Jamestown man arrested for alleged sexual abuse of two children, both under 11, in Bemus Point...
A city man currently being held in state prison has been arrested for allegedly having sexual contact with two juveniles under the age of 11 in Bemus Point last May. Sheriff's officers say members of their Criminal Investigation Division initiated an investigation into alleged sexual abuse then. Their investigation identified the suspect as 24 year-old Devein Denson... and, Denson was eventually interviewed at a state corrections facility. Officers say they found that he had subjected the two children to sexual contact... and, he was charged with Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child... first-degree criminal sexual act... and, first-degree sexual abuse. Denson was returned to Chautauqua County by corrections officers... and arraigned on the new Felony charges this past Tuesday. Deputies say Denson will remain in Department of Corrections custody and answer for his new charges in the Chautauqua County Supreme Court at a later date.
City man receives time served for dealing drugs that cause an overdose death... and, serious bodily injury...
A man from Jamestown has been sentenced to time served -- about 39 months -- for selling heroin and fentanyl that resulted in an overdose death... and, serious bodily injury. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced that 37 year-old James Brandow... who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin and fentanyl, was sentenced to the 3 years and three-month he had served by Senior U.S. District Judge William Skretny. Prosecutors say between July 2020, and June 2021, Brandow conspired with others to sell heroin and fentanyl. Brandow used Facebook to conduct his drug trafficking activities including arranging deals with customers, associates, co-conspirators, and suppliers. In late July of 2020, Brandow sold heroin and fentanyl which resulted in the death of an individual identified as K.T. and resulted in seriously bodily injury to an individual identified as B.F.
City man pleads guilty to trafficking Meth in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Warren Counties...
A man from Jamestown has pleaded guilty to a federal charges of possessing and distributing methamphetamine in both Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced that 26 year-old Andre Richards entered the plea before U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Vilardo... and adds the charge carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life and a $10,000,000 fine. Prosecutors say that in the Summer of 2022... law enforcement began investigating Richards' drug trafficking activities in New York... as well as in Warren, Pa. During the investigation, Richards was charged with several New York State felonies involving possession and distribution of large quantities of meth and fentanyl as well as criminal possession of a loaded firearm. Despite these pending felony charges, Richards continued to operate a significant drug trafficking organization. Richards used homes in Falconer... and, Russell, Pa. for his trafficking activities. He'll be sentenced next May.
Hochul announces agreement with legislature on amended Medical Aid in Dying Act...
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced an agreement with the state legislature to make medical aid in dying available to terminally ill New Yorkers who have less than six months to live. This comes after careful reflection and deliberation with the bill’s sponsors, advocacy organizations, and most importantly, everyday New Yorkers who shared personal experiences with the Governor. The bill, with the agreed-upon amendments, will be passed and signed in January, and the law will go into effect six months later. Hochul says the state has "long been a beacon of freedom, and now it is time we extend that freedom to terminally ill New Yorkers who want the right to die comfortably and on their own terms. My mother died of ALS, and I am all too familiar with the pain of seeing someone you love suffer and being powerless to stop it." She added though... that it was an "incredibly difficult decision" to make.
Boil Water Order lifted in Fredonia...
There was good news for customers of the village of Fredonia's water system Thursday morning with the lifting of the most recent boil water order. The village and the Chautauqua County Health Department cancelled the order after two consecutive days of testing showed that water in the distribtion system was again safe to use. A disturbance at the water treatment plant in Fredonia was corrected on Tuesday afternoon... and, all tests came back negative for any contaminants. Officials add that all plumbing lines that have not been used regularly since the boil water order went into effect... should be flushed before water from that line is consumed.
13th annual Holiday Haul for St. Susan's Center in Jamestown underway...
The 13th annual Holiday Haul to benefit the St. Susan's Center in Jamestown in feeding the hungry this holiday season and early 2026 gets underway Thursday morning... and runs through Saturday. It's being held... as always... in the parking lot of the Jamestown Cycle Shop in Brooklyn Square. Organizer Dan Keefe says after a down year in 2024... he and his helpers are ready to beat all expectations this year. He says they were helped during a smaller, November drive at Cummins Engine... that brought in several thousands of dollars and pounds of food. The Holiday Haul resumes at 6 a.m. Friday, and continues until 6 p.m. Keefe says hours on Saturday will be 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. St. Susan's Executive Director Cherie Rowland says they are in need of monitary donations to help purchase the more perishable items they need -- like milk... along with the non-perishable food items they get each year.
