This week's third and final input session on updating Jamestown's 12-year-old Urban Design Plan was held last night and, work will now begin to update the plan for the city's downtown area...  

 

Work on the initial plan was headed up by Principle David Spillane with Goody-Clancy of Boston, Massachusetts, who says the plans needs to be updated because most of their initial goals were met.  Spillane says they've had good input, especially from new and young entrepreneurs that are excited about the city's direction.

 

Spillane says that "one new, remarkable attraction" should be the new National Comedy Center, which was not even on the table at the time the first Urban Design Plan was completed.  While the past 10 years has been successful, he says they'll need another good 10 years to begin to see the city's full potential.  Planners outlined six areas that appear to be key to the next decade, including Community Planning and further development on the riverfront.  A "draft" Urban Design Plan should be completed by early July.

 

 

Two Jamestown residents were arrested following a domestic dispute on the city's eastside Tuesday morning...  

 

City police were called to a residence on Bowen Street just before 2 a.m. for possible domestic dispute and, burglary in progress.  Investigation revealed 54 year-old James Grant allegedly slapped an unidentified victim several times while an order of protection was in effect. After the altercation, police say Grant and 54 year-old Warren Dinkins then entered the victim's home without permission and, stole a television.  Both men were taken into custody pending arraignment for second-degree burglary and petty larceny.  Grant also faces charges of aggravated family offense and first-degree criminal contempt.  

 

 

The city of Jamestown is getting nearly 70-thousand dollars from the state Division of Criminal Justice Services to help fight gun and other related violence in the city...  

 

The City Council this week approved receipt of the funding from the state "Gun-Involved Violence Elimination" -- or GIVE Initiative.  City Police Chief and Public Safety Director Harry Snellings says the GIVE Program replaced the former Operation IMPACT program and, requires Jamestown and 16 other jurisdictions outside of New York City to focus exclusively on reducing and preventing shootings and firearm-related homicides. State Criminal Justice officials say the GIVE initiative builds upon the information sharing and partnerships developed under Operation IMPACT, while expanding the use of crime analysis, evidence-based practices and community partnerships to assist in the reduction of firearm-related crimes.

 

 

The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities is about half-way through it's annual Spring Water Main Flushing in the city and most of the downtown area...  

 

BPU General Manager Dave Leathers recently spoke to the city council about this year's program... and, noted their longest day would be yesterday with the downtown area involved.  Unlike most days... that began at 5:30 a.m. so as not to interfere with downtown businesses  Leathers says they've been able to pretty much eliminate any of last year's problems.

 

Leathers says the BPU has found that daytime flushing -- which was started last year -- helps them be more efficient with Water Division personnel and, they can do it in a safer manner.  Most days... he says flushing will run from 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m..  BPU Spokeswoman Becky Robbins says they are updating the schedule on their Twitter and Facebook sites.  If you have further questions about the Spring Daytime Water Main Flushing in the BPU system, go to those platforms, or call the BPU's Flushing Hotline at 661-1688.

 

 

Gas prices in the Jamestown area are up two-cents this week to $2.90 per gallon of regular, unleaded fuel....  

 

AAA reports that prices at the pump have spiked as much as 15-cents in a few Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states.  Across New York, gas prices are five-cents high to $2.94.  Officials report a 544-million barrel gain in gasoline inventories after last week's decline. However, overall inventories lag 6-million barrels behind this time last year.  The national price-per-gallon has reached the highest in nearly three years to $2.81.  In 2014, motorists were paying an average of $3.34.  AAA says gasoline demand dropped by 774,000 barrels-per-day.

 

 

A city man faces charges following a traffic stop on Thayer Street Wednesday afternoon... 

 

Through investigation, officers found a passenger inside the vehicle-- 32 year-old Tyler Steppe-- allegedly tried to hide his identity because he has active city court warrants. Steppe was arrested on the warrants and further charged with second-degree criminal impersonation. He was taken to city jail pending arraignment. 

 

 

An event to celebrate the life of a north county woman who served as the inspiration behind the annual Laurel Run will be held this Sunday in Silver Creek....  

 

Laurel Hotelling passed away last November at the age of 54.  Her parents, Wayne and Elaine Hotelling, are holding a Celebration of Laurel Hotelling's Life from 2 to 6 p.m. on May 6 at the Fireman's Association Building.  Wayne Hotelling says the entire community is invited to attend and share their memories of Laurel.

 

Laurel played an important role in helping raise awareness of those with Down syndrome and disabilities.  Steve Waterson of the Resource Center says the memory of Laurel will live on with the continuation of Laurel Run and, a board room they have named after the Hotellings in Jamestown.  Wayne Hotelling is encouraging those planning attend to write down their memories of Laurel and share them with the others at the event.

 

 

A woman from Celoron is accused of drunk-driving more than twice the legal limit and, causing property damage in Jamestown Tuesday night... 

 

City police were called to 2 Harding Avenue for a single car accident and, found 67 year-old Dianna Brooks to be intoxicated. Officers say Brooks allegedly drove over a street sign, re-entered the roadway and, the drove back off the road into a chain-link fence. She was released with appearance tickets for DWI, moving from lane unsafely... and DWI-BAC over 0.18. She was arraigned in Jamestown City Court Wednesday.