Ecklund reports city has received the $1.3-Million dollar Financial Restructuring Board grant to help move city retirees onto Medicare...
Persistance has paid off for the city of Jamestown -- literally -- with news that it's received the $1.3-million committed several years ago to help reduce health insurance costs. Mayor Kim Ecklund told the City Council during last night's work session that the funding from the state's Financial Restructuring Board is in hand to assist with getting more retired city employees off the city's self-insurance plan... and, onto Medicare when they're eligible. Ecklund says it will help to reimburse those costs back to the city. She says the city began pursuing the funding under the Teresi Administration in 2019... and, the Sundquist administration after that. However... she says her administration has pushed hard to finally get the money... and, she had several people to thank in that effort... including Comptroller Erika Thomas... Corporation Counsel Eliot Raimando... and, City Clerk Jennifer John. Ecklund says the expenses to help move retirees onto Medicare "far exceed" the $1.3-million. However... she says every dollar will help the city in the long-run. Ecklund says that $1.3-million is being used to replenish the city's undesignated fund balance because that amount had been moved in previous budgets to offset not having the money there.
City man arrested for stealing speaker, and for violating order of protection...
A man from Jamestown has been arrested for allegedly stealing a speaker from a person who has an order of protection against him. City police say they were called to a southside address at 12:15 p.m. Monday for a reported larceny. Officers say the victim told them that 27 year-old Matthew Brown stole the speaker... and, violated the "stay-away" order against him. Police found Brown a short distance away... and, he was arrested without incident. He was held pending arraignment on charges of second-degree criminal contempt... and, petty larceny.
Ellicott Police arrest city man who allegedly stole items from Budget Inn in Falconer...
A Jamestown man is accused of stealing items from a Falconer motel... and, being in possession of drugs when he was arrested. Ellicott Town Police say they were called to the Budget Inn on Main Street about 9:30 a.m. last Monday, Nov. 24... and, investigated before arresting 38 year-old Shawn Sobczak. Officers say Sobczak was moving out of the motel at the time... and, he was later found... with the items in his possession. Police add they also found him allegedly in possession of a quantity of methamphetamine. Sobczak was arrested for petty larceny... and, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was later issued appearance tickets for Ellicott Town Court.
Head of Sports Hall of Fame calls just-announced 2026 Class a "very diverse" group...
A wide-range of people from different areas of Chautauqua County... as well as sports... are part of the newest class to be inducted into the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame. That from Hall of Fame President Randy Anderson... who says the annual Induction dinner will be held at the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club on President's Day... Monday, Feb. 16. Anderson says track-and field is well represented in this very diverse group. First he says is Falconer native Trevor Hitchcock... who re-wrote the record books at Falconer and the SUNY College at Fredonia in the "heavy-weight throws." Anderson says one inductee... former Frewsburg softball and swimming stand-out Brianne Prince-Hazelton... is still coaching Varsity Softball at Forestville Central School. Another sport recognized is golf... and is represented by late, long-time Lakewood-area dentist, Dr. Karl Englert... who won several regional tournaments, and local golf club championships. Anderson says 2009 Fredonia Central School graduate Kenny Betts was arguabily the best wrestler to come out of the county... and won two state titles.
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Also among the inductees are Dunkirk marathoner Jennifer Giebner Donato... and, two stand-outs at Southwestern Central Schools -- cross-country and track and field stand-out Brian Hull... and, baseball pitcher Kerry Kellogg. The eighth inductee is late Dan Wolfe... who was an all-around sports athlete at the former Cardinal Mindszenty High School in Dunkirk. For more information on the hall's annual banquet... and, to order tickets... call Chairman Chip Johnson at 485-6991.
City woman arrested for damaging another person's property during domestic incident...
A woman from Jamestown has been arrested for allegedly damaging another person's property during what was supposed to be a "property exchange." City police were called to a westside address this past Wednesday night for a reported domestic dispute. When they arrived... they learned that 56 year-old Katherine Walton had intentionally damaged the victim's property. Walton was arrested for fourth-degree criminal mischief... and, was held pending arraignment.
Tarp Skunk's Manager Jagoda named as new SUNY Fredonia Baseball coach...
Jamestown Tarp Skunks Manager Frank Jagoda III has been officially named as the new head coach for the SUNY College at Fredonia's baseball team. Jagoda... a Fredonia alumnus... had served as the interim head coach of the program since September. The college says he brings to his new position more than 15 years of coaching, scouting, and player-development experience across college, professional, and international baseball. Co-interim Athletic Director Angela Pucciarelli-Rice says -- "we are thrilled to welcome Frank as our new head baseball coach. As a proud Fredonia alum with an impressive, coaching résumé and strong ties to the community, Frank brings a proven record of excellence, an exceptional baseball mind, and a genuine commitment to developing student-athletes on and off the field." Jagoda is also a Dunkirk High School graduate... and, he managed the Tarp Skunks to a 30-and-15 record last season.
