Stockton man pleads guilty to phoning in bomb threats to two National Grid power plants...
A man from Stockton accused of calling in bomb threats to two National Grid power plants last May has pleaded guilty in federal court in Buffalo. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced Monday that 40 year-old Justin Horton entered the plea before U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Vilardo to conveying false information and hoaxes, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. Prosecutors say that, on the night of May 13, 2024, Horton called National Grid and stated -- quote -- "I'm calling to call a bomb threat into you. I’m going to blow up both of your nuclear power plants by the end of next week." Horton specified that he was referring to nuclear power plants located in New York and Pennsylvania. However... DiGiacomo says the defendant didn't have the means or intent to carry out the threat. Horton is to be sentenced next Aug. 15 in federal court.
Ashville man arrested on drug and other charges following traffic stop in Lakewood...
A man from Ashville has been arrested in Lakewood on drug, and other charges, following a traffic stop on East Summit Avenue late last week. Lakewood-Busti Police say they stopped 33 year-old Tyler Bemis about 2 p.m. Friday for multiple traffic violations... and, found he was allegedly driving without insurance. Further investigation found Bemis in possession of a quantity of crack cocaine... insurance... having an uninspected vehicle... and, having an illegal front windshield.
Another day... another budget extender in Albany as NYS budget is now a week late...
Negotiations in Albany remain at an impasse on a new, 2025-26 New York State budget... which is now nearly a week late. Local Assemblyman Andrew Molitor says lawmakers passed another budget extender on Monday in order to keep essential state services going. Molitor says the debt service bill is still the only part of the budget that has been completed, adding that he has no idea when the other 10 bills will come to a floor vote... but, he says lawmakers were told to be ready to vote on another extender by this Thursday. The Westfield Republican adds that if the budget process continues to drag out, it will become problematic for school and, that he was consuming cannibis inside the car. Bemis was issued appearance tickets for Busti Town Court on charges including: seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... consumption of marijuana inside a motor vehicle.... operating without districts and local governments... which would like to have final state aid figures for their own budgets. Molitor says no progress has been made on the budget's main sticking points like discovery reform, changes to involuntary commitment, and a ban on face masks in public with intent to harass. The budget was due on Apr. 1.
Dunkirk man arrested after crashing his car in Hanover, then stealing another car before crashing it...
A man from Dunkirk has been arrested after allegedly crashing a vehicle in the town of Hanover and then stealing another car and crashing it in Erie County. Chautauqua County sheriff's dispatchers say the vehicle was traveling on Holmes Road and went through the intersection with Allegany Road at about 2 p.m. last Friday. Officers say it then crashed through a guardrail and onto the westbound lanes of Interstate 90. They added that the driver stole a vehicle... whose driver pulled over to help... and, then crashed it in Eden. State Police "Troop T" says 35 year-old David Payne has been charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, and third-degree unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle. First responders from Silver Creek, Sunset Bay and Irving also responded.
City man recently arrested, arrested again for shoplifting...
A man from Jamestown recently arrested for another incident has been arrested again for allegedly shoplifting at the Dollar General store on Winsor Street. City police say they were called to the scene just before 10 p.m. Monday... and, learned that 24 year-old Justice McBride had taken merchandise from the store... and, fled before they arrived. Officers say they found McBride nearby... and, he led them on a short foot pursuit, and struggle, before being taken into custody. Police charged him with third-degree burglary... petty larceny... and second-degree assault and obstructing governmental administration. McBride was jailed pending arraignment.
Jamestown man arrested for passing bad checks in Ellicott to buy car... then selling it...
A Jamestown man has been arrested on multiple charges for allegedly handing out bad checks to pay for a car in the town of Ellicott. Ellicott Town Police say they arrested 38 year-old Shane Cwanek last Friday... for allegedly issuing the bad checks back in January... and, knowing he didn't have the money to pay for it. Officers say they charged Cwanek with third-degree Grand Larceny... and, three counts of issuing a bad check. Police add that he also failed to return the vehicle... and, wound up selling it to someone else. Town Police say they later recovered the vehicle... and, Cwanek was issued an appearance ticket for Ellicott Town Court at a later date.
