Jouthern Tier Regional Drug Task Forces executed search warrants during the traffic stop andamestown husband and wife arrested during major drug bust...
A husband and wife have been arrested on major drug possession charges following a raid... and, traffic stop... on the city's westside today. City police say members of the JPD Metro, and S the home at 38 Whitley Ave., about 9:30 a.m. Jamestown police say the JPD SWAT Team assisted in the raid. Police say they arrested 51 year-old Anabell, and 48 year-old Santos Santiago during the traffic stop... and, two children were located inside the home. Once the home was secured... detectives searched and found nearly 110-grams of fentanyl... 11.3 grams of crack cocaine, digital scales for weighing the drugs, packaging materials... and, more than $30,000 in cash... believed to be profits from drug sales. They also found two handguns – one of which was reported stolen. The Santiagos were taken to the city jail... with Santos being charged with one count of second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... two counts of third-degree possession of drugs... two counts of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia... two counts of criminal possession of a firearm, and one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. Anabell was found in possession of a switchblade knife... and, a quantity of oxycodone pills. She faces similar drug charges... along with two counts of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia... and, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon... among others. Both were jailed pending arraignment.
Fredonia water customers urged to conserve water...
Customers of the village of Fredonia's water system are being asked to conserve water as scheduled maintenance will take place at the water treatment plant next Monday. The Chautauqua County Department of Health issued the order... which is to officially begin at Midnight Saturday... and, will be in place until further notice. Officials are urging users to prepare now for a boil water order because they'll be getting water from the plant’s water storage tank. If the storage tank is depleted... water will have to come directly from the water treatment plant. The required maintenance will result in high turbidity at the water treatment plant so water leaving the plant will not be adequately disinfected. If this occurs, customers will be notified and ordered to boil water so that it is safe to consume.
State Senate approved new budget extension; Assembly to follow suit...
New York's state budget is poised for another delay as backroom negotiations over a sweeping proposal to drive new housing construction continues to hold up the spending plan. The State Senate Thursday approved a stopgap bill that will keep government funded, and extend the budget deadline until Apr. 15. The Assembly is expected to approve the measure this (Friday) afternoon... sending it to Governor Kathy Hochul for her signature. The budget has been delayed a handful of times this year as Hochul and the Democratic leaders of the Legislature work through dozens of competing demands in private talks. Housing has emerged as the major stumbling block in budget negotiations, with top officials trying to balance the demands of developers, tenants and labor to reach an agreement that will lead to more housing units. A deal is expected to include a tax break for developers to spur construction, a wage agreement for laborers and protections for tenants against some rent increases and evictions, among other things, though the specifics remain unclear.
Whitaker says late state budget should have no impact on final amount of state aid JPS will receive...
The now 11 day late state budget should have little or no impact on the Jamestown Public School District's 2024-25 spending plan... which goes up for a public vote next month. That from School Superintendent Kevin Whitaker... who says the just over $104-million budget still includes no tax levy increase. Whitaker says... even under Governor Hochul's proposal... the district was still looking at a Foundation Aid increase of $2.3-million. He says they aren't expecting any less money, either, because the Senate and Assembly measures include more than that. JPS Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, Brittnay Spry, recently told school board members that overall revenues would be increasing by $2.9-million dollars. A capital outlay is planned that includes replacing two lifts at the bus garage... and, five new buses will also be purchased -- one of which will be a "zero emission vehicle. The final budget, and school board election will be held on Tues., May 21.
City man receives 3 1/2 years in state prison on gun possession charge...
A Jamestown man will spend the next 3-and-a-half years in state prison after being sentenced in county court this week for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt says 25 year-old Cody Boisvert was sentenced to the prison term... and, five-years post-release supervision by County Court Judge David Foley. In July of 2023... Schmidt says Jamestown police officers conducted a "well being" check in the area of Warner Place and Barrett Avenue... and, saw Boisvert in illegal possession of a loaded, 9-mm hand-gun. The defendant pled guilty to the charge in December of 2023. Schmidt adds that Boisvert was also sentenced to an indeterminate state prison term of 1 to 3 years after being convicted of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. He says the sentences will be served concurrently. In August of last year... State Police were contacted about stolen firearms and they found that Boisvert was in possession of them... and, he pled guilty to the charge last December.
