The Hometown Heroes Breakfast celebrates the Red Cross mission of alleviating human suffering by recognizing people from throughout the region who have performed heroic acts during times of crisis. The heroes include first responders as well as ordinary citizens who performed life-saving acts.

The 2018 Hometown Heroes:

Humanitarian, Sponsored by Jamestown Mattress: – Ron Johnson, Jamestown

Johnson has been a long-standing member of the Kiantone Fire Department, from driving the trucks to fixing equipment to volunteering at every fundraiser.

Humanitarian. Sponsored by Wegmans – Eric Herman, Bemus Point

Herman, a firefighter with the Jamestown Fire Department, purchased a custom hockey jersey and Jamestown Fire Department hat for a young boy  he recently met with special needs, just one of the random acts of kindness he performs regularly.

Fire Fighter, Sponsored by Cummins – Charles Piazza, Falconer

During a massive fire in the Village of Falconer, Chief Piazza dedicated two days commanding over 200 firefighters who helped bring one of the largest fires in Chautauqua County under control.

Law Enforcement, Sponsored by Lakewood Rod & Gun Club – Officer Erik Kraft & K-9 Mitchell, Bemus Point

On November 16, 2016, K-9 Mitchell was stabbed when he and Jamestown Police Department Officer Kraft confronted an accused murder suspect. The suspect was taken into custody, and Mitchell has made a full recovery. The incident resulted in bi-partisan support for Mitchell’s Law, increasing the penalties for killing or injuring a police dog or horse.

Emergency Personnel/Medical, Sponsored by EcoStrategies/Forecon – Ed Sandberg, Jamestown

Despite his own medical and family challenges, Sandberg continues to dedicate his life in service to the Kiantone Fire Department, driving an ambulance or firetruck on calls daily.

Youth Good Samaritan, Sponsored by Cummins – Vinny Certo, Lakewood

Certo has wanted to be a firefighter since he was a little boy. After joining the Lakewood Fire Department on his 17^th birthday, he responded to 277 class in his first eight months, and was in the top ten alarm responders and in drill attendance.

Animal Rescue, Sponsored by Nestle Purina Petcare – Beverli Horroks, Buren Point

Horrocks has been a volunteer foster parent for Sadie’s Safe Harbor Canine Rescue since August of 2015, fostering over 16 animals brought in from kill shelters in Ohio, West Virginia, and Texas.

Proceeds from the Hometown Heroes Breakfast benefit the Red Cross. The event will be held at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 16 at Moon Brook Country Club.

Tickets to the Hometown Heroes Breakfast are available here: http://www.redcross.org/local/new-york/western-central-new-york/hometown-heroes

Keith Robbins

JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown man accused of shooting and killing his estranged wife last year has reached a plea agreement with the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office, just moments before his trial was to get underway.

The Jamestown Post-Journal is reporting that 36 year-old Keith Robbins pleaded guilty to a count of first-degree manslaughter in connection to the November 10, 2016 shooting death of his estranged wife, 36 year-old Shari Robbins.

District Attorney Patrick Swanson said the family of Shari Robbins was comfortable with the sentence, adding that Keith Robbins will likely see a sentence of 20 to 25 years in prison for his crime, which the DA feels will be an appropriate sentence. He said he will be pushing for the maximum sentence allowed when sentencing takes place in December.

Robbins was being represented by Public Defender Ned Barone. Both Barone and Swanson said the plea deal would help avoid extending the trial through the coming weeks and give closure to both families.

Robbins was accused of shooting and killing his estranged wife in a Prospect Street parking lot on Nov. 10. He then went into hiding and was eventually brought into custody five days later, but not until after stabbing Jamestown Police K-9 Officer Mitchell before being captured in the attic of a home on the city’s west side. K-9 Mitchell was able to fully recovery from his injuries. The related charges involving Robbins’ alleged assault against the police dog have apparently been dropped as part of the plea deal.

