Fight between brothers in Westfield sends one to jail; the other to the hospital...
A Westfield man has been arrested after allegedly getting into a fight with... and, then assaulting his brother with a metal hammer... during a domestic incident. Westfield police say they were called to 15 West Second St. in the village shortly before 10 a.m. Tuesday... and investigated the matter. Officers say they found that 69 year-old Peter Mott had gotten into a verbal... then physical confrontation with the brother... then stuck him in the neck with the hammer. Police say the other brother then grabbed a porcelain coffee cup... and, hit Peter Mott with it in self-defense. Mott was arrested for second-degree assault. The brother was taken to the hospital for treatment of his injuries. Westfield police say they were assisted by Chautauqua County Sheriff's officers.
Gillibrand touts approval of "FEND Off Fentanyl Act approval by Senate, Congress...
A law that would empower the federal government to go after the producers and trafficers bringing dangerous drugs -- namely Fentanyl -- into the country has been approved in the U.S. Senate. That from New York Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand... who says she "relentlessly" pushed for Congressional passage of the bi-partisan "Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence -- or FEND Off Fentanyl Act." During a video press conference Wednesday... Gillibrand noted that something had to be done because too many families have had to endure a tragic, overdose death. She says the legislation will targe the "deadly flow at the source..." including the drug cartels... and, their traffickers. Gillibrand says Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin... and, it cannot be detected by taste, smell, or sight when mixed with other drugs. She adds that the U-S Drug Enforcement Administration... last year... seized approximately 386-million pills containing Fentanyl. Gillibrand adds that about 70% of those contained lethal doses of the powerful narcotic. Gillibrand says... a key part of the legislation is it declares that the international trafficking of Fentanyl and it's precursors is a "National Emergency..." and would require the sanctioning of the trans-national criminal organizations that are involved. She adds it would also direct the U.S. Treasury to prioritize cracking down on drug-related, suspicious transactions.
Two Jamestown residents arrested for trespassing, drug possession on WNY&P Railroad property...
Two city residents are accused of being in possession of methamphetamine while trespassing on railroad property near the downtown area. Jamestown police were walking a beat in the area of Institute and East First Sts on Wed., Apr. 24... checking on the Western New York and Pennsylvania rail property for trespassers. Officers say they located 32 year-old Thomas Mann, and 30 year-old Megan Truver trespassing on the property. Both were taken into custody... and, were both allegedly found with quantities of meth. Mann and Truver were each charged with two counts of third-degree criminal trespass... and, two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Both were released with appearance tickets.
County kicks off Mental Health Awareness Month with program at JCC...
May is Mental Health Awareness Month... and, a special kick-off and suicide prevention walk were held Wednesday afternoon at Jamestown Community College. Those events helped to begin a month of events and initiatives spearheaded by the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene. County Executive P.J. Wendel first issued a proclamation... noting that each year... one in five Americans will deal with some kind of mental health challenge... and, adds that early intervention and access to quality of care are key to helping those dealing with mental health issues. Wendel also encouraged residents to educate themselves and others about mental health... and, resources available where help is provided. A student named "Matthew" -- who is also a veteran -- highlighted the fact that veteran's continue to take their own lives at an alarming rate... and, adds that he's had his struggles as well. He is the secretary for a veteran's organization on the JCC Campus. Following the brief presentation... a few dozen people took part in the Suicide Prevention Walk around the Jamestown campus.
Village Board in Fredonia approves new, 2024-25 budget...
The village of Fredonia has an $11.7-million budget in place for the 2024-25 fiscal year... and, residents will see their taxes go up by 5.85%. Village trustees on Monday approved a resolution by a 4-1 vote to adopt the spending plan that contains a property tax rate of $39.25 per $1,000, an increase of $2.30 from this year. The lone opponent was Michelle Twichell, who says she feels the budget could have been further reduced. The budget also includes new water and sewer rates of $7 per thousand gallons... effective June 1. Village trustees also voted to adopt a local law to override the 2024-2025 tax cap limit.
Gillibrand supports ending protest encampment at Columbia University...
A student protest movement has washed over the country since police first tried to end an encampment at Columbia University in New York City nearly two weeks ago over the Israel-Hamas War. However... the place where the demonstrations started -- saw an end to them early Tuesday -- when NYPD Officers went through Hamilton Hall where students and others involved had holded-up most of the night. Senator Gillibrand says it had gotten to the point where these were no longer "peaceful protests." More than 100 students and non-students of Columbia University were arrested.
