Jamestown man accused of early Saturday morning break-in, and being armed with a baseball bat...
A city man is accused of breaking into another person's home on Jamestown's southside last Saturday morning... armed with a baseball bat.  City police add that 32 year-old Chaze Johnson allegedly choked, and bit the victim... and, kept them from calling 911 by taking the person's cell phone.  Officers were called to the scene about 1:30 a.m., and, add that Johnson also allegedly broke the victim's glasses and front door during the domestic incident.  Police arrested Johnson at the scene on charges of first-degree burglary... two counts of third-and fourth-degree criminal mischief... two counts of criminal obstruction of breathing... and, third-degree assault.  He was jailed pending arraignment.  

Small electrical fire at Lakewood Wal-Mart SuperCenter triggers hour-long evacuation...
An electrical problem reported in the deli-area of the Lakewood Wal-Mart SuperCenter led to the store being evacuated for about an hour last Saturday night.  Chautauqua County fire dispatchers says Lakewood firefighters and Lakewood-Busti Police were called to the scene about 7:40 p.m., and, they found smoke inside the building.  Everyone was cleared from the building until the situation was brought under control.  Mutual aid was brought in from Celoron.  No injuries were reported.  The cause is under investigation.

Mater sentenced to maximum in Rushdie attack at Chautauqua in 2022...
The man convicted of stabbing award winning author Salman Rushdie on the Chautauqua Amphitheater Stage in 2022 leaving him blind in one eye, was sentenced last Friday to 25 years in state prison.  A Chautauqua County jury found 27 year-old Hadi Matar guilty of attempted murder and assault last February.  District Attorney Jason Schmidt said he had requested the maximum 25 years in prison for the August 2022, attack on Rushdie and seven years for injuring a second man who was on stage with the author.  That will be served concurrently with the 25 years, as per law.  Neither Rushdie nor event Moderator, Henry Reese, who was also injured in the attack, were in court for the sentencing.  During the trial, the 77-year-old author was the key witness, describing how he believed he was dying when Matar plunged a knife into his head and body more than a dozen times as he was being introduced at the Institution to speak about writer safety. 

SUNY JCC graduates 483 during 75th anniversary commencement...
Some major milestones were celebrated during SUNY Jamestown Community College's 75th anniversary commencement last Saturday.  The historic nature of the day was underscored several times during the program... which featured opening remarks by JCC President Daniel DeMarte... who said the program is a testiment to "their remarkable achievements, and the enduring legacy of this college."  DeMarte says the 483 graduates from the Jamestown campus brought the total number of graduates since 1950 to just over 30,000.  Five keynote speakers collaborated to talk about JCC's past and present and holding to it's long-standing core values.  Two of the college's longest-serving employees... Vice-President Emeritis Marilyn Zagora... and, retired executive director of Academic Innovation... Nelson Garifi... spoke.  They were joined by current faculty members Jennifer Visbisky, Madison LaVallee, and Brent Harkness also addressed graduates, families, friends, and fellow faculty and staff, to celebrate the college’s 75th anniversary commencement. 

Two treated at Buffalo-area hospital following car crash in Arkwright...
Two people are being treated for injuries at a Buffalo-area hospital following a single-car crash on Route 83 in the town of Arkwright last Friday night.  Sheriff's officers were called to the scene shortly before 10 p.m., and, found both the driver and passenger were hurt.  They were both taken by County EMS to the Erie County Medical Center.  No charges have been filed... but, the accident remains under investigation.

Luczkowiak issues apology over comments made last week about homeless man in Dunkirk...
One of the Dunkirk Common Councilmembers who made disparaging remarks about a homeless man in the north county city has issued a formal and "sincere apology."  Councilwoman Natalie Luczkowiak said she needed some time to reflect on what happened... and, says -- "My comments did not reflect the compassion, empathy, or understanding that this situation deserves.  I deeply regret the tone I used and the message it conveyed."  Luczkowiak adds that homelessness is not "a simple issue, and no one chooses it lightly.  It is often the result of personal hardship, mental health challenges, economic instability, or a lack of access to housing and support systems.  My words failed to acknowledge this reality, and for that, I am truly sorry."  Going forward... Luczkowiak says she will focus on solutions "rooted in dignity and support."  She concluded by saying "I recognize that I have a responsibility to lead with empathy and respect. I will strive to do better in the days ahead."

Man arrested for stealing $3,000 from southside home...
A 31 year-old man has been arrested for allegedly stealing $3,000 worth of property from a person's southside home that he had gone to visit.  Jamestown police say they were called to the scene shortly after Midnight Saturday... and, found Trea Buchanon... who has no known address... had taken the items and left.  Officers conducted a quick investigation... and, found Buchanon had fled across the city.  He was taken into custody on one count of third-degree grand larceny, and jailed pending arraignment.