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News Headlines for Fri., July 20, 2018

Cattaraugus County man arrested for criminal sex act at laundromat...
A Conewango man is jailed without bail for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman at a laundromat on Jamestown's southside this past Tuesday morning.  City police say 33 year-old Dennis Park, Junior is accused of assaulting the victim at the 111 Marion St. location at knife-point shortly after 11 a.m.  Officers say they talked with the victim... and found Park at a different location.  She identifed Park... and, he was taken into custody.  Police say he faces several charges... including first-degree criminal sex act... second-degree unlawful imprisonment and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.  He was arraigned and sent to the county lock-up.
 
 
Two city residents hurt in Warren County accident...
Two Jamestown residents were sent to the hospital with minor injuries sustained in a car accident in Warren County on Tuesday night. State Police in Warren say the crash occurred as 24 year-old Claribel Lopez was attempting to make a left-turn onto Hatch Run Road from Conewango Avenue... but, failed to yield to the right of way to an Sports Utility Vehicle.  Troopers say the SUV driver was not injuried.  Lopez's two passengers -- 29 year-old Pedro Mongerios and a 5 year-old child -- both of Jamestown... were treated at the scene before being sent to Warren General Hospital for further evaluation.  She was cited for failure to stop at a stop sign. 
 
 
D-A talks to Audit and Control Committee about need for additional prosecutor in 2019 budget...
Chautauqua County District Attorney Patrick Swanson is again pitching the need for an additional prosecutor in his office due to the on-going increase in crimes related to the opioid epidemic.  That from Chairman Pierre Chagnon of the county legislature's Audit and Control Committee... who says Swanson appeared at Thursday's meeting... and, made the request for 2019.  Chagnon feels it's a "reasonable" request... given the dramatic increase in felony drug-related crimes they prosecute.  He says the increases have been "substantial."  Those felony cases increased by 31-percent from 2016 to last year... growing to more than 1,100 in 2017.  Chagnon says the 95-thousand dollar request is for each of the next four-years... and, was already viewed as reasonable last year for the 2018 fiscal year.  However... he says a plan to act on a budget including that did not materialize.  The District Attorney's budget... which totals just over $1.7-millon... was one of several items on the meeting's agenda. 
 
 
Operators in Busti car-truck accident identified...
Two people from Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania suffered non-life threatening injuries Wednesday morning when a car collided with a tractor-trailer cab in the town of Busti.  Lakewood-Busti Police say 73 year-old Margaret Black was northbound on Wellman Road shortly before 11 a.m. when she failed to stop at the stop-sign at Kortwright Road.  Black's car then struck the truck, operated by Timothy Johnson -- also of Sugar Grove.  Officers say Black had to be freed from the wreckage.  She was flown to UPMC Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania for chest pains and as a precaution.  Johnson also had chest pain from hitting the steering wheel, and was taken to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital in Jamestown.  The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office and, the Busti, Lakewood and Panama fire rescue crews and ALSTAR Ambulance also responded.  No charges have been filed.   
 
 
Goodell reintroduces legislation to end pay-to-play in NYS...
Local Assemblyman Andy Goodell has re-introduced legislation that would ban campaign contributions from contractors and others doing business with state government.  The legislation would prohibit such contributions from companies seeking contracts with the state, public unions seeking pay and benefit increases, special interest groups and others who would benefit financially from requested legislation or other action by public officials.  The legislation would also apply to political candidates.  Goodell says the bill aims to close a loophole in New York's ethics laws... which have produced two top Cuomo officials being convicted of big-rigging and other violations.  Goodell says he originally introduced the legislation three years ago, but it was blocked after a party line vote in an Assembly committee.  He thought, though, given recent verdicts in the "Buffalo Billion" bid-rigging trial.  The Jamestown-area Republican is hopeful the recent convictions of Alain Kaloyeros and Joseph Percoco in the Buffalo Billion case will help get the legislation passed.
 
 
Scandinavian Festival underway for weekend...
The annual Scandinavian Festival is now underway, and principal organizer, Don Sandy, emphasizes they're at a different location -- Jamestown Community College -- this year.  He adds there are all kinds of music, lectures, food and Scandinavian items available.  He says their theme again is "Behold Scandinavia."  The popular Viking ship will be on Chautauqua Lake for awhile today, and then at the festival grounds for the remainder of the weekend.  A ticket for the whole weekend is just $15.  Daily rates are less.  More information is available at Scandinavianjamestown.org.  
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There were some anxious moments while the Viking Ship for the Scandinavian Festival was being hauled to the location where it is sailed from today.  Jamestown fire crews were called to an engine fire in the pick-up truck that was hauling the replica ship at the corner of East Second and Winsor Streets last night.  Battalion Chief Matt Coon says two engines responded to the scene about 6:15 PM... and, quickly up out the fire.  Coon says no one was hurt... and, there was no damage to the ship.