Jamestown, Silver Creek schools among those targeted by "Swatting" calls today...
A number of school districts across New York State -- including Jamestown and Silver Creek -- have received what are called "swatting" calls for an active shooter. The fake calls occured late this morning... and, put both the city school district and Silver Creek schools into lock-down. On the JPS website... officials say the lock-out was lifted at dismissal time. They add that Jamestown police confirmed the calls were "not credible." All after-school activities continued as planned. The statement adds "please be aware that the lockout was called in an abundance of caution due to an anonymous swatting call. A swatting call is a prank call made for the purpose of soliciting a police response and is intended to cause fear and panic. These calls have been occurring in several states across the country. JPS will continue to maintain close partnerships with law enforcement to ensure school safety and security."
Borrello expresses "extreme displeasure" over Kindt's release; 1999 killer paroled to Dutchess County in Eastern NY...
A local state lawmaker says there is outrage across several local communities over the New York State Parole Board's recent decision to release a Cattaraugus County man convicted in a 1999 murder. Edward Kindt was 15 years old when he raped and murdered Penny Brown in Salamanca. State Senator George Borrello says he expressed "extreme displeasure" when the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision considered releasing Kindt to the Westfield area. Borrello says he spoke directly with the head of the state Department of Corrections... and, Westfield was taken out as a potential destination. The board was also considering releasing Kindt in Olean.. but, that community also voiced strong opposition. He was officially released this morning, but will be moved to Dutchess County in Eastern New York. Meanwhile... Borrello... a Republican from Sunset Bay... says he is involved in crafting parole reform legislation... that would require a unanimous decision by the parole board... and, allow victim's families to have an appeals process. Brown was jogging with her two dogs when Kindt attacked, and killed her. He was sentenced at the time to 9 years to life because he was a juvenile at the time.
Dunkirk man sentenced to 9 years in prison for firing gun in June of 2022...
A north county man will spend the next nine-years in state prison and five-years parole supervision after that for firing a gun in the area of Park Avenue and Fifth Street in Dunkirk. Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt has announced that 25 year-old Adrian Rivera-Salome of Dunkirk received the sentence from County Court Judge David Foley after being convicted of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The conviction for the Violent Felony was obtained this past Jan. 13, and, stemmed from an incident last June when Rivera-Salome was arrested after firing the gun.
Sundquist talks housing and public safety during National League of Cities conference in D.C...
Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist says he's eager to implement new initiatives he observed during the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference. Earlier this week... elected officials from across the country convened in Washington, D.C. to explore different means of helping their respective municipalities. Sundquist says addressing housing concerns is a major issue... but, while most cities have an affordable-housing crisis, he says Jamestown is dealing with a different kind of housing issue. Sundquist says they've seen a loss of investment, and was excited to hear about a new "housing accelerator program. Cities like Jamestown are also facing the issue of redefining public safety. Across the country... different municipalities have been training officers in mental health practices to better understand how to deal with a suspect who might be mentally ill. Sundquist notes mayors from across the country discussed this during the conference... noting a need to have mental health counselors, and others involved.
City of Jamestown looking for a new comptroller -- again...
For the fourth-time in the past year or so... the city of Jamestown has found itself again looking for a new comptroller as well as a deputy comptroller. That after current Acting Comptroller Katie Maycock left city employment for a position in the private sector. Lack of a comptroller... or a deputy... was brought up at this week's City Council voting session as part of the reason for a delay in financial information on the impacts of hiring eight new firefighters using a federal SAFER Grant. Council President Tony Dolce says the big problem is the city can't pay what the private sector is... so he says they're going to look at requirements and pay. The city has gone through some five city comptrollers, and deputy comptrollers since Joe Bellitto retired shortly after Mayor Eddie Sundquist took office.
North Carolina man arrested in Jamestown for parole absconding...
A man from North Carolina sought for fleeing South Dakota as a parolee wanted on burglary and drug charges has been arrested in Jamestown following a traffic stop. City police say they stopped a car on North Main St. at West 13th just after 5 p.m. Wednesday... and, found the vehicle had an expired temporary registration. The driver... 39 year-old John Arnott... was found to have been wanted in South Dakota for being a parole absconder on charges of burglary... and, possession and distribution of controlled substances. He was jailed pending extradiction.
