No one hurt in house fire in Ashville...
A house fire late last night in Ashville has been blamed on an overloaded electrical power strip inside the home.  Sheriff's Department fire investigators say Ashille firefighters were called to the scene at 4926 Stoneledge Rd. just after 10 p.m., and, were joined by several mutual aid companies.  Investigators were called to the scene once the blaze was out... and, they determined the cause was accidental.  No damage estimate has been reported... but, officials say no one was hurt in the fire.

City man arrested for allegedly stealing, and trying to forge checks...
A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly trying to pass stolen checks on the westside of the city.  Jamestown police were called to the undisclosed address late last Friday afternoon for a report of fraud.  Officers say their investigation revealed that 62 year-old Wayne Selle stole the checks and tried to pass them off as his.  He was arrested for second-degree forgery... and, second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument.  Selle was jailed pending arraignment.

Serial shoplifter arrested in Dunkirk...
A Dunkirk man has been arrested for allegedly shoplifting three separate times at the T-J Maxx sore on Vineyard Drive in the town of Dunkirk.  State Police in Fredonia say they arrested 47 year-old Alexander Santiago following the latest incident last Friday.  Troopers say they found Santiago on East Courtney St. in Dunkirk... and he tried to flee.  However... police nabbed him quickly, and he was arrested for stealing $740 worth of merchandise.  He's been charged with two counts of third-degree burglary... and one count each of petty larceny and second-degree obstructing governmental administration.  Troopers say Santiago has had 49 prior arrests... and, has also been charged with 18 counts of failure to appear in court. 

Holiday Haul wraps up with 9 1/2 tons of food and supplies, and $21,000 cash...
The 10th annual Holiday Haul for St. Susan’s Center in Jamestow reached a new milestone last Saturday... as principal organizer Keith Martin pointed out to our Dennis Webster on Saturday afternoon.  For the first time, Martin says they filled up both trucks from Jamestown Mattress, and the St. Susan's Center itself.  He says a record 9 1/2 tons of food and supplies were contributed... along with $21,000 cash.  While waiting for one of the trucks to be unloaded at St. Susan’s, the Executive Director of the center, Cherie Rowland, expressed her gratitude to the community in general, and Martin and Dan Keefe.  The Holiday Haul takes place every December in front of the Jamestown Cycle Shop... with a tent from Jamestown Awning, a truck from Jamestown Mattress and publicity from Media One Radio Group.

Wreaths Across America held in Jamestown, and elsewhere...
Flags flapped in the wind as ‘Taps’ echoed across snow covered Lakeview Cemetery around noon on Saturday as some 75 volunteers gathered at Soldier’s Circle to place 400 wreaths on the graves of veterans buried there.  Todd Hanson, the Local Coordinator for Wreaths Across America, says the ceremony is poignant because it's the time of year "we need to reach out to the veteran's still here, and their families."  The volunteers were encouraged to speak the veteran’s name when placing each wreath.  Hanson says the wreaths were purchased with money donated by local citizens and businesses.

SUNY JCC named as Top 10 Community College in NYS...
SUNY Jamestown Community College has been recognized as a "Top 10" community college in New York state for providing an "affordable, and attainable education."  The honor was announced late last week by intelligent.com... which provides 'unbiased' research to help students make informed decisions about higher education.  It also identifies top schools based on tuition costs, number of credits required to graduate, and online coursework delivery format.  JCC was 7th overall in the rankings... which also compares each school's admission practices, retention and graduation rates, among others.  The intelligent.com study also named JCC as the 'Best Rural Location' in it's final assessment. 

Tarp Skunks announce new director of Business Operations and Sales...
An intern for the past two seasons with the Jamestown Tarp Skunks has been named as the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball team's new Director of Business Operations and Sales.  Jamestown native Christian Dolce will direct the team's day-to-day operations... beginning next Jan. 11.  Dolce was announced as the new director during the team's annual year-end program at the Robert H. Jackson Center last Saturday.  The recent graduate of John Carroll University in Cleveland believes he's ready to take the organization to the "next level" after two "very successful seasons."  Dolce thanked outgoing Director of Business Operations and Sales, Jacob Kindberg, who will continue in an advisory capacity with the team, since he lives in Buffalo now.  He also thanked the Tarp Skunks Advisory Board... and, especially long-time member Russ Diethrick.  The team also announced the addition of a new Marketing Executive's position, which will be held by former Jamestown Jammers General Manager, Mike Ferguson.  Director of Baseball Operations and Team Manager, Jordan Basile, will also be back again in 2023.

Kindberg reflects on 2022 season during comments at RHJ...
The 2022 season for the Jamestown Tarp Skunks was a success on the field... but, also a big one for attendance and merchandising.  Past Director of Business and Sales, Jacob Kindberg, said he's very proud that the team saw a 5% increase in attendance in 2022.  Kindberg says they saw a 100% increase in attendance from 2019 to 2021.  He says the team drew about 400 a game a few years ago... and, nearly averaged 900 a game this past season.