Jamestown man sentenced to 8 years in federal prison for possession of Child Porn...
A city man will spend the next 8 years in federal prison after being convicted of being in possession of child pornography five-years ago.  In addition... U.S. Attorney Trini Ross says 36 year-old Travis Sanders received 10 years post-release supervision from U.S. District Court Judge Richard Arcara in Buffalo.  Ross says Sanders was found guilty of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor.  Prosecutors say they obtained a laptop belonging to Sanders in late November of 2017 that contained more than 150 images of child porn -- including one image showing the sexual abuse or exploitation of an infant or toddler.  During a search of the laptop and Sanders’ iPhone... investigators also discovered sexually explicit online contact between Sanders and various victims, who were or appeared to be minors.  He later admitted that he sometimes told victims that he was a 15-year-old boy. 

Gillibrand blasts SCOTUS ruling overturning restrictions on concealed carry of firearms in NYS...
New York's junior U-S Senator is blasting the U-S Supreme Court's ruling that allows concealed carry of a loaded handgun in public.  Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand says the decision to strike down a New York gun law "is not just irresponsible, it is downright dangerous."  Gillibrand says the nation is in the middle of a "gun violence epidemic" and "instead of working to protect our communities, this court has made it even easier for potentially dangerous people to carry guns in public spaces."  Gillibrand argues that studies have shown -- overwhelmingly -- that "looser restrictions on who can carry a concealed firearm in public are associated with higher rates of violent crime and homicide." 

Borrello says calling special legislative session to deal with aftermath of SCOTUS ruling will likely be in vain..
For decades, New York's leaders boasted that its strict limits on handgun ownership made it one of America's safest places... a claim backed by statistics showing the state consistently had among the nation's lowest death rates from firearms.  Now, state lawmakers are trying to preserve as many restrictions as they can in the aftermath of the Supreme Court decision striking down key portions of the state's gun-licensing law.  However... State Senator George Borrello is not sure what that would entail, because any new legislation may well be striken down as well.  Governor Kathy Hochul vowed Thursday to call the Legislature back for a special session to pass new rules, including a law specifying "sensitive locations" where people cannot carry concealed weapons.

Borrello announces NYS Historic Business Registry for Fancher Chair...
The longest existing business in both Chautauqua County and New York state has solidified it's legacy by being placed on the state's new "Historic Business Registry."  Local State Senator George Borrello nominated Fancher Chair on South Work Street in Falconer to be among the first 100 businesses honored in the registry.  Borrello was at Fancher Chair Friday morning for the formal announcement... adding that the business has been making outstanding furniture pieces for many places since 1807 - including the White House.  Borrello says businesses selected for the registry have to have been in existance for at least 50 years.  Fancher Chair's owner for the past 13 years... Gary Henry... calls it a great honor for the business... but, adds it's even bigger for their 120 employees.  Henry says "their dedication, work, and efforts have allowed Fancher to be around so long. 

Chautauqua Adult Day Center holds Grand Opening at new Jamestown location...
About 200 people were on hand for this afternoon's grand opening of the Chautauqua Adult Day Care program's new location on East Fifth Street in Jamestown... now named the Bercik-Loucks Center.  It's in honor of long-time CADC Executive Director Frank Bercik, and Associate Director, Karen Loucks.  Chautauqua Adult Day Care Board President Janita Byers made the announcement during a luncheon celebration at the location... in the former First Baptist Church.  CADC provides day programming for seniors, the elderly and older disabled residents.  Bercik says... after 35 years at Christ First United Methodist Church... they needed a new location... and, First Baptist became available.  

Federal Grand Jury indicts Jamestown man for trafficking drugs that caused "Bodily Injury" to another person...
A federal grand jury has indicted a Jamestown man for trafficking drugs that caused "serious bodily injury" to another person.  U.S. Attorney Trini Ross has announced that 43 year-old Bradley Knapp has been charged with narcotics conspiracy, using and maintaining a drug-involved premises, and distribution of controlled substances causing serious bodily injury.  Prosecutors say Knapp conspired with others between January of 2019 and now... to sell heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.  On August 13, 2020... Ross says Knapp allegedly sold a controlled substance that caused serious bodily injury to an individual identified as "M.H."  During that time... she says Knapp used a 9th Street home for his drug trafficking activities.  He was arraigned in federal court in Buffalo, and is being detained. 

County Legislature approves public hearings for redistricting maps...
Chautauqua County lawmakers on Wednesday approved a resolution authorizing public hearings for the reapportionment of the county's legislative districts.  Two maps are being proposed -- one by Republicans, who want to maintain the number of districts at 19; and one by Democrats, who seek to reduce the number to 17.  Dunkirk Democrat Robert Bankoski, who is a member of the County Legislature's Reapportionment Committee, says his party wants to reduce the number of districts because of the county's loss of population over the past decade... in fact he says it's lost the total population of one of the current districts.  Bankoski says that's why they're proposing the reduction.  He says legislators would represent nearly 1,000 more people if two districts are eliminated.  Bankoski says the committee could still make changes to the maps.