City man on Top 10 Wanted List arrested for having loaded handgun at convenience store...
A Jamestown man wanted by city police has been arrested at an eastside convenience store... allegedly with a handgun and drugs in his possession. City police say members of the third-platoon spotted Jordan Dandridge inside the 7-Eleven at 1011 East Second St. about 4 a.m. today. Officers say Dandridge is on the JPD Top 10 Most Wanted List. Police arrested his without incident... and, while searching him... they found a loaded, .38 Special revolver, and a quantity of Fentanyl and crack cocaine. Officers took Dandridge to the city jail pending arraignment. Further investigation found that the gun Dandridge had in his possession was stolen out of Union Township, Pennsylvania. He's charged with second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon... third and seventh-degree criminal possession of a Controlled Substance... and, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property... along with the outstanding Felony warrant.
North county man arrested following vehiclel pursuit in Brocton and Portland...
A Dunkirk man has been arrested after allegedly leading Chautauqua County Sheriff's officers on a vehicle chase in the village of Brocton and town of Portland. Deputies say investigators tried to pull over a green-colored Dodge Challenger for vehicle and traffic violations about 1 p.m. Wednesday on West Main St. in Brocton. However... after turning on their emergency lights and sirens the driver failed to comply... and, a short pursuit began. It traveled north on Lake Avenue and struck guardrail at Lake Ave. and South Swede Rd. and continued on South Swede Rd. South Swede is a dead end... and, the car crashed into a lawn at the end of the road. The suspect, identified as 31 year-old Brandon Vangiesen, got out and ran towards a brush line. An investigator positively identified the driver and sole occupant as Vangiesen. Deputies and a K-9 unit arrived soon after... and, began a search. However... that was discontinued. Officers were called to a home on Route 380 in the town of Portland this morning... and, Vangiesen was arrested on several charges... including third-degree unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle.... failure to comply with a lawful order... speeding and reckless driving. He was taken to the county jail pending centralized arraignment.
Dolce pleased with turn-out for Public Safety-Neighborhood Forum...
The organizer of Wednesday night's Public Safety Forum in the city of Jamestown is pleased with the outcome of the session... which had a near capacity crowd. City Council President Tony Dolce says it shows there's a definate level of public concern over a number of issues... not just gun violence. About 75 residents turned out for the nearly-two hour long forum at Christ First United Methodist Church. Dolce says it shows that "people are concerned about public safety issues, housing homeless and neighborhood" issues. He says there were a couple of items they weren't able to get to because of time. Gun violence and drug trafficking were a major issue discussed by Jamestown Police officials... and, some members of the public. There have been 16 shooting incidents scattered around the city so far this year. All of last year... there were 19. Dolce says council members and city officials will now take the comments and move forward on addressing them.
Pair from Jamestown arrested in Gerry for alleged shoplifting...
Two people from Jamestown have been arrested for allegedly shoplifting a number of items from a business on Route 60 in the town of Gerry. Sheriff's officers were called to the scene shortly after Noon Wednesday... and, located 33 year-old Christina Marrero... and, 39 year-old Alex Ruiz inside a vehicle nearby. Both allegedly had possession of the stolen items. Both Marrero and Ruiz were charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property... and, petty larceny. Both were issued appearance tickets for Gerry Town Court.
Sempolinski attends first committee meetings as Congressman...
New Southern Tier Congressman Joe Sempolinski didn't waste any time getting right to work in the House of Representatives... and, attending committee meetings. The Corning Republican... who replaces the retired Tom Reed... attended his first hearing of the of the Education and Labor Committee Wednesday... and, was at Thursday's meeting where he was appointed to the panel's Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education. Sempolinski says he's "proud" to be selected to a panel that's dealing with very important issues. He pointed out that his wife is a teacher, so he has an interest in education.
Harmony Historical Society to hold open house Saturday...
For the first time in several years... a major event is set for this Saturday at the place long known as the Harmony Historical Society in Blockville. Past President, Lyn Nagel, says they've used the pandemic shutdown to make major renovations. Nagle says the main building was essentially gutted, and is now one "open space..." she adds they've also been able to bring new technology in. During the lengthy closing... volunteers combed through the collection, and some new donations... resulting in many new things to display. In addition... Nagle says there's now enough room for the North Harmony Historical Society to be housed there as well. With that... it will now be the Harmony-North Harmony History Center. The open house Saturday will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
