WJTN News Headlines for Wed., Aug. 5, 2026

Pair of men from Jamestown arrested in town of Carroll on firearms charges...
Two men from Jamestown are accused of shooting off handguns during an incident in the town of Carroll last weekend.  Town Police say they were called to an address on Page Road last Sunday for a complaint of firearms being discharged too close to a home.  On arrival... officers say they found 20 year-old Jonathan Marrero-Rosario... and, 23 year-old Joshua Tolliver to each be illegally possessing handguns without a valid state pistol permit.  They add that further investigation found that one of the handguns was reported stolen.  All of the handgun magazines in their possession also exceeded the legal capacity requirements in New York state.  Both men were arrested for discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling... second-degree criminal possession of a weapon... four counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon... second-degree criminal use of a firearm... and, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.  Both were taken to the county jail pending centralized arraignment.


Fredonia woman arrested for alleged theft of more than $11,000 in patient funds from town of Dunkirk nursing facility...
A months-long investigation into more than $11,000 in stolen patient funds at a north county nursing facility has led to the arrest of a Fredonia woman.  Sheriff's officers say investigators responded to a complaint of the theft of patient funds from a town of Dunkirk facility.  Deputies have now charged 45 year-old Stacy Fadale with third-degree grand larceny... and, first-degree falsifying business records.  It's alleged that over the course of several years... Fadale had stolen the money from multiple patients at the unnamed facility.  She also allegedly destroyed records to cover up the larcenies.  Fadale turned herself into the Chautauqua County Jail after a warrant was issued from Dunkirk Town Court Wed. morning. 


Gerry Rodeo begins it's four-night run tonight at grounds off Route 60...
A busy mid and late week gets underway tonight in the Jamestown-area with the start of the 81st annual Gerry Rodeo.  Performances each night through Saturday start at 8 p.m. at the Rodeo Grounds off Route 60... and, Rodeo President Tom Atwell says they're looking forward to again hosting this year.  New this year... says Atwell... is Rodeo Clown and entertainer Preston Broxson of Louisiana... who is a high school ag teacher.  He will bring one of two props with him -- a car, or a camel.  Atwell says it wasn't known a few days ago which it would be.  He says Announcer Greg Simas is back again... and, has been rodeo announcer the past 15-plus years.  The stock contractor is against Painted Pony from Lake Luzurne, NY.  In addition to the rodeo performances... the Gerry Fire Department will also be serving it's traditional Beef Barbecue dinners... beginning at 5 p.m. each night.  For more information on tickets and combo packages... go on-line to gerryrodeo.org.


Tickets remain for most shows at upcoming Lucille Ball Comedy Festival...
Some tickets still remain for the three headliner shows for this weekend's Lucille Ball Comedy Festival in Jamestown put on by the National Comedy Center.  That from Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson... who says only a small number remain for Thursday night's kick-off show at the Northwest Arena... featuring Comedy legend, Jerry Seinfeld... who will be performing beginning at 7 p.m.  The annual Late Night Comedy Showcase is set for Friday night at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts at 7 p.m., and, Gunderson says there are still some tickets available for that.  Another big name performing at the festival will be Bert Kreischer on Saturday night at the arena at 7 p.m.  Gunderson says Kreischer's big MO is "fun."  The final headliner is Sunday night when "Late Night with Seth Meyers" host Seth Meyers puts on his stand-up routine... which she says is "very relatible" -- especially to parents.  For more information on all the events during the Comedy Festival... go on-line to ComedyFestival.org.


Second "Speeding Crackdown" underway in NYS through Aug. 9...
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the start of this year's second, weeklong Speeding Crackdown in New York.  Hochul says State Police and local law enforcement agencies are increasing patrols through Aug. 9 to crackdown on speeding.  The governor says more than 14-thousand tickets were issued during the first, weeklong program back in early June.  The program is being sponsored by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to curb speeding... and, try to prevent avoidable crashes caused by unsafe speed.  Hochul says "these enforcement campaigns are crucial, as speeding continues to be a leading cause of fatal crashes each year in New York State."  She urges motorists to follow the speed limit... avoid distractions and never drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol.


NYRA and Churchill Downs, Inc announce new championship series to include Saratoga Race Course...
The New York Racing Association and Churchill Downs, Inc. have announced a six-race championship series over a five-month span that includes the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.  The series is set to begin next year... and, will include a $5-million prize pool.  The series would feature the Triple Crown races at Churchill Downs... the Preakness... and Belmont Stakes.  But... it would also include the Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs in July... and the Jim Dandy and the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course later in the summer.  There would also be a championship race at Churchill Downs in September ahead of the Breeders' Cup in the fall, which in 2027 is set to take place at Belmont Park.
 

