Man living in Jamestown and Rochester indicted on federal drug trafficking charges...
A man living in both Jamestown and Rochester has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly trafficking large amounts of Fentanyl... heroin and cocaine.  U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced Wednesday that 40 year-old Johnny Mays -- also known as "Blaze" was indicted for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, one kilogram or more heroin... 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and five kilograms or more of cocaine.  Prosecutors say the indictment states that -- between 2018, and late May of 2022 -- Mays conspired with Joseph Zaso, co-defendant Quentin Yancey, and others, to sell heroin and fentanyl in the Rochester area.  Zaso was previously charged and convicted and is awaiting sentencing. Charges remain pending against Quentin Yancey.  DiGiacomo says Mays faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life, if convicted.

Search for missing kayaker near Barcelona continues today...
The search resumed this morning for a missing kayaker in the area of Barcelona Harbor.  Chautauqua County Sheriff's Dept. dispatchers say the U.S. Coast Guard is heading up the search, which got underway shortly before 7 p.m. Tuesday.  The Sheriff's Office, along with the Fuller Hose Company Water Rescue Team from North East, Pa. were also involved.

North County man faces major prison time following conviction on felony weapon's possessionn charge...
A Dunkirk man is facing a lengthy amount of time behind bars after a Chautauqua County jury found him guilty of a violent felony count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.  Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt says 34-year-old Nathaniel Hollins was convicted in County Court Tuesday afternoon.  Second Assistant District Attorney Eric Bentley, who prosecuted the case, says the charge resulted from an incident that occurred in the city of Dunkirk in November 2023.  Bentley says Hollins was in possession of a .loaded, 380-calibur pistol... and, he adds police received a tip about him in the area of Webster Street.  They soon after found the pistol behind a home on Webster.  Schmidt says his office will push for the maximum sentence for Hollins, which is 25 years to life in prison, due in part to his criminal history.  Bentley says the conviction was the result of a team effort involving the District Attorney's Office, Dunkirk Police, State Police, and the FBI. Sentencing for Hollins is scheduled for Aug. 11.

Schumer pushes to have new FAA Administrator nominee to commit to Flight 3407 1,500 training rule...
New York's senior U.S. Senator is calling on the Trump Administration's nominee to head up the Federal Aviation Administration to protect the 1,500 training rule for pilots.  Democrat Charles Schumer says... while nominee Bryan Bedford has said safety is a "top priority" to him... he needs to commit to the 1,500 hour rule... and, other aviation safety reforms created by the Flight 3407 families.  Schumer says it should have been easy for Bedford to offer "full-throated support" for maintaining that rule... and, adds that cutting that rule puts the flying public's safety at risk.  During his confirmation hearing... Schumer says Bedford refused refused multiple times to commit to protect the 1,500 hour rule – enacted in the wake of the Colgen Air Flight 3407 crash near Buffalo that killed 50 people... including a couple from Westfield... in February of 2009.  Schumer is calling on Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to find another nominee if Bedford won't commit to the rule.  He also wants Duffy to meet with Flight 3407 families to hear their voices for keeping that and other safeguards in place.  The Senate Minority Leader worked with the families who lost loved ones in the crash of Flight 3407 to pass the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010. 

Schumer says plans to shutter Job Corps nationwide makes no sense...
At a time when skilled labor and other workers are needed... it makes no sense to terminate the nation's 500 Job Corps programs... including the one in Cassadaga.  That from Senator Schumer... who spoke about the need to continue the program during a Zoom Video Press Conference Wednesday afternoon.  He blasted the U.S. Labor Department's announcement about ending the program at the end of the month.  Schumer says... while some say President Trump is "just shaking things up..." he says he should look elsewhere to do it.  He is urging people who have been helped by Job Corps... or have worked at Job Corps... to use their collective voices and contact their members of Congress.  The New York Demcrat says they have "real power" because there are more than 500 people who work at the five New York centers... with a significant number -- just over 100 -- at Cassadaga. 

City man arrested for shoplifting at N. Main St. 7-Eleven store...
A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly shoplifting a 24-ounce can of beer from a northside convenience store early Tuesday evening.  City police were called to the 7-Eleven store at 518 N. Main St. about 6 p.m. for a shoplifting complaint.  Officers say they got a description of the man... and, later found 42 year-old Kenneth Trask just west of the store.  He was taken into custody on one count of petty larceny... and, taken to the city jail pending arraignment.