Overnight fire heavily damages garage, along with home in Celoron...
An overnight fire has heavily-damaged a garage... and, an adjacent home... in the village of Celoron. County fire dispatchers say an Ellicott police officer on patrol called in the alarm for the blaze on West Ninth Street shortly before 12:30 a.m. Firefighters found the garage heavily-engulfed in flames in arrival... and, the flames were spreading to the home. Crews quickly called in mutual aid from Busti and Lakewood. Dispatchers say no one was inside the house... but, two nearby homes were evacuated due to heat exposure. No injuries were reported. Crews were at the scene much of the overnight. The cause remains under investigation.
City woman pleads guilty to drug trafficking conspiracy charge...
A Jamestown woman has pleaded guilty to being part of a narcotics conspiracy that involved the trafficking of Fentanyl... herion... cocaine and methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo says 45 year-old Sandra -- also known as -- Sondra Pavlock entered the plea to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin, fentanyl, meth, and cocaine. Prosecutors say Pavlock was an associate of Zaid Mendoza, a Jamestown-based drug trafficker, distributing drugs to others on Mendoza’s behalf. She allegedly used Facebook to conduct her drug trafficking activities, often messaging Mendoza about the conspiracy and drug trafficking activities. In early February of 2024... police stopped a vehicle Pavlock was riding in along with other individuals... and, during the stop... they searched the vehicle and found meth, which belonged to Pavlock. She was convicted of on a drug possession charge... and, was sentenced to 90 days in prison. Later that year... police raided a Charles Street home where Pavlock was inside with others... and, found cocaine and oxycodone tablets... nearly $500 in cash, and drug paraphernalia. She was later convicted of drug possession and served one year in prison. Pavlock faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine when she is sentenced next March.
Jamestown man to spend more than 8 years in federal prison on drug trafficking charges...
A city man will spend eight-years and one month in federal prison after being sentenced for his involvement in a drug trafficking operation in Jamestown. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced that 46 year-old Bradley Knapp received the sentence Wednesday in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. Prosecutors say during the conspiracy, Knapp bought and sold heroin, fentanyl, and meth for profit and his own use... using Facebook to conduct his drug trafficking. They add that Knapp also used a West 9th Street residence to manufacture, package, and distribute the illegal drugs. In mid-August of 2020, Knapp sold about a gram of heroin/fentanyl to an individual identified as M.H. The next day they say M.H. took approximately .5 grams of the heroin/fentanyl... and, overdosed before being revived with multiple doses of Narcan.
Man from Falconer arrested for allegedly holding another person against their will in domestic incident...
A Falconer man is accused of holding another person against their will... in front of a minor child... during a recent domestic incident. Ellicott Town Police were called to the unidentified location on Tuesday, Sept. 2 for the incident... which had occured earlier in the day. Officers say 26 year-old Bryan Gardner is accused of damaging property belonging to the victim... while restricting their movement and ability to leave the scene. The incident allegedly occurred in front of a child under the age of 17. Gardner was arrested and, taken to the county jail on one count of second-degree unlawful imprisonment... fourth-degree criminal mischief... and, endangering the welfare of a child. He was held pending centralized arraignment.
On eve of "9/11" anniversary... Gillibrand calls for full-funding of the "9/11" World Trade Center Health Program...
New York's Junior U-S Senator is demanding that Congress fully-fund the World Trade Center Health Program in any upcoming funding package. During a Wednesday video press conference on the eve of the 24th anniversary of 9/11"... Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand said the World Trade Center Health Program is a lifeline for these heroes" including firefighters, police and rescue workers. She says it's "our responsibility as members of Congress to fully fund this program so that no survivor has to worry about losing care." She says we owe them a tremendous debt, "and it is past time that we get this done." She says the bravest put themselves in the way of harm... looking for survivors and later the remains of the victims. Gillibrand says recent data shows that nearly $50,000 people now have 9/11-related Cancers... and, adds that Congress has approved funding in the past to keep the program going. However... she says unless the program is fully-funded... it will have to turn people away -- starting in October of 2028. Congress is faced with having to approve a new Continuing Resolution by Sept. 30.
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The calls come on the eve of the 24th anniversary of the "9/11" terrorist attacks in New York City... Washington, D.C... and, in Pennsylvania. Chautauqua County held it's annual "9/11" Day of Rememberance program in front of the County Courthouse in Mayville this Noon hour. County Executive P.J. Wendel, County Veteran's Services Dir. Greg Carlson, and others spoke during the program.
