Third arrest made in connection with Jamestown Meth Lab bust...
A third person sought in connection with last weekend's raid on a methamphetamine lab in the city of Jamestown has been arrested. City police today say 38 year-old Donald Dean was arrested after officers received several anonymous tips that Dean was hiding out in Lakewood. Officers say Dean has apparently been spotted at a Lakecrest Avenue address. Jamestown officers were assisted by Lakewood-Busti Police... and, Dean was arrested about 10 a.m. Dean faces a Felony charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine in connection with making... and, selling the drug from a residence at 181 Barrows Street. He's been held pending arraignment in the city jail. Two other men were arrested during last Friday night's raid.
Cause released in Pomfret Trucking business fire...
Chautauqua County Fire investigators have wrapped up their work on determining the cause of Monday's devastating fire that destroyed Hill's Trucking in the town of Pomfret. Undersheriff Charles Holder says firefighters were called to the scene on Webster Road at Route 60 just before 2 p.m. Holder adds the cause has been ruled accidental... adding that one of the tractor-trailers was parked inside the service building when the blaze broke out... and, it was apparently caused by an electrical malfunction. A Hill's Trucking Company worker tells local media that he thought the tractor-trailer had caught fire and caused an explosion sending flames through the building. Matt Davis was inside the building when it happened... and, it appeared to be something in one of the trucks in for service. Davis says it triggered a small explosion and the building was heavily engulfed in fire soon after. No major injuries were reported... but, two firefighters were taken to Brooks Memorial Hospital... one with a hand injury. The other felt ill and was transported to the Dunkirk based hospital as a precaution. A total of 17 fire companies were at the scene at the height of the blaze. Route 60 in the area was closed for over five hours.
Several fire companies have to deal with explosions in Pomfret fire...
Firefighters from 17 different departments battled the blaze in Pomfret... which was punctuated by several explosions. The blaze destroyed the two buildings at Hills Trucking Company. First Battalion Coordinator Tony Faso says a tractor-trailer brought in for service had caught fire. Faso says the tractor-trailer was inside when the blaze broke out, and it was "very difficult" to bring under control. Tanks of oxygen, acetylene and propane help fuel the fire along with more than 100 tires. Fredonia First Assistant Fire Chief Kurt Maytum tells us it was a major challenge for firefighters. Maytum says some acetylene and propane tanks exploded... along with many tires in a room. Several fire departments remained on the scene for over several hours... including a tower truck from Fredonia and an aerial truck from Dunkirk. Two firefighters were taken to Brooks Memorial Hospital... one with a hand injury and another who felt ill. The buildings are a total loss. County Fire Investigators are at the scene to determine an exact cause. Route 60 from Webster to Straight Roads was closed for over five hours.
Canadian terror plot involving train revealed...
A man accused of plotting to derail a train in Canada with support from al-Qaida elements in Iran made a brief court appearance and was told to appear in court again next month. 35 year-old Raed Jaser sported a long beard, wore a black shirt with no tie... and, was accompanied by his parents and brother on Tuesday. He was given a new court date for May 23 and did not enter a plea. The court also granted a request by his lawyer, John Norris, for a publication ban on future evidence and testimony. Jaser's suspected accomplice, Chiheb Esseghaier, 30, was scheduled to appear in court in Montreal later Tuesday. Charges against the two men include conspiring to carry out an attack and murder people in association with a terrorist group. Canadian authorities say the two men were working with ``direction and guidance'' from al-Qaida members in Iran. Iran is denying any link with the two suspects.
County contracts with new Workers Compensation carrier...
Chautauqua County has contracted with an upstate New York firm to be it's new, third-party Worker's Compensation carrier... beginning May 1. Finance Director Susan Marsh says the move to POMCO Risk Management was necessitated when it's former carrier... RBM Remsco recently decided to get out of the business. Marsh says the county... which is self-insured... put the contract out to bid... and, received five proposals. She says POMCO... which is based out of Syracuse... had the lowest bid. But... Marsh adds it was also the most impressive. She says they serve several public entities in the region... including 10 counties, and cities like Buffalo. Marsh says they're hoping to save money with the new carrier... but, adds POMCO also brings more oversight, more quarterly meetings. She believes... in working with the local municipalities who are also covered under the new contract... they'll begin to see costs come down. But... she adds the nature of claims also play a role. She says some accidents can't be controlled, but, getting more people involved with more training can reduce accidents -- and, "overall costs." Marsh says POMCO will be handling all current and future County Worker's Compensation claims... and, will contact employees with active claims. For more information... she says call POMCO at 1-877-236-7475.
