Seven arrested in Jamestown on drug and weapons possession charges...
Seven people have been arrested following a drug raid on Jamestown's westside about mid-day Tuesday. City police say members of the Jamestown Metro... and, Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Forces executed a search warrant on the upstairs apartment at 26 West 9th St. with the help of the JPD SWAT Team after an investigation into complaints of drug trafficking. Officers say 14 people were inside at the time. During their entry... investigators say they saw various items being thrown out of a window. Police say a search of the apartment led to seizure of just over 4-grams of cocaine... 2.3 grams of crack cocaine... 28.8-grams of fentanyl... $195 in cash.... along with digital scales, packaging materials, and a handgun. Officers arrested Luis Torres-Cortes for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon... two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, two counts of first degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. In addition... Jimmy Alvarez Ocasio is charged with criminal possession of a firearm... two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, two counts of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. A third person... Eric Carter... is charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon... two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, two counts of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. Police say Jesus Lao Santana was arrested for two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon... two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, two of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. Donald Swanson is charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon... two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, two of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. The sixth person... Hector Dejesus was wanted by city police for petty larceny and also found him in possession of a quantity of fentanyl... and, he's also charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. They add that Jacob Trippy was wanted by Ellicott Town Police... and, turned over to them at the scene. seven others were released from the scene. Due to the conditions of the apartment... the city's Department of Development condemned the apartment. If you have any information on illegal drug and other suspicious activity... you are asked to call Jamestown police by their Tip Line at 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477. You can also call the Sheriff's Office at 800-344-8702 or 664-2420.
County Legislature approves second measure to keep additional 1% sales tax... and, keep 3% bed tax in place...
The Chautauqua County Legislature had more discussion and debate last night before approving two final state legislature bills to continue it's additional sales and occupany taxes for two years. Lawmakers approved both measures, 13-to-2 with four legislators absent. The only two Democrats at the meeting... Fred Larson and Tom Nelson... voted against the measures. Nelson says lowering or eliminating the 1% sales tax... would benefit local residents and businesses in many ways. Nelson says it would allow the county to be more competitive with neighboring Pennsylvania... and help lower income residents who pay out more of their incomes on taxable items. Since both measures have to be approved by state lawmakers by the end of session... Sheridan Republican Terry Neibel urged lawmakers to instead focus on lowering property taxes in the 2026 budget plan.
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Discussion over the 3% occupancy -- or bed tax -- got a bit more technical because of a provision that sends half of those revenues to the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau. Fred Larson questioned why that was added after 20 years previously of having the local legislature vote on each request for funding. Larson says prior to the provision... anybody requesting the funding had to go through the legislature to get it. For half of it now... he says that's no longer the case. Legislature Legal Counsel Stephen Abdella noted that the legislature -- in the past -- would only have to approve the 3% and separate 2% bed taxes informally.
Forestville man serious hurt in ATV crash in town of Sheridan...
A Forestville man has been seriously hurt in an all-terrain vehicle crash and rollover in the town of Sheridan. Sheriff's officers were called to the scene on Center Road shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday night... and, found the unidentified, 66 year-old man, had sustained serious physical injuries. Local rescue crews were assisted by County EMS... Alstar EMS... and, the Stat Medivac Helicopter in providing first aid... and, transport to the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo.
Three days of public viewing for the late Pope Francis begins, local Catholics mourn the passing...
Three days of public viewing began Wednesday at St. Peter's Basilica as the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis. Thousands have already filed by to pay their respects to the late pontiff... who passed away several hours after Easter Sunday Mass. In the U.S., hundreds of Catholic parishes are holding special masses, and are open to the faithful who want to offer prayers. Local Administrator, Father Paul Cygan of Holy Apostles Parish, says they're putting up black and white buntings in honor of Francis... either inside our outside of the churches. He says that's traditional in the church if the pope or a local priest dies. The pope is in a simple, wooden casket that's been placed on a slight ramp at St. Peter's. Father Cygan says that's just an example of Pope Francis' life of humility... and, mercy.
