City man jailed after traffic stop and raid uncovers his alleged drug trafficking...
A Jamestown man has been arrested on numerous charges... including Felony drug possession... following a traffic stop and raid on the man's residence. City police say members of the Jamestown Metro... and, Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Forces were in the area of 212 Price St. shortly before Noon last Friday, when they spotted Nicholas Gaskin leaving his apartment. Officers say they knew Gaskin was wanted on felony warrants for aggravated family offense, first-degree criminal contempt, and menacing. The JPD K-9 unit conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle that Gaskin was riding in and took him into custody. They also found 15.5-grams of crack-cocaine in his possession when he was searched. Later that day... drug agents executed a search warrant at Gaskin's apartment... and, found a loaded 9-millimeter pistol, fentanyl, suboxone strips, suboxone pills, ammunition, scales, packaging materials, and money. Gaskin was further charged with second-degree criminal possession of a Weapon... two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. He was taken to the city jail pending arraignment.
Reed applauds Cummins' Engine decision to suspend operatons in Russia...
The decision by Cummins Engine Company to suspend all business with Russia for it's invasion of Ukraine is winning praise from local Congressman Tom Reed. Reed was recently asked about the decision by the Columbus, Indiana-based company... which has a major heavy-duty vehicle engine plant near Ashville. The Corning Republican says he and other lawmakers recently met with McDonald's Chief Executive Officer about them doing the same thing... and, they decided to suspend their Russian operations as well. The Cummins' board of directors made the decision earlier this month to move expeditiously to suspend all commercial operations in Russia indefinately. Reed says he's hopeful that other businesses with ties or operations in Russia, will do like-wise. However... he says they should not be forced to do so. Reed says that he hopes these moves will send a clear message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that "this has to end." He made his comments during his recent conference call with Southern Tier Media.
State Pension fund divested of Russian investments...
New York state's public pension fund will be getting rid of any Russian investments. State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli had announced a freeze on any new investments and a review of current ones in the days soon after Russia started its invasion of Ukraine. That led to the decision announced Friday to divest. DiNapoli says Russia's "violent and unpredictable foreign policy" made the country "an unacceptable investment risk." The state's Common Retirement Fund has a value of almost $280-billion... with about $110-million invested in Russian companies.
Reed blames Democratic policies for population losses in Chautauqua County, and most of upstate NY...
Policies coming out of Albany are the main culprit driving business... and, people... out of New York state to other states. Those are the feelings of local Congressman Tom Reed... who commented on Chautauqua County's 2020 Census numbers from the federal government. The final numbers for the county were 127,657 people... a loss of 7,248 from 2010. During a stop in Chautauqua County last week... Reed said Upstate New York, in general, has been losing population... and, the one's still here are looking to leave because of the "one-party" policies of Democrats in Albany. He says they're going "elsewhere..." namely to Sunbelt region states... including Texas and Florida... where the largest growth has been seen over the past decade. He says New York should learn the lessons from them about how to attract more people here. In addition to losing just over 7,200 people between 2010 and 2020... Chautauqua County has also reportedly lost another 2,000 people between 2020 and 2021. New York state was the biggest loser of population for the decade with a reduction of 328,000, while California was second with a loss of nearly 262,000 people.
JCC offering local students EARN Grants...
Jamestown Community College is offering high school juniors and seniors a special opportunity this summer through the EARN program. The Interim Director of High School Partnerships at JCC, Jade Barber, says EARN stands for ‘Educational Advancement for Regional Neighbors.’ She says it covers the cost of one Summer course that a student would like to take. Any course in either summer session one or two is open to EARN, but Jade Barber says interested students need to act soon. Barber says there are only 150 spots available... but, there are still applications available. The EARN program is open to juniors and seniors attending a high school….. or being home schooled….. in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus or Allegany Counties. Students will be responsible for any course fees. Full information is available at SUNYJCC.edu or by calling 716-338-1160.
New 30-year lease agreement announced for new Buffalo Bills stadium...
State and county taxpayers will be asked to commit $850-million in public funds toward construction of the Buffalo Bills' new stadium as part of a 30-year lease agreement. The project has a total estimated price tag of $1.4 billion. Governor Kathy Hochul announced in a press release that the state will commit $600 million in funds which will be in included in the budget due Friday. Erie County will commit $250 million, with the NFL and the Buffalo Bills committing $550 million.
