Trio arrested for Jamestown home invasion robbery jailed on high or no bail...
Police say an alleged "targeted" home invasion-robbery in Jamestown in which a 73 year-old victim was tied to a chair... and, assaulted... has led to the arrest of five people. City police say they were called to the undisclosed location about 5:30 p.m. Monday... and, found that two subjects has forced their way into the home and tied up the victim, who was held at gun-point during the incident. Officers say their investigation showed that 47 year-old William Buckley and 34 year-old Joshua Ryan -- both of Jamestown... and, 29 year-old Joneece Talley of Dunkirk... also stole property from the victim. Two others face misdemeanor drug possession charges. Police say Buckley, Talley, and Ryan are all charged with first-degree robbery... first-degree burglary... first-degree Criminal Use of a Firearm... second-degree menacing... and fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon. Buckley, Ryan and Talley were all arraigned today... with Buckley -- who is a predicate Felony -- jailed without bail. Talley and Ryan are jailed on $500,000 bail, $1,000,000 property bond. City police call it a "horrifying act of violence against an elderly victim who... although injured... is expected to make a full recovery."
Fire in Hartfield remains under investigation...
Heavy damage is being reported from an early afternoon house fire in the Hartfield area Wednesday. However... no injuries were reported in the blaze at 6441 Hartfield-Centrailia Rd. Hartfield firefigthers were called to the scene just after 1:30 p.m., and, found the structure fully-engulfed in flames. Nine other mutual aid companies were called to assist at the scene. Chautauqua County Fire Dispatchers say the owner called in the alarm... and, said everyone had gotten out of the home safely. The county's fire investigation team was called in... but, has not yet determined the cause.
Sempolinski touts passage of his "21st Century Assistive Technology Act" legislation...
Local Congressman Joe Sempolinski has less than a week to go in his short... four-month term in the House... but, says he may have saved the best for last. Sempolinski was a co-sponsor ot the "21st Century Assistive Technology Act..." which he says it designed to protect and "lift up" Americans with disabilities. The Steuben County Republican says it's part of the National Defense Authorization Act approved this week. Sempolinski says he worked with a Democratic Congressman Mark DeSaulnier of California to craft the bill. He says there's also supporting legislation for it in the Omnibus spending bill... that promotes awareness and research of other similar disabilities. Sempolinski says his daughter "Jo Jo" -- who has Down Syndrome -- was his inspiration for the bill. He says since he has the "profound honor and ability to impact people's lives" -- he wanted to take the lead and use that power to help those "in that community." He says "when I see what this bill does for those living with disabilities and the profound effect it will have on their lives, I know that we made a serious difference."
Sempolinski "very disappointed" in Congressman-elect George Santos over lies, embellishments over his work and personal background...
A Long Island Congressman-elect who has admitted to lying about his work and personal background is coming under fire for misleading the voters in his district. However... few Republican members of Congress have spoken out one way or the other on George Santos. Santos has admitted to lying or embellishing about being Jewish... and, having grandparents who escaped the Holicaust in World War II. Outgoing local Congressman Joe Sempolinski says he only met Santos once -- briefly -- and says he's "very disappointed" in the fellow Republican. However... he says there's little that can be done, aside from Santos himself stepping down.
Jamestown woman arrested for drug possession and Busti warrant...
A city woman has been arrested for allegedly being found in possession of narcotics in Jamestown... and, on a warrant in the town of Busti. City police were called to report of a "suspicious vehicle" on Jamestown's northside shortly before 5 p.m. Wednesday... and, found 39 year-old Elizabeth Asher in the car. Officers say Asher had a confirmed warrant issued by Lakewood-Busti Police... and, she was arrested. Police say they found Asher in possession of Methamphetamine and Suboxone.... and, she was additionally charged with two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. She was arraigned and issued appearance tickets before being turned over to Lakewood-Busti Police.
Look back on 2022: Fatal fire kills Jamestown man...
There was a fatal fire early in the year in the city of Jamestown... as a 19 year-old man died of injuries suffered in the blaze on the city's southside. Two people in all were hurt... while two others escaped injury in a fire that gutted the two-story home at 109 Kidder Street. City Fire Battalion Chief Roger Sigular told us at the scene that crews were called to the scene shortly before 2 PM on Feb. 4, and, were also told people were trapped inside. Sigular says fire on the first floor spread quickly to the second-floor. Jamestown Police Captain Bob Samuelson says the two victims taken to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital were the 19 year-old man, and a 3-year-old boy. Both were undergoing emergency treatment. One other person was unaccounted for initially... but, later found safe. It's one of the stories making news in 2022... and, we'll present our Top 10 on this weekend's "Community Spotlight" program.
