The state-issued ban on single-use plastic bags in New York takes effect on March 1. But Wegmans Food Markets will end its use of single-use plastic bags starting Monday, Jan. 27. Beginning that day, Wegmans will stop using the plastic bags and shift to using paper bags.

Stores will still have plastic bags in certain departments for situations such as for packaging raw meat. However, they will not be available at check-out lines.

Tops Friendly Markets will reportedly wait until March 1 to initiate the ban.

Tops filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in February and as part of the reorganization of the company, officials say they will likely close some stores – although details on specific locations have not been released.

The supermarket chain, which employees more than 14,000 people across the country, has several locations in Jamestown and Chautauqua County, including two locations in Jamestown, as well as a location in Falconer, Frewsburg, Mayville, Westfield, Dunkirk and Silver Creek.

According to an article in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, the company will seek permission to close some stores from a U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the coming weeks.

According to documents, Tops is requesting “to close any stores that they determine, in their business judgment, should be closed in order to preserve liquidity and maximize the value of their respective estates.”

The motion will go before the court on May 10.

In court papers, Chief Restructuring Officer Michael Buenzow said the 2007 purchase of the company and subsequent transactions by Morgan Stanley’s private equity arm “saddled the company with an unsustainable amount of debt on its balance sheet.”

In addition, he said the grocery store chain has also battled a Teamsters pension fund for more than four years over $180 million the union says Tops owes related to its purchase of a food wholesaler and a logistics business.

The company, which operates roughly 170 supermarkets in New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont under the Tops banner, will stay open during the bankruptcy case, the company said.

There are currently two Tops located in Jamestown, along with locations in Falconer, Frewsburg, Westfield, Mayville, Dunkirk and Silver Creek.

The Post-Journal is reporting that 23 year-old Alexander Jewell pleaded guilty to first degree assault last week in county court, while his second-degree attempted murder charge was dropped. Jewell faces a potential 10 years in state prison.

Jewell and 31 year-old Michael Robinson, also of Jamestown, were charged in connection to the shooting incident that took place on July 24 in the Tops parking lot. The incident resulted in a city man being shot twice. Jewell and Robinson were arrested a short-time later following an investigation and were charged with second-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault.

Jury selection for Robinson’s trial is scheduled to begin April 19.

The Jamestown Post-Journal says 31 year-old Michael Robinson will be represented by Jamestown attorney Avery Olson, while Assistant District Attorney John Zuroski will prosecute the case.

Robinson and his alleged accomplice, 23 year-old Alexander Jewell of Jamestown, were handed a two-count indictment in August by a Chautauqua County Grand Jury, charging them with second-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault.

The charges stem from a July 24 incident at the Tops parking lot, in which a Jamestown man was shot in a drive-by shooting around 6 p.m. According to police, the shooting caused serious injury the unidentified victim, who was shot several times as he walked toward the store. Robinson and Jewell were taken into custody the following day after an investigation.

Jury selection for Jewell’s trial will begin March 8.

According to Jamestown Police captain Robert Samuelson, investigators have located a shotgun that they say was used in the shooting.

Police had already arrested two men allegedly involved in the incident and have charged each one with 1st degree assault. Police say they are withholding the names of the suspects to protect the integrity of the case, as the investigation is ongoing and additional charges will likely be filed.

However, the Jamestown Post-Journal is reporting Tuesday that both suspects appeared in city court on Monday to answer to their charges. They’ve been identified as 23 year-old Alexander Jewell and 31 year-old Michael Robinson. Both men pleaded not guilty to their respective assault charge.

Meanwhile the victim of the incident, whose name is also not being released by authorities, is still listed in critical condition at ECMC in Buffalo as Monday afternoon.

According to police, the incident happened just before 6 p.m. when a vehicle drove up to the victim as he walked out of the store. The victim was then shot several times at close range. The vehicle then left the scene and drove north on Washington St. towards Fluvanna Ave.

Following an investigation, the vehicle was located by Saturday and both Jewell and Robinson had been taken into custody.

Anyone who may have further information into the incident is asked to call the Jamestown Police Department at 716-483-7537 or they can call the anonymous tip line at 716-483-TIPS (8477). All calls will be kept confidential.

According to Jamestown Police Captain Robert Samuelson, investigators have located a shotgun that they say was used in the shooting. Police had already arrested two men allegedly involved in the incident and have charged each one with 1st degree assault. However, police say they are withholding the names of the suspects to protect the integrity of the case, as the investigation is ongoing and additional charges will likely be filed. Both are currently being held without bail.

Meanwhile the victim of the incident, who’s name is not being released by authorities, is still listed in critical condition at ECMC in Buffalo as of 3:40 p.m. Monday.

According to police, the incident happened just before 6 p.m. when a vehicle drove up to the  victim as he walked out of the store. The victim was then shot several times at close range by an occupant within the vehicle. The vehicle then left the scene and drove north on Washington St. towards Fluvanna Ave.

An image of the vehicle allegedly connected to a shooting incident that took place Friday, July 24 at the Tops Supermarket on Washington St. in Jamestown.

Police immediately sent out a report, asking for the public’s help in finding the vehicle and by Saturday it was found abandoned on the South Side of town. A further investigation led police to charging two individuals in connection to the shooting.

Anyone who may have further information into the incident is asked to call the Jamestown Police Department at 716-483-7537 or they can call the anonymous tip line at 716-483-TIPS (8477). All calls will be kept confidential.

The New York State Police, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office and the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office is assisting in the case.

Pre-registered volunteers can find their assigned locations at www.jrconline.org or on the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation’s Facebook page. Locations will also be given out during volunteer check-in at City Hall on Tracy Plaza. Volunteers are still encouraged to participate by checking-in at Tracy Plaza the morning of the event.

Tools and garbage bags will be furnished by the City of Jamestown Parks and Recreation Department, re-useable cloth gloves have been donated by True Value along with disposable gloves provided by JAMA.  All volunteers are encouraged to bring additional tools including gloves, rakes, shovels, brooms, gloves, and weed eaters.  Garbage pick-up will be completed by the City of Jamestown Board of Public Utilities.

A continental breakfast will be provided with generous donations from Farm Fresh Foods and Tops. In addition, coffee will be provided by Dalahast Coffee Roasters and bottled water will be available courtesy of Pepsi of Jamestown.  Once locations are finished, volunteers are asked to return to Tracy Plaza for a light lunch with hot dogs and bottled water provided by Farm Fresh Foods and Pepsi of Jamestown.

For more information on Hands-On Jamestown and to pre-register a group, visit www.jrconline.org, call 664-2477, ext 226, or like the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation on Facebook for continuous up-to-date information.

The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation is inviting the entire community to pre-register for the annual clean-up by visiting  www.jrconline.org or calling the organization’s office.

Hands-On Jamestown is a planned, comprehensive clean-up involving hundreds of local volunteers from the City of Jamestown and surrounding region.  Pre-registration is highly encouraged to assist with location assignment prior to the event.  Those who pre-register to participate will receive a free t-shirt as a thank you for their time and effort.

Check-in begins at 8 a.m. on Tracy Plaza at City Hall with a continental breakfast provided by Tops and Wal-Mart featuring fresh fruit and granola bars. In addition, Bob Evans will provide coffee and bottled water will be available courtesy of Pepsi of Jamestown.

For more information on Hands-On Jamestown and to pre-register a group, visit www.jrconline.org, call 664-2477, ext 226, or like the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation on Facebook for continuous up-to-date information.