City Council tables $1.8-million SAFER grant to hire eight new firefighters, but, approves five already in the budget...
The Jamestown City Council has tabled action on a resolution to accept a $1.8-million federal grant to hire another eight firefighters. Lawmakers at last night's voting session decided to delay the vote for a month after just receiving some updated financial information on the potential impact once the three-year SAFER Grant expires. Council Finance Committee Chairwoman Kim Ecklund says one of the additional pieces of information they need is on a potential, second ambulance... and, says they just received some of the information they needed. Deputy Fire Chief Matt Coon says the SAFER Grant would only cover firefighters salary, benefits and retirement. The City Council did approve the hiring of five new firefighters to fill vacancies in the department... as well as cover retirements during 2023.
Lawmakers approve more ARPA funding for business expansion, new splash pads and parks projects...
City lawmakers last night did approve several hundred thousand dollars worth of American Rescue Plan Act funding for economic development... and, parks projects. There were three Building Acquistion and Business Expansion Grants that were approved... totaling just over $260,000. However... there was a reduction in the amount going to Summit Wealth Management... which originally was to receive just over $108,000. Sixth-Ward Councilman Andrew Faulker moved to reduce that to $83,000 to complete the main project, which is now underway after acquiring the property. Lawmakers unanimously approved the amended amount... along with $167,000 to Panache Salon and Day Spa... and, $114,000 for Labyrinth Press Company.
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The City Council did approve allocating $400,000 toward splash-pads being installed at Jackson-Taylor and Allen Parks, 8-to-1. The original amount was to be $500,000... but, Councilman Jeff Russell moved to amend that amount due to a pending $100,000 state grant.
Jamestown man arrested on federal drug and weapons charges...
A city man has been arrested on federal drug and weapon's charges in connection with two traffic stops in the past four months. U.S. Attorney Trini Ross says 39 year-old Steven Glover was arrested Monday... and, charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm... and, possession of five grams or more of methamphetamine. Prosecutors say city police spotted Glover driving a vehicle last Dec. 14 while he had a suspended license. He told officers he had a pipe... which had meth residue inside it. Glover was detained and a search of the vehicle led to recovery of a digital scale with white crystal residue, and a pistol. He was charged, and released on bail. However... he was a passenger in another vehicle this past Feb. 22... and was seen with drug paraphernalia... and, a plastic bag containing suspected methamphetamine. Glover was again taken into custody. He was convicted of a felony in 2019... and, is prohibited from possessing a firearm. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years.
D.A. Schmidt announces county court sentencings...
Two Jamestown residents have been sentenced in Chautauqua County Court to time in state prison... one for robbery and the second for attempting to possess a weapon. District Attorney Jason Schmidt says 32 year-old Meghan McBride was sentenced Monday by Judge David Foley to a determinate state prison sentence of four-years... plous five years post-release supervision after being convicted of Felony second-degree robbery. McBride pled guilty to the charge for her participation in a strong-arm robbery where one person was assaulted, injured, and had property taken from them in Feb. 2022. Also in county court... 20 year-old Simeon Leeper of Jamestown was sentenced by Judge Foley to a determinate state prison sentence of two years... plus three years of post-release supervision after being convicted of second-degree attempted criminal possession of a weapon. Leeper pleaded guilty to the charge back this past Jan. 12 after he was caught trying to hide a loaded gun. This incident occurred in June of 2021.
Wendel says it's "back to drawing board" on finding more funding for lake and waterway maintenance and presevation...
Since the Chautauqua County Legislature has rejected a proposal to increase the county's occupancy tax to 8%... the county's top-elected official says it's "back to the drawing board" when it comes to finding money for improvements to Chautauqua Lake and other area waterways. County Executive P.J. Wendel says the county currently does not have enough money to fund such projects. Wendel says they receive nearly $3-million in requests for projects, but, only have about $600,000 from the current source. He adds that while concerns were heard from some small business and hotel owners, lawmakers did not hear from the largest contributors to the bed tax... including Peak 'n Peek... Chautauqua Institution... and, the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel. Last week... the legislature voted 14-0 to keep the occupancy tax at 5%.
Westfield woman arrested for "numerous" break-ins at storage facilities...
A Westfield woman has been arrested following an investigation into "numerous" break-ins at storage unit facilities in the towns of Westfield and Portland. Sheriff's officers say they were also investigating the theft of a 2005 Honda-model car from a Portland residence earlier this month... and, further investigation led to the arrest of 40 year-old Rachael Blanchard for second and third-degree burglary... and, two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny -- one for the stolen car and the other for a stolen credit card. She was arraigned... and, remanded to the county jail on $2,000 cash bail.
