Two Jamestown residents who are accused of trafficking "substantial amounts" of Heroin and other drugs have been arrested on the city's eastside. City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says members of the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force, and the state Police C-NET Team... executed search warrants just before 4 o'clock Monday afternoon at 1094 East Second Street. Samuelson says the JPD SWAT Team help with making entry to the home... where they found 400 envelopes of Heroin. In addition... Samuelson says investigators also found 50 capsules containing powder cocaine... and, some drug paraphernalia. He says they arrested 34 year-old Misha Gonzalez... and, her boyfriend, 37 year-old Juan Valaquez-Rodriguez. They also found Gonzalez's five children inside -- all between the ages of 1 and 9. Samuelson says both suspects were arraigned on charges of third-degree crimimal possession of a controlled substance... criminal possession of drug parphernalia... and, five counts each of endangering the welfare of a child... and, sent to the county jail without bail. The children were turned over to relatives. Anyone with information on suspected drug trafficking in the city is urged to call the Task Force's anonymous tip-line at 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477.
A Jamestown man found guilty of taking part in three robberies in the city in 2014 has been sentenced to 5-and-a-half years in state prison. Acting Chautauqua County District Attorney Patrick Swanson says 32 year-old Angel Vargas-Mendoza held up two 7-Eleven Stores two years ago... along with the CVS Pharmacy in Brooklyn Square. Swanson says Mendoza also received five-years post-release supervision during sentencing in County Court on each of two counts of first-degree robbery. The sentences will run concurrently. In addition... Swanson says another Jamestown man... 28 year-old Eric Lewis... was sentenced to five-years in state prision for second-degree burglary. He also receive five-years post-release supervision. A third Jamestown resident... 36 year-old Anthony Dunmore... received five-years in prison for third-degree attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance. Dunmore also received two-years post-release supervision.
The leader of the U-S Senate Majority is urging Republican Presidential front-runner Donald Trump to condemn violence no matter who is responsible. Kentucky's Mitch McConnell spoke with Trump early Tuesday... and, is one of several GOP leaders who have called for more civility at campaign events. Local Congressman Tom Reed is also calling for an end to the violence that has marred Trump's rallies in recent days. At the same time... Reed says it's a "very contentious time" in politics. Reed adds that -- "at the end of the day -- we are all Americans who are stonger when united" as opposed to attacking each other. He says he will support the people's right to protest... but, without violence. He says the "childish rhetoric" also needs to end. Reed has been hesistant about supporting any of the remaining GOP candidates... in particular Trump... who has caused division within the Republican Party itself. Early on... he had supported former Florida Governor Jeb Bush until Bush recently dropped out of the race.
The state Assembly plans to vote on limiting legislators' outside income to about 70-thousand dollars annually and to treat limited liability companies like other businesses that can give a candidate only $5,000 a year. Both ethics measures, similar to Governor Andrew Cuomo's proposals, are intended to curb the influence of outside money on state government. Senate Republicans have opposed both measures. Base yearly pay for lawmakers is 79-thousand-500 dollars. Cuomo has proposed limiting legislators' outside pay to about $12,000. Former Republican Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver were each convicted last year by federal prosecutors for peddling their influence, partly to LLCs fronting New York City developers. Both lawyers had outside incomes that exceeded the Assembly-passed limit, which would take effect next year.
The New York state Assembly and Senate have approved competing budget proposals reflecting their chambers' priorities as legislative leaders and Governor Cuomo work to hammer out a final spending plan. A plan endorsed by the Republican-led Senate Monday includes 1.7-billion dollars more for schools, while the Assembly's plan increases spending by 2.1-billion dollars. State Senator Cathy Young touted that part of the budget... saying there will be reconciliation. Governor Cuomo had added about 1.1-billion dollars in school aid for 2016-17. The Senate plan also adds tax cuts for small businesses and the middle class... and $167-million to fight opiate drug addiction. A proposal approved late Monday by the Democratic-led Assembly also includes the phase-in of a $15 minimum wage... and, higher taxes on millionaires. Both chambers support a proposal to allow workers to take paid time off to care for a new child or sick loved one. Lawmakers hope to pass a final state budget by April 1st.
Speaking at a rally of thousands of workers from around New York state... Governor Cuomo says raising the state's minimum wage to 15-dollar an hour will ``show the nation the way forward." He adds that it offers working families hope instead of the fear mongering that he says has marked this year's presidential race. Tuesday's rally outside the Capitol featured a prayer from Cardinal Timothy Dolan... and, comes as Cuomo's plan to gradually raise the wage from $9 to $15 faces a critical test in the state Legislature. Cuomo hopes the increase will be included in the state budget, which lawmakers hope to pass by April 1st. The state's Democratic-led Assembly favors the increase but the GOP-led Senate says it shouldn't be considered until the potential economic impact is studied.
A Panama woman has been arrested for allegedly committing several traffic violations while allegedly driving under the influence of drugs in the town of Clymer. Sheriff's officers say the spotted 23 year-old Callie Fuller driving on Route 76 shortly before 1 o'clock Tuesday morning. Deputies pulled Fuller over... and, also found her to be in possession of a quantity of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Officers arrested her on charges of driving while ability impaired by drugs... unlawful possession of marijuana... speeding... failed to keep right... and, unlicensed operation. Fuller was processed and released on appearance tickets for Clymer Town Court.
A 14-year-old reticulated giraffe has died at the Erie, Pennsylvania Zoo. Zoo officials tell the Erie Times-News that a veterinarian euthanized Mitch on Monday afternoon. The giraffe had been experiencing leg and foot problems for more than a year. The zoo says Mitch failed to get up for hours Monday morning... and, had to be euthanized. A necropsy is planned for his body. Executive Director Scott Mitchell says Mitch had to be bottle fed as a baby. He also had trouble regulating his body temperature and had a condition that caused his color to lighten. Mitchell says he's not sure whether the zoo will acquire another giraffe. Staff members are monitoring 6-year-old Nigel, the zoo's other giraffe.
Democratic Governor Tom Wolf is blasting the latest budget plan being advanced by Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania's eight-month-old partisan battle. Wolf says the Republican plan being unveiled late Tuesday is out of balance... and, leaves next year's massive projected deficit unresolved. His office also says it doesn't adequately fund schools.
Residents concerned with a move to allow Bear Lake Properties to add two new injection well permits, and extend three others will have a chance to make their opinion heard. The Warren Times Observer that there will be a public hearing held tonight Wednesday March 16th at 7pm at the Columbus Volunteer Fire Department. All of the wells are located in Columbus Township and are causing concern about the potential impact on the area water supply.
