One person killed in two-car crash on Route 394 in town of Ellicott...
One person has been killed in a two-car accident on Route 394 at the intersection with Gerry-Levant Road in the town of Ellicott. State Police in Jamestown says the "T-Bone" crash occured about 4:15 p.m. Thursday -- near Falconer -- with one of the vehicle rolling onto it's side. No identities have been released... but, Troopers say a female victim died in the crash. They add that two other people were hurt... but, appear to have non-life threatening injuries. State Police are continuing to investigate... and, we'll have more when it becomes available.
Pair arrested in Jamestown for allegedly committing robbery on city's northside...
Two people allegedly involved in a robbery this past Monday have been arrested during separate street checks on Jamestown's northside. City police say they were patrolling near Fultron Street shortly after 1 a.m. today... when they spotted 34 year-old Michael Green... who had active arrest warrants stemming Monday's incident. Officers took Green into custody... and, he was also found in possession of a quantity of Fentanyl. A short time later... police found 22 year-old Abigail Thompson outside of a northside business who was also a suspect in Monday's robbery incident. She was taken into custody without incident on the warrants. Both Green and Thompson are charged with first-degree robbery... second-degree menacing... and, petty larceny. Green is also charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Both were jailed pending arraignment.
City man sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for being a Felon in possession of a firearm...
A Jamestown man will spend the next three-years and 5-months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney Trini Ross says 41 year-old Steven Glover, Sr. received the sentence Wednesday from U.S. District Court Judge John Sinatra, Jr. Prosecutors say on the morning of Dec. 14 of 2022... a Jamestown Police officer saw Glover in a vehicle... and, knew he had a suspended license. The officer stopped the vehicle and made contact with Glover, who immediately said he had a pipe in his possession. Police say Glover then handed over a glass pipe that contained what appeared to be methamphetamine residue inside. He was detained... and, a search of the vehicle recovered a digital scale with white crystal residue on it... and, a pistol. Back in 2019... they say Glover was convicted of a felony in Chautauqua County Court and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Sheldon says Jamestown budget work will be "hard and painful..."
The chairman of the Jamestown City Council's Finance Committee say the process to finalize a 2025 budget will be both "hard and painful" given the deficit they're facing. Republican Brent Sheldon made the comments following Mayor Kim Ecklund's budget presentation Tuesday at City Hall. The $43.3-million spending plan includes a nearly 8% tax levy increase to help plug the projected $2.5-million shortfall. Sheldon says lawmakers not only have to deal with 2025... but, into the future as well... because the $1-million in ARPA funds won't be there after 2025. The biggest concern... says Sheldon... is over previous errors and omissions that were made in the current year's budget that they had to start tackling late last year. However... he says they also have to look beyond next year because the one-million dollars in ARPA money they're using will be gone by the end of 2025. Ecklund is also proposing to use another $700,000 in undesignated fund balance to offset the tax increase. Her budget proposes a $1.82 per $1,000 full value tax rate increase.
Ecklund says don't blame previous council for missteps on 2024 budget...
The Jamestown City Council approved the troublesome, 2024 budget... after making a series of changes because a shortfall was already identified. However... Mayor Ecklund felt they could eventually overcome the $2.5-million deficit. She says even though council reviews and adopts a budget... they aren't in the trenches and have to rely on the administration to give it the best information possible. She says the only place they are as well-informed about as the administration is on sales tax revenues. However... Ecklund does acknowledge that they were aware that the sales tax numbers would be very close. As of now... the projection is that line item will be short by about $500,000 at the end of the year. In addition... Ecklund says the 2023 audit is being wrapped up... and, it appears that will be a "break-even" spending plan with very little to forward into the coming year.
Dennis Webster receives "Friend of Education" award from JPS...
More community recognition for retired WJTN Morning Man, Dennis Webster, at last Tuesday night's Jamestown School Board meeting. He received the "Friend of Education" award from School Superintendent Kevin Whitaker to recognize him for his coverage and publicizing of Jamestown school events... and, achievements. Dennis was thankful for being allowed to do that here at Media One, and James Broadcasting before that. Dennis retired about two-months ago... and, was wondering what he would do once his radio career came to an end. He says the Jamestown Public Schools were able to find something he could do... and, he is now assisting with development of a video on the 100th anniversary of the Jamestown High School Band and Acappella Choir. You can view highlights of the presentation to Dennis on the Jamestown Public School's website... or Facebook Page.
