City police looking for two people in connection with attempted theft of bank deposits...
Jamestown police are on the look-out for a man and woman who allegedly tried to steal bank deposits from the Lake Shore Savings Bank on East Fourth Street last weekend. Police Captain Bob Samuelson says the unidentified man and woman tried to retrieve the deposits with a "sticky trap device" from the overnight drop box in the early morning hours of last Saturday. Samuelson says bank employees located the device when they opened Saturday morning... and, found the "sticky trap" stuck in the drop box, and none of the deposit bags were reported missing. Police say there were two similar incidents earlier this spring at another city bank. JPD Investigators are asking anyone with information on the identity of the suspects to contact the Jamestown Police at 483-7537 or via the Anonymous Tips Line at 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477. Police say all tips are kept confidential.
Borrello sponsoring state Senate legislation to end governor's State of Emergency...
Republicans in both the state Assembly and Senate are pushing legislation to end the state of emergency declared in March 2020. The GOP Conferences have proposed a joint resolution that would terminate the Governor Andrew Cuomo's declaration... and, return the state to pre-pandemic operations and guidelines. Local State Senator George Borrello backs the effort and has sponsored the resolution in the Senate... and, he says that's the key to ending what he calls the governor's "authoratarian power." With the state's improving COVID numbers... Borrello feels the state needs to get back to normal, and show it's ready to recover from the pandemic. Since the start of the emergency, Republicans say Governor Cuomo has issued over 100 executive orders to impose protocols, restrictions and lockdown orders.
County reports two new COVID cases the past day and one new death...
There are two new confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus being reported in Chautauqua County over the past day... and, one new death. The county's Health Department says there have now been 156 deaths during the pandemic... and, 9,271 total cases. The two new cases were both in the Jamestown 14701 zip code. Officials say there are currently 18 active cases... and, four are now hospitalized. The Health Department says the infection rate is now point-6 percent... and, 9,097 cases have now recovered.
City Council Housing Committee discusses zombie and vacant property situation with Housing Couirt still closed...
It may be a while yet before the problems caused by zombie and vacant and blighted homes in the city of Jamestown can be fully addressed. That's because city Housing Court will remain closed until at least Fall... and, it may not reopen again until early 2022. Members of the City Council's Housing Committee discussed the situation Monday night. Committee Chairwoman Marie Carrubba says residents are frustrated because general upkeep, like cutting grass, has fallen by the wayside in many cases. Carrubba says property owners are still on the hook for costs to the city to maintain those properties. The city's Department of Development was recently able to got after about a dozen "zombie" properties in the city through what's called a 19-A Court action. Under that... the city takes title to the property to get it cleaned up and rehabilitated, then sold to a new owner. Council President Tony Dolce says the city's Housing Inspectors are doing their best... and, are still citing properties for code infractions. However... he says it's been frustrating. Housing Committee members were also reminded that the state's moratorium on evictions during the pandemic has been extended until Aug. 31.
Gerry Rodeo is confirmed for August 4-7...
The Gerry Rodeo is definitely "on" for this August. Rodeo spokesman, Paul Cooley, made the announcement Tuesday morning... adding that the Gerry Fire Department voted overwhelmingly to go ahead with the annual event Monday night. Last year's rodeo was 'postponed' because of virus restrictions. Cooley says they hope this year's show will be the best ever, even though they don't know exactly what COVID rules will be in place during the run... set for Aug. 4-7. He says they're hoping all restrictions will be lifted by then, but, have also made contingency plans. Cooley says they've added a new event this year, 'Cowgirl Breakaway Roping.' He says it's a lot like the tie-down roping done by the male competitors, without dismounting from the horse. Cooley says breakaway roping is the fastest growing event in the sport of rodeo, today. Full information on the Gerry Rodeo can be found at Gerryrodeo.org.
Woman from Floriday arrested after alleged I-86 Road Rage incident...
A Florida woman has been arrested following an alleged road rage incident Monday on Interestate 86 in the town of Poland. State Police in Jamestown say they got a call from the driver of the victim vehicle... who said both cars were eastbound, and had stopped near the Exit 14 off-ramp. The victim told troopers that 27 year-old Angelina Medina-Ramos of Orlando got out of her vehicle, and approached the caller's car, and struck it with her hand. Police say Medina-Ramos damaged the vehicle... and, was arrested for fourth-degree criminal mischief. She was issued appearance tickets for Poland Town Court on a later date.
