Quick work by Jamestown firefighters prevented serious fire damage to a two story apartment house on the city's southside late yesterday afternoon.
City Fire Battalion Chief Sam Salemme says crews were called to the scene at 191 Barrett Avenue about 4:45 p.m., and, he says there was lots of fire on one side of the structure where downstairs and upstairs porches were located. Salemme says it took about 10 minutes to bring the blaze under control. He says the owner smelled the smoke, and was able to get out of the downstairs apartment quickly.
Salemme says no one else was inside. He says several windows were knocked out of the second-floor because of the heavy amout of smoke inside. Fire crews were at the scene until about 6:30 p.m.
Salemme says an off-duty shift of nine firefighters and a shift commander were called in. No firefighters were hurt. The cause has now been released as accidental with hot coals too close to combustables.
A Jamestown woman accused of pulling a knife on two people early last Friday morning and, robbing both is jailed on $100,000 bail on first and second-degree robbery charges.
City police say they were flagged down by one of the victim's about 3 a.m., and, told that 21 year-old Jillian Matthews had put a knife to her throat, and robbed her. Officers say they previously had talked to another victim who said they were robbed by Matthews inside a home on Clinton Street.
Police say their investigation led them to 10 West Sixth Street where they found Matthews on the back stairwell. She was arrested on the two robbery counts and, several others including second-degree robbery and, burglary.
A prosecutor says a shooting by a police officer near Warren, Pennsylvania in the parking lot of an ice cream stand that killed an armed driver following a traffic stop appears to have been justified.
State police in Erie say 54-year-old Joseph Miller of Clarendon was killed in the confrontation at 7:15 p.m. last Friday in the Dairy Delite parking lot in Mead Township. District Attorney Rob Greene said the shooting is under investigation but, adds it appears to have been justified.
A new, county-supported "Fly-Car" emergency medical services program begins operations today in Chautauqua County.
The new service which will operate out of Ashville, Gerry, Arkwright and Mayville will be available to cover the gaps in local EMS fire service.
County Emergency Services Director Julius Leone announced the start of the Medical Services Team made up of 11 people last Friday afternoon. He says their hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays were determined through a study done a few years ago of where they had the least amount of manpower.
Medical Services Team Project Coodinator Kevin Peebles and Senior Paramedic Mike Volpe will staff the car at the Emergency Services Office in Mayville.
Volpe says they'll have the latest equipment and medications needed for any emergency including cardiac monitoring, air-way management equipment and, pharmacutials such as pain medications. Medical Service Team members will also have Narcan available for opioid overdose victims.
County officials say they are providing the program to suppliment what the fire services are able to perform along with professional services. A state Department of Health officials says state officials will be watching what happens due to a lack of volunteers in the fire services.
Long-time Dunkirk City Judge Walter Drag has announced that he will be laying aside his gavel and hanging up his robe for the last time on December 31st.
Judge Drag is retiring after nearly 32 years on the bench in the north city's courtroom. He is also wrapping up a 40-year career as an attorney.
In a statement released late last week Judge Drag said, "I have been very fortunate to have the trust and confidence of the people of Dunkirk who have elected me four times to be their judge and to preside over cases that personally touch them, their families and neighbors and this community." He also commented that, "As judge, you also try to set a tone of dedication and concern for the community and reach out to try to help our neighbors as much as possible."
The Chautauqua County Board of Elections says many Dunkirk city voters will have the opportunity to participate in next month's primary.
Five candidates will be in the running for City Court Judge according to County Elections Commissioner Norm Green... who says there's been "a lot of interest" by most people who have a legal background.
Those in the running include James Scott Dimmer, John Kuzdale, Joseph Price, Rachel Roberts and former County Legislator Ronald Szot. Voting during the Sept. 12 primary will run from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Nationally known comedians performed before sell-out crowds this past weekend at the annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival in Jamestown where the late comedy legend was born.
Among this year's highlights were a celebration of what would have been her husband Desi Arnaz's 100th birthday, and performances by Jim Gaffigan, Kevin James, Robert Klein and Lisa Lampanelli.
Visitors were also able to see late comedian George Carlin's handwritten notes and jokes. They're showcased at the site of the future National Comedy Center, where they will have a permanent home when the museum opens next year.
