Three arrested, one suspect still at-large, following alleged gang assault in Brooklyn Square...
A Jamestown teenager... two younger juveniles... and, an unknown man are accused of a gang assault behind the former Oriental Star restaurant in Brooklyn Square.  City police were called to the location -- on the Riverwalk -- shortly before 3 a.m. Wednesday for an "in-progress assault.  As they arrived... officers say three suspects ran west across South Main Street... and, after a brief foot chase... they nabbed 18 year-old Julio Arizmendi and the two juveniles.  Their investigation also determined that an unknown black male was also involved.  The four allegedly attack the man with a knife, stick, immitation pistol... and a glass bottle that was smashed over the victim's head.  Police say the victim was taken to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital for treatment of a serious injury.  Arizmendi is charged with first-degree gang assault... second-degree assault... two counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon... and, resisting arrest.  He was jailed pending arraignment.

Sheridan woman arrested after missing child if found...
An 11 year-old child has been found safe and sound... and a town of Sheridan woman has been arrested for endangering the welfare of a child.  Sheriff's officers were called to a Sheridan home shortly before Noon Wednesday... along with State Police... on a report the child was missing.  After a lengthy search, the child was found safe.  The resulting investigation led to the arrest of 36 year-old Ashley Jo Carlson.  She was issued an appearance ticket for Sheridan Town Court.

Legislature approves hiring new Administrative Dir. for North County Water and Sewer Districts...
The Chautauqua County Legislature has approved creation of a new position to oversee day-to-day operations of the North County Water and Sewer Districts.  Lawmakers in Mayville last night voted 15-0  -- with four legislators absent -- to okay a local law that creates the new, Administrative Director position of the districts.  There was no comment from the floor.  However, before the meeting... Legislature Minority Leader Robert Bankoski from Dunkirk noted the big problem is financial... with a significant number of customers not paying their bills on-time... and, the district can only take action until the customer is behind in payment over three-quarters of the year.  Bankowski adds that there were concerns voiced in committee about creating a "new, full-time job."  However... he feels that legislators Tom Nelson of Jamestown and Terry Niebel of Sheridan... had their questions answered.  

Gillibrand introduced legislation to double federal Pell Grants for low-income college students...
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has introduced legislation that would double federal Pell Grants... making college more affordable to working families.  The New York Democrat held a video press conference to announce her proposal... which expands on what the program offers to low-income students.  Currently... grants of more than $7,000 are made each academic year to offset the cost of an undergraduate degree.  Gillibrand says doubling that amount is necessary because... at its peak in the 1970s... the maximum Pell Grant covered nearly 80% of the cost of attending a four-year public college.  But... now it covers less than a third of the cost.  Gillibrand says "as the cost of college skyrockets and federal financial aid programs fail to keep up, too many low-income students are forced to take on crippling amounts of debt or to drop out of school entirely."  She says today's students "deserve the same opportunities their parents did" in going to college and earning a degree.  Gillibrand says some 6-million students -- nationwide -- took advantage of the Pell Grant program in 2022... with 370,000 of them in New York state. 

City woman arrested on warrants, and drug possession...
A Jamestown woman has been arrested on multiple arrest warrants... and, for being in possession of cocaine that she later tried to swallow in jail.  City police say they conducted a traffic stop in the area of Newland Avenue and Hazzard Street shortly after 6 p.m. Wednesday.  Officers say they received information that a passenger in the vehicle, 44 year-old Rosa Lopez, had confirmed city court warrants for her arrest.  She was taken into custody... and once they arrived at the city jail... officers found Lopez in possession of a small quantity of cocaine.  Police say she tried to swallow the cocaine after they discovered it... but, they were able to recover the cocaine without further incident.  In addition to the outstanding arrest warrants... Rosa is also charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a Controlled Substance... and, Felony tampering with physical evidence.

New principal named for Jamestown's Jefferson Middle School...
There will be a new principal at Jamestown's Jefferson Middle School come the new school year next week... and, it's a familiar face in the district.  The city School Board this week approved the appointment of Katie Zwald to the position after having served most recently as the assistant principal at Persell Middle School.  School Superintendent Kevin Whitaker says "Katie did a tremendous job during the interview process and had extremely high scores from the staff, students, and families who participated... We believe she will be a perfect leader for this passionate and unique school community.”  Zwald is a 2008 graduate of Jamestown High School... and, has served the Jamestown Public Schools in various capacities since 2015.