Westside residents in Jamestown urged to provide any information on what they may have heard... and, seen when pizzeria shop was robbed Wednesday night...
Residents on Jamestown's westside who might have been in the area of last Wednesday night's robbery are being urged to contact city police if they think they might have saw or heard something. That from Police Captain Bob Samuelson... who says they are still looking for the suspect in the armed hold-up of the Papa John's Pizza location in the West Third Street Plaza. The robbery occured about 10:15 p.m. when a man... who's described as being about 6' tall and 180-pounds... entered the store... displayed a gun... and, ran off with an undisclosed amout of cash. Samuelson says they're not sure if he ran off himself... or to a waiting car. He says the person was seen walking west from the store. Samuelson says the man was wearing a black ski mask to cover his face. He also was wearing a blue Hoodie that had white lettering on it... and, a pair of blue jeans. Samuelson says if you have any information that may be of help to the investigation to call City Police at 483-7537... or their anonymous tips line 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477.
Two people hurt in two-car crash in Lakewood Thursday...
Two people were hurt in a two-car, rear-end collision on Fairmount Avenue in Lakewood Thursday afternoon. Lakewood-Busti Police say the driver of the front vehicle, 62 year-old Jill Messinger of Jamestown, was westbound near the intersection with Chautauqua Ave. when the accident occured just after 2 p.m. Sergeant Invest. Paul Gustafson says Messinger's Sports Utility Vehicle was struck from behind by a car, driven by 18 year-old Michael Eddy of Randolph. Gustafson says he's been charged with following to closely. Eddy suffered a forehead injury... and, had some chest pain... and, was taken to WCA Hospital for treatment. Messinger was taken to WCA for treatment of minor injuries... including arm pain.
Nowinski's Pierogies bought out, being moved to Westfield...
A well-known regional maker of Pierogies has been bought out by two former workers... and, is moving into a business location in Westfield. The Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency late Thursday announced that a "collaborative effort" is allowing Rae Foods to start-up operations at 75 Bourne Street. Nowinski Pierogi's was recently bought out by Rachelle McFeely and Beverly Braley... who have also closed on the purchase of the 15,000 square foot facility. McFeely says they've "very excited about our new facility in Westfield." She says the opportunity to buy the business came when Nowinski's owners said they were ready to retire. McFeely and Braley were assisted by the IDA... which agreed to a 10 year Payment in Lieu of Tax agreement... and, a $640,000 loan to assist in the acquisition of the property... and, assets. Once the new Nowinski's Pierogies is fully operational... the owners project 13 new jobs will be created in the first year of business, and 50 within the next five years.
Horrigan and Barmore hold onto Conservative Party lines for November elections, barring court appeal...
Barring an appeal... it looks like two Republican candidates running for county-wide office this Fall will also have the Conservative Party endorsement as well. Both County Executive candidate Vince Horrigan... and, County Clerk candidate Larry Barmore... had received endorsements from the county's Conservative Party. But... those endorsements were challenged. North County Attorney Mike Sullivan... who represented both Horrigan and Barmore... says Conservative Party Chairwoman Anna Wilcox testified at this week's court appearance. Sullivan says a "dissatisfied" member of the county's Conservative Party brought the suit... and, it was ruled on by State Supreme Court Judge John Dillon. Dillon ruled that the Conservatives executive committee had followed the party's rules.
Reed votes for new Student Loan program compromise bill...
Congress has approved a bi-partisan bill to lower the cost of getting a student loan... and, the county's representative in the House is urging President Obama to sign it as soon as possible. Corning Republican Tom Reed was among the majority that voted Wednesday night for the Bi-Partisan Student Loan Certainty Act... which he says is nearly identical to the House version that was passed in May. Reed says the best part of the bill is it "protects" college students on a "long-term basis" because it takes the student loan issue out of "the political arena." Congress has passed the bill that initially sets the interest rate of new Stafford loans at 3.9-percent for undergraduates... and, 5.4-percent for grad students. The rates are locked in for a year, but then change with the financial market. There has been some criticism of that part of the agreement... but, Reed says there are "back-stops" to prevent steep increases.
Domestic Violence up in NYS...
Crime data show an uptick in domestic violence across New York last year, with more than 85,000 victims, while related homicides declined sharply. The Division of Criminal Justice Services reports 54,848 domestic violence victims outside New York City in 2012, up more than 1,700, or 3 percent, from the year before. The New York City Police Department, using data that excludes some lower level crimes, says there were 30,428 domestic violence victims last year, an increase of 15-hundred. State criminal justice officials say Wednesday the increase in police reports about domestic assaults, sex offenses and violations of protection orders may reflect an ongoing push for victims to contact authorities. Domestic homicides dropped to 136 from 171 the year before. Authorities say it's difficult to draw conclusions from one year's data.
Newly renovated Gateway Train Station to play major role in Lucy-Desi festival...
Many of the events taking place the next couple of days during the annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival will be held at the newly-renovated Gateway Train Station on West Second Street in Jamestown. In fact... Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center Director Journey Gunderson says it's figuring "prominantly" in their afternoon activities. Gunderson says the events.. including grape stomping... will begin at 12 Noon. One of the highlights will be the 5 PM "Happy Hour of Comedy." Gunderson says... earlier on Saturday... festival goers will have a chance to take part in creating an interactive Radio Channel with the help of Pandora Internet radio. She says there will also be two auctions on Saturday at the station. Prior to tonight's 8 p.m. Program with headliner Kathleen Madigan at the Reg Lenna... "The G-I's of Comedy" will perform their program "Danger: Armed and Laughing..." begins at 5:30 p.m. It's a group of former military men who have found comedy therapudic for them. For more information... go on-line to LucyComedyFest.com, or call 484-0800.
