Man with about two-dozen unregistered guns and high-capacity magazines arrested after domestic call...
A State Police investigation of a domestic incident in the town of Ellington late last month has led to the arrest of a man on numerous illegal weapons possession charges. Troopers in Jamestown say they were called to the scene on Waterman Road on Friday afternoon, Nov. 25, for a verbal argument that became a 'physical' domestic incident. Police say 30 year-old Major Stearns then allegedly menaced the victim with a pistol before he was arrested. Troopers found the pistol... and, a search warrant was issued. Investigators then found multiple unregistered firearms and high-capacity magazines... which were seized. Police say Stearns was charged with one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon... 10 counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon... second-degree Menacing and assault and criminal obstruction of breathing. He was jailed pending arraignment.
Love School in Jamestown locked-down briefly during "Community Operation" by JPD...
Out of an abundance of caution... the Jamestown Public Schools put Love Elementary School into temporary lock-down while city Police conducted a "community operation" in the area. School officials say Jamestown Police made them aware of what was going on... and, put the lock-down in place for about 10 minutes. Spokesperson Cameron Hurst says the school day... soon after... continued as normal during the lockout and at no point were Love students or staff in any danger. He adds, "as always, the safety of our students and staff is of the utmost importance and we appreciate the partnership with law enforcement."
County DA announces sentencing for city man accused of drug possession...
A Jamestown man will spend the next six-years in state prison after being sentenced in Chautauqua County Court on a drug possession charge. District Attorney Jason Schmidt says County Court Judge David Foley also gave 50 year-old Christopher Howie three-years post-release supervision as a "non-violent" predicate Felon. Schmidt says Howie pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance earlier this year. However... he failed to appear in court for his initial sentencing back in May. Howie was found and returned to court for sentencing on Wednesday. Schmidt says he also received three-years post-release supervision.
Sempolinski calls on Biden administration to end "disasterous energy costs...
Chautauqua County's representative in Congress is calling on the Biden Administration to end it's "disasterous energy policy" that's causing his continuents to pay high energy bills. Steuben County Republican Joe Sempolinski spoke on the floor of the House this week about the "troubling effects" of those costs... and, says it's important to go "on the record" to let people in Washington know what's going on in one of the colder parts of the nation. Sempolinski says residents of the 23rd Congressional District have "had enough" of high energy bills, and, adds this can "become a matter of life or death for those of limited means." He says it's "past time" for the president to allow the domestic energy sector to do their work. Sempolinski says Biden could end the problem "opening our domestic oil and gas leases, and ending burdensome regulations on U.S. Energy development." He says he... like his predecessor, Congressman Tom Reed... supports an "all of the above" energy policy for the United States.
Sempolinski "disappointed" by Herschel Walker's defeat in Senate run-off...
Local Congressman Joe Sempolinski says he's "disappointed" that Republican Herschel Walker was defeated in the U.S. Senate run-off in Georgia. On the one hand... Sempolinski says Democrats already had a slim majority in that chamber... but, adds the loss does allow Democrats to have full control of the Senate... with a 51-to-49 majority. However... it also means that Democrats will hold all the committee chairmanships... without having to "share power" with the Republicans in a 50-50 split. Sempolinski says there will still be a majority of Republicans in the House of Representatives... which will give them leadership roles... the ability to investigate... and, keep their hands on the government's pursestrings. He made his comments during his weekly telephone conference call with Southern Tier media.
County alerts public about ongoing high-levels of drug overdoses, and overdose deaths -- due mainly to fentanyl...
Chautauqua County officials are again alerting the public about the dangers of illegal drug use that's led to continued high rates of drug overdose and overdose fatalities. County Executive P.J. Wendel also reminds the public that there are "multiple local resources available" to address the ongoing crisis. Wendel says -- “Fentanyl, a powerful and deadly opioid, continues to be found in street drugs of all kinds and continues to cause overdose and death in our communities. At the same time... numerous individuals and agencies throughout our county are working to combat addiction and reduce drug overdoses, and we are grateful for their life-saving efforts.” Wendel says help for people struggling with substance use is available in many forms in the county, including: Free Narcan... Free fentanyl test strips... licensed outpatient clinics providing counseling and medication-assisted treatment... peer support services... and, Inpatient rehab and residential services. Grants Director Steve Kilburn with the county's Departement of Mental Hyigiene says the county "has many services and providers for individuals and families struggling with addiction." He says more information can be found at CombatAddictionCHQ.com... or by calling the county's Crisis Hotline at 1-800-724-0461.
