JPD urges public to be vigilant in wake of older model Kia thefts in city...
Jamestown police officials believe juveniles are the primary suspects in a recent rash of vehicle thefts involving mainly older model Kia's in the city.  That from Police Chief Scott Forester and Deputy Chief Adam McKinley... who put out a warning to city residents on Facebook last Friday about "numerous thefts" during the overnight hours across the city.  McKinley says videos on social media are often to blame... because there are videos there that instruct people on how to steal Kias... or other cars in general.  He says the cars are either being found, abandoned, somewhere else... or wrecked.  Police investigators say the suspects are breaking a window on the vehicle and tampering with the ignition to start and drive it.  Chief Forester says the best way to avoid the car being stolen is to keep it out of sight... or in a well-lit area.  He says that goes for any kind of car you may have.  He says if you can keep the car in a garage that's a big help.  Otherwise, he says lock-up your vehicle and don't leave the keys, or other valuables in it.  If you see suspicious individuals, or activities or car alarms going off please call 911. 

City man to spend 6-years in state prison on drug convictions...
A man from Jamestown will spend the next six-years in state prison for his conviction on drug-related charges.  Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt says 33 year-old Jamal Jackson received the sentence... along with five-years post-release supervision... from County Court Judge David Foley Monday.  Schmidt says Jackson had been convicted of fourth-degree attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.  In December of 2024... Schmidt says Jamestown police stopped a vehicle that Jackson was a passenger in... and, during the stop... they found him in possession of a quantity of methamphetamine.  About a month later... he says Jackson was arrested again by city police following a traffic stop for later being found with more than half-a-gram of meth.  Schmidt says Jackson pled guilty to guilty to both charges last May.  He was sentenced as a violent predicate felon for having multiple convictions within a certain period of time.  Schmidt thanked JPD for it's hard work on both cases.

Dunkirk fire crews make quick work of fire in Hot Water tank in Coburn Block building...
No injuries were reported after a hot water tank caught on fire inside a downtown Dunkirk building Sunday morning.  City Fire Chief Nick Barter says crews responded to an automatic fire alarm activation at about 8 a.m. at 4 West 2nd St. --  which is part of the Coburn Block.  On arrival... firefighters found the alarm and also saw smoke coming from the first floor in the back of 131 Central Ave.  Barter says they found a hot water tank on fire in the basement and quickly put out the flames.  The fire caused minor damage, and crews remained on scene for about one hour to clear smoke from the multi-occupant building.

Dunkirk assessor files lawsuit against the city...
Dunkirk City Assessor Erica Munson is suing the north county city.  The lawsuit was filed this past week in Chautauqua County Supreme Court... and, alleges that the city unlawfully denied Munson her election to receive a cash payout in lieu of her health insurance coverage for the 2026 calendar year.  That was authorized under a local law enacted in 1992.  Munson says the city's determination should be annulled because -- "it was made in violation of unlawful procedure, is affected by an error of law, and is arbitrary and capricious."  In April, City attorney Elliot Raimondo said in a letter to Munson that she is ineligible for the cash payout because -- "clear evidence shows that you are participating in the City health insurance plan and receiving benefits from such."

Tickets remain for most Comedy Festival events -- including headliners...
Some tickets still remain for the three headliner shows for this weekend's Lucille Ball Comedy Festival in Jamestown put on by the National Comedy Center.  That from Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson... who says only a small number remain for Thursday night's kick-off show at the Northwest Arena... featuring Comedy legend, Jerry Seinfeld performing at 7 p.m.  The annual Late Night Comedy Showcase is set for Friday night at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts... and, Gunderson says there are still some tickets available for that 7 p.m. performance.  Another big name performing at the festival will be Bert Kreischer on Saturday night at 7 at the arena.  Gunderson says Kreischer's big MO is "fun."  Gunderson says Forbes Magazine has called Kreischer possibly the funniest man of this generation.  The final headliner is Sunday night at 7 p.m. at the arena when Late Night with Seth Meyers host Seth Meyers puts on his stand-up routine... which she says is "very relatible" -- especially to parents.  For more information on all the events during the Comedy Festival... go on-line to ComedyFestival.org.