**(Updated @ 12:45 p.m.)Winter Storm begins in Chautauqua County, but, forecasters say we are on the "weaker side" of storm...

A major winter storm has moved into the Northeast... and, all of western New York will be impacted. However... it will be to varying degrees. The National Weather Service late this morning discontinued our Winter Storm Warning... downgrading it to a Winter Weather Advisory through 5 a.m. Saturday. Forecaster Bill Hibbert in Buffalo says this Nor'easter is actually the combination of two storms... and, we'll be on the weaker side of it. Hitchcock says we'll be impacted by a system moving through the Great Lakes. The precipitation began about 7:45 Friday morning with very light rain in and around Jamestown before it became sleet. It then turned to mainly all snow about 8:30 a.m. Hibbert says were may still see 3 to 6 inches of snow by the time the storm winds down here late tonight. He adds, though, that if you plan to travel to Buffalo or Rochester... you'll see more snow. Those places are expected to see snowfall totals will be 6 to 10 inches.

Upstate NY region bracing for brunt of Nor'easter; some areas may see up to 16 inches of snow by Saturday....

Most schools across upstate New York are closed or plan to send students home early and airports are cancelling flights ahead of a major storm that's expected to dump a foot or more of snow in some parts of the state. The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings from the eastern end of Lake Erie to the Hudson Valley, where forecasters say snowfall totals could top 16 inches by Saturday. The snow began falling early Friday morning in some upstate areas and is expected to increase throughout the day, with the heaviest accumulations expected in eastern New York later Friday night. Many schools began announcing Thursday that Friday's classes are cancelled, while other districts have announced early dismissals. The state is activating its Emergency Operations Center in Albany to coordinate storm response.

Three local groups announce inaugural Lucy Town Half-Marathon and 5 K event for next October...

Three different Jamestown-area organizations have partnered up to put on a major running event in the city and surrounding area next Fall. The Jamestown Savings Bank Arena... Chautauqua Striders... and, the Lucy-Desi Center for Comedy Thursday afternoon announced the inaugural Lucy-Town Half-Marathon and 5 K run next Oct. 12-13. Arena Director of Operations, John Faso... and, Strider's Program Director Dave Reinhardt began talking about the idea last Summer. Reinhardt says the event will be unique to this region. Reinhardt says there's nothing else like it in the western Southern Tier, and tying the event in with the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center gives it "strong name recognition." There will also be a Sports Expo that weekend at the arena. Reinhardt and Faso spoke with Arena CEO Kurt Silcott... and, hammered out the details. They then approached Univera Healthcare President Art Wingerter with the idea... which he liked. Lucy-Desi Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson says they came on board for three reasons... one of which was the potential economic impact. She looked back on comments from businesses they got from this past August's Lucy-Desi Festival. Gunderson says those businesses wished there were more weekends like it. The Lucy-Desi Center will also be involved in putting on a "Night of Comedy" during the Columbus Day Weekend event. For more information... including registering for the race... call Phil Genco at the arena at 484-2624... or go on-line to www.LucyRace.com.

Reaction from local leaders very positive about Lucy Town Half-Marathon and 5K...

An number of local officials were on hand for the announcement. Celoron Mayor Jack Keeney was pleased to see that Celoron... as well at Lakewood... will be part of the 13.1-mile course. Celoron was Lucille Ball's Childhood Home. Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi was unable to attend... but, later issued a written statement... calling the Half-Marathon and 5K Weekend a "great package of events that brings together many of the aspects that make the City of Jamestown a great place to have fun." He expressed his appreciation to the Striders organization, Jamestown Savings Bank Arena, Lucy-Desi Center for Comedy, and Univera for their collaboration on the event.

Fire destroys home in town of Portland...

Firefighters were busy fighting an overnight blaze in the town of Portland. The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office reports the call came in just before 3 a.m. Friday for a house fire on Pecor Street. There were no injuries, but the home is described as a total loss. The Red Cross has been called to help one person living in the home. Eleven different agencies were called in to assist the Portland Fire Department in battling the blaze. Crews are still on the scene along with fire investigators.

Sheriff's Department investigating reports of man posing as "Dog Warden" in towns of Portland and Pomfret...

The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department is investigating several reported incidents of a person posing as a dog warden in the towns of Portland and Pomfret. Officers say a male suspect is approaching homeowners... and, trying to confiscate or impound their dogs. Deputies are describig this man as being a white male in his early 30s. They add he was driving a small brown-colored sedan... and, identifies himself as the "Dog Warden" for the town of Pomfret. Anyone with any information on this person is urged to contact Sergeant Investigator Peter Pett at 753-4498... or the Sheriff's Office dispatch center at 753-4232.

Second-annual WCA Heart Bowl-a-thon set for next Monday...

The second-annual "Strike Out Heart Disease" Bowl-a-thon is set for next Monday night at the Fountain Bowl... just outside of Jamestown. The event is put on by WCA Hospital as a way to raise money to help prevent heart disease... and, have a good time doing it. WCA's Director of Development... Karl Sisson... says the bowl-a-thon begins at 5 p.m. at the Fluvanna Avenue bowling lanes. Sisson tells our Jim Roselle the event also recognizes those who have battled the disease... and, promotes healthy exercise. He says it's an opportunity to practice "good heart health" by getting exercise... and, they pay tribute to family members lost to the disease, or are battling it. Sisson says there'll be a basket auction following sign-in at 5 p.m., and, the bowling begins at 6 p.m. He says it's a Scotch-Doubles format... which proved to be a lot of fun last year. He says the cost is $15 per person... and, includes the cost of three games of bowling... shoes... and, snacks. For more information... and, to pre-register stop by WCA Hospital... or call Sisson at 664-8423. You can also go on-line to www.wcahospital.org.