Pair of city woman arrested for illegal possession of a loaded handgun following traffic stop...
Two woman from Jamestown have been arrested for allegedly being found in possession of a loaded handgun during a traffic stop on the city's northside. Jamestown police say a patrol stopped the car... driven by 25 year-old Destiny Sanneman-Butler... for a violation at the intersection of West Eighth and North Main Streets shortly before 9 p.m. last Sunday night. Officers say they found Sanneman-Butler... and, her passenger... 48 year-old Mandy Hepler-Brady... in possession of the gun. Both were arrested for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon... and, jailed pending arraignment.
Fire that does "heavy-damage" to Dunkirk home remains under investigation...
The investigation is continuing into a fire that heavily-damaged a home in the city of Dunkirk's Foruth-Ward Sunday morning. Dunkirk Fire Chief Nick Barter says his department was called to a report of smoke coming from a window at 106 Lord St. shortly after 7:15 a.m., and, crews found smoke and fire on the first floor in the back of the house. Barter says the fire was brought under control using two hose lines and tools. No injuries were reported, but multiple pets perished as a result of the fire. The occupants are being helped by the Red Cross. Crews were on scene for about two hours. Several entities... including Dunkirk Police, Fredonia and East Dunkirk firefighters... and, Chautauqua County EMS... assisted at the scene.
Jamestown city lawmakers to vote on 2026 budget plan tonight...
City lawmakers in Jamestown are expected to vote on a proposed 2026 budget that will likely have some adjustments made to it prior to tonight's vote. The biggest may be an added $300,000 after third-quarter sales tax figures came in better than expected. During last Monday's public hearing... resident Doug Champ urged lawmakers to consider moving some additional services to the Board of Public Utilities... including street lighting, leaf removal, and storm drainage. He says lawmakers "gotta do something." The idea of billing some non-profits for such services was also discussed. However... while some do make a payment in lieu of taxes... they cannot be forced to. City Council President Tony Dolce addressed that during council discussion at the end of the hearing... noting that letters are sent out to them asking for help in providing the services they use. It was pointed out that some non-profits... such as The Resource Center and Lutheran... make considerable PILOT payments to the city. The $45.5-million budget includes a 7.5% tax increase. Tonight's voting session begins at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Borrello renews call for Control Board in Dunkirk following State Comptroller's report on 2026 budget...
The latest review of the city of Dunkirks' proposed, 2026 budget by the State Comptroller's Office "paints a devastating picture of the city's finances." That from Senator George Borrello... who voiced concerns over the findings in the "scathing" 13-page report that was sent last Friday to Mayor Kate Wdowiasz and the Common Council. Those included a projection of at least a $2-million operating deficit by the end of 2025. Borrello says it contradicts prior claims by Wdowiasz's administration that the city would "break even" for the current year. He says the comptroller's office can't even get accurate figures to be able to certify the city's debt, which was a requirement of the City of Dunkirk Fiscal Recovery Act. Because of that report... Borrello says he will renew his push for the city to have a financial control board during the state's 2026 legislative session. He says while there's an argument from some in the north county city that they "can't afford it... he says "they can't afford NOT to do it." In response... Wdowiasz said that the city is taking corrective measures to implement new software so they can have reliable records. Meanwhile, the Mayor continues to hold her position that a control board specifically for the city does not make fiscal sense. She feels a proposal for a regional control board would be better, noting that the village of Fredonia and other nearby communities overrode their tax cap in their most recent budgets.
Jamestown man arrested after allegedly threatening another person with a knife...
A city man has been arrested for allegedly threatening to kill another person with a knife during an incident abound Noon last Friday on Jamestown's westside. City police were called to the scene... and, learned that 22 year-old Jayden Feaster had allegedly threatened to kill the victim with a knife during a domestic incident. Officers say that violated an order of protection the victim had against Feaster... and, he was taken into custody without incident. He was charged with first-degree criminal contempt... and, second-degree menacing... and, jailed pending arraignment.
City man arrested for allegedly stealing an electric bike from a business on Jamestown's southside...
A man from Jamestown has been arrested for allegedly stealing an electric bike from a business on the city's southside late last week. Jamestown police say a patrol spotted 33 year-old Jarried Dean walking with the bike in the area of Forest Avenue early last Thursday evening. Officers were aware of a similar bike being reported stolen from the business. Police found Dean was watned on the active... Sheriff's Department warrant... and, he was taken into custody. Officers say they also found a quantity of suspected fentanyl in his possession. They later confirmed that Dean had the stolen bike. He was arrested for fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property... and, seventh-degree criminal posession of a controlled substance... in addition to the outstanding warrant. Dean was held pending arraignment.
