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. However... the legislation has a much less certain future in the Senate as Republican leaders work to stop a bi-partisan investigation that is opposed by former President Donald Trump. The bill passed the House 252-175 on Wednesday. The 35 Republicans voting with Democrats in support of the commission are defying Trump and House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy. Reed says "we as Americans should be united to ensure what happened on January 6th never occurs again." The legislation is modeled after the investigation into the September 11th, 2001, attacks... and, would establish an independent, 10-member commission that would make recommendations by the end of the year.
State School Board's chief very happy with Tuesday's school budget approvals...
The high number of voter-approved public school district budgets across New York state possibly set a new record this past Tuesday. That from state School Boards Association Executive Director Bob Schneider, who was still tallying numbers today. Initially... NYSBBA reported 99.2-percent of all budgets passed on Tuesday... but, says that number has since grown. Schneider calls it "great news" for local districts. He says that's up significantly from last year's 98.4-percent approval number. He says the current percentage ties the highest number ever recorded by NYSBBA. In addition... Schneider says 21 of the budgets required a 60-percent supermajority to exceed the state's 2-percent property tax cap... and, 18 of those did pass on Tuesday. He says that's about 85-percent... much higher than the near 60-percent of the past nine years. Schneider says only five budgets statewide were defeated last Tuesday... and, most of those were on Long Island. He says increased state and federal aid were the obvious key factors in lowering taxes for property owners. All budgets in Chautauqua County were approved this week.
Whitaker says community sent a "great message" of support in budget and capital projects votes...
Jamestown School Superintendent Kevin Whitaker says district officials got a "great message" from the public in Tuesday's budget and capital improvement project votes. Whitaker thanked the community for turning out... and, strongly supporting the $89.9-million budget for next year... and, the $86-million capital improvement project. Whitaker says they have an architect for the projects lined up... and, are now seeking request for proposals for their construction manager. He says the school board Wednesday night also approved hiring Young and Wright to be their project architects. During an interview on our Dennis Webster Show Thursday... Whitaker also congratulated school board incumbant Nina Karbacka was overwhelmingly re-elected... and, newcomer Frank Galeazzo who was elected over two other newcomers.
