About 75 residents turn-out for spirited public safety forum in Jamestown...
Topics ranged from dealing with drug traffickers... to recent shootings in the city of Jamestown. However... how to deal with the homeless issue became a major focus of last night's Public Safety Forum hosted by City Council President Tony Dolce at Christ First United Methodist Church. Mayor Eddie Sundquist spoke early in the forum about meeting with more than 60 local pastors about the growing problem. Sundquist says it provided a good look at what churches can offer, and how they might be able to work with local service providers. He says he's spoken with a number of other mayor's who are seeing similar increases... and, they have all said the best way to deal with the issue is to have the local faith-community work with service providers. However... one resident... Alfred Perra... who has only lived in Jamestown about two years... expressed concern over the city becoming a "magnet" for the homeless if they get too many "hand-outs" versus "a hand-up." Others echoed those sentiments... but, one gentleman said he's taken in a friend who is homeless, and is doing what he can to help him get back on his feet. About 75 residents attending the session at Christ First Church... and, Dolce says more may be scheduled.
Gun violence the other big issue discussed at forum...
The Jamestown Police Department is doing all it can to stem the tide of gun violence in the city... but, the problem is being seen citywide... not just in one or two places. That from Chief Timothy Jackson... who also made a presentation during last night's forum. Jackson showed a map of where all the confirmed shootings have occured this year. He adds it's hard to specifically target any one area... because they've been seen everywhere in the city. However... Captain Scott Forester... who is JPD's Operations Commander... says -- even with limited manpower -- they have been doing some "saturation patrols..." along with beat patrols, and bike patrols in the warmer weather months.
Two people from Salamanca arrested on larceny, and attempted larceny charges...
Two Cattaraugus County residents... staying in Jamestown... have been arrested for allegedly stealing items from a car... and, then trying to steal another car. City Police add that one of the suspects, 26 year-old Deven Redeye of Salamanca, had just been arrested just two-days before for another incident. Officers say he and the other suspect, 19 year-old Elsie Redeye -- also of Salamanca -- tried to steal items from an unlocked car about Noon Tuesday in the parking lot of a business. However... they were discovered when one issued a "strange verbal announcement" inside the business. Shortly after that... it was discovered that some property had been taken from the car, and that the incident was captured on security camera video. Both were confronted... but, fled. About 10 p.m. that night... police responded to another business on a report of two people trying to steal a car. However... the attempt failed... and, police arrested both suspects. Police say Deven Redeye is charged with sixth-degree conspiracy... and fourth-degree attempted grand larceny. Elsie Redeye is charged with sixth-degree conspiracy... and, two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny from the first incident... and, fourth-degree attempted grand larceny for the second incident. She's also wanted by Salamanca City Police.
Dunkirk police pleased with sentencing for man accused of threatening city officer...
Officials with the Dunkirk Police Department say they're pleased with the sentencing of a Dunkirk man who threatened to stab a city police officer with a large knife last year. Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt says 37-year-old Juan Resto, Jr. will serve four-years in state prison and four years post-release supervision for his conviction on first-degree menacing a police officer. Captain Chris Witkowski says deadly force could have been used during the incident in September 2021, but the officer used a taser.
Gillibrand urges Biden Admniistration to get farm relief in Inflation Reduction Act to struggling farmers ASAP...
Helping small farmers who have low profit margins needs to be the main focus of small farmer debt relief provisions in the federal Inflation Reduction Act. That from New York Senator Kirsten Gilllibrand... who says she was pleased about the fact that $3.1-billion of the $5.3-billion dollar Farm program she supported... is part of the recently approved bill. During a video press conference Wednesday morning... Gillibrand said... while she's pleased the $3.1-billion made it into the final Inflation Reduction Act... but, the money needs to get out the door quickly if many farms are to survive. She especially wants to see farms making $300,000 or less over five years get the money. As of 2019... Gillibrand says New York's approximately 30,000 farms held more than $160-million in debt... and, many need relief now to stay afloat due to issues with supply chains, inflation, and crop loss due to weather problems.
Comedy Center receives Betty White artifacts and other items from estate...
The National Comedy Center in Jamestown has now received rare artifacts... wardrobe and awards from the estate of late comedy legend and actress Betty White. The center made the announcement Wednesday, on the 37th anniversary of the debut of 'The Golden Girls,' the sitcom that White co-starred in for many years. Executive Director Journey Gunderson says the items will become part of the Center’s permanent archives. Gunderson says much of the collection, which includes pieces from White’s award-winning work in acclaimed TV comedies 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show,' 'The Golden Girls' and 'Hot in Cleveland,' is now on display at the center.
