Panama man receives 6-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to violating his probation...
A Panama man will spend the next six-years in state prison after pleading guilty to violating terms of his probation this past May. Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt says 38-year-old Billy Heilman received the sentence from County Court Judge David Foley... along with three-years of post-release supervision. Schmidt says in February of 2023... Jamestown police conducted a traffic stop in the city... and, found methamphetamines in Heilman’s possession... leading to his arrest. This past February 2024... the DA says Heilman pled guilty, and was sentenced to five-years probation after being convicted of fourth-degre criminal possession of a controlled substance. This past May... the county's Office of Probation filed a violation against Heilman for not complying with the terms of his probation. Schmidt thanked JPD... and, the Probation Department for their work on the case.
Langworthy hands out 179 pins to Viet Nam veterans at 50th Anniversary program...
More than 150 Vietnam War veterans were recognized Monday on the 50th Anniversary of the war's end during a special pinning ceremony held in their honor at Cassadaga Valley High School. Local Congressman Nick Langworthy hosted the ceremony... to as he said "right a wrong" because many of their were not honored upon their return to the United States. Langworthy called it a "momentous" occasion... and one that was "long overdue." He says he was proud to be part of the Congressional effort to make sure the veteran's were recognized... and, the effort to fully fund the veteran's affairs budget for the second year in a row. He described what was on the pin before they were placed on the veteran's lapel... or hat. Langworthy says there's an Eagle in the center... with a blue circle... which is part of the American flag. He also read the inscription on each pin -- quote -- "A grateful nation thanks and honors you." The program also honored the 51 county residents who were killed in the war.
City woman arrested on drug charge following warrant check downtown...
A Jamestown woman has been arrested following a weekend warrant check near the downtown area on a drug possession charge. Jamestown police say a patrol spotted 37 year-old Lovella Kellom at the intersection of West Second and North Main Streets shortly before 7 p.m. last Saturday. Officers say they had prior knowledge that Kellom had an active Jamestown City Court warrant for her arrest. She was taken into custody without incident. Police say Kellom was also found to be in possesion of a quantity of
methamphetamine... and charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Kellom was jailed pending arraignment.
New lake group to hold meeting this Saturday...
A new group that will advocate for property owners on Chautauqua Lake in the wake of pending wetland regulations for the shoreline areas will meet this weekend in Bemus Point. Bemus Point's Jim Wehrfritz has organized the Chautauqua Lake Property Owneers Association... which is an off-shoot of the Chautauqua Lake Partnership. Wehrfritz says they'll be meeting this Saturday morning at the Bemus Point Golf Club and Tap House. Wehrfritz says they'll review what the state Department of Environmental Conservation is proposing during the session... which will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. He says this will be the fourth community meeting held in recent months to review the draft regulations from the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Asked about proposed legislation by State Senator George Borrello that would exempt lakes... like Chautauqua... from DEC wetlands regulations... Wehrfritz says it's good to see. However... since it doesn't deal with the shoreline areas... he's not sure how effective it will be.
Jamestown woman arrested for second time in 2024 for allegedly forging a license plate...
A city woman has been accused for the second-time this year of forging the license plate on her car following a traffic stop on Jamestown's southside last week. City police say they stopped 40 year-old Anne Robbins on Columbia Avenue -- near Forest Avenue -- late last Thursday night. Officers say they arrested Robbins for second-degree Felony criminal possession of a forged instrument because she was already on probation for criminal possession of a forged Instrument stemming from an incident earlier this year. In that... she was in possession of another forged license plate. Robbins was jailed pending arraignment due to the felony charge.
Gas prices remain steady in Jamestown-area heading into July 4th Holiday...
There's been no change in the price of a gallon of gasoline in the Jamestown-area ahead of the July 4th Holiday period. That from AAA East Central's Gas Price Report... which shows the average price at just under $3.70 a gallon again this week for regular, unleaded fuel. In addition... AAA says there is very little change from the price last year at this time. After remaining steady for the past three weeks... the national average rose by a nickel over the past week to $3.49 a gallon. The move came as the cost of oil crossed the $80 per barrel mark... putting upward pressure on pump prices. Since oil costs account for about 54% of the cost of a gallon of gas, more expensive oil usually leads to more expensive gas. Triple-A says... so far... Summer gasoline demand has been lower than last year. However... with a record 60-million travelers forecast to hit the road for the July 4th holiday... demand may increase over the next ten days.
