Council discusseds proposal to deal with retirees who fall behind in health insurance payments...
A new policy to deal with Jamestown retirees who have fallen behind in paying their health insurance premiums sparked much discussion at last night's City Council work session.  The proposed policy was approved by the Council's Finance Committee... and, Committee Chairman Brent Sheldon says they reviewed the guidelines being looked at -- including late payment fees.  Sheldon says he brought up the idea of automatic payments from the retiree's checking account... but, he agreed with Mayor Kim Ecklund that they have to sign up for it voluntarily.  Councilman Jeff Russell expressed concern over a policy being put in place for retirees when the city is having difficulties -- overall -- with Blue Cross/Blue Shield's transition to Highmark.  Russell says that transition has been a "complete mess."  Corporation Counsel Eliot Raimando says they regularily communicate with retirees once they fall behind one to two months to find out the problem.  Ecklund says "we can't let retirees go six or seven months with a non-payment on insurance while their using the insurance."  She says that's not fair to other retirees... and, those current working for the city.  

Jamestown man admits to involvement in local narcotics conspiracy...
A city man has admitted to conspiring with other people to sell heroin, fentanyl and methamphetamine in the Jamestown-area has part of a local drug trafficking operation.  U.S. Attorney Trini Ross has announced that 37 year-old Jacob Snow pled guilty to one count of narcotics conspiracy in U.S. District Court to the charge.  Between January and late May of 2021... they say Snow conspired to traffic narcotics with the others.  He sold drugs and collected payments for partner Alisah Klinger.  On May 24, 2021... Snow was involved with others in kidnapping a woman at gunpoint and driving her to a wooded area... where she was hit multiple times... including by Snow.  Prosecutors say it was over her taking about $10,000 worth of the drugs from Snow the day before.  Charges are pending against Klinger.  Snow faces at least five years in prison... a maximum of 40... and, a $5-million fine when he is sentenced.

Two restaurants in Jamestown area closing...
A pair of local restaurants have closed... but, for very different reasons.  The Lakewood Red Lobster Restaurant has been caught up in a cost-cutting move that reportedly stemmed from major losses due to the Florida-based seafood chain's $20 "Endless Shrimp" offer that became wildly popular with customers.  It also reportedly cost the company... which has filed for bankruptcy... millions of dollars.  is considering filing for bankruptcy after years of cost-cutting by its parent company.  The other restaurant... Forte... located on East Third Street... left a message to customers that it's closing for an "indefinate" period... with a more detailed message coming later.