Four arrested after four children found living in deplorable conditions on Jamestown's eastside...
Four adults have been arrested for allegedly allowing four children to live in deplorable and unsanitary conditions on Jamestown's eastside. City police were called to make a domestic "well-being" check at the unidentified address about 10 a.m. Tuesday... and, investigated. Officers arrested 21 year-old Natalie Frost... 22 year-old Sincere Fisher... 23 year-old Justin Heiser and 26 year-old Brianna Heiser. Police charged Frost with three counts of second-degree criminal contempt... and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child... Fisher is charged with second-degree criminal contempt... and, four counts of child endangerment. Officers charged both Brianna and Justin Heiser with four counts each of endangering the welfare of a child. All four were taken to the city jail pending arraignment.
Hochul signs order placing moratorium on data centers; Borrello questions it in light of approved legislation...
Governor Kathy Hochul has signed an executive order putting a one-year moratorium on permits for new hyperscale data centers in New York state. However... it has raised the eyebrows of a local state lawmaker. Senator George Borrello says that's because the moratorium was done by executive order instead of signing the Responsible Data Center Development Act... which the state legislature approved earlier this year. Borrello says "the devil is in the details..." in particular the need for a "coherant energy policy" to power the "technology of the future." The Sunset Bay Republican adds that enacting the moratorium by executive order gives Hochul political flexibility, saying that the data center legislation "ties her hands too much." Borrello says he also believes the issue of data centers has become a political distraction on a number of levels. He has previously stated his opposition to a statewide moratorium, saying that local governments should have control over whether data centers should be allowed in their communities.
Frewsburg man arrested in Ellicott for blocking driveway of victim of domestic incident...
A Frewsburg man faces several charges following a domestic incident in early July in which he allegedly blocked the victim's driveway with his car. Ellicott Town Police say they were called to an unidentified town address just after 10 a.m. Thurs., July 2 for a domestic-in-progress. Officers say 32 year-old Mitchell Costanzo had driven to the person's home, and blocked the driveway in a way the victim couldn't get away. Police say Costanzo then allegedly got into a physical altercation with the victim, and damaged property belonging to that person. Officers also found he was allegedly drunk at the time... and, that he was driving with a revoked license. He's charged with second-degree harassment and second-degree unlawful imprisonment... fourth-degree criminal mischief... DWI... DWI with a blood alcohol content of point-08 or more... third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation... and, driving on a sidewalk. Costanzo was taken to the county jail pending centralized arraignment and issued traffic tickets. He's to appear in Ellicott Town Court at a later date.
Two Hamburg residents arrested in connection with robberies at two Dunkirk businesses...
Two people from Hamburg have been arraigned on charges in connection with a pair of June robberies at separate businesses in the city of Dunkirk. Dunkirk police say 32-year-old Robert Lyman was located and taken into custody by the Buffalo Police Department last Saturday. He was arraigned on charges of third-degree robbery and third-degree attempted robbery for his alleged role in the incidents at the Family Dollar on East 4th Street and Crosby's on Central Avenue on June 16. Lyman was then turned over to Hamburg Town Police to face charges in an alleged robbery in that town.
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Meanwhile, Dunkirk Police say they interviewed a woman who ws in the area of the Crosby's robbery. Officers say 31-year-old Mikayla Miller gave them information that "significantly hindered" their investigation. As the probe progressed, detectives determined that Miller was an associate of Lyman... and, was aware of what Lyman had allegedly done. As a result... she was charged with one count of second-degree obstruction... and, issued an appearance ticket for Dunkirk City Court.
UPMC Chautauqua seeking definate increase in need for maternity services with changes to northern Pa. hospitals...
Big changes to hospital maternity wards in northwestern Pennsylvania have resulted in more opportunities for UPMC Chautauqua Hospital. That's been evident in recent months with the closing of the maternity ward at Warren General Hospital in Warren. UPMC Chautauqua President Tracy Gates they've been able to take on a significant number -- about 75 of those -- since early 2026. Gates adds that they are also providing more outpatient follow-up services. She says UPMC also also made moves to help expectant mothers in Bradford, Pa. with their hospital closing. She says they've talked with local Congressman Nick Langworthy about cutting some of the "cross-state" obstacles involved... and, Langworthy vowed to help out because some services are not provided in one place or the other. Earlier this year... Warren General announced it was discontinuing inpatient labor and deliver services due to a severe shortage of OB/GYN physicians in Warren.
Results release of county's STOP-DWI High Visibility Campaign...
Efforts to reduce drunk driving instances in Chautauqua County were working this past July 4 weekend. The Sheriff's Department reports a total of two DWI Arrests during the period of July 2--5 as part of their "High Visibility Engagement Campaign." The program is funded through a 2025-26 grant from the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee. In addition to the two DWI arrests... the Sheriff's Office reports one other arrest... 103 vehicle stops... and, 6 vehicles detained for secondary screening.
