Several school districts in southern Chautauqua County have first day of classes today...
Most Chautauqua County school districts have their first day of classes today. However... while students resume learning for another school year... school board members say finances... and, cell phone use are also issues. That from the New York State School Boards Association... which conducted a survey back in June and July of 543 school board members across the state. They say 60% of those members believe their biggest challenge in the upcoming school year will be dealing with their districts’ finances – more than any other single issue. That's due to the loss of federal stimulus dollars... and, what state funding will look like in the next school year. Among the districts starting class today are: Southwestern... Falconer... Frewsburg... Bemus Point... Randolph... Sherman... and, Cassadaga Valley. The Jamestown Public Schools begin on Wednesday... along with Clymer and Panama. And... Chautauqua Lake begins on Thursday.
Homeless woman arrested in Jamestown as fugitive from justice...
A homeless woman in Jamestown has been arrested after city police conducted a street check on a person walking in the middle of the roadway on Jamestown's westside. City police say they were called to the area of Monroe Street and Isabella Avenue about 11:20 a.m. Monday... where motorists were having to drive around Katelin Smith. Officers say Smith initially gave them a false name... but, soon had her real name... and, the fact she was wanted on an outstanding warrant from Warren County, Pennsylvania... making her a fugitive from justice. She was arrested for being a fugitive from justice... and, for false personation. Smith was jailed pending arraignment.
City woman arrested for driving while her license had been suspended 26 times...
A Jamestown woman who has had her driver's license suspended 26 times has been arrested after she was stopped for allegedly driving with no lights on. City police say they saw the vehicle... driven by 31 year-old Sienna Swanson... in the North Main Street corridor and stopped the car near the intersection with West 10th Street about 2:30 a.m. last Thursday. They found that Swanson was driving the vehicle with the more than two-dozen suspensions for 10 different incidents. With that she was arrested for Felony first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. She was booked in city court... and release with appearance tickets.
Jamestown Labor Day Festival includes music, food and fireworks...
There was plenty of food, music and fireworks last Sunday afternoon and evening at the 43rd annual Jamestown Labor Day Festival at Bergman Park. Some of the afternoon music was provided by the local band "Party McFly" on the main stage... and, Pearl City Jazz on and near the basketball courts. The other afternoon highlight was was the presentation of the annual George Ritzer Memorial Labor Award to retired Sheetmetal union Business Manager, Steven Thorpe. Thorpe noted the history of Labor Day... and, also thanked Sheetmetal Worker's Local #112's former Business Representative, Rick Joslyn... who he replaced in 2005. He says Joslyn taught him how to value their union members, and how to handle the position. Thorpe also thanked former Central Labor Council President Dave Wilkinson for his support. Proclamations were presentated by State Assemblyman Andy Goodell, Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund, and Christine Rinaldi from Congressman Nick Langworthy's local office.
City man arrested for violating order of protection...
A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly violating an order of protection -- issued five days earlier -- to stay away from the woman he was found with last Friday night. City police say they were called to a westside address shortly after 6 p.m. and found that 45 year-old Jeremy Ramsey had violated the order. He was arrested for second-degree criminal contempt... and, taken to the city jail pending arraignment.
Two north county men arrested during recent drug raid...
Two north county men face Felon drug charges following a raid on a home just over a week ago on Dennison Road in the hamlet of Forestville. Sheriff's officer say the search warrant was executived at 10-925 Dennison just after 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 23. Deputies say they found two men inside. They were: 33 year-old Joshua Vanbuskirk of Forestville... and, 25 year-old Franklin Silvagnia. During the search... investigators says they seized 14.8 grams of crack cocaine, 12.79 grams of fentanyl, scales and packaging material for the sale and distribution of narcotics and $1,055. Both Vanbuskirk and Silvagnia were charged with four counts each of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. Both were taken to the County Jail pending Centralized Arraignment.
With Labor Day holiday... BPU announces garbage/recycling schedule revisions...
With Monday being Labor Day... the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities resumes today with Monday’s regular garbage and recycling collection delayed until today. In addition... Tuesday's collection will be delayed until Wednesday... Wednesdays to Thursday... and, so on. The Yard Waste Site on Monroe Street will again be open -- as usual from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. -- on Wednesday, Sept. 4, but will be closed on Saturday, Sept. 7, to allow for Saturday's garbage and recycling collection because Monday was a holiday.
