Saturday, December 28

Author: Grace Thompson

Warren Resident Arrested as Fugitive from Justice Outside Jamestown Business
4Nov By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Arrests

Warren Resident Arrested as Fugitive from Justice Outside Jamestown Business

(WNY News Now) – A suspicious person report led Jamestown Police to arrest a 20-year-old Warren, PA resident on a fugitive warrant, authorities confirm.On the evening of October 31, 2024, Jamestown Police Department officers responded to a report of a suspicious individual outside a closed North Side business. Upon arrival at approximately 6:28 PM, officers observed Zedakiah J.R. Pratz, 20, of Warren, Pennsylvania, standing near the business’s entrance.Further investigation revealed Pratz had an outstanding warrant in Warren County, PA, which led officers to take him into custody without incident. Following his arrest, Pratz was transported to the City Jail, where he remains held pending arraignment in Jamestown City Court on the charge of being a fugitive from justice. As are all persons ...
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Olean Schools Under Lockdown Amid Hoax Gun Threat, Police Ensure Student Safety
4Nov By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Breaking News

Olean Schools Under Lockdown Amid Hoax Gun Threat, Police Ensure Student Safety

(WNY News Now) – Olean, NY — The Olean Police Department swiftly responded to a reported gun threat at an Olean school yesterday, October 31, that has now been deemed likely a hoax.The City of Olean Police Department responded to an emergency call yesterday reporting a male with a gun at an Olean school. While the call prompted immediate action, authorities currently believe it to be a hoax. Olean Police have confirmed that all students are safe, with no suspects located near the school grounds.As a precaution, all local schools were placed on lockdown, with Olean Police Patrol Officers, School Resource Officers, and Special Police stationed at each school to provide additional security. So far, no individuals with weapons have been identified on or around any school property.Olean Police ...
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Niagara County Joins Statewide Effort to Curb Impaired Driving This Halloween
4Nov By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Community Concerns

Niagara County Joins Statewide Effort to Curb Impaired Driving This Halloween

(WNY News Now) – This Halloween, Niagara County law enforcement will join New York State’s High Visibility Engagement Campaign to combat impaired driving and save lives.In an initiative aimed at reducing impaired driving incidents, Niagara County Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti announced that local law enforcement will be participating in New York State’s STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign this Halloween. Law enforcement agencies across Niagara County will intensify their presence on the roads, joining a statewide effort beginning on Thursday, October 31, and extending through Sunday, November 3, 2024. This collaborative campaign is designed to prevent impaired driving-related injuries and fatalities.Sheriff Filicetti emphasized the importance of the initiative, noting that while pa...
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Forestville Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Attempted Burglary Amid Holiday Crime Spree
4Nov By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Burglary

Forestville Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Attempted Burglary Amid Holiday Crime Spree

(WNY News Now) – A Forestville resident has been sentenced to seven years in prison following a series of burglaries that unsettled multiple neighborhoods last holiday season.Mayville, N.Y. – On October 30, Judge Grace Hanlon sentenced 56-year-old Gary Lang of Forestville to a determinate seven-year prison term with an additional five years of post-release supervision for Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree, a class D violent felony. The conviction stemmed from a string of break-ins across Fredonia, Portland, and Pomfret neighborhoods over the week of Christmas 2023 through New Year’s 2024. Lang was found to have entered or attempted to enter vehicles, buildings, and homes in search of items to steal.Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division led the investigation, whi...
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Audit Exposes Long Delays, Costly Errors in NYC Homeless Housing Program
4Nov By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Audit

Audit Exposes Long Delays, Costly Errors in NYC Homeless Housing Program

(WNY News Now) – A state audit reveals major challenges in New York City’s CityFHEPS program, leaving homeless New Yorkers in shelters for months due to administrative missteps and inadequate oversight.New York City, N.Y. – New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli’s latest audit underscores critical flaws in the City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (CityFHEPS) program, which aims to transition homeless New Yorkers into stable housing. The report found severe delays in program processes and insufficient monitoring by the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS), raising concerns about the city’s capacity to manage homelessness amid a mounting affordability crisis.DiNapoli’s findings, covering July 2019 through December 2023, highlight systemic issues w...
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Chautauqua County Businesses Warned of Scam Targeting Local Advertisers
4Nov By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Business

