It's Election Day 2022, and the polls are open across the state -- and county...
Election Day is here and all 49 poll sites in Chautauqua County are open until 9 tonight. A tight gubernatorial race in New York State may bring more voters to the polls this year. That from Chautauqua County Elections Commissioner Brian Abram... who says they're expecting a "strong turn-out" for the county... as evidenced by early voting. If you're not sure what all is on the ballot... or want to double check your polling site... go to their website, VoteChautauqua.com. Abram says the most active times at the polls are usually around lunch and dinner hours.
Several state and county elections on the ballot in Chautauqua County...
State-wide... voters are deciding on several races... including governor where Democrat Kathy Hochul is hoping to stave off the recent challenge by Republican Lee Zeldin. Hochul became governor in August of 2021 after embattled Governor Andrew Cuomo resigned in the midst of sexual harassment allegations. Zeldin has been hitting Hochul hard on the issues -- mainly crime. In other state races... Attorney General Letitia James is being challenged by Republican Mike Henry... and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli is being challenged by Republican Paul Rodriguez.
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Voters are also deciding on a new Congressman for the 23rd District... with Republican Nick Langworthy squaring off against Democrat Max Della Pia. Current Congressman Joe Sempolinski is not running for the seat. Incumbant U-S Senator Charles Schumer is being challenged by Republican Joe Pinion.
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Locally... State Assemblyman Andy Goodell is being challenged by Fredonia's Sandra Lewis... while State Senator George Borrello is being challenged by Cattaraugus County Democrat Dan Brown. In Jamestown... there is a run-off for the rest of the Fifth-Ward City Council seat between Republican Bill Reynolds... and, Democrat Douglas Lawson.
You can hear coverage of Election Night: 2022 tonight on WJTN... beginning at 8:30 p.m.
City man arrested on drug possession charges following traffic stop...
A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly being found with significant amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine during a traffic stop on the city's southside last week. City police say they conducted the traffic stop in the area of Colfax St. last Friday... and, arrested 46 year-old Michael Barringer. Officers say they found Barringer in possession of just over 34-grams of fentanyl... 24-grams of meth... a quantity of suboxone... and more than $1,000 in cash. Barringer was arrested on two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... one count of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled Substance... and, second-degree criminally using Drug Paraphernalia. He was taken to the city jail pending arraignment.
Falconer man arrested on Felony warrants for allegedly being part of "large scale" Fentanyl distribution ring..
A man from Falconer faces multiple drug-related charges following two raids on homes in the city of Jamestown, and the Falconer-area. City police say officers also executed a search warrant on a pick-up truck driven by the suspect... 22 year-old Alex Johnson. Members of the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force, and the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Investigation team conducted the raids last Thursday night into what was called a "large scale Fentanyl distribution ring." The first warrant was served at 617 East Second St. in the city... while the second was at 3342 Gerry-Levant Rd. in Falconer. During the searches... police say they seized just over 181-grams of fentanyl, 5-doses of LSD... a scale and just over $6,700 in cash. Drug agents charged Johson with second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia.
Sheriff's Deputy involved in patrol car-buggy crash faces traffic charge...
The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office has completed it's investigation into a crash involving a Sheriff's patrol car and an Amish buggy... and, the Sheriff's deputy involved has received a traffic ticket. That from Chautauqua County Sheriff Jim Quattrone. Five occupants of the buggy were treated, and later released from UPMC Chautauqua Hospital after the crash in the town of Chautauqua on Sunday night, Oct. 30. Quattrone today updated the investigation... adding they have review dashcam video, and interviewed the people involved. He says Deputy Dylan Pratt was cited for failure to exercise due care in the accident... which occured on the Stockton-Hartfield Road in a 55 mph zone.
Fire destroyes Russell, Pa. home...
An early evening fire Monday destroyed an old, two-story home in Russell, Pa. Russell Fire Chief Dave Schwanke says crews found the home at 1227 Howard Rd. fully-engulfed in flames on arrival shortly before 6 p.m. Schwanke says one person suffered minor smoke inhalation... but, everyone else got out safely. He says the owner spotted flames shooting from the back of the home... and, called 9-1-1. Russell was joined at the scene by North Warren, Lander, and Scandia fire crews in Warren County... and, Frewsburg, Kiantone and Busti from Chautauqua County. The cause is under investigation.
City Council moves ahead on two more ARPA funding resolutions...
City lawmakers in Jamestown have agreed to move forward on voting on two of the four remaining resolutions on use of American Rescue Plan Act funding. City Council members last night decided to move ahead with putting $1.5-million towards a Non-Profit Assistance Program... and, $750,000 towards business expansion and building acquisition. Councilman Jeff Russell was glad to see the non-profit program... which includes funding for a new YMCA... move forward. Two of the measures... one for $1-million to fund a County Landbank Housing Initiative... and, $750,000 for a "19-A" Homeownership Program... were both tabled for more information and discussion.
