A Jamestown man escaped serious injury... but, faces a drunk driving charge... after his Jeep went off a city street and, struck a tree.  City police were called to the scene on Cole Avenue -- across from Fletcher Elementary School -- for a personal injury car crash.  Officers say 57 year-old Mark Larson was eastbound on Cole just after 9 PM Saturday when he lost control of the 2002 Cherokee.  Police say Larson's jeep swerved across the road... and, jumped the curb and slammed nearly head-on into the tree.  While investigating... the accident... officers say they spotted several open containers in the jeep... and, that Larson appeared to be drunk.  He required medical attention... and, was taken to WCA Hospital for treatment.  While there... he consented to a blood draw... which showed he was intoxicated.  Once Larson was released from the hospital... he was arrested on charges including Felony driving while intoxicated... failure to keep right... and, speeding.

 

Jamestown police are still asking for the public's help in finding a city man who has been missing for nearly two-weeks.  Police investigators say the family of 43 year-old Joseph Anthony reported that he was last seen in the 700-block of East Second Street about 10:30 PM Tuesday, May 27th.  Officers say family members have checked out a number of locations, and leads on where he might be found.  However... they say they have not found him.  Anthony is described as a white male... about 5-foot-8 inches tall, and 280 pounds.  He has short, black hair and brown eyes.  If you have any information... you're asked to call city police at 483-7537.

 

A broad and comprehensive approach is being developed to help manage the weed, algae and other issues facing Chautauqua Lake.  That from County Executive Vince Horrigan... who attended a meeting late last week to finalize the "Chautauqua Lake Watershed Alliance."  Horrigan adds that Chautauqua County has also hired a new Watershed Coordinator.  He says David McCoy... who is from the region... brings a strong engineering background to the position.  Horrigan says... first off... they'll be looking for state and federal funding to undertake the projects they're planning. Horrigan adds that they have also contracted with a firm to develop a new Sewer Integration Plan... the goal of which is to complete the sewer system around the lake.  He says they're looking at a "Macrophite Strategy" for the lake because there's no one solution for all the issues surrounding the lake.  Horrigan says the preliminary plan divides the lake into boating, fishing, and recreation areas.  He says they want to develop "taylored treatments" for the lake.  Horrigan made his comments on this past weekend's "Community Spotlight" program.

 

Another administrator from Utah Valley University is coming to Jamestown to take up a new leadership post at Jamestown Community College.  JCC President Cory Duckworth says he has named Kirk Young as the college's new Vice-President of Enrollment, Marketing, and Communications at Jamestown Community College.  Prior to coming to JCC... Duckworth was the Vice-President of student affairs and strategic planning at Utah Valley University.  He says Young will begin his new duties in early August.  In this new position... he says Young will be responsible for creating strategies that enhance JCC’s competitiveness by strengthening its brand, reputation, and visibility.  Duckworth says he's "very pleased" that Young has agreed to join the JCC team.

 

Though it's been open several years, many people still don't know all that's available at the Gateway Center in Jamestown.  That's why the facility, at the former Chautauqua Hardware on Water Street, had an open house Friday afternoon.  Pastor Amy Rohler, Executive Director of Community Helping Hands, one of nine agencies there, says they all work together to help people take the next steps in their lives.  County Executive Vince Horrigan was one of those people who didn't know all that happened at the Gateway Center. Now that he does, he says it exemplifies the kind of wrap-around services the community needs to improve life for its citizens. The man principally responsible for turning the vacant Chautauqua Hardware building into a center for human services says 'God provided' the building and resources to make it happen.  And Gary Lynn, of Lynn Development Corporation says they are working on plans to build 32 apartments on the upper floors of the Gateway Center, as well as an RC racetrack, batting cages and a 'Main Street' for entrepreneurial businesses inside the structure. 

 

Chautauqua County Sheriff's officers responded to a fight in the Town of Ripley early last weekend involving a metal pipe.  Deputies say they were called to North State Street around 9:45 PM Friday... and, on arrival they found  a male victim who had been struck several times by the pipe during the altercation.  Further investigation led officers to arrest 57 year-old George Bazzle for allegedly using the pipe during the fight.  Bazzle was arrested... and, given appearance tickets for a later date on charges of second-degree menacing... and, harrassment.

 

Congratulations to five Chautauqua County high school senior who made the Business First of Buffalo's first and second All-Western New York Academic Teams.  Two local seniors made the first team.  They include Christina Walter of Maple Grove... and, Emily Wan of Fredonia.  Business First also included three students from Chautauqua County on the second-team.  They are Rishi Gupta of Jamestown... Caroline Benson of Maple Grove... and, Emilie Christie of Chautauqua Lake Central.  The 25 first... and, 25 second-team members were announced Friday by the business publication.

 

A man and woman from Sherman are accused of intentionally setting a vehicle on fire last February so the woman -- who owned the car -- could collect money from her insurance company.  Sheriff's officers say the the car... which belonged to 46 year-old Terri Seekings... caught fire at her home on Route 76 on February 21st.  The vehicle sustained interior damage.  However... about a week later... Deputies say they were advised that the fire had been set intentionally.  They say further investigation showed that Seekings another person living at her home... 27 year-old Kenneth Brightman... start the blaze.  Brightman was arraigned on Felony arson... and, conpiracy charges... and, sent to the county jail on 25-hundred dollars bail.  Seekings was arraigned on the same charges... but, was released pending further court action.