City man arrested following domestic incident, and shotgun is found inside the home...
A Jamestown man has been arrested following a domestic violence incident... and, city police later finding a shot-gun inside the man's home. City police wre called to a location on East Eighth St. around 8:30 p.m. last Friday to check on the well-being of 43 year-old Edward Leeper, Jr. During an investigation of the incident... police say Leeper allegedly tried to prevent officers from investigating the matter. He was arrested... and, taken to the city jail. Police say they then spoke with multiple victims inside the home, and later found the shotgun -- with ammunition -- inside a bedroom closet. Since Leeper is a convicted Felon... he was charged with Felony third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was also jailed pending arraignment for second-degree obstruction... three counts of endangering the welfare of a child... aggravated family offense, and two counts of criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation.
Lakewood teen safe after boat takes on water at Long Point...
A Lakewood teenager wasn't hurt... but, had to call for help after her boat began taking on water at Long Point State Park last Sunday afternoon. Sheriff's officers say 17 year-old Victoria Smith of West Terrace Avenue was at anchor near the shore just before 3 p.m. when the vessel began taking on water at the stern. Smith told police she believes there was an issue with the vessel bilge pump. Nearby boaters came to her aid and assisted.
Wendel pleased with local COVID number of past few weeks, as push to get more vaccinated continues...
While New York state as a whole is seeing signs that more people are testing positive for the coronavirus... the numbers remain very low in Chautauqua County. The state-wide news comes as a contrast to weeks of declining rates of new positive tests. Leading up to the Fourth of July Holiday period... the county only saw a handful of new cases. County Executive P.J. Wendel believes that's because the number of vaccinations has increase, though the rate has been slower. Wendel says some people remain hesistant, and there are concerns about the new "Delta Variant." By late last week... the county Health Department's COVID-19 Dashboard showed that 56,778 first doses had been administered to residents... which is about 44-percent of the population. The number of people fully-vaccinated now stands at 41-percent. However... Wendel and health officials believe there are more who they have not heard about, that received vaccinations in Pennsylvania. He says they don't have the working relationships with Pennsylvania and other states to get that information. In addition... Wendel says that if you were vaccinated at a V-A Clinic... you should also check to make sure you were counted. He says go on-line to cchealth@chqgov.com for more information.
Two JHS students appointed as "ex-officio" members of Jamestown School Board...
Two soon-to-be seniors at Jamestown High School have been appointed as "ex-officio" Jamestown School Board members for the 2021-22 school year. The school board recently announced that Madison Arthurs and Annika Spitzer will serve now through June 30 of 2022. Board President Paul Abbott says it's "important that students know that they have a voice with the Board of Education. We had a very successful first three years with our student representatives." He adds that "I hope our student body continues to utilize this opportunity and supports Madison and Annika by giving them their suggestions and input. I also hope their presence sends a message to all students that they are welcome at any board meeting."
City Council approves CDBG and HOME Program applications...
The city of Jamestown will be submitting it's 2021 Community Development Block Grant and HOME Program funding application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The $1.19-million CDBG, and nearly $339,000 HOME Programs were recently adopted by the City Council. Development Director Crystal Surdyk says this is similar to the five-year plan they submitted to HUD back in December of last year. Surdyk says "some numbers shifted..." but, adds it's pretty much the same. The CDBG program is used to fight blight, and the majority of funding goes to low-to-moderate income projects. The biggest allocation will be $166,000 to continue making Americans with Disabilities Act improvement to public facilities. Surdyk says once they use the funding for the programs various projects... her department will do a full review of what they did, and make any adjustments they need. Among the other areas receiving significant funding is $110,000 for targeted neighborhood demolitions. The last of three public hearings on the CDBG and HOME Programs was held on June 28... right before City Council voted on them.
Two car crash in town of Sheridan sends three to the hospital...
Three people from northern Chautauqua County were hurt in a two-car accident on Route 20 in the town of Sheridan last Sunday night. Sheriff's deputies were called to the scene shortly after 7 p.m., and, spoke with numerous witnesses -- and, investigated the accident. Officers found that one of the cars involved -- driven by 68 year-old Leonard Crawn of Irving -- had some kind of tire or wheel malfunction. They say that caused Crawn's vehicle to drift into the oncoming traffic lane, where it collided with the second car... driven by 38 year-old Joseph Grant of Dunkirk. Officers say Crawn, Grant, and a 13 year-old boy in Grant's vehicle were all taken to Brooks Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. No charges have been filed.
