City man arraigned on murder charge in Crossbow shooting death last September...
The Jamestown man accused of shooting and killing another city man with a crossbow this past September has been indicted by a Chautauqua County Grand Jury for second-degree murder.  District Attorney Jason Schmidt says 58 year-old David Nelson was also arraigned Monday morning on the charge... arising from the death of 62 year-old Michael Jaeckle.  Schmidt says Nelson is accused of intentionally causing Jaeckle's death by shooting him in the neck with the crossbow last Sept. 12.  At his arraignment... the DA says Nelson was ordered to be held on $1-million cash bail... or $2-million property bond and $3-million cash partially secured at 10%.  Schmidt thanked Jamestown police for their swift response to the incident and their work on this case.  Jamestown Police Dept. Lt. Adam McKinley said “I commend the work of the initial responding patrol supervisors and officers, whose diligent actions set the foundation for this case."  Nelson is due back in court next Jan. 5 for a discovery conference.

Two Fredonia women arrested for robbery of Jamestown 7-Eleven store on eastside...
Two Fredonia women are accused of robbing the 7-Eleven store on Jamestown's eastside last Sunday morning.  City police were called to the scene at 1011 East Second St. about 9 a.m. for a reported "robbery in progress."  Officers say they learned that one of the women passed a note to the clerk demanding money... and, once they got a quantity of money... she then ran off.  Police say the second-suspect was after getting a quantity of money.  Further investigation found that a second suspect fled in a vehicle, and she then picked up the first suspect a short distance away.  Police say their investigation led them to a town of Charlotte address... and with the help of the Sheriff's Department and State Police... the suspects were both located and arrested.  Police say both 36 year-old Johnee Thompson, and 22 year-old Kaelyn Hayward were each charged with second-degree robbery... third-degree grand larceny... and, fourth-degree criminal conspiracy.  Due state Bail Reform guidelines, both Thompson and Hayward were arraigned and released with appearance tickets for City Court.

Missing teen being sought in Frewsburg area...
Local police are asking for the public's help in finding a Frewsburg teen who has been missing since mid-November when she was seen walking on Riverside Road.  Sheriff's officers say 14 year-old Mhyah Goon was last seen on Sunday, Nov. 16 about 9 p.m.  Deputies say Goon left home without being noticed... and, did not have her phone.  Officers say Mhyah has run away from home before for extended periods of time.  She was last seen wearing a charcoal-colored jacket and carrying a tan Wrangler duffle bag.  If you have any information on Mhyah's whereabouts... you're asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 716-753-4232.

Ecklund signs final budget for 2026 with updates approved by City Council...
Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund has signed the city's just-over, $45-million, 2026 budget recently approved by the City Council.  Ecklund confirmed she signed the spending plan... which includes a 5.5% tax increase... last week.  She says two cost reductions... and, an increase in sales tax receipts helped to reduce the original 7.5% increase.  Ecklund says a reduced increase in employee health insurance was also a key factor.  She says the original quote was a 15% increase... but, they were able to reduce that increase to 2%.  The approximately $348,000 increase in sales tax proceeds came after the city found it had received 6% more than was projected for the third-quarter of this year.  Ecklund explained how the city came up with using 60% of those savings to build their undesignated fund balance back up for 2026.  The other 40% is being used to lower taxes.  She says she and Comptroller Ericka Thomas presented different percentage options to city council... and, it decided on the "60/40" split.  Ecklund says next year's budget will increase taxes on the average homeowner by about $107 a year.  

Sinclairville man formally charged in connection with animal cruelty case involving 19 dogs...
A man from Sinclairville has now been indicted and formally charged in connection with last week's discovery of 19 dogs found living in deplorable conditions in the town of Gerry.  Sheriff's deputies say they and members of the Chautauqua County Humane Society responded to a report of animal abuse and neglect on Edson Road just after 9 a.m. last Wednesday.  Officers say they spoke with the dog's owner... 64 year-old Mark Coppola... and, a search warrant was obtained.  They say Coppola had 15 dogs, and four puppies living in feces on concrete floors with no bedding in their kennels... and, no access to water.  All the dogs were taken to the Humane Society's shelter for evaluation and veterinary care.  Coppola was charged with 19 counts of overdriving... torturing and injuring animals... and, failure to provide proper sustenance.  He was issued appearance tickets for Gerry Town Court.

Fire damages town of Harmony home overnight Sunday into Monday...
Six south county area fire departments battled a house fire that broke out late Sunday night in the town of Harmony.  Sheriff's Office fire dispatchers say Panama firefighters were called to 1694 Blockville-Watts Flatts Rd. shortly after 11 p.m.  They were joined by crews from Ashville, Sherman, Busti, Lakewood... and, Sugar Grove, Pa.  Firefighters were at the scene until about 5 a.m. Monday.  No injuries were reported... and, the cause was under investigation.