City woman accused of robbery and stabbing...
A Jamestown woman faces robbery and assault charges after she allegedly stole money from another person and stabbed that person with a knife.  City police were called to a westside location late last week...and determined that 29 year-old Lee Perez had robbed, and intentionally stabbed the victim.  Officers arrested Perez without incident.  She was arraigned on charges of first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, and criminal mischief.

City man arrested on suspicion of burglary, giving police a false name...
A Jamestown man has been charged following a foot chase on the city's westside last weekend after he was suspected of being involved in a burglary.  Jamestown police say they spotted a man fitting the description of a suspect hiding behind a building on Monroe Street around midnight Saturday.  Officers say the man was wearing all black... and, was peeking from behind the building and acting suspicious.  Police tried to talk with the man... but, he ran off.  Officers caught 19 year-old Marcos Reyes after a short chase... and, he gave them several false names.  Police later identified him... and, he was arrested for false personation, and second-degree obstructing governmental administration. 

Cuomo says NYS on threshold of fully reopening at just under 70-percent vaccination...
Nearly 70-percent of New York's population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine... and, may finally reach that number this week.  That from Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has said that once the state reaches that number, the state will "completely reopen" for business.  During a press conference at the State Fairgounds near Syracuse Monday... Cuomo said the state is now at 69.9-percent... and, that's great news because the state is doing better sooner than anyone thought.  He says there have now been more than 20-million total shots administered to New York residents.  Cuomo adds the focus now will be in those zip code areas that have vaccination rates of 38-percent or less.  Cuomo says the idea is to get as many shots in arms as possible to get the state fully reopened.

Cuomo also announces that the State Fair will be run at 100% capacity late this Summer...
The New York State Fair was to be held late this Summer with COVID-19 restrictions in place.  However... Governor Cuomo now says the fair will be open to 100-percent capacity this year, with very few restrictions. The Fair was not held last year due to the pandemic.  However... Cuomo says with the state's COVID numbers looking so much better than they were even a month ago... the fair will be open as usual... and, it's going to be the best yet with all of the improvements, and expansion on the fairgrounds.  Cuomo was the fairgrounds in the suburb of Geddes to make the announcement Monday.  He says the 18-day fair will run from Aug. 20 to Sept. 6.  Cuomo says they will also re-open many popular buildings with additional vendors.  In accordance with the State's evolving health guidelines... Cuomo says indoor spaces will be subject to capacity limits to allow attendees to be socially distanced within each building.

Chautauqua Mall owner files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy...
"Significant challenges" created by the COVID-19 pandemic has led the owner of the Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  In a press release... Columbus, Ohio-based Washington Prime Group made the official filing late last Sunday... saying the move was "necessary."  Washington Prime secured $100-million in new funding to support its day-to-day operations so it can "continue in the ordinary course without interruption."  Chief Executive Officer Lou Conforti says "the company's financial restructuring will enable Washington Prime to right size its balance sheet, and position the company for success going forward.  During the financial restructuring, we will continue to work toward maximizing the value of our assets and our operating infrastructure."  Officials say shares of Washington Prime... which owns about 100 malls nationwide... plunged about 55-percent in early trading Monday.

County announces three new COVID cases Monday, and one new death...
There were three new confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Chautauqua County the past weekend... along with one new death.  County health officials say that brings the total number of deaths so far to 157... while there have now been 9,282 total cases.  They say 10 cases are currently active... while only two people are hospitalized.  Officials say 9,115 people have now recovered... and, the infection rate is .5%.

Buffalo woman arrested after allegedly stealing an ambulance, and leading police on chase...
New York State Police say a Buffalo woman is facing charges after she allegedly drove a stolen ambulance into Irondequoit Bay near Rochester on Sunday.  Troopers say 32-year-old Vanessa Armstead has been charged with criminal possession of stolen property, criminal trespass and criminal mischief.  The ambulance was stolen from Utica, with a police pursuit covering nearly 100 miles. 

Wendel comments on passing of former Legislature Chairman Tom Harte...
A long-time educator and local elected official has passed away at the age of 92.  Lakewood's Tom Harte died at the Brookdale Assisted Living Center in Lakewood last Thursday.  Harte was a long-time teacher... retiring in 1985 from Jamestown High School.  He was first a Lakewood Village Trustee from 1972 to 1980... and, later served for 12 years on the county legislature beginning in 1980.  He was chairman of the legislature from 1984 to 1985.  County Executive P-J Wendel issued a statement Monday morning extending his thoughts and prayers to Harte's family.  The Lind Funeral Home in Jamestown is handling arrangements for Tom Harte.