Matar trial underway without lead Public Defender due to hospitalization...
There was a brief delay in the start of opening statements this morning in the attempted murder trial of the New Jersey man accused of stabbing famed author Salman Rushdie two years ago at Chautauqua Institution. The Jamestown Post-Journal reports it was because lead Public Defender Ned Barone had taken ill... and, had to be hospitalized. The paper says after some back-and-forth with Chautauqua County Court Judge David Foley... he decided to proceed... and, the jury was brought in for opening statements. The 27 year-old Matar faces several state charges in the case... after allegedly running onto the stage at Chautauqua and attacking Rushdie in August of 2022. Rushdie suffered permanent injuries in the incident... including the loss of an eye.
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The final three jurors, and four alternated... were seated for the trial last Friday after five were selected on Thursday.
Homeless woman arrested for assault with paint can in Jamestown...
A homeless woman has been arrested in Jamestown for allegedly breaking windows... and, threatening some residents on the city's westside late last Saturday night. Jamestown police were called to the area of West 10th and Washington Streets about 11 p.m. for a woman breaking windows in the area. Officers say they identified the woman after they arrived on scene as 43 year-old Vanessa Braun... and, then assessed the damage, and spoke with the victims. Police took Braun into custody without incident. Officers say their investigation showed that Braun had gone to a home... and, began breaking windows with a paint can. When confronted by the home owners... they say Braun then began chasing them with the paint can and struck one of the victims with the can, causing injuries. She then allegedly tried to follow the victim into the home and was trying to force entry. Braun is charged with second-degree assault... second-degree attempted burglary... second-degree menacing... third-degree criminal mischief... and, third-degree reckless endangerment. Police say Braun had been arrested three times in the previous two days. She was jailed pending arraignment.
Jamestown man arrested on drug charges during probation check...
A city man who is on federal probation has been arrested for allegedly being found in possession of illegal narcotics during a probation check late Thursday. City police say they assisted U.S. Probation in checking on 53 year-old William Rivera Rodriguez... who is an eastside resident... shortly after 10 p.m. Officers say a search of the home uncovered 26.7-grams of cocaine... packaging materials... digital scales and cash... suspected to be proceeds of narcotic sales. Rodriguez was taken into custody without incident and transported to the city jail... pending arraignment on charges of third and fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, first-degree criminally using drug paraphernlia. He was issued an appearance ticket... but, additional federal charges are expected at a later date.
Sirianni wins at Super Bowl with a handful of local connections to the game...
The Buffalo Bills did not make it to the Big Game... but, there was still a strong local connection to this year's Super Bowl game in New Orleans. You may already know that Southwestern High School alum Nick Sirianni is the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, who won the Big Game last night, 40-22. What's maybe lesser known is that former Jamestown High School football stand-out David Hinson is a key member of the defending two-time Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. That from Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame President Randy Anderson... who adds Hinson is a member of the local hall already. Sirianni is to be inducted one week from tonight at the hall's annual banquet in Lakewood, although the likelyhood of him being there is unknown. Sirianni has been head coach of the Eagles the past four years... and, Anderson says he's actually had one of the highest winning percentages of any NFL head coach during that time period. This is the second-time in those four years Sirianni had guided the team to the "big game."
Office for Aging Services announces partnership Ring for doorbell, camera program to help provide local Seniors with more security while living at home...
The Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services has announced it's taking part in a new, groundbreaking initiative in collaboration with USAging and Ring to provide greater safety to older adults and their caregivers. OFAS Director Dana Corwin announced the collaboration with Ring to provide doorbells and cameras for qualified seniors that will enhance their "safety and independence." Corwin says the program will provide 500 new Ring systems for residents aged 60 and older will have access to Ring a Video Doorbell or a Stick-Up Cam, provided free of charge, to help them age in place with greater peace of mind. The initiative stems from USAging’s national partnership with Ring, announced earlier this year which included the donation of 5,000 Ring devices to 10 Area Agencies on Aging nationwide. Chautauqua County's was one of those. County Executive P.J. Wendel sees this as a way to enhance the quality of life for some 39,000 older county residents. OFAS Home Care and Caregiver Support Coordinator, Michelle Swan, emphasized the program’s role in supporting older adults and their families... noting that "for many seniors and their caregivers, safety is a primary concern. These devices offer a simple yet effective solution, enabling them to feel more secure while maintaining their independence." For more information... call the Office for Aging Services NY-Connects number locally.
