Lake Effect Snow overnight means a "white" New Year's in Chautauqua County...
There is now a Lake Effect Snow Watch in effect for the Jamestown-area from tomorrow night through late Friday night. That from the National Weather Service... which reports no watches and advisories at the moment. However... snowfall overnight has been very-elevation dependant. Snow plows are getting out... but, travel can be a bit tricky on this New Year's Eve, 2014. Forecaster Tony Ansuini with the Weather Service's Buffalo Office says the lake effect snow will not be heavy... but, began to make it's presence felt last night. Ansuini says accumulations were expected to be in the 2 to 3 inch range... with some blowing and drifting. We had 4-and-a quarter inches here at our Media One Studios in West Ellicott at 6 a.m. However... at lower elevations of the town... we've had reports of 2-and-three-quarters inches... and, just over 2 inches in Lakewood. We also have a report of 2-inches in Cassadaga... and, no snow in Dunkirk. Besides the blowing and drifting snow, wind chills will approach zero at times.
State Thruway to again off hot beverages on New Year's Eve...
Travelers on the New York State Thruway can take a break for free hot drinks on New Year's Eve. The Thruway authority says tea and coffee will be offered at the 27 service areas on the highway from 11 p.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday. This is the 44th year the beverages will be provided as authorities encourage drivers to stay sober and alert.
County to finalize sale of Chautauqua County Home in Dunkirk today...
Chautauqua County officials plan to close on the sale of the County Home in Dunkirk to a Long Island firm that's been phasing-in over operations over the past several months today. County Executive Vince Horrigan says the home will now be called "Chautauqua Nursing and Rehabilitation Center." The County Home is a 216-bed skilled nursing facility, specializing in rehabilitation and long-term health care. Horrigan says VestraCare first showed interest in buying the facility from the County in August 2013. Although its first offer to purchase the County Home was voted down by the County Legislature in October 2013... it's second offer of $16 million was approved by the legislature in February 2014.
Deceased driver involved in two-vehicle accident with truck striking Lind Funeral Home identified...
Jamestown police have now identified the driver of the pick-up truck that struck another vehicle... then ran into the front of a West Third Street funeral home. City police say 83 year-old Robert Woodmancy of Randolph suffered some kind of medical issue while driving his truck late Monday morning. Officers say Woodmancy was involved in a two-vehicle accident before continuing on and hitting the Lind Funeral Home. He was later pronounced dead at WCA hospital. Police say three people inside the funeral home were treated for non-life threatening injuries. The other driver refused treatment at the scene.
Teresi still looking for candidate to appoint to fill 6th Ward Council vacancy...
The search for a new Jamestown City Council member to replace one who moved from the Sixth-Ward to another part of the city is continuing. That from Mayor Sam Teresi... who says he's been talking to potential candidates to replace Councilman Paul Whitford... who resigned earlier this month. Whitford was recently named to replace Paula DeJoy on the County Legislature. Teresi hopes to name someone by early to mid-January. He says there should be an appointment for council to vote on Jan. 26. Whitford moved into the First Ward... which put him into the 13th County Legislature District. Whitford was seated at the legislature's December meeting. He addressed Council members at this past Monday night's meeting... thanking them for their dedication to serving the city, and the friendships he had built with them.
Dunkirk man arrested for allegedly running Meth Lab in north county city...
A Dunkirk man is facing charges after police investigated a report of a meth lab that was located in an apartment at 60 West 6th Street in the city of Dunkirk. Police in the north county city say 46 year-old Angelo Bomasuto has been charged with second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine. The investigation was initiated after Dunkirk Police and the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, with the assistance from Fredonia Police, received information that there was a meth lab in the lower apartment at 60 West 6th. As a result... Dunkirk Police were able to obtain a search warrant from City Court... and, had the four unit apartment building evacuated around 9 p.m. Monday. The State Police Contaminated Crime Scene Emergency Response Team went to the scene Tuesday morning, executing the search warrant and gathering evidence. Bomasuto was taken into custody Monday night on an unrelated charge according to police. The investigation is continuing and further charges may be pending. Dunkirk Police were also assisted at the scene by the Dunkirk Fire Department and the county's Hazardous Materials Team.
