Fatal crash Saturday night in town of Salamanca claims three lives...
Three young people from Cattaraugus County were killed... and, one was seriously hurt late last Saturday night when their car slammed into a tree in the town of Salamanca. Sheriff's officers in Little Valley say the vehicle was traveling at a "high rate of speed" when it struck the tree on Old Route 17 just before 10:30 p.m. Three of the young people... including a recent graduate of Salamanca High School... were pronounced dead at the scene. Deputies say the fourth person was flown to a Buffalo-area hospital for treatment, and it now in stable condition. Officers say the accident remains under investigation. The Salamanca School district Superintendent late Saturday issued a statement... saying he had "awful news to share." Mark Beehler says "... a tragic accident took the lives of three individuals. Our hearts and prayers go to the families of all involved."
Two people arrested on drug and weapons charges in Jamestown Saturday night...
A street check in downtown Jamestown last Saturday night led to the arrest of two people on drug charges... with one also found with a metal knuckle knife. City police say they spotted a woman using drugs at the corner of West Fourth and Cherry Streets just before 9 p.m. Officers say further investigation found the woman, 31 year-old Starr Bliss... along with 48 year-old Jason Passinger... in possession of illegal drugs. Both were arrested for seventh-degree criminal possession of a Controlled Substance... and, they were taken to the City Jail. Upon her arrest... police say they found the knuckle knife in Bliss's possession... and, she was also charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
One arrested, three detained after alleged shoplifting at 7-Eleven store in Jamestown...
A teenager and three juveniles from Jamestown are accused of taking part in stealing items from an eastside convenience store late last week. Jamestown police were called to the 7-Eleven store on East Second Street just after 1 a.m. last Thursday for a reported "burglary in progress." Officers say a witness followed the suspect's vehicle... and, police later found and stopped them. They arrested 18 year-old Madeline Gambrill and detained the three youths. Their investigation found that Gambrill and one of the juveniles took merchandise from the store without paying for it. Police also learned that Gambrill had dragged a female victim with her vehicle as she drove off. She is charged with petty larceny... fourth-degree criminal mischief... second-degree reckless endangerment... and, endangering the welfare of a child. Gambrill was issued appearance tickets and released... while the three youths were turned over to their guardians.
Four-H Meat Animal sale -- including dairy boxes this year -- dubbed a big success...
The 59th Four-H Meat Animal Sale at the Chautauqua County Fair was one of the most successful in recent years. A total of 127 entries went through the auction last Friday, generating over $220,000. Meat Animal Sale Chairman, Dave Schauman, was grateful for all the supporters who "step up every year, and are willing to spend pretty good dollars ot help these 4-Hers." Coolers full of dairy products were added to the sale this year. They sold for between $500 and $2,200 apiece. Dan Crowell was one of the people who helped initiate the effort... and says they "couldn't be happier with what happened." Officials say the coolers, full of donated dairy products, allowed young people in that part of Four-H to earn money at the auction for the first time.
Slow Moving Vehicle safety exhibit debuts at County Fair...
The Farm Bureau and Cornell Cooperative Extension joined with the Chautauqua County Sheriff's office at the fair Saturday afternoon to prove a point. They lined up a tractor behind an Amish buggy on a busy pathway between the gate and the midway... to remind drivers to be cautious around show moving vehicles. The President of the Chautauqua County Farm Bureau, Dick Kimball, put it this way. Kimball says people seem to "lose their minds" when they get behind a slow-moving vehicle... and, get impatient to get by. Often times... he says they can't see what's coming -- especially when there's a double-solid median line. Sheriff Jim Quattrone says Amish buggies are often on the roads of the county, and present particular challenges -- especially when the buggies get to the top of -- or crest -- of a hill.
Whitaker says finalist names for new JHS nickname should be revealed in 5 or 6 weeks...
The second and final round of community voting on a new nickname for Jamestown High School sports teams will take place once school resumes in the Fall. School Superintendent Kevin Whitaker says there were a handful of initial choices for students and the public to vote on late last school year. Dr. Whitaker tells our Dennis Webster that they will release results of the first-round of voting soon... and, once the second round is completed... those results will go to the committee for a final decision based on the recommendation before the deadline of the end of 2023. Whitaker says they will release the finalists within the next "5 or 6 weeks." The committee charged with deciding on a new nickname to replace Red Raiders has been meeting regularily after the New York State Department of Education determined that Jamestown needed to remove the name from all imagery and sports teams by the end of this year.
