Florida man found guilty of numerous Housing Code violations in Jamestown with fines of more than $30,000...
A Florida man who owns 15 properties in the city of Jamstown has been fined more than $30,000 after he was found guilty in Housing Court on multiple housing code violations. Housing Court Judge John LaMancuso ruled recently on the cases against Andrew Jarrett... who was not at the hearing... nor did he have a lawyer representing him. The cases were brought by the city's Department of Development... and, Director Crystal Surdyk says... because multiple "Limited Liability Corporations" were involved... her department had to do a lot of background work. Surdyk adds "you'll continue to see a lot more of that." There were several Housing Code violations included several... ranging from properties having trees near the foundation... to junk and debris... along with several cases where porches were "near imminent failure or a hazard." There also were three properties where Jarrett was found guilty for not registering vacant properties with the city. Residential property owners are required to do that... or face a $250 fine each. Surdyk called the court decisions a good start on trying to clean-up or tear down properties that are condemned, or in other disrepair. One of the properties cited was at 98 Myrtle St. A neighbor complained to Media One Radio news that the condemned property had an infestation of cockroaches... and, was causing problems for properties directly adjacent to that building.
JPS decide to use magnetic pouches to enact Cellphone ban at JHS...
The Jamestown Public Schools have now fully-implimented what will not only be a cellphone ban in the classroom... but, other smart devices as well. School Superintended Kevin Whitaker says that was the outcome of several meetings involving stakeholders in the process. The ban technically begins next Mon., Sept. 1... but, will be in place for the first day of classes on Wed., Sept. 3. Dr. Whitaker says they'll be using "Yondr pouches" in the high school to store the phones and other "internet" devices... such as smart watches, and ear buds or phones. Otherwise... Dr. Whitaker says the policies in the elementary and middle schools will -- for the most part -- remain the way they were last school year. He says both groups of students will have their devices locked away while they're in class. Whitaker says their committees felt the "Yonder pouches" were the way to go in the high school. He made his comments for this coming weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the six Media One Radio Group stations.
Dunkirk School District decides to go with cell phone lockers vs. Yondr Pouches this year...
In the north county... the largest school district is going in a different direction when it comes to the state-wide Cellphone ban. In Dunkirk... School Superintendent Brian Swatland says he has found that districts in the area are taking a variety of approaches in making their schools "distraction-free." Swatland says Dunkirk, which implemented its smartphone restrictions last year, is making a change this year. Swatland says his district is shifting away from the Yondr pouches that were used at the district’s Secondary School. He says with the Yondr pouches... students could still listen to their music wearing headphones or earbuds. However... that will not be allowed at JHS. Swatland says Dunkirk will use cell phone lockers this school year.
City woman pleads guilty to federal drug conspiracy charges...
A woman from Jamestown has pleaded guiltly to being part of a narcotics conspiracy with her husband nearly two-years ago when their residence was raided. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced that 53 year-old Anabell Santiago entered the plea Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Buffalo to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and cocaine, maintaining a drug involved premises, and being a user of a controlled substance in possession of firearms. Prosecutors say agents raided a Van Buren Street apartment in November of 2023... and, seized cash, a quantity of fentanyl, pills, and drug paraphernalia. As law enforcement was securing the location... Santiago’s husband, and co-defendant, Santos... tried to destroy his fentanyl causing a large amount of it to go airborne. Two city officers inhaled the cloud with one needed medical attention. Agents also made an undercover purchase of Fentanyl from Anabell in March of 2024... and, that April... investigators raided the Santiago’s Whitley Avenue residence, seizing fentanyl, crack cocaine, oxycodone, two loaded pistols, ammunition... and, more than $30,000 in cash. Santo Santiago has been sentenced to 11 years in federal prison... while Anabell faces at least 5 years when she's sentenced.
Stockton man arrested for DWI following crash in DeWittville...
A man from Stockton is accused of driving drunk when his car went off Bayview Road in DeWittville... and, crashed into a grassy area. Sheriff's deputies were called to the scene just after 7 p.m. Wednesday... and, one person getting medical attention. Officers say the driver was identified as 28 year-old Cal Neurohr... and, they found multiple empty beer cans in the vehicle... and, Neurohr also admitted to having a couple of fireball shooters prior to the crash. He was given a blood alcohol test... which confirmed the intoxication. He's charged with driving while intoxicated... and, failure to keep right.
