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.

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.