A man is in the city jail after robbing the Brooklyn Square CVS Store. Jamestown Police report that the man displayed a knife during the robbery about 10:30 Sunday night. He was apprehended minutes after the robbery as he was trying to flee by running through the Chadakoin River. The unidentified man is currently being held in the Jamestown City Jail and faces charges of Robbery, Menacing and Petit Larceny. There were no injuries during the incident and the investigation is continuing. JPD were assisted by New York State Police and The Chautauqua County Sherriff's Department.
A larceny investigation involving a 4-wheeler in West Ellicott led to the discovery of a Meth Lab on Jamestown's southside... and, the arrest of the two alleged operators. City Police say they assisted Ellicott Town Police in the investigation of the theft of an All-Terrain Vehicle at a Fairmount Avenue motel about 11:30 AM Saturday. JPD Captain Bob Samuelson says the van allegedly involved in the theft was later found -- with the 4-wheeler still inside -- at 130 Superior Street. Samuelson says further investigation uncovered materials typically used in the production of Methamphetime. City Police investigators obtained a warrant... raided the home... and, found more materials for making Meth... and, evidence that the drug was being made there. Police called in the State Police Contaminated Crime Scene Emergeny Response Team to help clean up the site... and, Samuelson says that was completed yesterday. Police arrested 43 year-old Joseph Casel... and, 34 year-old Kristen Nelson on Felony charges... including Manufacture of Methamphetime... and, took two small children from the house. Both were also charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Casel and Nelson were arraigned... and, sent to the County Jail without bail.
Four people were hurt... three seriously... when the car they were riding in crashed into a tree broadside last Saturday morning in the town of Portland. Sheriff's Officers were called to the scene at the intersection of Ellicott Road and Route 380 just before 2 AM. Deputies learned that the driver... 21 year-old Gage Milliman of Mayville... was westbound on Ellicott Road at a high rate of speed when he ran the stop sign at the intersection. Officers say the vehicle left the road, and slammed into the tree. Deputies say Milliman, and one passenger, 24 year-old Keri Walawender, were flown to the Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania for treatment. A second passenger, 24 year-old Brady Raynor, was flown to the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo. A third passenger, 22 year-old Garth Blanchard, was taken to Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk. The investigation is continuing... and, deputies say charges are pending.
A new world's record was set... and, world class entertainment led to a highly-successful Lucy-Town Half-Marathon Weekend... which concluded yesterday afternoon. Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center of Comedy Director Journey Gunderson says they were "thrilled, and excited" about how the second-annual event came out... but, there was also some relief. Gunderson admits they weren't sure two weeks ago that they would have enough people to set a record for grape-stomping Saturday afternoon. However... she says the "community came out" in strong numbers to not just break the record... but, shatter it. Gunderson says they pulled out all the stops... and, publicized the need for people to take part. She adds a woman visiting from Venice, Italy... came to stomp grapes. Gunderson says she was involved in a previous grape stomping event. She adds that a full-house was on hand for the "world class" entertainment Saturday night in the person of comedic legend Bob Newhart. Gunderson also says most of his act was brand new material.
The numbers were slightly better than last year for this year's Lucy-Town Half-Marathon... but, the race director says more states were represented... which hopefully translates to more runners in the future. Dave Reinhart with the Chautauqua Striders has been the lead person for the event... which is now on the map of half-marathon's with USA Track and Field. Reinhart says their runners now come from more than 30 states... and, that's helped keep their numbers up. Reinhart says they wound up with more than 700 runners taking part on the 13.1-mile course which started and ended at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena. Organizers were very pleased with the early October weather... but, Reinhart says the "friendliness" of the local people who helped out made a 'major impression' on the runners. He was also pleased with the numbers taking part in Saturday's 5-K Run/Walk... and, 2-K Kid's race.
The new, private firm coming in to operate the Chautauqua County Home has received final approval from the state Department of Health for a Certificate of Need. That from County Executive Vince Horrigan... who was in New York City recently for an October 9th DOH meeting where the certificate was approved for VestraCare. Horrigan says that means the transition to privatizing the County Home by the end of the year remains on track. The County Legislature approved the sale of the Dunkirk-area facility last February, 13-to-5. Due to the sale... the County Home is NOT be part of the 2015 Chautauqua County budget.
Governor Cuomo says he wants to create a new state Office of Faith-Based Community Services. The Democratic governor announced his plan late this week in Harlem during remarks to a convention of the United Missionary Baptist Association. The agency would help religious organizations and houses of worship find grant funding. It would also help religious groups work with government agencies to coordinate social services, and work with state economic development officials to ``encourage the development of faith-based businesses.''
The Turkish-born founder of Norwich, New York-based yogurt-maker Chobani is pledging $2 million for refugees fleeing violence back home. Hamdi Ulukaya late last week promised the money to help those caught up in fighting along the Iraq and Syria borders with Turkey. The region has been targeted by the militant Islamic State terrorist group.
