Man and woman from Jamestown arrested during traffic stop for drug and weapons possession...
Two city residents face drug and weapons possession charges following a traffic stop on Jamestown's southside early Thursday morning. City police say they stopped the car... driven by 36 year-old George Edington III, about 12:40 a.m. in the area of Barrett Avenue and Harrison Street. During the investigation... officers say they found Edington's passenger -- 32 year-old Nicole Reynolds -- had a City Court warrant for her arrest. They also found drug paraphernalia in plain sight. Police they also found Edington in possession of a quantity of methamphetamine... a digital scale... and, metal knuckles. He is charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon... because he was previously convicted of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Edington is also charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. Both were jailed pending arraignment.
CHQ Chamber hosts first ever "State of Business" panel discussion about issues facing local businesses...
Local businesses still have a number of openings... but, often times getting people seeking jobs hooked up with those providing them can be a challenge. That was one of the major talking points during a first-ever "State of Business" panel discussion held this morning at the Doubletree Hotel in Jamestown... and, hosted by the CHQ Chamber. Chautauqua Works Director Katie Geise says they have 2,400 people county-wide in their system looking for work... but, just 330 businesses using their services. Geise says their services are free, and, she says their staff is ready to help businesses find the people they need to fill positions. She says it's "like a Match.com for businesses." Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier Executive Director Todd Tranum echoed those sentiments... but, also said manufacturing remains strong... with about $26.8-billion in product being shipped out from the region annually. He adds about $5.1-billion of that is coming from Chautauqua County. The amount of private investment in the county was down between 2023 and 2024... but, Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency Chief Executive Officer Mark Geise says that still amounted to just over $311-million in investment last year. Geise says that helped create 166 permanent new jobs... and, retain 770 jobs. He says they did 18 projects last year through loans, and payment in lieu of tax agreements. Geise says... over the past five years... the IDA has helped bring about 1.8-billion dollars in business investment in the county. Other panelists included Courtney Curatolo from the Small Business Development Center in Jamestown... and, Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau Director, Andrew Nixon.
Quattrone confirms ICE and Homeland Security personnel in county...
As the Trump Administration ramps up efforts to crack down on illegal immigration... there have been reports on social media about agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement appearing in Chautauqua County this week. Sheriff Jim Quattrone did confirm the presence of ICE in the Dunkirk-Fredonia area. Quattrone... who says he was in contact with an official from Homeland Security Investigations... says they were there for "officer safety" reasons... after local agencies informed them of illegal immigrants in those jurisdictions. The ICE agency is part of Homeland Security. Quattrone adds that HSI had information about deportable immigrants in certain locations. Quattrone did not confirm that any arrests were made. He was also asked about reports of ICE agents in Jamestown, but he was unable to confirm anything there.
Annual "SOUPer Bowl" fundraiser for UPMC Chautauqua set for Sunday...
The battle for the best soup is back! UPMC Chautauqua Hospital and the WCA Foundation are teaming up with Media One Radio Group for the SOUPer Bowl, this Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Celeron Legion. Fifteen local restaurants and catering companies provide attendees samples of soup while enjoying music, a 50/50, raffle items and door prize. Meghan Barone, Director of Development at UPMC Chautauqua says all proceeds will support the expansion of the Mammography Department at the hospital.. Barone calls it an exciting project. WCA Foundation Executive Director, Kristin Melville, adds the importance of this Sunday's events and any fundraising activities they'll be partnering with in the future will benefit local cancer care at UPMC. She says having cancer care "close to home," is "really, really important." Tickets will be available at the door for just $15 per adult; children 5-12 are just $5 and kids under 5 will be admitted for free.
Langworthy joins with co-chairs of Airline Safety Caucus to express condolences to victims and their families in D.C. mid-air crash...
Chautauqua County's Congressman, and his two co-chairs of the House Airline Safety Caucus are expressing their "deepest condolences are with the victims and families of the passengers, crew and U.S. Servicemembers involved in the horrific tragedy at Washington’s Reagan Airport Wednesday night. Buffalo-area Republican Nick Langworthy adds that they are closely monitoring the investigation by the National Federal Transportation Bureau, the Department of Transportation, Department of Defense, and all other agencies who are working to uncover the facts that contributed to the crash. Langworthy says "prior to Wednesday night, Americans enjoyed the safest period of air travel in the history of the world, and this catastrophic accident understandably sends shockwaves across our nation." He says the bi-partisan caucus was formed last year following the 2024 FAA Reauthorization where they were successful in protecting pilot training requirements for regional airline carriers that were put in place following the Colgan 3407 crash near Buffalo.
