Eight arrested in three drug raids in Jamestown late last week...
Three separate drug raids in the city of Jamestown late last week led to the arrest of eight people on multiple drug-related charges. City police say officers... along with JPD and Sheriff's Department SWAT Teams... executed search warrants simultaneously at an upper garage apartment... and, Apartment #3 at 221 E. Eighth St., and, 47 1/2 Baker Street shortly after 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Officers say they found 21 year-old Juliannays Fuentes above the garage... and, in Apt. #3... they found 27 year-old Zulery Jimenez-Fuentes... 47 year-old Victor Melendez, and a 4 year old child inside. At 47 1/2 Baker Street... they found 26 year-old Angel Alberto Ozuna... 25 year-old Cristian Adalberto DeJesus-Polanco... 18 year-old Juana Maria Concer-Jesus... 24 year-old Noel Montes Delosanto... and, 41 year-old Jamie Bennett. Once the locations were secured... JPD and Sheriff's investigators searched the locations.... and, all eight were charged with multiple counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and second-degree criminally using drug paraphenalia. Police say Zulery Jimenez-Fuentes was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child. All three locations were also condemned by the Jamestown Department of Development. City police were assisted by the Sheriff's Office... FBI and Immigration and Custom's Enforcement. Anyone with information about drug or criminal activity are asked to call the JPD Tip Line at 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477. For the Sheriff's Office Tip line call 1-800-344-8702 or 664-2420.
City Council approves new, four-year contract with Jamestown firefighter's union...
The Jamestown City Council has approved a new, four-year contract with it's firefighters union that runs through 2028. Lawmakers approved the deal unanimously and without comment. Mayor Kim Ecklund says rank and file members of the Jamestown Professional Firefighter's Association will receive a 2% raise this year... 3% in 2026... and 4% in both 2027 and 2028. Ecklund says there is some give-back by the union on health insurance... with them having to pay 23-25% of the new premiums. She says it's similar to the recently agreed to police contract and meets the union "in the middle." The policemen's union contract was settled earlier this year... along with the Civil Service Employees Association. Ecklund adds they have three contracts down... and, three to go... including AFSCME... JCAA and JURA. While firefighters will be having to pay more in health insurance premiums... they will get a break on the amount they have to pay by taking part in the city's Heath and Wellness Program.
Ohio man arrested in Bemus Point for allegedly fleeing scene of motor vehicle accident, and illegally possessing a firearm...
An Ohio man has been arrested for allegedly fleeing the scene of a motor vehicle crash in Bemus Point... and, being found in possession of a fiream. Sheriff's officers say they were called to the scene in Main Street just after 10 a.m. Sunday... and, found that 27 year-old Peter Clements of Hamilton, Ohio... who's car was involved... had left the scene. Deputies investigated, and found that Clements was illegally in possession of the gun. He was arrested for criminal possession of a firearm... and, released with appearance tickets for Ellery Town Court at a later date.
Whitaker pleased to see new guard rail in place at Persell Middle School prior to school starting...
The much-discussed guard rail at the intersection of Baker Street and Hazeltine Avenue -- in front of Persell Middle School -- is now in place to the new school year in Jamestown. School Superintendent Kevin Whitaker says he's pleased that it's been installed well before the start of the new school year on Wednesday, September 3rd... and, thanked the city for it's help in getting the new guard rail installed. He says he's happy they were able to have a "strong partnership" with the city to share the cost, and make sure kids are safe in that intersection. Dr. Whitaker says the new guard rail will provide an added measure of protection for students during the Winter months. Chautauqua County reconstructed the former "Y" intersection because it had become a hazard for middle school students crossing the street there. There had been instances of children getting hit -- or nearly getting hit -- in recent years. Whitaker made his comments for next weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the six Media One Radio Group stations.
Langworthy applaudes Trump Executive Order to end Cashless Bail...
Local Congressman Nick Langworthy is applauding President Trump’s executive order ending cashless bail in Washington, D.C.... and, is calling on New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to do the same. Langworthy says -- quote -- "it's a sad state of affairs when the President of the United States has to step in and do the job local officials should be doing to keep people safe. In New York, Governor Hochul and Albany Democrats have unleashed a wave of tragic and entirely preventable crimes. The supporters of these disastrous pro-criminal policies have blood on their hands." He adds that he "strongly supports" the president's executive order to "restore law and order, and I urge Congressional leadership to act to codify it so we can end this madness in pro-criminal, anti-police states like New York."
