A man from Westfield has been sentenced to 7-years in state prison for stealing about 7-thousand dollars in items in several burglaries early last year. Chautauqua County District Attorney David Foley says 39 year-old Todd Reardon also faces 5-years post-release supervision for second-degree burglary. The 7-year determinate term was handed-down in county court for the March 2014 incidents. In addition... Foley says a Lakewood man will spending 1 to 3 years in prision for third-degree burglary. 22 year-old Dylan Abbey was convicted in county court of third-degree burglary... and, aggravated unlicensed operation. He's accused of stealing items from a Jamestown home. Foley also says 51 year-old Michael Foster of Cassadaga received state prision time for two counts of Felony Driving While Intoxication. Foster received one to one-and-3/4 years... and, a one-thousand dollar fine.
Three police officers were hurt when they tried to get a Jamestown man help after he was found acting strangely while he was walking on West Fourth Street. City Police were called to the scene... near Jefferson Street... just after 1:30 AM Wednesday. Officers say they were called to check on the well-being of Joseph DeJesus... but, he became combative when they wanted to take him to the hospital. Police say DeJesus also kicked the doors -- damaging one -- in the patrol car. Police say two JPD officers, and a Sheriff's Officer, were treated for minor injuries. DeJesus was arraigned on charges of second-degree assault... first degree obstruction... and, criminal mischief.. and, sent to the county jail without bail.
Local Congressman Tom Reed is backing legislation he recently filed with a Democratic House member from Connecticut that would allow parents to opt-out of annual Common Core testing. The Corning Republican joined Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro in introducing the EMPOWER Act last month. Reed says he's heard from a number of parents and even some teachers who are concerned about the tests. Reed says a number of local school districts in the 23rd Congressional District saw thousands of students opt of testing earlier this year. In fact... he says participation in the Fredonia school district fell to below 50-percent this year. The legislation has receiving the support from both the National Education Association... and the New York State United Teachers union... also known as NYSUT.
For the most part... gasoline prices in Chautauqua County remain consistent this week... changing just a fraction of a penny a gallon. The Triple-A's weekly Fuel Gauge Report says the price for regular, unleaded gas is up about 4-tenths of a cent to 2-dollars-94 cents. Triple-A says that's based on reports from 19 local service stations. The Fuel Gauge report says the price last year at this time was just under 3-dollars-85 cents a gallon. The national average is now $2--75. After a steady increase in recent months... the Fuel Gauge says it's possible that national pump prices may be near a seasonal peak.
There will be five performances this year to mark the city of Jamestown's annual Summer Band Concert Series at Allen Park starting next Wednesday. City officials -- including Mayor Sam Teresi -- and others were on hand at the Gorenson Bandshell Wednesday afternoon to highlight the events scheduled for the next several weeks. Parks and Receration Coordinator Julia Ciesla-Hanley says it all starts Wednesday, July 10th with a concert by the Jamesown High School concert band. Band Director Meghan Murray says her students always look forward to it.
After a week off... the concert series resumes on Wednesday, June 24th with the first of four "themed" shows by the Jamestown Municipal Band... directed by Rick Lundquist. Lundquist says their first concert will be "Italian Night..." featuring music of Italian composers and performers. He adds the band's annual July 4th "Patriotic" concert will be held on Wednesday, July 1st. All concerts at Allen Park begin at 7 PM... and, there is the possibility of more concerts being added if sponsors can be found. One sponsor... Chuck DeAngelo of Fessenden, Laumer and DeAngelo... was on hand for the announcment. Lundquist says the Municipal Band is now a 501-C-3 company... so donations are tax deductable. Ciesla-Hanley says the concerts cost 800-dollars to put on. For more information... call her at 483-7523.
The Gorenson Bandshell is about 50 years old... and, in need of some "tender loving care." City officials say it will get that during the Summer season. However... Mayor Sam Teresi says the work will not interfere with the Summer Concert Series. During yesterday afternoon's press conference... Teresi noted that there will be two area's of emphasis. City Parks Supervisor John Williams says the concert work on the floor of the bandshell will begin this Monday. However... he says none of the work will take place on concert days. Williams says the roof replacement will take place over the course of the season... and, by done by it's conclusion.
The top cop in the city of Dunkirk is calling the arrest of a 25-year-old city man one of the most unusual cases his department has seen in many years. Adam Jessie is accused of trying to evade police by climbing onto the roof of a two-story apartment building at 128 Lake Shore Drive East Tuesday. The call stemmed from a 9-1-1 call about a possible residential entry on South Zebra Street. Police Chief David Ortolano says Jessie wouldn't get off the roof...so Dunkirk Fire brought in Ladder One. Ortolano admits it's one of the most unusual cases he has seen in his 30 years in law enforcement. He says he's thankful that Jessie didn't get hurt... but, adds it's "something we don't deal with very often." Jessie has been arraigned on charges of third-degree criminal trespass... and, second-degree criminal nuisance and sent to the County Jail in lieu of bail.
Students in a suburban Buffalo school district have chosen a replacement for the Redskins nickname for their sports teams. The Lancaster school district announced Wednesday that teams will now be known as the Lancaster Legends, and the new mascot will be a knight. Elementary and middle school students voted Tuesday from among seven choices and high school students voted Wednesday. The Lancaster School Board will meet Monday to vote on the students' choice. The board in March decided to retire the Redskins nickname and mascot after more than 60 years because it offends some Native Americans.
Republican state senators in Pennsylvania are preparing to introduce legislation to allow Internet gambling. The forthcoming bill was advertised Wednesday by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati and three other Republicans. Their memo to fellow senators says the bill would allow existing Pennsylvania casinos to offer Internet gambling. Players must be in the state and have a registered account. New Jersey, Delaware and Nevada allow Internet gambling. A Scarnati spokesman says the bill promises hundreds of millions of dollars for the state treasury, with the help of other provisions that let casinos expand traditional gambling offerings. Governor Tom Wolf's office says the Democrat is open to discussing Internet gambling legislation.
