County Legislature re-elects Chagnon as chairman...
The Chautauqua County Legislature will face a number of challenges in the new year... but, has members with enough experience to overcome those challenges. That from Chairman Pierre Chagnon... who was unanimously elected to head up the panel for another year at the legislature's organizational meeting Tuesday. Chagnon says some of those challenges come from relatively new people in a handful of positions in county government... and others... including impacts from inflation... state energy policy... and, the opioid crisis. He adds state mandates... county workforce challenges and others also face them. He told lawmakers he is "honored" to continue on as chair... and "humbled by your support." He says there's a lot of experience on the legislature... and, he urged members to do all they can during the transition. Two new legislature members were sworn-in by County Court Judge Stephen Cass. They are Jamestown's Tom Nelson, who replaces Paul Whitford in District 13... and, Clymer Town Supervisor Travis Heiser, who replaces Jay Gould in District 17.
Dolce reflects on 2023 budget challenges in late 2022...
It was a "challenging" and at times difficult 2022 for the Jamestown City Council... and, that came out during 2023 budget deliberations. That from Council President Tony Dolce at the council's year-end meeting... who says they worked hard to be open and transparent in their deliberations over the $38.6-million spending plan. Dolce says some people may not believe the process was "open and transparent..." but, he believes they were, and listened to every department head about what they needed. There was some criticism by some lawmakers over the way parts of the budget were presented... and, there were 27 amendments approved to the spending plan at the November voting session. The effort was spearheaded by Council Finance Committee Chairwoman Kim Ecklund. Five amendments that were vetoed by Mayor Eddie Sundquist were overriden... and, are part of the budget... which includes no tax rate increase.
City woman accused of telling 7 year-old daughter she would give her a knife to harm herself...
A Jamestown woman is accused of trying to provide a knife to her 7 year-old daughter so she could hurt herself during an incident Tuesday at their northside home. City police were called to the undisclosed address for a disorderly person. When they arrived... they say 31 year-old Samantha Omeruo told them that she told her young daughter that she would provide her with a knife to harm herself. Omeruo was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child... and, jailed pending arraignment.
Three arrested for trespassing -- one of them twice -- at same southside location...
A trio of Jamestown residents have been arrested for allegedly being found inside a condemned home on the city's southside... but, one of those persons was later arrested -- again -- at the same location. City police were initially called to the scene at 23 Glenview Ave. just after Noon Tuesday on a report of several people inside the vacant home. Officers cleared the residence... but, later found 31 year-old Matthew Buck... 44 year-old Raymond Brown... and, 29 year-old Nicole Brown still inside. All three were arrested for third-degree criminal trespass. Police say Raymond Brown was also found to be wanted on a Lakewood-Busti Police arrest warrant... and, was turned over to them. Buck and Nicole Brown were released with appearance tickets. But... just before 6 PM Tuesday... Buck was found inside the same residence... and, was again arrested for third-degree criminal tespass. He was being held last night pending arraignment.
Three others arrested for trespassing on northside...
Three city residents have been arrested for allegedly entering a person's apartment on Jamestown's northside without their permission. City police were called to the scene about 3:30 a.m. Tuesday for a possible burglary in progress... and, found that 28 year-old Jacklyn Webb... 32 year-old Jonathan King... and, 20 year-old Ray Babyak had entered the apartment unlawfully... and, they were arrested at the scene. All three are being held pending arraignment on one count each of second-degree criminal trespass.
Langworthy stays with McCarthy as House Speaker through three votes...
The 118th Congress began meeting in Washington, D.C. Tuesday as Republicans take control of the House. However... the battle for speaker has now gone through three votes... with California Republican Kevin McCarthy getting the most GOP votes in the first three rounds. However... a stubborn group of nearly 20 members refused to change their no votes. Among those voting an emphatic "yes" for McCarthy in three rounds of voting is new 23rd Congressional District Representative Nick Langworthy says you "stand as a conference... and he led us to victory (in November)." Langworthy will take his oath of office -- once a Speaker is seated -- to become the new 23td District representative.
City woman arrested for resisting arrest...
A Jamestown woman is accused of kicking and damaging a city police car... and, spitting on an officer when she was arrested following a civil dispute. City police were called to an eastside location just after 1 p.m. Monday... and, found that 33 year-old Akeyia Thagard was sought on active city court bench warrants. When told she was under arrest... Thagard allegedly began walking away from police and disobeyed their orders to stop. After a brief struggle, she was taken into custody. Thagard then allegedly kicked and damaged a police vehicle while being arrested.... and, later kicked and spit at an officer when taken to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital for an evaluation. She's charged with resisting arrest, second-degree obstruction... and, criminal mischief.
