Two Dunkirk men arrested following drug raid on mobile home...
Two men from Dunkirk have been arrested on drug and weapon's possession charges following a raid in the north county town of Dunkirk late Wednesday morning. Sheriff's officers say their narcotics investigators and Dunkirk Police concluded a four-month investigation into alleged narcotics activity by executing a search warrant on a lot at the Lakeside Mobile Home Park on Route 5. shortly before Noon. They were assisted by SWAT Team members... and found two suspects inside: 34-year-old Jesus Aponte-Rosario... and 20 year-old Felipe Otero-Otero. During their search... investigators seized just over 21-grams of cocaine, a quantity of fentanyl and controlled prescription pills... two 9-millimeter handguns, two large capacity magazines, scales and packaging materials... along with $778 in cash. Aponte-Rosario faces charges including: third-degree and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... two counts each of second-and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon... and, first-degree criminal nuisance. He was also charged as a fugitive from justice on a warrant out of Cape May County, New Jersey. Otero-Otero was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Both were jailed pending arraignment.
Jamestown man pleads guilty to federal drug charges...
A Jamestown man has pleaded guilty in federal court to trafficking large amounts of drugs... and, being a felon in possession of guns. U.S. Attorney Trini Ross has announced that 41 year-old Samuel Arrington III entered the plea before U.S. Distrcit Court Judge Richard Arcara to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and being a felon in possession of firearms. Prosecutors say that last October... state Parole Officers searched Arrington's home... and, recovered suspected narcotics... including 105 grams of cocaine, 68 grams of fentanyl... two firearms, ammunition, five cell phones, $2,300 in cash... and, drug paraphernalia. The fentanyl was allegedly found concealed beneath Arrington’s infant child. In April of 2006 and December 2019, Arrington was convicted of drug felonies in Chautauqua County... and, in Erie County, Pa. Court, and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms. Ross says the charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40... and, a $5-million fine. Sentencing is set for next October.
City lawmakers approve receipt of grant to purchase new safety, and security grant...
New safety and security equipment will be coming to the Jamestown Police Department thanks to a $285,000 grant from the state Division of Criminal Justice Services Law Enforcement Technology grant program. The city council recently approved receiving the grant... which Council President Tony Dolce says will allow the city to obtain 44 cameras to aid with security in the Cherry Street and Spring Street Parking Ramps... and, there will also be improved lighting to help further that effort. The grant will also help buy three new drones for JPD... along with license plate readers. Dolce says it's a "nice grant" to have because all those items are expensive. Lawmakers approved receiving the grant at the May voting session. The new equipment will help address a number of concerns raised in the past year -- or so -- regarding problems with vandalism... graffiti... and, people in the stairwells who don't belong there.
NYSBBA representative says state organization saw several newcomers elected to local school boards...
The turnover on school boards across New York state hit a new high during last weeks elections... with about 40% of the people elected being newcomers. The state School Boards Association reports that is continuing a trend higher turn-over rates on those panels than in the past. NYSBBA Spokesman Dave Albert says they are ready to help those new board members. Albert says the state requires a total of six-hours of leadership training... and, six of financial oversight training in the first-year in office. He adds they have a training scheduled for July that new, or imcumbant board members can take advantage of... this one dealing with newer issues... such as using data for decision-making... and, dealing with absenteeism... and, teacher shortages. Typically... Albert says about one-fourth of incumbant school board members -- statewide -- don't seek re-election in any typical school year. However... he says... during the COVID-19 pandemic... that number grew to one-third of incumbants... and, this year... the number has grown to 40%.
Former WGRZ-TV personality hired as new Communications and Content Strategist for Comedy Center...
A well-known award-winning television news anchor from the Buffalo area has joined the National Comedy Center in Jamestown as it's new communications and content strategist. The Comedy Center on Wednesday announced that Kate Welshofer will take on the position... and will supervise digital, social and broadcast content development in the Marketing and Communications department of the center... as well as work closely with the state of the art museum's Programming, Archives and Operations teams. The Comedy Center's Vice-President of Marketing and Communications Gary Hahn says -- "with her extensive experience as a multi-media writer, journalist, content creator and speaker, Kate Welshofer brings extraordinary skill and talent to our Communications team. We look forward to building our digital strategies and expanding our content creation under her supervision and guidance." Welshofter has 27 years of broadcasting experience, most recently as the anchor, host and co-creator of the innovative, and highly-rated "Most Buffalo" daily news program on WGRZ-TV the past six-years.
