Local News Headlines
The Chautauqua County Legislature has approved a motion calling on state lawmakers to pass legislation protecting the privacy of people with pistol licenses... and, concealed carry permits. However... approval didn't come without some debate. Supporters say the ability of the media to obtain the names and addresses of gun owners puts them in danger... and, further erodes their second amendment rights. Sherman Republican Fred Croscut says there are several people in his District who are very concerned about this happening. He adds their biggest worry is criminals breaking into homes and stealing weapons.However... Fredonia Democrat Billy Coughlin says there is an issue of Freedom of the Press to be able to see... and, scrutinize government transactions. He referred to a past meeting where lawmakers called on the state to repeal the SAFE Act.
Coughlin also questioned the viability of motions to influence state and federal legislation. However... Majority Leader Larry Barmore says they have... especially regarding some recent changes made to the SAFE Act. Last night's measure was approved, 20-to-5.
A woman whose been the assistant director at the Prendergast Library in Jamestown the past 4-and-a-half years has been named it's new, permanent director. Tina Scott has also been acting director for the past several months after Linda Mielke abruptly stepped down late last year. Scott says it's "wonderful" to be the new director... adding she'll be able to focus on just that post. That's because the Pendergast board... and, the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library system's panel... decided to move forward with separate directors. Scott says separating the positions so the Prendergast position is not combined with the library system's is the kind of move that's been happening state-wide. She see's that as an advantage so she can work with another library director to make it... and, the system stronger. She says that especially the case with fund-raising... which many libraries have had to do. Scott says while their base funding from the city has remained flat the past several years... other sources have been drastically cut. She says it's led libraries across the region to cooperate even more.
The Prendergast Library's new director takes over at a busy time for the library. A number of fund-raisers are coming up... including the Prendergast's biggest of the year. The annual Booksale, though, will be held at a new venue this year. In the past... the library closed early the day before the Booksale to set up... and, the library closed for those two days to host the event. This year... Tina Scott says they've teamed with the Jamestown Renaissance Center to hold the sale there... beginning on Friday, June 7th. Scott says they normally get draw a lot of people for the booksale...and, there should be plenty of room in the center for it. She adds the library will also stay open during the sale... so, the need for volunteers for that weekend is greater. Scott says there are a couple of fund-raisers to be held PRIOR to the booksale... including a new Scrabble Tournament on May 18th. Scott says they've already received a lot of books for the annual Booksale... and, they're still accepting them up to a week before the event.
A city man is in the county jail after allegedly being found in possession of "crack" cocaine when he was spotted hiding in the back seat of a car during a traffic stop Tuesday afternoon. Jamestown police say officers had pulled over the car on Washington Street, near 10th about 4:30 PM, for a traffic violation. During the stop... they found 28 year-old Darren Mushat laying down in the backseat... and, trying to hide from officers. Police say Mushat was already wanted for criminal possession of a controlled substance. Officers say they found about 1.6-grams of "crack" in his possession during the stop. They say Mushat was charged with another count of Felony criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was arraigned in city court... and, sent to the county jail without bail.
A big name in comedy will be coming to Jamestown next October... and, organizers of a new running event in Jamestown couldn't be more excited. The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center for Comedy, the Chautauqua Striders, and, Jamestown Savings Bank Arena have announced that the legendary Martin Short will be the featured performer for the "Lucy Town Half Marathon and 5k" weekend. Lucy-Desi Center Director Journey Gunderson says they have been busy both with the Columbus Weekend event and the Comedy Festival this summer.Participants of the half marathon and 5k race will have the first shot at getting tickets. Gunderson says they'll then go on sale to the general public on July 1st. Martin Short will be on stage at the Reg Lenna Civic Center Saturday, October 12th at 7:30 PM. All that information can be found on-line at Lucy-Race-dot-COM.
