Press Releases

MAYVILLE, N.Y. – Chautauqua County Executive Paul M. Wendel Jr. has extended Emergency Order No. 1, first issued on May 18, 2023, and Emergency Order No. 2, first issued on September 29, 2023.

Eric Vangiesen, age 38, of Jamestown, was sentenced today, August 5^th, by Judge David Foley to a determinate sentence in state prison for 5.5 years with 2 years of post-release supervision after being convicted of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and a Violation of Probation, this sentenced is to run concurrently to each other.

Eric Courtier, age 34, homeless, was arraigned August 1, 2024, after he was indicted by a Chautauqua County Grand Jury of Arson in the First Degree, a class A-1 violent felony, and Arson in the Second Degree, a class B violent felony.

On Tuesday July 30^th, Alex Johnson, age 23, of Jamestown, was sentenced by Judge David Foley to a determinate state prison sentenced of 5 years with 2 years of post-release supervision after being convicted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony.

On Thursday August 1st, Amanda Diaz, age 39, of Endicott, NY, was sentenced by Judge David Foley to an indeterminate state prison sentence of 1.5 to 3 years after being convicted of Attempted Assault in the Second Degree, a class E felony, after she assaulted a Corrections Officer while confined in the Lakeview Shock Incarceration Facility.

In June 2022, Ms. Diaz assaulted a corrections officer while confined to Lakeview Shock in Brocton on an unrelated matter.

JAMESTOWN, NY - Two people escaped a jet crash that occurred around 10:12 a.m. on Monday, August 5, 2024, at Jamestown Airport.

(Seal of Chautauqua County displayed at the New York World's Fair 1939-1940.)

By Norman Carlson, Chautauqua County Historian