Robbins will be formally sentenced Dec. 18.

Recognizing the heroic actions of K9 Officer Mitchell and all our state’s service dogs and horses, Senator Cathy Young (R,C,I- 57th District) has announced bipartisan support for “Mitchell’s Law,” making it a felony to injure a K-9 officer in the line of duty.

Mitchell is a six-year-old German Shepherd that has been a member of the department since 2011. He was injured during a confrontation with a suspected murderer following a six-hour standoff in November 2016.

On November 10, 2016, Keith Robbins allegedly shot his estranged wife, Sheri Robbins, in the parking lot of the New Creation Assembly of God Church in Jamestown. The incident sparked a citywide manhunt that culminated in a six-hour standoff when Robbins barricaded himself in a home where his father resided. During the apprehension, Mitchell was stabbed in the throat and under his jaw, causing the knife to penetrate his tongue, sustaining life-threatening injuries that required emergency surgery.

Following the attack, Jamestown Police Chief Harry Snellings and Mitchell’s handler, officer Eric Kraft visited Senator Young along with Mitchell to request the law dictating the penalty for perpetrators who injure a K-9 officer in the line of duty be strengthened. Existing law dictates that a suspect can only be charged with a Class E felony for an attack that intentionally kills a police work dog or police work horse. So, despite the severity of Mitchell’s wounds, Robbins could only be charged with a class A misdemeanor, because the stabbing did not result in the animal’s death.

Mitchell’s Law has gained wide support from law enforcement and animal advocacy groups and is expected to see similar support in the state legislature.

Less than a month after being injured, K-9 Officer Mitchell made a full recovery and was back at work with his handler.

The annual Downtown Jamestown Holiday Parade attracts thousands of people each year. (Photo courtesy of jrconline.org)

JAMESTOWN – The annual downtown Jamestown Holiday Parade is set to take place tonight on Third Street.

Jamestown Up Close and the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation is inviting the entire community to the “Gift Exchange Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration,” presented by The Resource Center.

The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will feature more than 90 units participating, along with a tree-lighting ceremony, live music, and a dazzling holiday fireworks display sponsored by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

The grand marshal for this year’s parade is Jamestown Police Department’s K-9 Officer Mitchell and his handler, officer Eric Kraft.

If you are unable to make it downtown, Time Warner Cable will be filming LIVE on the news station and re-airing the program later in the evening.

The parade will last approximately 60 to 90 minutes in addition to the pre-parade entertainment at Tracy Plaza.

This holiday parade is sponsored by Jamestown Renaissance Corproation, Jamestown Up Close, City of Jamestown, The Resource Center, Shults Auto Group, and Elite Kreation$ Auto Detailing.

Parade lineup will start promptly at 5 pm. The following streets and intersecting side streets will be for the event to operate from 3 pm to 9 pm:

• Third Street between Hallock Street and Foote Avenue
• Porter Avenue between Third Street and Front Street
• Spring Street between Second Street and Third Street
• Front Street between Hall Avenue and Sprague Street

All parade entrants must enter the lineup at the intersection of Third Street at Hallock Street. No entries may enter traveling west. All participants with motor vehicles or trucks should have their driver remain with the vehicle at all times.

For more information on the Parade, visit jamestownrenaissance.org or call 664-2477 ext 226.

The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation and Jamestown Up Close are announcing that Jamestown Police Department’s K9 Officer Mitchell has been named the grand marshal of this year’s holiday parade, set to take place in downtown Jamestown on Third Street on Friday night, Dec. 2.

K9 Mitchell received a stab wound earlier this month after helping to bring a homicide suspect into custody. He is expected to fully recover from the injury.

Now Mitchell, along with his handler Officer Eric Kraft, will be honored for helping keep the community safe. Their transportation in the parade is sponsored by Elite Kreation$ Auto Detailing.

The Gift Exchange Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration, presented by The Resource Center, is scheduled for Friday, December 2, at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Jamestown.