Fire damages second-story of Jamestown home Tuesday morning...
An overheated electrical device is the apparent cause of a Tuesday morning house fire in the city of Jamestown. Fire Battalion Chief Jason Winchester says crews were called to the scene at 40 West Eighth St. -- near Cherry -- shortly before 8 a.m. Firefighters were able to quickly contain the flames to the second-story of the structure... and the blaze was knocked down in about 20 minutes. An off-duty shift was called in. rews were at the scene until just after Noon. Winchester says two adult occupants suffered smoke inhalation... and one was taken to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital for treatment. But... there were no other injuries reported.
Four of 15 people indicted in major drug conspiracy in Erie, Pa. are from Jamestown...
Fifteen people -- four from Jamestown -- have been indicted on federal drug charges in Erie, Pa. U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti announced the indictments late Monday at Erie City Hall. Rivetti says the 15 defendants were named in two separate... but related one-count Indictments. The first of those Indictments charges 13 of them with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute various quantities of fentanyl and/or cocaine. The second charges two additional defendants with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing cocaine. The Jamestown defendants include: 40 year-old Abner Cintron-Melendez and 31 year-old Thalia Dalie Lynch... who each face life in prison for allegedly trafficking 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl. In addition... 47 year-old Javier Carrasquillo and 29 year-old Mariah Arlene Jackson is accused of possessing a quantity of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl... and, cocaine.
City Council approves local law allowing Jamestown to override the state's 2% property tax cap in 2027 - if necessary...
The Jamestown City Council has approved a local law allowing the city to override New York state's 2% property tax cap in the 2027 budget. However... a long-time Council member says that will only be done if it's needed. Second-Ward Repubican Tony Dolce spoke prior to last night's vote... and moved to assure residents that they will do the best job to bring in a no tax increase budget -- or as low of an increase -- as possible. The past couple of years... lawmakers have had to exceed the cap... along with using some reserve funds... to hold down a tax increase. Dolce says the override is basically a "gimmick" by the state to show fiscal restraint... yet, is now looking to bail out New York City with an additional $4-billion in state aid... while others have to increase taxes by 10% to 20%. The 7-to-1 vote came following a public hearing earlier in the evening. At large Democrat Dan Gonzales cast the lone "no" vote. Lawmakers also approved the city's 2026 Community Development Block Grant and HOME Program Action Plan for 2026. The city is receiving just under $1.4-million dollars for a number of low to moderate income projects.
City man arrested for trespassing on Fenner Elem. School grounds...
A man from Jamestown has been arrested for allegedly trespassing on Fenner Elementary School property last week. Ellicott Town Police say 62 year-old Thomas Lauer was seen walking on the property during school operation. Lauer was arrested for third-degree criminal trespass... and, issued an appearance ticket for Ellicott Town Court at a later date.
More details released on three vehicle crash on Interstate 90 involving car that went until a tractor-trailer...
Two people were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries following a crash involving three vehicles on I-90 eastbound in the town of Hanover last Thursday. State Police say a Sports Utility Vehicle... driven by 63-year-old Thomas Davis of Brocton... was traveling in the right lane behind a tractor trailer about 1:30 PM, when he attempted an unsafe lane change. That resulted in the SUV striking a Jeep driven by a 50-year-old woman from Dunkirk, causing both vehicles to spin. Troopers say the SUV struck the semi's trailer and became stuck underneath, while the Jeep struck the guiderails. Both local residents were taken to Brooks Memorial Hospital. Davis was issued several tickets for vehicle and traffic law violations. The driver of the semi -- a 35-year-old man from Ontario, Canada -- was reportedly not injured.
SUNY JCC holds graduation ceremonies for more than 600 graduates last weekend...
It was college graduation time last weekend across Chautauqua County... including the annual Commencement Ceremonies at SUNY Jamestown Community College. The majority of the colleges more than 600 graduates from the classes of December of 2025... and, Spring of 2026 received degrees and certificates at JCC's Physical Education Complex last Saturday. Student Speaker... Miguel Cocerez... majored in Health Information Technology. He talked about leaving Puerto Rico as a young child and, trying to adapt to a new country, culture and language. Cocerez remembered first attending school in Buffalo and not being able to understand English... but was always encouraged by his grandmother. He says his grandmother always told him "you can do this." Cocerez says by the first grade, he was able to speak, understand and write in English. He also spent 20 years away from school before coming to JCC... and, earning his degree. College President Daniel DeMarte congratulated him... and, the other graduates... noting the Class of 2026 both "impressed and inspired" him by rising to and meeting challenges along the way.
