Overnight fire in city destroys vacant house...
An overnight fire has destroyed a vacant, two-and-a-half story home on Jamestown's eastside. City fire officials say crews found heavy flames coming from the rear portion of the home at 231 Barrows St. shortly after 1 a.m. Thursday. Fire Captain Robert Bailey says firefighters initially took a defensive posture to get the flames under control... then did an interior attack. No one was inside the structure... and, no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Garage fire in Jamestown determined to have started in vehicle inside...
A late morning fire Wednesday heavily-damaged a vehicle inside a garage in the city of Jamestown, that was also damaged. City Fire officials now say crews were called to the scene at 158 Sampson St. at 10:35 a.m., and they were joined by an off-duty shift of six firefighters. Firefighters were able to keep the flames from spreading into the house... and, the blaze was put out fairly quickly. City fire investigators were later called in... and determined the cause was accidental. No injuries were reported.
Former "World's Strongest Man" and Chautauqua County native Don Reinhoudt dies at age of 78...
A Brocton native who was known for many years as the world's strongest man died after a crash in the town of Pomfret on Monday. State Police in Fredonia say 78-year-old Don Reinhoudt of Lily Dale was traveling north on Glasgow Road when his Jeep went off the west shoulder of the roadway striking a tree. Reinhoudt was taken to Brooks Memorial Hospital where he later died. Troopers say there is still an active investigation into the crash.
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Don Reinhoudt had an incredible career in powerlifting... setting 36 world records in the sport between 1971-and-1980. He later became a teacher... and, was later appointed as Chautauqua County Youth Bureau director. Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame President Randy Anderson calls it a "sad day" for the local sports community... noting that Reinhoudt seemed to never meet anyone that didn't turn out to be a friend. Anderson says... in addition to the local hall of fame... Don Reinhoudt had been inducted into at least eight other halls of fame. Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel spoke about Reinhoudt's service to his community... and, recalled Don Reinhoudt Day in the county in June of 2005. Wendel says Reinhoudt was a humble man... and, a great ambassador for Chautauqua County.
Jamestown man arrested for threatening to shoot neighbor and the neighbor's car...
A city man is accused of threatening to shoot a neighbor and their vehicle... then struck another person with a metal rod... during a dispute on Jamestown's eastside. City police were called to the unidentified location about 6:30 Monday night for a reported assault. Officers investigated... and, found that 49 year-old Joseph Brisson, Jr. had allegedly threatened to shoot his neighbor and their vehicle with a BB gun following the brief dispute. It was also found that Brisson had then tried to punch a second victim... and, then grabbed a metal rod from his vehicle. He then struck an injured a third victim with the metal rod . Brisson was arrested for second-degree assault... and, two counts of second-degree harassment. He was jailed pending arraignment.
Quattrone says stepping up drug, gun and drunk driving arrests among his goals in new, four-year term...
Chautauqua County Sheriff Jim Quattrone began his second, four-year term in office last January after being re-elected last year. Quattrone says... among his goals for his new term... is to continue efforts to get more drugs... and guns... off the streets. He says the department has two members who work closely with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration out of Buffalo. Quattrone adds they also have a part-time officer that works with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He says the recent Gun-Involved Violence Elimination Grant awarded to the county includes $261,000 in direct funding to the city of Jamestown. However... Quattrone says a lot of what the just over $400,000 the county is receiving will be used to address drugs, and gun violence in both cities. He adds they're also working to get the community more involved in the effort. He made his comments on last weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the six Media One Radio Group stations.
City man arrested for Leandra's Law violation after being stopped for speeding...
A Jamestown man is accused of speeding... and, driving drunk with two young children in the car with him late Monday night in the village of Lakewood. Lakewood-Busti Police say they stopped 24 year-old Nicholas Barrett on Hunt Road about 10:30 p.m., and, upon further investigation... Barrett was found to be intoxicated and had the two children with him at the time. Barrett was arrested for Aggravated DWI -- Leandra's Law... DWI... speeding... and, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He was issued appearance tickets for Busti Town Court at a later date.
United Way of So. Chautauqua County receives Emergency Food and Shelter Program funding...
Chautauqua County will be receiving just over $21,000 to help boost emergency food and shelter programs to be distributed by the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County. United Way Executive Director Amy Rohler says the award was made by the Emergency Food and Shelter Program's National Board... chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Adminstration... and includes members from United Way Worldwide... the American Red Cross... and, The Salvation Army to name a few. For more information... call 483-1561.
