Jamestown-area Memorial Day observances fully back to the most part this weekend...
After having commemoriations cancelled or scaled-back the past two years due to COVID-19... a full slate of Memorial Day Weekend activities are planned this weekend in the Jamestown-area. It will begin with the Blue Star Mother's annual Gold Star Memorial tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. at Veteran's Memorial Park on Logan Avenue. Susan Rowley of the Blue Star Mothers says former County Executive, and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Vince Horrigan will be the keynote speaker. She says they will remember and honor all the Gold Star Heroes from our area and will name the 21 that have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms since 1985.
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In addition... Jamestown's annual Memorial Day Parade is back on Monday morning at 10 a.m., with formation at 9 a.m. in Baker Park. The days events will begin with the traditional Busti Parade through the five-corners at 9 a.m. Afterwards... there will be a ceremony of rememberance at the gazebo next to the Busti Cemetery. The annual Southwestern Parade will take place after that. Falconer's annual parade is also back at 10:15 a.m. Monday.
Triple-A urges motorists to follow NYS "Move Over Law" as we head into Summer driving season...
More than 39-million Americans plan to travel more than 50 miles over the Memorial Day holiday... with many hitting the highways. Representatives from AAA of Western and Central New York held a video conference with reporters today to discuss highway safety. Triple-A's Mark Mika says it’s important for drivers to follow the Move Over Law. It states that you must move over one-lane, or slow down for roadside workers, including tow truck drivers, construction workers and police or firefighters. There are efforts underway to expand the Move Over Law... according to AAA spokesperson Elizabeth Carey. Carey says two downstate legislators are drafting that bill... which AAA supports.
Jamestown pair arrested for allegedly breaking into downtown store early Thursday morning...
Two men from Jamestown have been arrested for allegedly breaking into a store front at 201 Cherry St. early Thursday morning. City police say they received a 9-1-1 call from a neighboring business about 4:30 a.m. that two subjects were breaking into the store, and were last seen carrying garbage bags inside the store after breaking in. Officers arrived and encountered the pair... 34 year-old Erik Morrison and 28 year-old Steven Becker... who were inside the building... and ran off west on Second Street. However... officers caught both men and they were arrested. City police say Morrison and Becker were jailed pending arraignment on charges of third-degree burglary... third-degree criminal mischief... and, obstructing Governmental administration.
Silver Creek man charged with illegal gun possession after seen walking in village holding a shotgun...
A Felon from Silver Creek was arrested late Wednesday night for allegedly walking on Porter Street in the north county village holding a shotgun. Sheriff's deputies say they were called to the scene about 11:30 p.m., and found 49 year-old Francis Kiley lll on a nearby street... and, later found the shotgun. A background check showed that Kiley is a convicted Felon... and, couldn't possess the gun legally. He was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon... and, taken into custody. He was arraigned and released with an appearance ticket for Hanover Town Court.
Sundquist says, in light of increasing workers comp costs in county for 2023, city's looking at other plans...
While the final numbers came in lower than first projected... the city of Jamestown has begun looking for other options for it's Worker's Compensation Program. The Chautauqua County Legislature Wednesday night approved a local law to change the county's formula for figuring the cost which doesn't use property assessments. Initially... the city was looking at a $330,000 increase... but, that fell to $157,000 in the approved plan. Mayor Eddie Sundquist says city lawmakers has been apprised... and, they had asked the county to spread out the payment over more time. However... he says the city is now looking at lower cost options, and he began talking with people at the recent New York State Conference of Mayor's gathering in Albany. The final plan also increased the cost to the city of Dunkirk by $86,000... and, to Westfield by $7,700. The changes lower everyone elses costs... including to the county itself. Legislators say the move will save them up to $700,000 a year.
Whitaker says Wednesday lock-outs were out of "abundance of caution" given recent events...
Quick actions by staff and others resolved two perceived threats to two Jamestown school buildings Wednesday that resulted in "lock-outs." School Superintendent Kevin Whitaker says one took place at Jamestown High School and was prompted by an observant staff member who saw a "suspicous person" who looked like they had a handgun. Whitaker says police were called, and flooded the scene... and, they found no immediate threat. He says the person had gone on their way, but, he adds they and police are checking surveillance video in that area. Whitaker delined further comment about what could be a 'potentially active investigation.' A similar 'lock-out' was also called at Washington Middle School for a time Wednesday. The superintendent said that one was not 'necessary' but was done out of an abundance of caution.
No charges filed in retired K-9 shooting in Cattaraugus County last month...
The Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office has closed it's investigation into the shooting death of a retired Erie County Sheriff's Office K-9 about a month ago. Deputies say K-9 "Haso" had gone missing from his owner during the evening hours of April 25... and, it was found that an individual had accidently shot the dog... mistaking it for a wild coyote. Officers say the person operates a small farm and was acting in defense of their farm animals. Given the circumstances... no charges have been filed.
