Jamestown fire officials are warning residents about using space heaters during major cold snaps after a fire on the city's westside early last weekend.....
The blaze heavily-damaged the two-family home at 218 Jefferson Street -- near Isabella. Fire Battalion Chief Roger Sigular says crews were called to the scene about 4:30 AM Saturday. Sigular says space heaters in the house were plugged in using extension cords.
Sigular says firefighters found heavy flame coming from the second-floor windows on arrival but, they were able to get the blaze under control fairly quickly. All six people living inside got out safely. He says an off-duty shift of 15 firefighters had to be called in to assist the 11 that were part of the initial crew. Sigular says the still-frigid weather conditions made firefighting efforts difficult. He says part of the main hydrant froze up, along with some of their hoses. Sigular says crews were at the scene for about two-hours. He adds that two firefighters suffered minor injuries.
An at-large Jamestown city councilman who just finished his first year in office has announced that he's running for mayor in next Fall's election....
Republican Andrew Liuzzo says he ran in November of 2017 because he felt the city was going in the wrong direction, and it was time to get involved. During a formal announcement at A-1 Auto Service on Winsor Street last Saturday, Liuzzo said there have been a number of good things that have happened -- including the new National Comedy Center. However, he says he's concerned that the citys' current trajectory won't be able to sustain many of those positive developments, which include the new Nationa Comedy Center. Liuzzo says he has not discussed getting the GOP nomination to run for mayor, adding he needed to announce his intentions now in case there is a primary because of new state election laws. Liuzzo is a former businessman and was director of rehabilitation services at Cuba Memorial Hospital for 20 years until 2018.
County officials from across New York are urging state officials to provide the funding for them to cover the costs of early voting....
The issue came up during the annual legislative conference of the New York State Association of Counties that was held in Albany last week. Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello says the law will have an impact on the county and means they will have to maintain three polling areas for seven-days leading up to Election Day.
Borrello says funding has become an issue because the state law was adopted after counties had already approved their budgets. He says the polling areas must be up and in place -- and staffed -- during that time period. Borrello says the passage of the voting legislation also changes the scheduling of primary elections and that could affect candidates because petitions will have to be circulated later THIS month (February). NYSAC adopted a resolution requesting the governor and state lawmakers approve the state funding for early voting.
The likelyhood of rain in the forecast for the next few days has led forecasters to issue Flood Watches for much of Western New York, including Chautauqua County...
Meteorologist Heather Kenyon with the National Weather Service says the rain, combined with our warmer temperatures, could lead to ice jam flooding. Temperatures rose to about 50 yesterday, with sunshine and could rise into the lower 50s today. Kenyon says liquid amounts in the snow pack average 2 to 4 inches. Rainfall during the watch will average between a quarter inch to a half inch.
Local police agencies are still looking for the man who allegedly held up the Lakewood branch of Five-Star Bank late Friday afternoon....
Lakewood-Busti Police say the brazen robbery occured at the location on Fairmount Avenue at the intersection with Mall Boulevard occured about 4 PM. The Post-Journal reports the suspect, ,who was wearing a mask, walked into the bank and displayed a gun and claimed to have a bomb attached to his body. Police are investigating leads but, only say the suspect escaped in a maroon and tan late-model Ford pick-up truck, possibly late 1990s to early 2000s. Anyone with information is asked to contact Lakewood-Busti Police at 763-9563.
A coalition of parents, teachers, providers and faith leaders is asking state leaders in Albany to increase funds for child care assistance....
The group is planning a rally today to call on lawmakers to set aside more money to help working parents pay for care. Supporters say the state can do more to ensure parents don't have to decide between earning a living and ensuring proper care for their children. New York has among the highest child care costs in the nation, despite millions of dollars in state tax credits and direct funding. Many families who qualify for assistance can't get it because of high demand.
In New York state government news...
Lawmakers have set three upcoming hearings on a landmark climate change bill that would require the state's electrical grid to get off fossil fuels. The hearings scheduled on the Climate and Community Protection Act are the latest signal that lawmakers are serious about moving to 100 percent renewable energy. The bill had been blocked by Senate Republicans until Democrats won control of the chamber last fall. Under the bill the state would move to 100 percent renewable electrical generation by 2050. Hearings are set for next month in Albany, New York City and Long Island. Meanwhile, supporters of Airbnb are heading back to Albany on Monday to push for new regulations on the popular home-sharing platform to replace old rules that penalized many hosts.
