Judge orders NYS Congressional and State Senate Primaries be postponed until Aug. 23...
A New York judge has ordered the state's congressional and state Senate primaries to be delayed until August 23rd to provide enough time to replace maps that were ruled unconstitutional this week. State Judge Patrick McAllister moved the primaries back Friday from their original date of June 28. He said special master Jonathan Cervas will finish drawing new maps by May 20. In the meantime... state and local election officials will prepare to once again hold separate primaries in June and August.
Western Pa. man identified as victim in one-car fatal crash in Warren Co....
A man from Western Pennsylvania has now been identified as the person killed in a fiery, head-on car crash in southern Warren County. State Police in Warren say 43 year-old Ryan Nicklin of Greenville, Pa. died at the scene of the April 11 accident on Hearts Content Road in Watson Township. Troopers say Nicklin was southbound just before 4 p.m. that day... when his car missed a curve... and, traveled more than 100 feet before slamming into a large tree -- head-on. Police say a passerby tried to pull Nicklin from the vehicle... but, was unable to before the car became fully-engulfed in flames. Several responding fire rescue crews and the Warren County Coroner responded to the scene.
Jamestown man arrested for violating order of protection, and drug possession...
A city man has been arrested for allegedly violating an order of protection... and, later being found with narcotic drugs in his possession. Jamestown police conducted a warrant check on East Sixth Street just before 2 a.m. Thursday... and, saw 32 year-old Craig Vanhook inside the home. However... the 30 year-old woman living in the home had a court order of protection for Vanhook to stay away. He was also wanted on Felony warrants. Vanhook is accused of ignoring police calls to come out of the house several times. Once police entered... he tried to escape through a rear window. But, after a brief struggle, police took Vanhook into custody. He was found in possession of a quantity of a cocaine/MDMA/Fentanyl compound mix. Vanhook faces charges including second-degree criminal contempt... and, fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was jailed pending arraignment.
Reed applauds Trevor Reed's release...
Local Congressman Tom Reed says he's very happy to see the release of American citizen Trevor Reed -- no relation -- who had been detained in Russia since 2019. Congressman Reed made his comments after Trevor Reed -- a former Marine -- was released in a prisoner swap Wednesday. Trevor Reed was sentenced to nine years in prison in July 2020 for endangering the "life and health" of Russian police officers in an altercation. His release was ultimately secured through a swap for Russian citizen Konstantin Yaroshenko. Yaroshenko had been serving a 20 year sentenced on drug-related charges. Trevor Reed's mother also advocated for the release of Paul Whelan, a U.S. citizen and former Marine who was detained at a Moscow hotel in December 2018... and arrested on espionage charges, which he has consistently and vehemently denied.
County Court Felony convictions announced...
There have been six convictions on Felony charges -- three from the Jamestown-area -- reported in Chautauqua County Court this past week. District Attorney Jason Schmidt says 24 year-old Alvin Martinez-Colon of Jamestown, was convicted of second-degree criminal possession of a Weapon -- Loaded Firearm -- a class C felony. Schmidt says Colon will be sentenced by Judge David Foley on June 22 to 5 years in state prison plus 5 years post-release supervision as part of a plea agreement for a May 2021 incident.
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Schmidt adds that 20 year-old Devon Smith of Falconer was found guilty of third-degree rape... and, first-degree knowingly possessing dangerous contraband in prison. Schmidt says Smith is to be sentenced on June 1st by Judge David Foley to 1-to-3 years in state prison on the rape charge... and 1 1/3-to 4-years in state prison on the contraband charge as part of his plea agreement. The sentences are to be served consecutively. Also... 55 year-old Alfred Kohl of Jamestown was convicted of second-degree burglary... and, will be sentenced in late June by Judge Foley to 4 years in state prison... plus 5 years post release supervision as per the plea agreement. Schmidt says the incident occurred in Stockton in November 2020.
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D-A Schmidt says 32 year-old Glen Hurrell of Dunkirk was convicted of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon--Loaded Firearm... and will be sentenced by Judge Foley on July 7. He faces 5 years in state prison plus 5 years post release supervision. A second Dunkirk man... 45 year-old Hiram Rivera... was convicted of first-degree attempted burglary in connection with a June 2021 incident... and, will be sentenced on June 7th. He's to receive 7 years in state prison plus 5 years post release supervision. Rivera also pled guilty to charges in Erie County and will receive a sentence of 7 years in state prison to be served consecutively with the Chautauqua County sentence. A third man from Dunkirk... 32 year-old Erick Threatt has been convicted of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon... and, will be sentenced on July 7 to 7 years in state prison plus 5 years post release supervision.
