Jamestown man arrested for driving while under influence of drugs following accident in Brooklyn Square...
A city man is accused of driving while under the influence of drugs after backing his truck into a generator in Brooklyn Square late last week.  Jamestown police say they were called to a reported accident near the Community Bank building shortly before 11 a.m. Friday.  It was reported that the truck had backed into the generator on the property... and the driver was trying to leave the scene.  Police say they found that 70-year-old Gary Didomenico was operating the vehicle while his ability was impaired by drugs.... and, he was arrested and
charged with DWAI-Drugs... and, unsafe backing.  Didomenico was issued an appearance ticket for city court at a later date. 

Forster says JPD has possible suspect(s) for grafitti on westside of Washington St. Bridge...  Jamestown City Police are investigating a case of grafitti along the west side of the Washington Street Bridge last weekend.  Chief Scott Forster says the vandalism took place sometime between last Friday night... and Saturday morning.  Forster says their investigation has identified a possible suspect.  He adds the grafitti was spray-painted on a support pillar and a wall at about street level on the side of the storage facility in Steele Street.  Forster says a city crew is involved in cleaning up the grafitti... but, no damage estimate has been given.  If you have any information on the incident... call JPD at 483-7536... or the Tips line at 483-8477.  Forster says those responsible would face criminal mischief charges.

City Council committee unanimously approves forwarding local law to abolish dorment Strategic Planning and Partnerships Commission...
The Jamestown City Council's Public Safety Committee has approved fowarding a local law to abolish the currently-dorment Strategic Planning and Partnerships Commission.  The committee approved the move in a 3-0 vote.  Chairman Jeremy Engquist says panel members felt it was time to move the proposal to the full council for discussion.  However... two members of the public urged lawmakers to carefully consider all the ramifications of such a move.  Doug Champ pointed out that -- by nature -- strategic planning takes time... and evaluated "Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunites, and Threats...." or SWOT.  Champ says such planning takes three to 10 years to finally be realized.  Since being instituted in 1996... Jason Sample highlighted the key members... and, programs that came out of the Strategic Planning and Partnerships Commission.  One was the education program "The Jamestown Guarantee."  Sample... who is also running for city council... says there was also a neighborhood revitalization effort... and, another to help recruit new doctors and other health care professionals to fill a need here.  He says Dr. Lillian Ney also helped put a program in place to help those battling opioid and other addictions.  Dr. Ney and Greg Rabb each chaired or co-chaired the commission for a time while they were City Council presidents.

Gillibrand pleased to see more Democrats taking advantage of early voting across the nation...
A recent survey of early voting across the United States is showing more registered Democrats taking part than they did at this point in the 2024 election.  That was the finding among nearly 790,000 early votes cast leading up to last Wednesday by CNN.  U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York... who's been involved in several outside campaigns in recent years... says that's good news.  Gillibrand adds that recent polling for Democrat Senate candidates shows about a dozen races that were either leaning... or strongly Republican are now up for grabs... including Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, Iowa, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas... and, others they she could "not have imagined" that are in play.  Gillibrand adds Democrats are also in play in Georgia, New Hampshire and Michigan.  She made her comments during a recent virtual press conference.

Two arrested in Dunkirk drug bust early last week... 
An investigation into alleged firearms and narcotics activity in the city of Dunkirk led to a raid... and, the arrest of two people.  Sheriff's deputies say their narcotics investigators... along with those from Dunkirk and Jamestown... executed a search warrant at 935 Swan St. last Tuesday afternoon.  Officers say they arrested 20 year-old Balin Rader... and, 45 year-old Holly Pilarski inside.  During the investigation... police say they seized a quantity of cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms... scales... and, packaging material used for trafficking drugs... and, a quantity of cash.  Both Rader and Pilarski were charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia.  Both were issued appearance tickets for Dunkirk City Court at a later date.  

Sherman man arrested for DWI following accident in Ripley...  

A Sherman man faces a drunk driving charge following a one-car crash early this morning in the town of Ripley.  Sheriff's Officers were called to the scene on Northeast Sherman Road shortly after Midnight on a report of an accident.  They identified the driver as 63 year-old Mark Freligh.  Deputies say they determinied that Freligh was driving while intoxicated... and, he was arrested for DWI... and, moving from lane unsafely.  He was issued appearance tickets for Ripley Town Court.

