City man arrested for driving stolen vehicle... and, almost hitting two people while trying to get away...
A Jamestown man has been arrested for being seen driving a stolen vehicle... which almost struck two people as he was trying to get away. City police were called to the Dollar General store at 226 Winsor St. shortly before Noon Thursday... and, spotted the stolen car -- driving off from the scene. However... officers say the driver, 25 year-old Jordan Thayer, nearly struck two postal workers in the area before getting out... and trying to run away. Police say, though, that they caught Thayer after a short foot pursuit. He was arrested on two felony counts of first-degree reckless endangerment... third-degree unlawful fleeing a Police Officer... third-degree criminal possession of Stolen Property... seventh-degree criminal possession of a Controlled Substance ... third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation... and, speeding. Thayer was jailed pending arraignment.
Man accused of breaking into a business, and throwing molotov cocktail at another person is arrested...
A Jamestown man faces numerous charges after allegedly breaking into a business and stealing property... and, later throwing a molotov cocktail at another person. City police were conducting a warrant check in the Winsor Street area for 33 year-old Robert Yates. However... responding officers were told that Yates had fled the scene shortly before they arrived. Police and the JPD K-9 Unit tracked Yates... and, found him on the back porch of a home... where he was arrested. Police say Yates was wanted for two separate incidents this past Tuesday. The first was the burglary... where he allegedly took more than one-thousand dollars worth of property from the business. The second was from him throwing the molotov cocktail at the other person to try and set them on fire. Yates is charged with third-degree burglary and fourth-degree grand larceny... and, first-degree criminal possession of a weapon... and, first-degree attempted assault. Yates was jailed pending arraignment.
Wendel announces Apr. 12 meeting to further discuss Boat User Fee...
The idea of instituting a boat user fee in Chautauqua County to help pay for improving and maintaning Chautauqua Lake will be discussed at a meeting next week. That from County Executive P.J. Wendel... who says that meeting will take place next Wednesday, April 12th. Wendel says this comes in light of the county legislature's decision to keep the local occupancy tax at 5%. He says "we're going back to the drawing board..." and still looking for ways to fund the lake's maintenance. He proposed a 3% increase in the occupancy tax to 8%... and, if implemented next year... would have brought in about $2-million. To criticism that the proposal to increase the occupancy tax was made at the "11th hour..." Wendel said the proposal did pass in committee... and, the county needed to begin action so it could be approved by the state by the November deadline. Next Wednesday night's meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in legislative chambers of the Gerace Office Building... and the public is invited. Wendel made his comments for this coming weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the our Media One Radio Group stations
Jamestown man arrested for incident in front of southside pizza shop...
A city man has been arrested for allegedly kicking and damaging another person's vehicle during an argument outside a pizza shop on Jamestown's southside. City police were called to the Little Caesar's Pizza at 760 Foote Ave. just after 3 p.m. Tuesday... and, arrested 73 year-old Patrick Lamper. Officers investigated... and found that Lamper had threatened the victim... causing them to fear for their safety. Lamper was found and taken into custody for fourth-degree criminal mischief... and, second-degree harassment. He was taken to the city jail... arraigned and released with an appearance ticket for city court.
Whitaker outlines objectives in proposed, $101-million, 2023-24 JPS budget...
There's no tax increase in the Jamestown Public School district's $101-million, 2023-24 budget proposal... but, there are some new positions, and programs. That from School Superintendent Kevin Whitaker... who says having no tax increase was the main goal. However... he says the fact they will get more state aid -- to bring it to where it should be -- is allowing them to address some serious needs. Dr. Whitaker says one is adding an assistant principal's position to Fletcher Elementary School... which is now their second biggest school in terms of population. He says they're also moving forward with what are called "Student Support Centers" in each of their schools. Whitaker says that includes the middle and high schools... which will have a focus on English Language Arts, and math. The concerns for elementary students are reading and literacy. On our Dennis Webster Show Thursday... Dr. Whitaker said the student centers will assist in getting students that need the help to bring them up to "grade level" coming out of the COVID Pandemic. The budget vote and school board elections will be held on Tuesday, May 16.
Two Dunkirk men arrested for Portland-area burglaries...
Two north county men are accused of being caught in the act of stealing property from a camper parked on Lake Avenue in the town of Portland. Sheriff's deputies were called to a "burglary in progress" shortly after 2 p.m. Wednesday... and, found 47 year-old Todd Reardon, and 52 year-old Robert Ryen -- both of Dunkirk -- taking items from inside. Deputies say they found that Reardon and Ryen had also broken into another structure on the property... and, took items from there. Both men were arrested on two counts each of third-degree burglary... and, two counts of petty larceny.
