(Alert!)Missing canoer/kayaker found dead in Conewango Creek...
State Police have now identified an Eastern New York man as the person who died in a canoeing accident last Sunday night in the town of Poland. Troopers in Jamestown were called to the scene in the Conewango Creek about 7 p.m. on a report that the canoe -- or kayak -- operated by 46 year-old Michael Leary of Pine Plains... was missing and unaccounted for. The State Police Underwater Recovery Unit... and, the Chautauqua County Water Emergency Team with local fire agencies searched for Leary. He was found late Monday afternoon among some tree limbs about two-feet under the water. Troopers say Leary was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident... and, an autopsy is underway at the Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Man from Celoron arrested for making threats, and being in possession of metal knuckles during arrest...
A Celoron man faces several charges after allegedly making threats and creating a disturbance in front of a home on Jamestown's southside late Monday night. City police say 24 year-old Allen Gurnari struggled with officers when they apprehended him around 11:15 p.m., and then damaged property inside a police car. Once in custody Gurnari was found to have a pair of metal knuckles. He's being held pending arraignment on charges of second-degree harassment, second-degree obstructing governmental administration, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree criminal mischief and resisting arrest.
City man arrested in alleged shooting involving a Paintball gun...
Police have arrested a Jamestown man after he allegedly shot another man in the face at point blank range with a paintball gun containing hardened projectiles. Jamestown officers say the shooting occurred around 2:15 a.m. Monday at a location on West Third Street. Police say the man arrested was 45-year-old Grant Monroe of Jamestown. The 46 year-old victim... who was not identified... was seriously injured and taken to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital for treatment. Monroe is charged with first-degree assault and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
City Council approves hiring of three new police officers, and four firefighters...
The Jamestown City Council has unanimously approved the hiring of three new police officers, and four new firefighters to address public safety issues in the city. Lawmakers last night okayed using $3.2-million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for the new positions. Council President Tony Dolce says the added officers will deal mainly with reducing gun violence. Dolce says two will specificially end up as part of a gun violence detail... and the third will deal with noise, and other nuisance "neighborhood" issues. While current officers will be given the chance to be part of a new "gun violence" unit in the city... the new hires will likely be patrol officers to begin with. Mayor Eddie Sundquist says council's actions are a "step in the right direction" in dealing with the city's "gun violence... and EMS crisises" in Jamestown. The four additional firefighters will allow the Jamestown Fire Department to staff a second ambulance to deal with a crush of EMS calls during the pandemic, and to deal with the drug overdose issue. Dolce says the city hopes to bring on the new hires over the next "3 to 6 months."
City Council meeting brings resumption of security detail at City Hall...
For the first time in a few years... people attending last night's city council meeting had to go through a security check-point before going to council chambers. Those attending had to go through a metal detector in the lobby of city hall once they entered the building. Council President Dolce says some lawmakers felt it was needed after one person disrupted last Monday's work session... as well as due to what's been happening at other places in the country. A man interrupted last week's meeting a couple of times before getting into a brief argument with Dolce... and, he was asked to leave. The council president says it's a precautionary measure that seemed to be needed with an uptick in public meeting acrimony -- and in some cases violence -- in recent months.
Wendel says he's not interested in running for Reed's former Congressional seat, but, not endorsing anyone either...
A number of Republicans are expressing interest in the special election for the 23rd Congressional District. But... one big name is no longer interested. Because of the change in district boundaries, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney has decided to run for the newly redrawn 24th Congressional District. One person who is not interested in seeking Tom Reed's former seat is County Executive P.J. Wendel... who says he appreciates that people asked him about a run. Current Buffalo-area Congressman Chris Jacobs is the latest to declare his candidacy. Wendel has not yet decided on who to endorse. He says he's looking for what the person will do for the county... adding that Reed was able to bring back $148-million in federal funding to Chautauqua County. Governor Kathy Hochul has not yet announced a date for the special election.
Man from Sinclairville arrested for unlawful imprisonment...
A Sinclairville man has been arrested for allegedly getting into an argument with two other people inside a home... and, then pulling a knife and holding it to the throat of one of the victims. Sheriff's officers were called to the scene on Jamestown Street just after 4 p.m. Sunday, and, learned that 19 year-old Raymond Fuller had left the home... and, then damaged property at a building nearby. Fuller was located a short distance away and was placed in custody. Deputies then took him to the Chautauqua County Jail for centralized arraignment... on charges including including first-degree unlawful imprisonment... second-degree menacing... second-degree reckless endangerment... and, two counts of second-degree aggravated harassment.