Dunkirk woman arrested following multi-town vehicle pursuit...
A north county woman faces multiple charges after allegedly leading police on a vehicle pursuit from Dunkirk to the town of Charlotte.  Sheriff's officers say Dunkirk police tried to stop a car being driven by a woman sought on an arrest warrant about 3 a.m. Sunday.  However... deputies say the driver -- identifed as 53 year-old Susan Lilly of Dunkirk -- failed to comply, and fled the scene.  Sheriff's officers joined with local police to "safely manage" the incident and the car was eventually stopped in the town of Charlotte.  Deputies say Lilly was taken into custody without further incident on charges including:  unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle... third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation... failure to comply with a lawful order... and reckless driving.  Lilly was issued appearance tickets for Pomfret Town Court at a later date.

Dunkirk man arrested following drug bust in north county city...
A man from Dunkirk faces drug-related charges following a raid on a home in the north county city last week.  Sheriff's officers say they concluded a lengthy investigation into illegal narcotics activity by executing a search warrant at 421 Plover St. shortly before 6 a.m. last Wednesday with the help of Dunkirk, Jamestown and Buffalo Police along with the ATF.  Police made entryi with the help of the Sheriff's Office SWAT Team... and, they located 39 year-old Lucas Smyczek inside.  They also found 5.6 grams of fentanyl, a quantity of cocaine, scales and packaging material used for the sale and distribution of narcotics and a quantity of cash.  Smyczek was charged third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... tamping with physical evidence and second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia.  Police also found that Smyczek was sought on a Jamestown city court warrant.  He was taken to the Dunkirk Police Station to be arraigned in city court.  

Falconer man arrested for allegedly stealing "a large quantity of cash" from Jamestown home...
A Falconer man is accused of stealing a "large quantity" of cash from a home on Jamestown's westside early last weekend.  City police responded to the scene just after 1:30 p.m. last Friday.  Officers say they received a report of a male subject entering the residence, while the homeowners were inside, and took the cash.  Police say 26 year-old Corry Decker then fled on foot before they arrived.  Officers later found Decker a short distance away... hiding in a gravel pit.  As officers approached... they say Decker tried to hide the stolen money in the gravel.  However... police recovered all the cash and arrested Decker without incident for second-degree burglary... third-degree grand larceny... and, tampering with physical evidence.  He was jailed pending arraignment.

Chautauqua County Democrats welcome Gies as they open Campaign Headquarters in Jamestown...
With under a month left before Election Day... Chautauqua County Democrats enthusiastically opened their campaign headquarters in Jamestown Friday night.  County Democrat Committee Chairwoman Marcia Johnson addressing a full house of the party faithful at 19 East Third St.  A big reason so many were on hand was an appearance by Congressional challenger Aaron Gies of Olean.  Gies introduced himself as a person brought up in North Carolina living by the "Golden Rule" in a working class family, and that you treated other people the way you want to be treated.  Unfortunately... Gies says the federal government... under President Trump and incumbant Congressman Nick Langworthy... isn't doing that.  He says he's running to "legislate for the Common Good..." by making government more transparent... accountable... and, focused on making a "good life affordable for everyone." 
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County Legislator Tom Nelson... who is also city Democrat Committee Chairman... says it's easy to see why Gies' popularity is growing.  He says when you talk with him, you can understand why people get excited.  Some other county legislature Democrat candidates were also on hand... along with State Senate candidate Victoria Guite... and, Assembly candidate Tom Carle.

Out-building in Panama heavily damaged by fire...
An out-building on a property near the village of Panama was extensively damaged by fire last Saturday night.  Chautauqua County emergency dispatchers say Panama firefighters were called to the scene at 6108 Route 474 -- between Panama and Ashville -- shortly after 6 p.m., and, found flames coming from the building.  Panama was joined at the scene by Ashville, Sherman, Clymer and Bear Lake fire crews... and, county EMS.  There were no injuries.  The cause was found to be accidental.

City man arrested for stealing cellphone, and not allowing victim to leave residence during domestic incident...
A man from Jamestown has been arrested for allegedly taking a person's cellphone and holding them against their will during a domestic incident.  City police say they were called to a southside address shortly after 5 p.m. last Friday for a domestic dispute.  Officers say the suspect... 36 year-old Patrick Brady... had already left the scene with the victims cell phone before leaving.  Officers returned to the residence shortly after 5:30 and Brady had returned was taken into custody.  Police say further investigation revealed that Brady damaged the victim's Ipad and would not allow the victim to leave the residence.  They add the incident occurred in front of two small children.  Brady was taken to the city jail pending arraignment on charges including fourth-degree Grand Larceny... fourth-degree criminal mischief... second-degree unlawful imprisonment... and, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Teen from Ellicottville killed in truck crash in Ashford...
A Ellicottville teenager has died from injuries suffered when the truck he was riding in  crashed in the Cattaraugus County town of Ashford.  State Police in Machias say the driver of the Dodge pick-up... 19 year-old Baily Fuller of West Valley... was eastbound on Felton Hill Road about 6:15 p.m. Wednesday when the vehicle missed a curve... and, slammed into a tree.  Troopers say the passenger... 16 year-old Dominic Fuller... was thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.  Police say Baily Fuller was taken to Bertrand-Chaffee Hospital in Springville for non-life threatening injuries.  There were no signs of impairment... however... the crash remains under investigation.  Troopers say neither occupant was wearing a seat belt... and, excessive speed was the primary factor in the accident.