Chautauqua County Businesses Warned of Scam Targeting Local Advertisers

(WNY News Now) – Businesses in Chautauqua County are urged to stay vigilant as a recent scam targets advertisers, posing as representatives of the Chautauqua County Relocation Guide.Chautauqua County, N.Y. – The County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) issued a warning about a scam targeting local businesses. Reports indicate that an individual has been contacting businesses in Chautauqua County, falsely claiming to represent the Chautauqua County Relocation Guide—a publication produced by CCIDA and the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth.The caller, who uses an unlisted number, reportedly poses as a sales representative and solicits funds, claiming they are for advertisements in the relocation guide. However, CCIDA officials clarified that the official Chau...
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Lockport Man Arrested on Felony Drug Charge Following Task Force Investigation
4Nov By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Arrests

Lockport Man Arrested on Felony Drug Charge Following Task Force Investigation

(WNY News Now) – A coordinated investigation by the Niagara County Drug Task Force led to the arrest of a Lockport man facing felony drug charges.Lockport, N.Y. – On October 25, 2024, Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti announced the arrest of 25-year-old Rodney C. Hill of Lockport, New York, following a focused investigation by the Niagara County Drug Task Force. Hill was taken into custody at approximately 3 p.m. at a residence on Niagara Street Extension in the Town of Lockport.Hill faces a felony charge of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Authorities have not disclosed further details about the specific substances involved in the charge. Hill is currently being held in the Niagara County Jail, awaiting arraignment. As are all persons accused of a crime, ...
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Buffalo Teen Arraigned in Alleged Gang Assault, Leaving 15-Year-Old Victim Hospitalized
4Nov By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Arraignment

Buffalo Teen Arraigned in Alleged Gang Assault, Leaving 15-Year-Old Victim Hospitalized

(WNY News Now) – A 16-year-old Buffalo youth faces serious charges after allegedly leading a violent assault that left a 15-year-old boy hospitalized with severe injuries in Buffalo’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Park.BUFFALO, NY — Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced that a 16-year-old male from Buffalo was arraigned late Thursday on charges of Gang Assault in the First Degree, a Class “B” violent felony. The arraignment, held before Youth Part Judge Brenda Freedman, addressed allegations surrounding a brutal incident that occurred on October 29, 2024.At approximately 2:55 p.m. on the day of the incident, the defendant, reportedly with the assistance of several others, engaged in an assault on a 15-year-old boy at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park near North Parade Avenue...
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4Nov By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Consumer

Key Things to Consider When Planning a Funeral for a Loved One

Planning a funeral for a loved one is a deeply emotional and complex task, filled with decisions that can feel overwhelming during an already difficult time. A well-thought-out plan can help honor the life of the person you’ve lost and provide comfort for family and friends. Understanding key considerations for funeral planning can make the process more manageable, helping you create a meaningful tribute that respects the wishes of your loved one. Here’s a guide to essential factors to consider when planning a funeral.1. Choosing the Right Memorial Service ProviderSelecting a reputable and compassionate memorial service provider is one of the first steps in planning a funeral. A reliable provider can offer support, guidance, and a range of services tailored to meet your family’s needs. Whe...
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High-Ranking Gang Leader Extradited and Convicted in Massive Cross-Border Drug Operation
4Nov By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Courts

High-Ranking Gang Leader Extradited and Convicted in Massive Cross-Border Drug Operation

(WNY News Now) – An international manhunt ends in justice as a senior gang leader faces prison for his role in a cross-border drug trafficking network between Scotland and England.United Kingdom – Colin Wright, 38, a high-ranking member of an organized crime group (OCG) that operated a large-scale amphetamine lab in Scotland and trafficked heroin and cocaine across the UK, was convicted today. Wright, originally from Motherwell and recently residing in Torre Pacheco, Spain, was extradited following his arrest by Spanish authorities at the request of the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA).Wright’s criminal activities spanned from drug production to trafficking, as he coordinated the movement of narcotics from Merseyside to Scotland and back. Arrested in March 2024, he was returned to the UK o...
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