Repeat Weapons Offender Charged Again In City

April 12, 2026

A city man is facing weapons charges after an incident Thursday. Chris L. Freeney, 55, was charged with second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and resisting arrest. At approximately 7:45 p.m. Thursday, officers were on patrol in the northeast area of the city. During patrol, officers observed a vehicle with equipment violations as well as a moving violation. Due to the observed vehicle and traffic law infractions Officers conducted a traffic stop. Through investigation, a passenger in the vehicle identified as ...

City Firefighters Battle House Fire

April 10, 2026

Jamestown firefighters are on the scene of a structure fire at Prendergast Avenue and Sixth Street. Chautauqua County Emergency Medical Services also on scene around 6:55 p.m.

CLP Assessing Impact Of Court Ruling

April 9, 2026

The Chautauqua Lake Partnership is assessing what impacts the ruling to annul New York state’s Department of Environmental Conservation’s Freshwater Wetlands Act regulations will have on the lake’s stakeholders. A lawsuit had been filed by the Chautauqua Lake Property Owners ...

Area Leaders Call For State Action On Homeless Crisis

April 9, 2026

State and area leaders are calling on New York state to act and assist in the growing homeless crisis in Chautauqua County. On Thursday, state Sen. George Borrello and Assemblyman Andrew Molitor, joined by a bipartisan coalition of local and state officials across the county, have sent a ...

City Pair Facing Federal Drugs, Weapons Charges

April 9, 2026

A pair of Jamestown men are facing federal drugs and weapons charges. On Thursday, U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Blake D. Smith, a/k/a Sweets, 50, and Willie Graham, a/k/a Wu, 45, with narcotics conspiracy, Hobbs Act Robbery, kidnapping, use of a firearm during a crime of violence, and use of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. In addition, Smith is charged with possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and distribution of fentanyl causing serious bodily injury. Both defendants face a ...

‘One of the guys’

April 8, 2026

EDITOR’S NOTE: A version of this story, written by Bill Hammond, first appeared in the OBSERVER in August 1974 detailing a relationship between New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner III and a group of northern Chautauqua County residents. With the release last week of Mike Vaccaro’s ...