DRI Local Planning Committee gets look at the 24 projects and activities being proposed for funding...
Twenty-four projects and activities totaling just over $36-million have been submitted for funding under the city of Jamestown's Downtown Revitalization Initiative award.  The projects were highlighted at Wednesday's meeting of the DRI's Local Planning Committee at the Prendergast Library.  The biggest request was by the city itself... proposing nearly $6.5-million for a number of projects that have to be done at Tracy Plaza... but, Mayor Kim Ecklund is realistic about what could be done with about $10-million available through the DRI.  She admits DRI projects should really be "innovative and transformational..." but, adds that the projects for city hall are still necessary.  The major ones include improving the decking and portions of city hall to make the more than 50-year-old building more usable.  The second largest ask was for $2.5-million for the $6.7-million redevelopment of the former Broadhead Mills location on East First Street... currently home to El Greco Woodworking.  A project to improve East First itself is also included.  Ecklund believes it's a "hidden gem" with the potential for distilleries, and manufacturing along the riverfront.... similar to what's been done on Buffalo's waterfront.  Some of the other proposals include $2.25-million for the Roosa Development proposal for the Lynn Building... and, plans to rehabilitate the exterior of the Hotel Jamestown Building... and, put a new roof on the Fenton History Center.  The next public LPC meeting will be held on Nov. 18.   

Jamestown man arrested for allegedly violating two orders of protection...
A city man faces multiple charges after allegedly violating two orders of protection... and, resisting arrest following a domestic incident.  Jamestown police say they were called to a westside address just before 1:30 a.m. Thursday... and, when they arrived -- saw the suspect -- 26 year-old Xavier Williams -- leaving the residence.  He then started running away because officers knew Williams was sought on active arrest warrant.  He was stopped nearby... and, after a brief struggle... he was taken into custody.  Further investigation found that two people inside the home have "stay-away" orders against Williams.  Due to his criminal history... police say he's charged with two counts each of Aggravted criminal contempt... and, first-degree criminal contempt.  Williams is also being held pending arraignment on charges of resisting arrest and second-degree obstructing governmental administration.

Wendel says rising property values a big reason for being able to keep tax levy increase for 2027 to zero...
Chautauqua County's top elected leader says rising property values is part of why he's able to propose a 2027 budget with a historically low property tax rate while keeping the tax levy flat.  County Executive P.J. Wendel says the county saw a 15.8% increase in its real estate market over the past year... and, that's led to increased assessments.  Wendel adds that the tentative spending plan, which he presented last week, will use over $11-million of the county's undesignated fund balance.  The Lakewood Republican calls it a "bold" move, but he says budgeting in past years has allowed him to use that much.  The proposed property tax rate would be reduced anotther 85-cents per $1,000 to $5.32 under the proposal.

Westfield man arrested for stealing juvenile's bicycle...
A Westfield man has been arrested for allegedly stealing a bicycle from a juvenile in the village this past Tuesday.  Westfield Police say the juvenile came to their office about 4 p.m. to report the theft.  Officers say they investigated... and, later located 34 year-old Brandon Bolinger... who was allegedly in possession of the stolen bike.  Bolinger was arrested for petty larceny and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.  He was processed in Westield Town Court and issued appearance tickets for a later date.

Langworthy lead Gies by 21-points in Cygnal poll...
A new poll by a right-leaning polling group shows incumbant Republican Congressman Nick Langworthy leading his Democrat opponent by 21-points.  The poll released late Wednesday by Cygnal shows among likely general election voters in the 23rd Congressional District shows Langworthy leading Olean's Aaron Gies, 54% to 33%.  The poll also shows Langworthy leading across both major regions by better than 50% to just over 30%.  In addition... Cygnal reports the Buffalo-area Republican leads among independents... 45% to 31%... and, receives support from 19% of registered Democrats.  The polling firm also found that Governor Kathy Hochul is only viewed favorabily in the district by 28%... to an unfavorability rating of 68%.  

