Jamestown man arrested for allegedly threatening firefighter, police officer with handgun...
A city man has been arrested for allegedly threatening a Jamestown firefighter with a hand-gun during an incident yesterday afternoon near Station-One. City police say the firefighter flagged down an officer shortly before 2 p.m. near the police station at 201 East Second St. The firefighter said a man -- later identified as 64 year-old Peter Ludwig -- had just pointed a gun at them... and, that person then went into the police station. Officers say Ludwig left the police station and approached an officer outside, and again brandished the gun. He was quickly arrested... and, charged with second-degree menacing, and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was jailed pending arraignment.
Woman falls or jumps into river from Third St. Bridge...
Jamestown police are continuing to investigate an incident in which a woman either jumped... or fell from the Third Street Bridge into the Chadakoin River. Jamestown fire officials and county fire dispatchers confirm the incident occured shortly after 1 p.m. Monday... near Steele Street. The woman was able to get out of the water, and she was taken to the hospital for an evaluation and treatement. More when it becomes available.
Hochul names Eastern NY Congressman Delgado as Lt. Gov....
Eastern New York Congressman Antonio Delgado has been chosed by Governor Kathy Hochul to be the state's next lieutenant governor. Hochul, a Democrat, made the announcement late this morning. Delgado will take on the largely ceremonial role previously formerly held by Brian Benjamin, who resigned following his arrest for federal corruption charges he denies. Hochul touted the fellow Democrat's work in Congress on bills to help veterans, small business and those with student loan debt. It was unclear immediately when Delgado, who was first elected in 2018 to represent the Hudson Valley and the Catskills, would take office.
Surdyk explains contract work that would be contracted out with ARPA funding...
Jamestown city lawmakers got more information last night on a proposal to use $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to oversee the funding of economic development projects. City Development Director Crystal Surdyk was on hand during the Council Work Session to explain how contracting with the Jamestown Local Development Corporation, and Urban Renewal Agency would work. Surdyk says her department is already stretched thin to do it's "day-to-day" work... and, needs the one-and-a-half persons to deal with answering calls, advertising and evaluating grants. She says they budgeted the work the one and-a-half persons they would hire do over the next four-and-a-half years. She says they would deal directly with applications for ARPA funding for economic development efforts. Surdyk says the full-time project manager would cost about $253,000 through the end of 2026... while the part-time manager would be $189,000 during that same time. Council members rejected the measure during last week's voting session.
Dunkirk home heavily damaged in Sunday night fire...
Dunkirk city firefighters responded to their second structure within a week, battling a house fire on Lake Shore Drive West Sunday night. Fire Captain Gary Katta says crews were called out to 363 Lake Shore Drive West about 8 p.m., and says there was heavy smoke and fire coming from the smaller sized house. Dunkirk crews received assistance from the Battalion One coordinator and Alstar Ambulance at the scene. East Dunkirk Firefighers were on standby. Katta says there were no injuries reported. He says fortunately... none of the residents were home at the time. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but no believed to be suspicous.
County Chamber kicks off National Small Business Week...
Local elected and business leaders were on hand Monday to recognize the importance of local small businesses during a National Small Business Week kick-off event in Ashville. The event at the Ashville General Store was put on jointly by the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce, and Small Business Development Center at Jamestown Community College. Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Heitzenrater says the importance of small businesses was clearly evident during the COVID Pandemic. He adds that 67-cents of each dollar spent helps the local community, through employment, and what people invest into their businesses, and sports teams they support. Small Business Development Center Director Courtney Curatolo says they also work with the county chamber to help new businesses get up and running, through "free and confidencial business guidance" in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties.
CCCC and SBDC hand out awards...
Two small businesses were recognized during the event at Ashville General Store... including The Hot Spot Cafe in the city of Jamestown. Courtney Curatolo says Owner Hector Alvario started his business on Valentine's Day of 2020... only one month before the COVID Pandemic shut-down. He was presented the New York State Minority Entrepreneur of the Year award for putting in take-out service, which helped the business to thrive in a difficult time. In addition... Curatolo says the Ashville General Store... and, Owner Jackie Francis... were also honored with the state SBDC's "Community Business of the Year." The business started up in 1991 on Route 474... and, provides a unique shopping and restaurant experience for local residents... and, tourists alike.
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In addition... the Small Business Development Center presented a surprise, state award to County Deputy County Executive for Economic Development, Mark Geise, for his and his department's efforts to work with local businesses during the pandemic. Geise received the SBDC's "Phoenix Award" for outstanding contributions to disaster recovery by a public official.
