A federal grand jury has indicted a Jamestown man on 14-counts charging him with sex trafficking of a minor and producing and trafficking child pornography...
U.S. Attorney James Kennedy, Junior in Buffalo announced late Thursday that 37 year-old James Chapman is also charged with enticement of a minor and, receipt of child pornography. Prosecutors say Chapman is accused of trying to coerce a minor to engage in prostitution and sexual activity between November 24-25 of 2014. During that same time, they say he is accused of recruiting two minor victims to engage in a commercial sex act and, video taping the encounter. Kennedy says the charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $250,000 fine. Anyone with information about Chapman (also known as "Fatz Guy" and "Perverted Doe") should contact the FBI in buffalo at 856-7800.
The Jamestown-area is under a Winter Weather Advisory though early Saturday morning...
That from Forecaster Kirk Apffel from the National Weather Service in Buffalo, who says some parts of the region could see upwards of a foot of snow through 5 a.m. Saturday, when the advisory ends. Apffel says the places where Lake Snows tend to be heavy will see the higher amounts. Additionally, Apffel says an upper level low is what's helping to drive the Nor-easter off the east coast. However, he adds that we're getting some "wrap-around" snow from that system. The immediate Jamestown-area is looking at lower amounts of snow from this system.
One major road construction project this coming Summer in Jamestown will look to resolve a long-standing problem at the corner of West Fourth and Washington Streets...
That from Mayor Sam Teresi, who told the city council this week that the project will involve West Fourth between Washington and Lafayette Streets. Teresi says that one-block stretch has had to be milled and overlayed at least four times since he's been mayor.
Teresi says the problem is not with the bricks under the paved surface, but with the concrete sub-surface under the bricks which has deteriorated, and is pushing against the bricks and pavement. However, Teresi says the entire street from Washington to the junction with Third Street will get a makeover-- including new lighting and landscaping and drainage improvements. He says the city will also undertake a major project on North Main Street due to the two recent water main breaks -- including one last Fall. He says those have undermined the street in a couple of locations.
Dunkirk city officials late Thursday unveiled details of a big event that they hope will make a "real splash" for the city and Chautauqua County...
Mayor Willie Rosas announced an agreement to have Race World Offshore to hold a Grand Prix speed boat race in Dunkirk next August 17-19. Special Events Coordinator Hector Rosas says the effort to bring a major boat race to the city began last September when they learned there would not be another air show.
With help from Chautauqua County, the state and several major sponsors, city officials were able to raise enough funding without using city tax dollars. One of the race organizers, Rich Dancisin, says there will be five racing classes taking part in the event including the Unlimited Class which includes speed boats capable of reaching speeds of up to 200 mph. Dancisin says under race conditions, they go about 180 to 185. City officials say the event will be televised internationally by NBC Sports. Among the major sponsors involved are DFT Communications, and a company that will soon locate in the Dunkirk area-- Athenex.
A city man faces several charges after allegedly leading Jamestown police on a pursuit in a reported stolen vehicle Wednesday evening...
After seeing an expired registration from 2016, police attempted to stop a vehicle on Willard Street. However, it fled from officers. After a short pursuit, the vehicle stopped on the 100-block of Barrows Street where officers say the driver and passenger got out while the car was still moving, and took off on foot. Officers were able to take the driver -- 20 year-old Jordan Thayer -- into custody without incident after a short foot chase. Further investigation revealed that the vehicle was stolen out of the town of Ellicott earlier this week. While searching the vehicle, officers found a switch blade knife and a small quantity of marijuana. Thayer was also found to be impaired by drugs while driving. He is being held in City Jail pending arraignment.
The ribbon has been cut on the new Western New York P-TECH STEM College and Career Academy on Benton Street in Dunkirk...
The ceremony was led by Principal Stephen Rusczyk and District Superintendent David O'Rourke with the Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES. O'Rourke says P-TECH provides both a high school diploma and an Associates Degree from Jamestown Community College in advanced manufacturing.
O'Rourke says they have a partnership that led to the academy, one of only three in Western New York and has no tax impact on the Dunkirk School District. He says the program has been operating for about three years, but this is the first time it has place that's designed specifically for the program. A number of community leaders took part in Wednesday afternoon's program including Mayor Willie Rosas, Dunkirk's Superintendent of Schools Dr. James Tracy and representatives for Senator Cathy Young, Congressman Tom Reed and Governor Andrew Cuomo.
The annual meeting of the Warren County Historical Society will be held in the main courtroom of the Warren County court house next Tuesday, March 13 at 6 p.m. ...
The meeting will feature a lecture from noted author Michael J. Shults who will speak about his recent book "From the Forest to the Battlefield". The book highlights stories of 40 conservation corps members who were awarded the Medal of Honor during World War II. For more information, call 814-723-1795 or go online to warrencountyhistory.org. The meeting is free and open to the public.
Gas prices in the Jamestown-area held on for the sixth-consecutive week at $2.76 for a gallon of regular, unleaded fuel, despite dropping a penny in New York state...
That from the AAA's weekly gas price report, which says prices increased in only two states in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region on the week, while decreasing 1 to 3 cents in the others. On the national front, gas prices have gone up as much as $0.09 in some states. At $2.53 per gallon -- AAA says prices are $0.08 cheaper from last month, and $0.22 more expensive than this time last year.
