City police asking for public's help in locating pick-up truck and owner operator regarding recent homicide...
Jamestown police are looking for the owner and operator of a dark-colored, newer model pick-up truck in connection with their Sept. 10 homicide investigation. Police investigators say they have posted a couple of pictures on-line of the four-door truck... that was seen in the Newland Avenue-area where 68 year-old Doug Howie was shot by an unknown assailant. Officers were called to the scene... near the Pronto Mart at the corner with Forest Avenue... shortly before 9 p.m. that night. First-responders provided first aid... and, Howie was initially rushed to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital... and, later transferred to UPMC Hamot in Erie, Pennsylvania... where he later died of his wounds. Anyone with information on the homicide is asked to call the Jamestown Police Command Desk at 483-7537... or their confidential tip line at 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477.
County leaders, law enforcement, mouring loss of Undersheriff Rich Telford...
Law enforcement agencies across the region and Chautauqua County are mourning the loss of the second in command at the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office. Undersheriff Rich Telford... who served the county department for 33 years... passed away after battling cancer with his family by his side Monday night. The announcement of Telford's death was made in a Facebook post by the Sheriff's Office. County Executive P.J. Wendel described Telford as a mentor to those in law enforcement across the county. Wendel says it's a big loss to the county... noting that Telford was always ready to step in when the sheriff was not around... including August of 2022 when renowned Author Salmon Rushdie was attacked, and stabbed numerous times at Chautauqua Institution. Sheriff Jim Quattrone was out-of-town at that time. Dunkirk Police Chief Dave Ortolano, who at one time worked with Telford in investigating fires in the county, says he will be truly missed. Wendel adds that flags on all county buildings will be flown at half-staff for the rest of the week. Rich Telford was a part-time officer out of college before joining the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office in early 1991. He became undersheriff in late September of 2021. Rich Telford's late father, Chuck, was a long time account executive here at Media One Radio Group.
City man arrested after punching victim and stealing their wallet during domestic incident...
A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly punching another person... and, stealing their wallet during a domestic incident on the city's eastside. Jamestown police say they were called to the location just after 2 a.m. Tuesday... and, found the suspect... 39 year-old Shyron Campbell... had left the scene. Officers say the victim told them that Campbell had punched them in the stomach... and, pushed them into a door frame during an argument. The victim added that he had also stolen the victim's wallet off of a table that contained multiple credit cards. While speaking with the victim... police say Campbell returned to the scene, and was driving the car with a suspended driver's license. He was arrested for third-degree assault... fourth-degree grand larceny... petty larceny... and, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Campbell was jailed pending arraignment.
More good financial news reported at City Council meeting Monday about approval of $1-Million grant for fleet maintenance building...
The Jamestown City Council Monday night got some good financial news on a couple of fronts. First... Mayor Kim Ecklund said the city has received the $1-million state grant it was seeking to complete the new Fleet Maintenance Building on Washington Street. While it will only cover $700,000 of that project... Ecklund says it will still be very helpful, because they'll still be geting the $1-million... with $300,000 for another DPW project. The City Council had originally authorized borrowing up to $2.7-million for the project... but, Comptroller Ericka Thomas says they won't be asking for that amount... but, rather $1.7-million. City officials... and, Acting Public Works Director Mark Roetzer say the DPW has a project underway that's receiving a grant... and, the left-over $300,000 will be used for that project. The other matter was the city being able to claw back more than $2-million in American Rescue Plan Act funding that can be reallocated through the end of the year.
Bilskie named as new "Successor" CFO for county IDA...
A woman from Sugar Grove, Pa. has been named as "Successor" Chief Financial Officer for the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency. The CCIDA Tuesday announced that Shelby Bilskie will work under current CFO Richard Dixon until his retirement in mid-2025. At that time... IDA Executive Director Mark Geise says she'll then become the IDA’s new CFO. The IDA's CFO position is responsible for the financial and operations management of the IDA... along with the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation, and, the Chautauqua County Capitol Resource Corporation. Geise says Bilskie has more than a decade of experience in financial accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting, most recently as the Senior Director of Financial Planning & Analysis – Corporate Officer and Treasurer -- for Erie Management Group, LLC ... and, Hero Biodiesel, LLC, a position she’s held since 2018. She’s also held the position of Senior Financial Analyst for Bluestem Brands (formerly Orchard Brands) from 2011 to 2018. Geise says "we're excited to have Shelby join or team as she prepares to become the agency’s next CFO in 2025."
