A house fire in Warren, Pennsylvania has claimed one life. The Warren Times Observer reports that the fire at 23 Plum Street was first called in about 2:30pm Sunday. Warren Firefighters were unable to locate the victim during a first search due to the roof collapsing. The victim was found during the second search of the home. The Victim's name has not been released. The investigation is continuing. Warren was assisted by volunteer firefighters from Pleasant, North Warren and Glade Volunteer Fire Departments.
A 48 year old Columbus, PA Man was killed when the firework he was attempting to light prematurely exploded. Pennsylvania State Police tell the Warren Times Observer that the incident happened about 9pm this past Saturday. The man was not identified, and no foul play is suspected. The investigation is continuing.
Three people have been arrested... and quantities of Methamphetime and Heroin were seized... during a raid late last Saturday morning in Jamestown. City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says officers were attempting to serve an arrest warrant on a female occupant at 218 Fulton Street shortly before 10 AM. Samuelson says... when police arrived... the woman -- identified as 33 year-old Tiffany Mahoney -- ran into the upper apartment. When officers located her in the apartment... they also found suspected Meth and drug paraphernalia inside. Members of the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force were then called in... and, a search warrant was obtained. Police found more Meth... totaling about 10 games all together... a quantity of Heroin and about 35-hundred dollars cash. Mahoney and two others in the upper apartment... 34 year-old Wallace Peck and 22 year-old Jacob Trippy... were arraigned on two counts each of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, one count of criminal use of drug paraphernalia. They were sent to the county jail without bail. Anyone with information on the illegal trafficking of narcotics is asked to call the JPD Tips-line at 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477.
A week-long, collaborative program is underway to help local residents who are dealing with... or may have family members dealing with drug addiction issues. The "faith-based" program... entitled "Hope and Healing for Chautauqua" actually began last weekend with a "Day of Faith" program at Zion Covenant Church... and, a special program with Pastor Tracy Strawberry at Healing Word Ministries last night. The big event is a day-long program today at Chautauqua Suites and Expo Center in Mayville. Local Pastor Ron Lemon... who is also a member of the County Legislature... recently urged fellow lawmakers to take part. Tracy Strawberry will be joined by many others who work in the drug addiction field to discuss ways to help get people off drugs, and provide support for them once they do. County officials say the biggest event is today's "Hope and Healing" program at Chautauqua Suites... beginning at 9 AM. That program will include several speakers and break-out groups. The programs conclude this Friday.
New Yorkers gathered it an historic bar in Manhattan Sunday to grieve the deaths of at least 50 people in a Florida gay nightclub. People began assembling at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village Sunday afternoon following the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. The Manhattan bar became a national symbol of gay rights after a 1969 police raid led to violent street riots. Gunman Omar Mateen was shot to death by police at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, after holding hostages for hours. Activist Andy Humm, host of the "Gay USA" TV show... says Stonewall is "where we go when things like this happen." He says Sunday's gathering is spontaneous for individuals feeling a need to be together.
Late yesterday... New York Senator Charles Schumer condemned the shootings. Schumer says he's -- quote -- "horrified and saddened by the appalling attack at the Orlando nightclub. We must double down on our efforts to prevent evil people from doing these dastardly acts. I am praying for the innocent victims and their families and the first responders who put their lives on the line to prevent even more casualties."
A Fredonia man has been arrested in Dunkirk for allegedly having sexual contact with a child under the age of 11 late last week in the town of Pomfret. State Police in Fredonia say they arresed Scott Pierce on Third Street in Dunkirk last Friday night. Troopers say Pierce resisted arrest... but, they were able to take him into custody with the help of Dunkirk City Police. Pierce was arraigned in Pomfret Town Court for one count of first-degree Criminal Sexual Act... and, resisting arrest. He was released to the county's Probation Department pending a court appearance today. State Police are also asking any persons with information regarding any additional victims to contact them at 679-1520.
City officials in Jamestown are "very optimistic" that they may win a regional competition for 10-million dollars in state funding to help renew the downtown area. Mayor Sam Teresi calls the Downtown Revitalization Initiative a "terrific opportunity" for the city. Teresi says he and the city's Department of Development have put together... and, submitted a plan to the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council. He says the money will go to a small city in the region that has experienced some decline, and has "mixed" uses. Teresi adds that... in addition to certain challenges... the city also has an "asset base" and has different groups and others that have shown the ability to work together to solve problems. There are no guarantees... but, Teresi feels the city has a "real shot" at getting the money. He believes the city has submitted a "very compelling story" to the Western New York Council. Teresi says they hope to hear something in about 60 days. He made his comments for this past weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the five Media One Group stations.
New York's comptroller reports that state agencies were generally late in approving contracts with nonprofit service providers last year. The report Thursday shows half of the agencies with late contracts 90 to 100 percent of the time, including the Education Department, the Department for Economic Development, and the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities. In 2015... the state paid $129,824 in interest payments for late contracts. Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says the chronic delays create financial problems for the nonprofits that often provide services for the most vulnerable New Yorkers, though there was some improvement last year. The number of late contracts decreased to 61 percent last year, down from 77 percent the year before.
A Jamestown man has been arrested in the town of Mina for allegedly being a fugitive from justice from the state of Pennsylavnia. Sheriff's officers say they were investigating a motor vehicle accident on Interstate 86 about 1:15 AM Saturday when they interviewed a person in the area not involved in the crash. Deputies say they confirmed the person was 26 year-old Randy Miller of 1091 East Second Street. Following an investigation... officers say they found that Miller was wanted on two arrest warrants out of Pennsylvania. One was for driving while under the influence... and, the other was for failure to return leased property. Miller was arraigned on the fugitive charge... and, sent to the county jail pending extradition to Pennsylvania.
Harriet Tubman's upcoming debut on the $20 bill is just half the good news in the upstate New York town where the Underground Railroad conductor settled down and grew old. A long-sought national historical park honoring Tubman could be officially established as early as this summer. The move would give a boost to preservation efforts at her old home and church just as the former slave is poised to replace President Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill.
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer is urging the federal government to approve 5.1-million dollars in funding for the removal of lead-based paint hazards in homes throughout western New York. Schumer says Erie and Niagara Counties are especially vulnerable because more than 40 percent of the homes there were built before 1950, when lead paint was commonly used. It was banned in the late 1970s. Based on the most recent data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,... more than 2,300 children in upstate New York were found with blood-lead levels associated with permanent neurological damage and behavioral disorders. In western New York, 585 children, or approximately 13 percent, tested positive for lead poisoning in 2014. The funding would come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
At St. James Church in Jamestown Sunday, a clear, blue sky was suddenly dotted with orange and black... as the 7th annual Kidney Challenge Walk got underway with the traditional 'butterfly release'. Southern Tier Kidney Association President, Sam Pellerito, announced it. Around 150 walkers then made their way along the Riverwalk to Panzarella Park, and back... raising funds to help those with kidney disease. The goal was $15,000. Walk chairman Mitch Stone said the totals will be added up later this week.
