Swimmers safe after incident ion Ripley waters

RIPLEY — Three swimmers had to be assisted after an incident in the waters of Lake Erie on Tuesday afternoon.

Around 1:15 p.m., the Chautauqua County Water Emergency Team was called to Ripley Beach to assist the Ripley Fire Department with a water rescue. Upon an investigation three subjects were swimming in the area of Ripley Beach when one of the subjects got pulled away from the beach due to a strong current and began to have difficulties swimming.

The other two subjects assisted in getting the subject to the cliff face but were unable to make it back to the beach due to the current. The emergency team, assisted by The Fuller Hose Water Rescue Team of North East, were able to pull two of the subjects from the cliff face and secure them in a boat. The third subject was able to climb up the cliff to safety on his own. All subjects were evaluated at the scene by EMS and released.

Patrols net 45

area vehicle stops

A Fourth of July STOP-DWI patrol in Chautauqua County resulted in 45 vehicle stops, arrests and summonses.

The patrol began July 2 and continued through Monday, July 5. It was paid for with a grant from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee as part of a national High Visibility Engagement Campaign effort. In Chautauqua County, the Chautauqua County Sheriff, municipal law enforcement agencies, and New York State Police work together to reduce the number of impaired driving injuries and deaths, with special emphasis on driving while impaired by either alcohol or drugs.

“Removing intoxicated drivers from Chautauqua County roadways is one of our top priorities,” said County Sheriff James B. Quattrone. “If you choose to drink, don’t drive. Impaired drivers not only put themselves in danger, they threaten everyone who shares the road with them.”

The Chautauqua County STOP-DWI Program is funded by drinking and driving fines collected from convicted drunk drivers.

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

¯ HANOVER — Martin Beasant, 75, of East Aurora, was charged with driving while intoxicated, inadequate headlights and inadequate tail lights. Deputies stopped a vehicle at 9:15 p.m. Monday on Routes 5 and 20 in the town of Hanover for a traffic violation. An investigation found that Beasant was allegedly operating his vehicle in an intoxicated state. He is scheduled to appear in Hanover Town Court later.

NEW YORK STATE POLICE

¯ Andrew Olson, 32, of Jamestown, was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Olson drove to police barracks in Jamestown on Monday to report a complaint. Investigation revealed that the complaint had already been reported and that the alleged offense occurred in another jurisdiction. While interviewing Olson, troopers observed obvious signs of drug impairment and placed Olson under arrest upon his failure of field sobriety tests. Olson was also allegedly found to be in possession of a pipe containing heroin residue. Olson is scheduled to be in Ellicott Town Court later.

¯ KENNEDY — Jackson Gattis, 20, of Manchester, Vt., was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs. Gattis was stopped July 22 on Interstate 86 in Kennedy for driving 100 miles per hour in a 65 mile per hour zone. Gattis was placed under arrest after reportedly failing several field sobriety tests and was transported to police barracks in Jamestown. Gattis is scheduled to appear in Poland Town Court later.