JAMESTOWN – A Gerry woman has been charged with child endangerment after she left her infant in an unattended vehicle while it was running. Jamestown police say they came upon a vehicle that was running and had its lights turned on around 9:15 p.m. Friday night near the intersection of King and Barrows Street. Upon further investigation, officers found that an infant child was in the back seat. Officers were able to locate the child’s caretaker – 20-year old Tonya Seekings of Gerry – and charge her with Endangering the Welfare of a Child. She is currently being help in the city jail pending arraignment.

CITY RESIDENTS ARRESTED FOR ILLEGAL HANDGUN

JAMESTOWN – Two city residents face felony charges after police say they were in possession of an illegal handgun. Officers say they received a tip that 31-year old Michael Lester and 34-year old Amanda Lester – both of 739 E. 2^nd Street – had an illegal handgun. After receiving a search warrant, they found a .38 caliber handgun along with 18 rounds of ammunition. Officers say the serial number on the gun had also been removed. Both were arrested on 2^nd degree and 3^rd degree criminal possession of a weapon charges – both felonies. Officers say additional arrests are also expected pending further investigation.

CITY WOMAN FACES CHARGES IN DOMESTIC INCIDENT

JAMESTOWN – A Jamestown woman was arrested on five charges involving a domestic violence incident over the weekend. Officers say they were called to a home at 148 McKinley Ave. just before 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Upon arrival, officers found 25 year old Ashley Martin had allegedly destroyed property belonging to a male victim. In addition, she had hit the victim on his hand with a hammer. Martin was charged with Criminal Mischief, unlawful imprisonment, menacing, assault and harassment. She was arrested, arraigned and sent to the county jail. The victim was not seriously injured.

EDWARDS CALLS ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO LOOK INTO MUNICIPAL CONSOLIDATION

MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County Executive Gregory Edwards says he’s ready to move forward and look into municipal consolidation. Edwards made his annoncement after attending the 2012 New York State Association of Counties’ Legislative Conference earlier this month. During the meeting, Governor Andrew Cuomo urged more than 300 attendees to help make the State a better place by becoming actively engaged in the fight for reform by working to consolidate municipal operations within their counties.

There are currently 10, 251 governments across the state, with many of them providing the same services to New York State residents. Chautauqua County accounts for 2.3 percent of this total with 27 towns, 15 villages, and two cities.

Edwards says his form, which is still in the planning process, will be held for local leaders and elected officials to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of municipal consolidations.

After elected officials begin the conversation, Edwards said he hopes to have another forum open to County residents and taxpayers.

Comments and further information may be addressed by calling the County Executive’s Office at (716) 753-4211.

EDWARDS THANKS SCHUMER FOR SECURING AIRPORT FUNDING

MAYVILLE – County Executive Gregory Edwards is thanking U.S. Senator Charles Schumer for his continued commitment to rural airports.

For the past year, Senator Schumer has been advocating for the continuation of Essential Air Service (EAS) for airports around the Country that meet the strict criteria established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The Chautauqua County Airport in Jamestown in partnership with the Bradford Pennsylvania Airport qualified many years ago for this program because of their rural location and the necessity of airport service transportation for job retention, creation, and access by residents.

Edwards says that when the latest rounds of cuts to the EAS program were presented, Senator Schumer once again led the charge in securing the funding to keep the county airport running and serving the Region.

COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO HOLD MOCK PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN LOCAL SCHOOLS

MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County Board of Elections is offering to come into every Chautauqua County school district this September and October to conduct a Mock Presidential Election. The program is in partnership with the Chautauqua County League of Women Voters. Board of Elections commissioner Brian Abram says the county is the very first in New York State to offer this service to our schools.

The Board of Elections is required by state law to do voter out reach programs and the school visitation for mock presidential voting is part of the county’s compliance.  Personnel to assist the student voters is being provided at no charge by the Chautauqua County League of Women Voters.

JAMESTOWN CITY COUNCIL TO MEET TONIGHT

JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown City Council will be holding anther work session tonight in City Hall. Prior to the work session, the council’s public facilities committee will meet at 7 p.m. to go over three resolutions. No other committees are scheduled to meet tonight, although the full council will meet for a work session at 7:30 p.m. on the 4^th floor of city hall.