Fire heavily damages home at High Acres Mobile Home Park...
An early morning fire Tuesday has extensively damaged an unoccupied home at the High Acres Mobile Home Park in the town of Ellery. Sheriff's Department fire dispatchers say Fluvanna firefighters were called to the scene shortly after 5 a.m., and, were joined at the scene by Ellery Center... Bemus Point... Gerry... Sinclairville... Falconer and Ashville fire crews. Once the fire was out... the county's Fire Investigation Team was called in... and, have not yet determined a cause.
City woman receives 7 years in state prison for conviction on two counts of Felony drug possession...
A Jamestown woman has been sentenced to seven-years in state prison and two years post-release supervision for trafficking methamphetamine in the area. Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt has announced that 48 year-old Lisa Tibbetts was convicted of two counts of third-degree Felony criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, received the sentence from County Court Judge David Foley Monday. Schmidt says Tibbetts plead guilty to those charges back on Feb. 25. The plea and sentenced resulted from a lengthy investigation into her trafficking of meth by the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force and the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force. Schmidt thanked Jamestown police and the Sheriff's Office for their hard work on this case.
Daversa outlines start of East Second Street emergency reconstruction project to begin in early June...
Interim surface improvements are slated to begin early next month on East Second Street in the city of Jamestown -- ahead of the state's reconstruction of the highway. City Council members were updated on the project during last night's work session. Council Public Works Committee Chairman Randy Daversa says those interim improvements are expedted to begin the week of June 9th as a "short-term measure" to enhance drivability and overall roadway conditions" along the Rt. 394 corridor from the intersection with East Fourth Street to the city line at Falconer (Tiffany Street). Daversa says milling and paving will be done for the driving lanes, and the westbound lane will be completely repaved... but, only substandard portions of the eastbound lane will be done. City officials reported that the effort will be coordinated effort between the city's Public Works Department... and, state Department of Transportation. Daversa says DPW crews will do the actual milling and paving work... with the DOT willl purchase the blacktop and tach coat for the street. He praised city leaders for pushing to do more of the project now because of the road's rough condition. Many people during the late Winter and early Spring complained about the ruts and potholes in the roadway. Acting DPW Director Mark Roetzer says the improvements will be done to "enhance drivability and support overall roadway conditions until the Route 394 reconstruction project begins at a later date."
Ecklund disappointed no permanent change in NYS aid to local municipalities... but, satisfied with no cut, either...
Mayors from around New York state were hoping for more aid to their communities to counteract the impact of rising prices on their bottom lines. That from Jamestown Mayor Kim Eckund regarding the amount designated by the state legislature and Governor Kathy Hochl in New York's Aid and Incentives for Municipalities in the 2025-26 spending plan. Ecklund says local municipalities are receiving their temporary addition of about $500,000 for another year in the $254-billion budget. She says, while grateful there was no reduction, she says there's still the need for some increases on an annual basis. Ecklund says, though, there needs to be a more permanent increase so municipalities can deal with increases from inflation. She says her administration is also concerned about federal cuts... including the recent proposal to eliminate the Community Development Block Grant... and HOME programs. She's also urging no more unfunded mandates. Over the past couple of years, as well, the city has seen a slight increase in the amount of Consolidated Highway Improvement Program -- or CHIPS funding. Ecklund made her comments for last weekend's Community Spotlight program on the six Media Radio Group stations.
Woman arrested in Jamestown following alleged DWI accident...
A 31 year-old woman has been arrested for allegedly leaving the scene of a drunk driving accident on Jamestown's westside late last Sunday night. City police say they were called to the scene shortly before Midnight... and, found that one of the cars had fled the scene. Officers say they found Sienna Swanson a short distance away... and, she was found to be under the influence of alcohol. Swanson was arrested on two counts of first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation... and, multiple traffic charges. She was held pending arraignment.
Jamestown man arrested for unlawfully restraining victim during domestic incident...
A city man has been arrested following a domestic incident in which he unlawfully restrained the victim... and, then tried to hide from police. Jamestown police say they were called to an eastside address shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday... and, their investigation showed that 46 year-old Jamie Clifton had restrained the woman... then tried to hide and refused to comply with arresting officers. Police also found the victim had a valid order of protection against Clifton. He was taken into custody on charges of second-degree criminal contempt.... unlawful imprisonment... and, resisting arrest... and, was jailed pending arraignment.
