Chautauqua County will be joining several others across New York state in a lawsuit against major drug manufacturers seeking the recovery of damages from the opioid epidemic.
County legislators last night approved a resolution authorizing the litigation by a 19-nothing vote. County Executive Vince Horrigan compares this legal action to the lawsuits that led to a settlement with tobacco companies in the 1990s especially when you look at the magnitude of the health issued caused and the number of people affected.
Horrigan says that County Attorney Steve Abdella has selected a downstate law firm that is handling similar lawsuits with other counties. He says they looked at three different law firms, and adds it won't cost anything for the county to join with 11 to 12 others who have filed suit.
Information included in the resolution that cleared the County Legislature indicated that there were 21 confirmed overdose deaths in the county last year.
Five people are jailed for allegedly being in possession of small quantities of Crystal Methamphetime during a raid at an apartment on Jamestown's eastside Wednesday.
JPD Captain Bob Samuelson says members of the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force and state Police C-NET Team executed a search warrant on the basement apartment at 20 Bush Street about 1:45 p.m.
Samuelson says police suspected the residence was being used for drug trafficking. He says task force members spotted one person, 50 year-old Delbert Clark flee the scene.
Samuelson says Clark was caught following a several-block long foot chase and found him with a small amount of Meth and, a CO2 Pistol. He says police arrested four others inside the apartment, including Heather Diaz and Jeffrey Rigerman both 33, 24 year-old Cassandra Cole, and an unidentified 18 year-old.
Samuelson says all five face charges including aeventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child because two small children were found inside the apartment. Rigerman is jailed on $12,000 cash bail, Cole on $6,000, and Diaz on $2,500 bail.
About 60 people turned out for a community forum on poverty that was held in Dunkirk Wednesday afternoon.
Local Congressman Tom Reed was among the panelists who took part during the forum held by Chautauqua Opportunities, Incorporated. The Corning Republican believes there is a need to change the way the nation is fighting poverty, giving local organizations such as COI more flexibility.
Reed says the U.S. has a history of spending trillions of dollars on the "War on Poverty" but, haven't gotten the results they should. He says the added flexibility will help organizations, like COI, put resources towards what works.
Reed spoke about legislation he reintroduced earlier this year, the Help Americans in Need Develop their Ultimate Potential or HAND-Up Act. The proposal would give states the flexibility to change how agencies administer social welfare programs. He also spoke about tax reform and the work of the Problem Solvers Caucus, which he co-chairs.
COI Executive Roberta Keller believes the forum has an important purpose because "so many things are changing" and most have a big impact on people living in poverty.
A North East, Pennsylvania area man who allegedly broke into a Ripley home last weekend has been arrested in Franklin, Pennsylvania after police there found his abandoned vehicle nearby.
Sheriff's deputies say a "Be on the Look-Out" alert was put out to all area agencies regarding the arrest warrant issued for 59 year-old Joseph Leone.
Officers say Leone allegedly burglarized the localtion at 10-550 Route 20 last Saturday. His vehicle was found along a road in Sugar Creek, Pennsylvania late Tuesday and, a short time later he was found in Franklin, and, arrested.
Leone is currently awaiting extradition back to Chautauqua County on charges of third-degree grand larceny and, criminal mischief.
Gasoline prices in Chautauqua County are holding steady again for the fifth-consecutive week dropping 3/10ths a cent this week over last.
That from the AAA's Fuel Gauge Report which says the price is still $2.44 a gallon for regular, unleaded fuel. Gas prices are cheaper in all states in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast on the week with the exception of New York, where gas prices remained stable.
The price drop goes hand-in-hand with the region's latest gasoline inventory trend where there's been a 'sizeable' build. Nationally AAA says the average price is down two cents to $2.33 a gallon.
There are several coffee shops across the Greater Jamestown-area but, one in the downtown area not only serves different kinds but, also roasts the bean right there on the premesis.
City officials and leaders with the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation joined with owners Michael and Sarah Bigney to cut the ribbon Wednesday on the Crown Street Roasting Company at 16 West Third Street.
New JRC Executive Director Lisa Hatch said she was "excited" about the official opening because coffee houses are usually good economic indicators.
Sarah Bigney says Michael has roasted his own coffee for several years and, that led to opening the new business. She says they've been open since August 1st and, adds they've been well-received by the community.
Mayor Sam Teresi says having Crown Street open helps make downtown a "really, really cool place" to be with so many young, entrepreneurs coming into the downtown area. The Bigney's say they are open Mondays through Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and, Saturday's 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. They can be found on-line and, on Facebook and Instagram.