WJTN News Headlines for Tues., Aug. 4, 2026

JPD urges public to be vigilant in wake of older model Kia thefts in city...
Jamestown police officials believe juveniles are the primary suspects in a recent rash of vehicle thefts involving mainly older model Kia's in the city.  That from Police Chief Scott Forester and Deputy Chief Adam McKinley... who put out a warning to city residents on Facebook last Friday about "numerous thefts" during the overnight hours across the city.  McKinley says videos on social media are often to blame... because there are videos there that instruct people on how to steal Kias... or other cars in general.  He says the cars are either being found, abandoned, somewhere else... or wrecked.  Police investigators say the suspects are breaking a window on the vehicle and tampering with the ignition to start and drive it.  Chief Forester says the best way to avoid the car being stolen is to keep it out of sight... or in a well-lit area.  He says that goes for any kind of car you may have.  He says if you can keep the car in a garage that's a big help.  Otherwise, he says lock-up your vehicle and don't leave the keys, or other valuables in it.  If you see suspicious individuals, or activities or car alarms going off please call 911. 


City man to spend 6-years in state prison on drug convictions...
A man from Jamestown will spend the next six-years in state prison for his conviction on drug-related charges.  Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt says 33 year-old Jamal Jackson received the sentence... along with five-years post-release supervision... from County Court Judge David Foley Monday.  Schmidt says Jackson had been convicted of fourth-degree attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.  In December of 2024... Schmidt says Jamestown police stopped a vehicle that Jackson was a passenger in... and, during the stop... they found him in possession of a quantity of methamphetamine.  About a month later... he says Jackson was arrested again by city police following a traffic stop for later being found with more than half-a-gram of meth.  Schmidt says Jackson pled guilty to guilty to both charges last May.  He was sentenced as a violent predicate felon for having multiple convictions within a certain period of time.  Schmidt thanked JPD for it's hard work on both cases.


Dunkirk fire crews make quick work of fire in Hot Water tank in Coburn Block building...
No injuries were reported after a hot water tank caught on fire inside a downtown Dunkirk building Sunday morning.  City Fire Chief Nick Barter says crews responded to an automatic fire alarm activation at about 8 a.m. at 4 West 2nd St. --  which is part of the Coburn Block.  On arrival... firefighters found the alarm and also saw smoke coming from the first floor in the back of 131 Central Ave.  Barter says they found a hot water tank on fire in the basement and quickly put out the flames.  The fire caused minor damage, and crews remained on scene for about one hour to clear smoke from the multi-occupant building.


Dunkirk assessor files lawsuit against the city...
Dunkirk City Assessor Erica Munson is suing the north county city.  The lawsuit was filed this past week in Chautauqua County Supreme Court... and, alleges that the city unlawfully denied Munson her election to receive a cash payout in lieu of her health insurance coverage for the 2026 calendar year.  That was authorized under a local law enacted in 1992.  Munson says the city's determination should be annulled because -- "it was made in violation of unlawful procedure, is affected by an error of law, and is arbitrary and capricious."  In April, City attorney Elliot Raimondo said in a letter to Munson that she is ineligible for the cash payout because -- "clear evidence shows that you are participating in the City health insurance plan and receiving benefits from such."


Tickets remain for most Comedy Festival events -- including headliners...
Some tickets still remain for the three headliner shows for this weekend's Lucille Ball Comedy Festival in Jamestown put on by the National Comedy Center.  That from Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson... who says only a small number remain for Thursday night's kick-off show at the Northwest Arena... featuring Comedy legend, Jerry Seinfeld performing at 7 p.m.  The annual Late Night Comedy Showcase is set for Friday night at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts... and, Gunderson says there are still some tickets available for that 7 p.m. performance.  Another big name performing at the festival will be Bert Kreischer on Saturday night at 7 at the arena.  Gunderson says Kreischer's big MO is "fun."  Gunderson says Forbes Magazine has called Kreischer possibly the funniest man of this generation.  The final headliner is Sunday night at 7 p.m. at the arena when Late Night with Seth Meyers host Seth Meyers puts on his stand-up routine... which she says is "very relatible" -- especially to parents.  For more information on all the events during the Comedy Festival... go on-line to ComedyFestival.org.

