Two men were arrested following four multi-agency drug raids yesterday morning in Jamestown that led to the seizure of a quantity of Heroin and other drugs. Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force members say they... along with members of the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department SWAT Team... Jamestown police Drug Enforcement Unit... and, State Police C-NET Team... raided three apartments, and a lower area of a house at 6 Winsor Street just after 6:30 AM. Task Force agents say they arrested two residents... 51 year-old Jose Diaz-Solis... and, 45 year-old Julio Melendez. Agents say they found the illegal drugs inside... along with scales for processing the drugs... and, a quantity of cash. Both are awaiting arraignment on two counts each of third-degree criminal sale... and, criminal possession of a controlled substance. More charges are pending. Since the charges are Felony counts... they'll be jailed without bail.
One Buffalo man is jailed... while another has been returned to the Buffalo-area on a robbery charge following their arrests for allegedly being involved in drug activity in Jamestown. City police were called to the area of 815 East Second Street about 9 AM Monday... and, checked on four subjects. Officers say they found 21 year-old Tyshaw Lovines in possession of an illegal switchblade, and a quantity of crack cocaine. He was arrested on charges of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, criminal possession of a weapon. Officers also arrested 27 year-old Devon Rodgers after a background check showed he was wanted by Cheekowaga Police for Felony second-degree Robbery. Rodgers was returned to Cheektowaga... while Lovines is in the county jail without bail.
A series of 18 public forum's held across the state -- including one in Chautauqua County -- were the key to passage of a package of 23 bills to curb the alarming rise in heroin and opioid drug use. That from State Senator Cathy Young... who says she's pleased the measures were approved. Young says two of the 25 measures were approved earlier in the session. The bills were intoduced last month following several of the forums. Young says that the final session... held on the Seneca Nation's Cattaraugus Reservation in Irving... was an important part of the process. Young... who is part of the Senate's "Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction..." did not elaborate on what new measures may be undertaken. She says a comprehensive approach is needed to attack this "devastaing affliction." The Olean Republican is hopeful that Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver will allow the measures to be introduced in the state legislature's other chamber... because it's affecting all areas of the state and needs to be "addressed now." There's only a week-and-a-half left in the current session.
A city woman is jailed without bail for her alleged involvement in an alleged Methamphetime Lab discovered last month in the town of Westfield. Agents with the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force say 40 year-old Christy Stutzman turned herself into the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office late Tuesday morning after learning that a warrant had been issued for her arrest. Task Force members say Stutzman is accused of producing Meth -- with Christopher Swanson of Lakewood -- at a house on Schultz Road. They say Stutzman was at the scene last May 26th... but, was not arrested at that time. Authorities further investigated... and, say they found that the pair was in possession of finshed Methamphetime... precursors for Meth... and, a small amount of marijuana at the time. Stutzman was arraigned in North Harmony town Court... and, then taken to the county lock-up. Task Force members say citizen tips helped break this case... and, anyone with information on any kind of drug-related activity is urged to call them at 1-800-344-8702.
WCA Hospital is celebrating the six newest graduates of it's School of Radiologic Technology. The hospital hosted the school's 45th commencement last night. The school's program director, Christina Slojkowski says she's excited for the latest group to come out of their program. Slojkowski says four already have careers... or higher education lined up following graduation. She says their 22-month program includes rigorous classroom... and, practical experience. Radiology includes mainly imaging work... and, WCA's Manager of Imaging and Instructor, Robert Storms, addressed the graduates. Slojkowski M-C'd the event... and, says there is high demand for people in this field... and, adds you can call her for more information at 664-8366... or go to check them out at WCA Hospital's website at 'WCAhospital-dot-ORG. In addition to the certifications... the School of Radiologic Technology also handed out the Murray Marsh... and, J-R CERT Certificate of Excellence Awards. She adds their school is fully-accredited by J-R CERT... which is a "stamp of excellence" for their program.
Fire crews from three north county departments responded to a fire involving a Recreational Vehicle on the state Thruway that forced the closing of the eastbound lanes between Dunkirk and Silver Creek for about an hour. Firefighters from Silver Creek, Irving and Fredonia were called to the scene near milepost 460.3 in the town of Sheridan shortly after 10 AM Tuesday. State Police say there were no injuries reported. There is no word on what had triggered the blaze.
Water main repairs on Fifth Street yesterday could cause system-wide discolored water for the next few hours in the city of Jamestown. Board of Public Utilities Spokewoman Becky Robbins says the repaired main feeds a "good part" of the BPU's water system.
