Sheriff's Dept. identifies man killed in town of Pomfret accident...
A Fredonia man has now been identified as the person killed late Tuesday night on a one-car crash in the north county town of Pomfret. Chautauqua County Sheriff's officers say 49 year-old David Lewandowski was northbound on Chestnut Road shortly before 10 p.m. Tuesday... and, failed to negotiate a curve. Deputies say Lewendowski's vehicle traveled through a lawn before the car struck a tree on the driver's side. Officers say he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Fredonia Fire Department's rescue team was also called to the scene.
JNP to close on June 30, says letter...
A long-time, Christian-based human service agency in Jamestown will be shutting it's doors at the end of June. We have learned that the Joint Neighborhood Project will be closing it's location at 532 East Second St. due to funding contraints... and, an effort to prevent "duplication of programs and services." In a letter obtained by Media One News... Interim Executive Director Patty Perlee says "everything has it's own season, and after 50 years, the season for Joint Neighborhood Project is coming to a close." JNP began in the 1960s as a provider of recreational opportunities for children in that part of the city. We were unable to reach Perlee for comment Wednesday afternoon.
City man arrested during drug raid in Jamestown...
A several week-long investigation has landed a Jamestown man in jailed for allegedly selling large quantities of "crack" cocaine in the city. City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says the department's Drug Enforcement Unit... along with the State Police CNET Team... raided an apartment at 402 Lafayette St. about 1:45 p.m. Wednesday... and, arrested 35 year-old Tyrone Schaffer. Samuelson says they also found a quantity of cocaine... drug paraphernalia... and, a quantity of cash inside. He says Schaffer was arrested without incident... and, charged with Felony criminal possession of a controlled substance... first-degree criminal nuisance... and, criminally using drug paraphernalia. Samuelson says there is no doubt there's been a rise in "crack" cocaine trafficking in the city... it's a matter of "supply and demand..." and unfortunately... there are people here ready to service the demand. He adds police are continuing to investigate to see if their most recent arrests are connected. Schaffer was considered a "street-level" dealer. He was arraigned in city court... and, sent to the County Jail without bail... pending a preliminary hearing.
Bemus Point school officials "shocked" by budget defeat...
Bemus Point school officials are expressing shock today after their proposed, $13.1-million dollar spending plan was rejected by residents in a close vote. The district's budget was the only one in Chautauqua County to be defeated Tuesday. Bemus Point Superintendent Jackie Latshaw says what was most shocking was the fact they had worked so hard to get the community involved in deciding what kind of programming they wanted in the final spending plan. Latshaw says people asked for smaller class sizes in the elementary grades... and, even restoration of some programming that had been taken out. She says she's not sure why the budget -- which included a 5-percent tax increase -- was rejected, 215 "yes" to 227 "no." She says there were a lot of competing events taking place... and, people may have assumed the spending plan would pass. As for the next move... Latshaw says the board will meet soon... and, review it's options. They could put the same budget up for a vote... put a revised budget up for a vote... or move to a contingency spending plan. Latshaw says they have until June 18 to hold another public hearing... and, get a budget in place.
Dunkirk man pleads guilty to filing 122 tax returns under names of recently deceased people...
A Dunkirk man has pleaded guilty to filing more than 100 tax returns under the names of people who had recently died. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Buffalo says 42-year-old John Berry, Jr. pleaded guilty Tuesday to making a false claim against the United States. Prosecutors say he filed 122 false income tax returns in 2008 and 2009 seeking refunds totaling $218,000. Authorities say more than $92,000 was deposited directly into his bank account. Berry faces up to five years in prison when he's sentenced in August.
