Shooting victim in stable condition following home invasion robbery in Jamestown...
A man is in stable condition at an Erie, Pennsylvania hospital after being shot by one of two alleged suspects in a "targeted" home invasion robbery on Jamestown's northside. City police say they were called to 1211 Prendergast Ave. shortly before 4 a.m. Tuesday on a report of shots-fired. JPD Captain Bob Samuelson says officers discovered that a home invasion robbery had occurred... and, that a man living there had been shot in the abdomen. Samuelson says the suspects were described as being two males dressed in all black who were also armed with guns. The suspects reportedly fled the residence after the male victim was shot. The 41 year-old victim was initially taken to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital... where was later flown to UPMC Hamot Medical Center for treatment. Samuelson says the investigation is continuing... and, anyone with information should to contact city police at 483-7537 or the Anonymous Tips Line at 483-TIPs... that's 483-8477.
Now former city court judge says judges need discretion back in NYS...
Former Jamestown City Court Judge Fred Larson found himself completely 'frazzled' by some aspects of New York's bail reform law. In an interview with WJTN's Dennis Webster and Terry Frank, Larson recalled three instances in his final year where the law forced him to let people go over three weeks -- each allegedly using a gun in some way in each case -- and he couldn't set bail. Larson spent 7 1/2 years on the bench before retiring at the beginning of the year. He says some 'bad judges' were the motivation for the 2019 bail reform act because some people who shoplifted may have gotten an appearance ticket... while another judge would set say 10-thousand dollars bail for the same offense. That led the state legislature to create a tight list of crimes for which bail could be set. Everyone else gets appearance tickets.
City man arrested for DWAI crash on I-86 near Kennedy...
A Jamestown man has been arrested early last weekend for allegedly driving while under the influence of drugs... and, with a suspended license. State Police in Jamestown were called to a report of a motor vehicle accident on Interstate 86 near Kennedy. Troopers say 47 year-old Patrick Patterson was westbound when a tire blew out... causing him to lose control and strike a guard rail. Police sayPatterson exhibited multiple signs of drug impairment, and he was arrested after failing several sobriety tests. Patterson was also allegedly found in possession of methamphetamine, and his driving privileges had been suspended multiple times. He was further evaluated by a Drug Recognition Expert at the State Police barracks... and, he provided a blood sample. Patterson was issued appearance tickets for Poland Town Court on charges of Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs... seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. He was not hurt in the crash.
Gas prices hold steady, but, go down as gas tax holiday's begin...
After a relatively quiet Memorial Day holiday period... gasoline prices are expected to be on the move again after crude oil prices rose to $115 a barrel. However... after topping out at about $4.80 a gallon during the Memorial Day Weekend... the price in the Jamestown-area fell this morning at most places between 21 and 23-cents a gallon. On Tuesday... the AAA East Central Gas Price Report showed the price for regular, unleaded gasoline rising 2-cents the past week to just under $4.80 a gallon. It was $4.77 last week. AAA says the national average price is up 3-cents a gallon to $4.62 this week. The price of crude oil, which accounts for more than 50 percent of the cost of a gallon of gas, has now moved above $115 a barrel. AAA says it's due to fears of further global supply constraints as European Union leaders announced they will ban 90% of Russian oil imports by the end of 2022.
Wendel says, even with prices down now, it's unclear how much gas tax holiday will help...
Beginning today... Chautauqua County is capping the local share of the gasoline tax at $3 per gallon. Coupled with the suspension of some of the state's gas tax, local motorists should see a savings of nearly 20-cents per gallon. However... County Executive P.J. Wendel maintains there is no guarantee we will see those savings at the pump. Wendel says he hopes that, with the media pressure, that wholesalers and retailers will provide those savings at the pump. The County Legislature passed the cap during April's meeting by a 12-6 vote. The local tax cap will last for six months, ending Dec. 1.
County Legislature approves Juneteenth Day motion...
County lawmakers have unanimously approved a motion making June 19 "Juneteenth Day" in Chautauqua County. Juneteenth is the oldest national celebration of the ending of slavery in the United States. While slaves in the U.S. were emancipated almost two years earlier... they weren't finally freed in Texas until June 19, 1865. Celebrations will be held on June 19 in Jamestown and Dunkirk. Fredonia Democrat Susan Parker high-lighted the importance of the date opportunity for "all Americans to recommit ourselves to the work of equity, equality, and justice. Jamestown Republican Elizabeth Rankin says the city's observance will be at Jackson-Taylor Park... beginning on June 17. Jamestown Democrat Billy Torres noted this year's event would be the first without the weekend's long-time organizer Vickye James. James was also a former county legislator... who headed up the program for many years.
