Buffalo man accused of shooting another man in back of head last January in Jamestown indicted for second-degree murder...
A Chautauqua County Grand Jury has indicted a Buffalo man for the execution-style murder of another Buffalo-area man in the city of Jamestown late last January. District Attorney Jason Schmidt has announced that 33-year-old Darius Kadenhead was indicted Tuesday... and, was later arraigned in county court on one count of second-degree murder in connection with the death of 28 year-old Marlon Clay at the Parkview Apartments on Jan. 22. Schmidt says Clay had "sustained a single gunshot wound to the back of the head. His body was later discovered by a tenant in the apartment complex who alerted police." He says Jamestown police were assisted by several other agenices -- including his office -- in identifying the suspect as Kadenhead... who was found three days later in Buffalo. Schmidt adds that "the manner of his death suggests that Mr. Clay was executed. At the time Mr. Kadenhead is alleged to have committed this brutal, irreversible act, he had been on parole for only four months after having been released from state prison for a prior Manslaughter conviction." Kadenhead is jailed here on $2.5-million cash bail... or $5-million property bond.
Clymer woman arrested on drug charges following street check...
A woman from Clymer has been arrested during a street check in Jamestown on drug-related charges... and, multiple charges of failure to appear in court. City police say they were doing the street check in the area of East Eighth and Liberty Streets just before 7 p.m. last night... and, saw 54 year-old Latrisha McCarty in the area. Officers knew McCarty had an outstanding warrant for criminal possession of a Controlled Substance from JPD. She was taken into custody... and, found in possession of a quantity of methamphetamine during a search. McCarty was additionally charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. She was jailed pending arraignment due to failing to appear on previous occasions.
Quality of Life issues among matters discussed at recent Jamestown City Council meetings...
A number of quality of life issues have come to the forefront of concerns voiced by the public at Jamestown City Council meetings. The most recent Council voting session saw a couple of residents express their feelings about speeding... and, noise in their part of the city. Phil Kessler says he's lived on Baker Street Extension the past 20 years... and, estimates some vehicles speeding up to 80 mph in a 30 mph zone. He says drivers are also distracted. Kessler also questions what vehicles are on Baker... including semi's and powerful motorcycles. Most recently -- fireworks -- especially the illegal kind -- were a major concern expressed by both residents and lawmakers. At-Large City Councilman Jeff Russell read a recent, multiple page report from the city's Nuisance Officer... who had been very busy in the past month... including writting 43 tickets for loud music coming from a vehicle... and, 68 for loud exhaust. Council President Tony Dolce says there have been increased details in the city... and, Chief Timothy Jackson was involved directly in at least one of those.
Man sentenced for setting fire that destroyed two homes, and damaged others in Kennedy...
A Falconer man convicted of starting a fire that destroyed two houses in Kennedy and damaged other nearby will spend up to the next 12 years in state prison. Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt has announced that 30 year-old Aubrey Baize received the sentence Monday from County Court Judge David Foley to the indeterminate prison term of 4 to 12 years. Schmidt says Baize was convicted back on Apr. 25 on one count of third-degree arson -- a class C felony. The DA says in July 2022... he intentionally started a fire in Kennedy, located in the town of Poland, that consumed two houses and damaged others nearby. Residents of the destroyed homes lost valuable items, cherished property, and beloved family pets.
County Jail inmate arrested for attempted escape...
A Chautauqua County Jail inmate has now been formally charged after he was able to escape briefly last Thursday afternoon before being recaptured. Sheriff's deputies say 36 year-old Eric Ryals was able to get to the roof top of the jail in Mayville... and, run from corrections officers who were actively pursuing him. Officers say Ryals ignored their commands to surrender. He then jumped from the roof of the jail, and exited the facility when he landed on the lawn, on the Elm Street side of the jail. However... Ryals was quickly taken into custody because a perimeter had been set up surrounding the facility. He was taken to the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo for treatment of injuries he sustained during his escape. No one was hurt. Ryals charged with first-degree escape.
Prendergast Landscape Project underway...
A major project to re-landscape the Fifth Street side of the James Prendergast Library in Jamestown is underway this summer. Jonathan and Jessica Townsend of Royal Fern Nursery in Fredonia are doing the work. Jonathan says it’s more than making the space look pretty, as it involves removal of all non-native shrubs that aren't good for native species, as well as the foundation of the building itself. Jessica Townsend believes that a public space like the library is a great place to show the value of removing non-native plants and putting in native ones. The library's Special Projects and Facility Manager, Jenn Champ, says a $14,000 grant from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation made the re-landscaping possible.
