(Sorry this is late) Voters in Jamestown Public School District approve 2025-26 Budget by near 6 to 1 margin...
Voters in the Jamestown Public School District have solidly approved a $115.8-million, 2025-26 budget... along with two propositions. The vote on the budget... which included no tax increase... was 322--55. The proposition to create an up-to $10-million capital reserve fund to back future capital projects was approved, 329-45... while a second for a maintenance-repair reserve fund was approved, 338-28. School board incumbants Joe Pawelski and Frank Galeazzo ran unopposed.
All other Jamestown area school districts also see their budgets and propositions approved...
Voters in the Southwestern Central School District approved a $36.2-million budget that increases taxes by just over 2.5%, 217-64. They also approved a transportation proposition, and library budgets. In Falconer... residents approved a $32.5-million budget overwhelmingly, 110-to-7. A maximum capital project cost allowance increase was approved... as was a new capital reserve fund. Frewsburg Central School District voters approved their $23.6-million dollar budget... but, we have no final tallies on that. In Bemus Point... voters adopted a $17.6-million dollar budget. A transportation proposition was also approved. Chautauqua Lake Central School district voters adopted their spending plan, 223-61. And... voters in the Panama Central district approved their $14.3-million dollar budget, 152-34.
City Council approves changes in CDBG funding for home redevelopment...
City lawmakers in Jamestown have unanimously approved reallocating $500,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding to be used for housing redevelopment. The City Council Monday night approved the measure, 9-0 in the wake of last month's rejection of using that half-million dollars, and $140,000 in HOME funding to help start the new, Gateway Lofts housing project on Water Street. Development Director Crystal Surdyk says the money is left over from the city's 2021-through-2023 CDBG allocations. Surdyk says the money has to be used to create "new housing." She says a specific plan will now be drawn up on how to use that money for actual projects. The city was initially looking at putting $640,000 towards the Gateway Lofts project. Surdyk says the remaining $140,000 will be kept in the HOME program. The City Council held a public hearing on the proposed program changes prior to the council voting session.
City man accused of threatening people with knife...
A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly threatening another person with a knife during an incident Sunday morning on the city's eastside. Jamestown police were called to a report of a man with a knife shortly before 10 a.m., and, on arrival... found three males on the sidewalk. Officers say their investigation determined that 39 year-old Edgardo Marquez had pulled and threatened the victim with a knife. Marquez was arrested for second-degree menacing... and, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was jailed pending arraignment.
Two hurt in single-car accident in town of 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.
Foreign student speaks, and introduces keynote speakers at JCC's Jamestown commencement...
Jamestown Community College's commencement speaker's were introduced by foreign student Tarryn Meyer of South Africa... who highlighted her journey to JCC as a place she came to love in her three-years here. Meyer told the audience that she was looking to go to an American college or university. But... after researching... she had four finalists... and, JCC was one of them. However... Meyer says she soon found out Jamestown, New York wasn't where she thought it might be. In fact... she thought it was part of New York City. However... she later discovered it was where she should be, and says she knew she would be "a Jayhawk." In addition to her studies... Meyer also came to play soccer and softball. She says her soccer team quickly became her family... and, they and the college overall... were very warm and welcoming to her. Meyer says from the moment she arrived... she immediately felt a sense of "safety, warmth, and a sense of belonging."
Child found wandering in Falconer leads to man's arrest...
A Falconer man is accused of letting a young child in his custody wander outside with no supervision. Ellicott Town Police say they were called to an unidentified location in the village back on Apr. 24 for a "suspicious situation." Officers say neighbors found the child wandering alone and called them. Police arrested 41 year-old Steven Sandberg... who was charged with endangering the welfare of a child. The child was safely returned home a short time later. Officers say Sandberg was issued an appearance ticket for Ellicott Town Court at a later date.
City man arrested in Jamestown on warrant in town of Ellicott...
A Jamestown man wanted in the town of Ellicott for petty larceny has been arrested after city police allegedly found him recently looking in house windows and backyards. Ellicott Police say 40 year-old Joseph Snyder was arrested snooping around the homes in an unidentified area... and, arrested by Jamestown police. Officers then contacted Ellicott Police after learning of the warrant... and, they took Snyder into custody. Elicott officers took Snyder to be arraigned... and, he was later released with an appearance ticket for Ellicott Town Court.
