Three people arrested during drug raid on Livingston Ave. just outside of Jamestown...
Three Jamestown area men have been arrested following a several months long investigation into alleged narcotics activity in the town of Ellicott. Sheriff's officers say they were joined by Jamestown, Ellicott and Dunkirk police in raiding the home at 185 East Livingston Ave. shortly before 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Sheriff's Department SWAT team made entry into the home... and, investigators seized 9.5-grams of cocaine, 5-grams of methamphetamine, a quantity of crack cocaine, and prescription pills... along with a semi-automatic rifle, a large capacity magazine... scales and packaging material for the distribution of narcotics and about $2,000 cash. Officers say 52 year-old Kevin Wright was arrested on one count each of third and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, third and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. They add that 28 year-old Michael Pace-Segura was charged with third and fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, 68 year-old Donald Ruppert of Busti was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Both Wright and Pace-Segura were taken to the county jail pending arraignment... while Ruppert was issued an appearance ticket and released.
Legislature hears summary of Air Service Recovery Plan for returning commercial service to county airport near Jamestown...
The Chautauqua County Airport near Jamestown is well-positioned to have the Essential Air Service designation it lost six years ago reinstated. However... it will take a concerted effort to get it back with the support of state and local lawmakers. Those are the feelings of Evan Berg... a consultant who did a several months-long Air Service Recovery Plan for the airport. Berg says... using a 90-mile radius around the airport... there are more than enough likely flyers to sustain commercial air service here. He says 916 customers in the area are flying out of the area each day... with 590 on in-coming flights. Berg says even 10% of that number would translate to 150 passengers each day in Jamestown. He says the question becomes getting the "right airline and getting them at the right time." Berg says there has actually been some growth of EAS coming out of the pandemic... but, adds support will be key.
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Jamestown legislator Fred Larson says he believes the county should have never lost it's EAS designation in early 2018 to begin with. The Democrat also questioned why Bradford, Pa. was not part of the analysis. It's a smaller airport in a smaller market... yet, it's retained EAS status. Larson feels Jamestown deserves it... and, noted that if Bradford is able to provide service to Dulles in Washington, DC, and Pittsburgh, Pa., "Jamestown can." Most of the problems leading to Jamestown losing it's EAS designation had to do with issues with the carrier at the time... Southern Airways.
City of Jamestown leasing out two city hall spaces for Chautauqua Co. services...
Two Chautauqua County Departments will be leasing out space in Jamestown City Hall for the coming year... with one agreeing to a 5-year lease. The leases with the county Health, and Mental Health Departments were both approved in committee this week... and, Finance Committee Chairman Brent Sheldon says they're pleased they were able to get a five-year deal done with the Mental Health department to return to the building's top floor. He says they'll be renting just over 9,000 square feet that will include increases in rent the final couple of years. Mayor Kim Ecklund was also pleased to have wrapped up the two lease agreements... the other being for the Health Department on the third-floor... where they'll be next to the Dept. of Development. A key part of that will be dealing with lead abatements. Ecklund says the Health Department will replace the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation... which will be moving out of the building at the end of the year.
City unveils it's 80th Historic Marker at Lakeview Cemetery...
The city of Jamestown has unveiled it's 80th Historical Marker at the main entrance to Lakeview Cemetery on the city's northside. Mayor Kim Ecklund and other city officials pulled a cover off the new marker Wednesday afternoon... near the corner of Lakeview Avenue and Buffalo Street. City Historian Ashley Senske says getting the marker made... and, put up was a "group effort." Senske says the location came out of discussions by the cemetery committee... because they and the marker committee know that each resident has some kind of connection to the cemetery. More than 45,000 past residents are buried at Lakeview Cemetery... which was first opened on Oct. 5 of 1859. City Councilman Bill Reynolds is a member of the Lakeview Cemetery Association... and, attended the program with fellow board member... and, City Council President Tony Dolce. Dolce joked that the cemetery is in his ward... and, he has the most "constituents" by far of any one in the city. Dolce calls is a "beautiful, park-like setting" where many people come to walk... maybe jog... and pray or reflect.
Edwards to retire as Dunkirk Fire Chief at end of next week...
The long-time Fire Chief for the city of Dunkirk will be retiring near the end of this month. In a brief statement... officials say they'll be celebrating the career of Chief Mike Edwards... following his last shift... at 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 27. The statement says the event will be held at the fire headquarters at 311 Eagle St. There will be a brief ceremony... before they walk the chief out... and, into retirement. The public is invited to attend.