WJTN News Headlines for Mon., Aug. 3, 2026

Three women from Jamestown arrested after three children are found living in deplorable conditions...
Three city women have been arrested after allegedly allowing three children to live in deplorable conditions on Jamestown's southside.  City police say a patrol was in the area shortly before 7 p.m. last Friday... and spotted an unattended toddler leaving a building and going onto a busy road.  Officers say they picked up the child... who was very dirty and only wearing a diaper.  Police investigated and found the child lived in an apartment with two other children and the three adults.  Officers arrested 33 year-old Heidi Lindberg... 26 year-old Megan Dorman... and, 51 year-old Christina Dorman.  All three were charged with three counts each of endangering the welfare of a child.  They were held pending arraignment... and, the children were placed into the care of a family member away from the scene. 


Man from Jamestown arrested for failing to register -- for five-years -- as a sex offender...
A city man who moved to Jamestown from Pennsylvania five years ago has been arrested for failing to register as a sex offender.  City police say they were made aware last Friday that 33 year-old Robert Jones had failed to register with New York state after moving here from Pennsylvania in 2021.  Jones was required to register within 10 days of moving into New York.  Officers found him at a northside address... and, he was arrested without incident for the violation of New York Corrections Law... a Class-E Felony.  He was taken to the city jail pending arraignment. 


Second-annual "CHQ History Expo" a big success at new location in Mayville...
With the theme of "America 250" and a bigger program this year... the second-ever CHQ History Expo was a big success.  Those are the feelings of Chautauqua County Historian Norman Carlson... who was lead organizer of the event at the former Mayville High School.  Carlson says they accomplished most of their objectives... including answering questions about the history of local communities.  One of those was about the formation and settlement dates for the town of Portland.  Most of the exhibitors were pleased with the turn-out.  In fact... Kristan McMahon with the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown said -- with an hour to go -- she was already out of their newsletters.  McMahon says there were "definately more people" attending this year's program.  The railroad has played a big part of the county's history... and, Rail Advocate Kenneth Springirth of Erie, Pa. was on hand to talk about it... and, show the many books he's written about it.  There were several historic lectures... and, even horse-drawn carriage rides during the History Expo.


Town of Chautauqua woman arrested for criminal mischief incident...
A woman from the town of Chautauqua has been arrested for allegedly damaging another person's property during a weekend incident.  Sheriff's officers say they were called to an unidentified location in the town about 9 p.m. last Friday.  Deputies say their investigation showed that 37 year-old Stephanie Textor had caused the damage... which exceeded $250.  With that... she was arrested for third-degree criminal mischief.  Textor was taken to the county jail pending centralized arraignment.


City man faces charges in alleged DWAI accident more than a week ago...
A man from Jamestown faces charges... including driving while under the influence... following an accident on the city's westside just over a week ago.  Jamestown police were called to the scene at West Sixth and Clinton Streets shortly after 10 a.m. on Friday, July 24 for a reported personal injury crash.  Officers determined that one of the drivers involved... 36 year-old Demeatrice Maddox... while driving while under the influence of drugs.  He was taken to the city jail without incident on one charge of DWAI-Drugs.. along with other traffick tickets.  After being processed... Maddox was released with an appearance ticket for City Court.


Hot water fire in Dunkirk causes minor damage to Coburn Block...
No injuries were reported after a hot water tank caught on fire inside a downtown Dunkirk building Sunday morning.  City Fire Chief Nick Barter says crews responded to an automatic fire alarm activation at about 8 a.m. at 4 West 2nd St., which is part of the Coburn Block.  On arrival... firefighters found the alarm and also saw smoke coming from the first floor in the back of 131 Central Ave.  Barter says they found a hot water tank on fire in the basement and quickly put out the flames.  The fire caused minor damage, and crews remained on scene for about one hour to clear smoke from the multi-occupant building.


JPD warning residents about Kia's being stolen...
City police are warning residents of numerous Kia vehicles being stolen during the overnight hours recently across Jamestown.  Investigators say the suspects are breaking a window on the vehicle and tampering with the ignition to start, and drive it.  Patrol and detectives say they are diligently working to identify and locate the suspects.  If you own a Kia vehicle and have the ability to park it in a garage... or a well-lit busy area... they are suggesting you do so.  Do not leave valuables or keys in any vehicle.  If you see suspicious individuals, or activities or car alarms going off please call 911. 


 

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