Hochul announces completion of new Anew Center for The Salvation army of Jamestown... 
Construction of a new, $6-million women's emergency shelter for Jamestown's Anew Center has now been completed.  That from Governor Kathy Hochul... who says The Salvation Army of Jamestown's new facility will "ensure that domestic violence survivors who are homeless are connected to support programs."  Hochul says the new Anew center is a seven-unit... 19-bed emergency shelter... and, when opened... will assist survivors... including those experiencing homelessness with services and support.  The governor says the project received $4.4-million from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's "Homeless Housing and Assistance Program."  The Anew Center replaces the Salvation Army’s previous 13-bed shelter, which occupied a historic building dating to the 1860s that was not ADA-compliant and required ongoing costly repairs. 

Hochul names AG James to be special prosecutor in Cornell gang rape case...
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says the woman who accused members of a Cornell University fraternity of gang rape was "failed" by people obligated to protect her, including police and the county prosecutor.  Hochul's claim came during a news conference Friday in which she gave details on her decision to turn the case over to a special prosecutor, state Attorney General Letitia James.  The governor says she made the decision after learning "troubling details" about how authorities have handled the woman's claims, including that the district attorney closed the case without having anyone interview the victim or anyone involved in the alleged attack. 

Sherman man charged with DWI after accident in Ripley...         
A Sherman man faces a drunk driving charge following a one-car crash early this morning in the town of Ripley.  Sheriff's officers were called to the scene on Northeast Sherman Road shortly after Midnight on a report of an accident.  They identified the driver as 63 year-old Mark Freligh.  Deputies say they determinied that Freligh was driving while intoxicated... and, he was arrested for DWI... and, moving from lane unsafely.  He was issued appearance tickets for Ripley Town Court.

Traffic to be slowed on Harrison Street for BPU replacement of District Heat line...
Traffic may be slowed at times today and tomorrow on Harrison Street in Jamestown's Brooklyn Square area as the Board of Public Utilities replaces a District Heat line.  BPU Spokeswoman Becky Robbins says a temporary traffic light will be used to close a portion of the street to one lane only when materials are moved into the area... or if traffic needs to be slowed.  The light will be available there for one week.

Guite announces run for NYS Senate...
The Democrat challenger for the 57th State Senate District seat has traveled the world... but, is now enjoying her Native American roots here in Western New York.  Victoria Guite is a SUNY at Fredonia graduate... who now lives in a trailer on her family's property on the smaller, Tonawanda-Seneca Reservation between Batavia and Akron.  After graduation... Guite says she taught English in South Korea for a time as an intern, did refugee resettlement work, and a methadone clinic, as well as a Congresman's office.  Guite says her decision to run for public office came after she had moved back to the reservation... and, was just beginning to enjoy their rural area's peace and quiet.  However a proposal for a hunge new data center was being pushed on them.  She says a wildlife preserve was also threatened.  Guite says she opposes huge data centers... but, believes communities need to make their own decisions about them.  Victoria Guite is my guest on this weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the six Glenora Radio Network stations.  She's challenging incumbant Republican George Borrello of Sunset Bay.

First "I SMART Corridor" meeting about supply chain opportunities with Semiconductor industry a definate success...
A full-house was on hand in Lakewood for a program about manufacturing and related opportunities in New York's growing Semiconductor industry.  The Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency... Choose CHQ... and, others sponsored the first "I SMART Corridor Initiative" program at the Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union's Training Center.  IDA CEO... and, Deputy County Executive for Planning and Development Mark Geise says serious money is being put into that industry... including from New York state to help support supply chain development for facilities in places like Ohio, and Micron in Central New York.  The semiconductor industry is leading the way in the development and manufacturing of computer chips.  Geise says the IDA and other sponsors want to get local companies to look at ways they can be part of it.  Geise says one area that Chautauqua County manufacturers are strong at is "metal bending" which he says is very much needed in the semiconductor industry.  The Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth, and the Buffalo Niagara Partnership also took part in the program.

City man arrested again on criminal contempt charge...
A man from Jamestown recently arrested for violating an order of protection has again been arrested for violating the stay-away order.  City police say they were conducting a street check near a northside business involving 21 year-old Tysean Mays shortly after 1 a.m. Friday.  Officers say they spotted Mays walking with a woman who had a full order of protection against him... and they also knew of an active warrant for his arrest.  While trying to take him into custody... police briefly struggled with Mays before he was subdued.  He was charged with second-degree criminal contempt... resisting arrest... and on the active bench warrant.  He's being held pending arraignment.