Fire destroys cabin in Clymer...
A vacant cabin in a wooded-area of the town of Clymer was destroyed in a fire late Tuesday morning. Chautauqua County fire dispatchers say Clymer firefighters were called to the scene at 7362 Clymer Center Rd. about 10:30 a.m., and, found the structure -- which was located several hundred feet off the road -- fully engulfed in flames. Clymer was joined at the scene by Panama fire crews... along with County EMS. No injuries were reported. Firefighters were at the scene unitl shortly before 1 p.m. No cause has been released.
Cause of trailer fire in Busti Monday blamed on electrical issue...
Chautauqua County fire investigators say Monday afternoon's fire that damaged a trailer home in the town of Busti started accidently. Officials say Busti firefighters were called to 1151 Wellman Road shortly before 4 p.m., and, were joined by several mutual aid companies. After putting out the blaze... investigators were called in... and, determined the cause was an electrical issue in a power strip that was inside the residence. No injuries were reported.
Single-car rollover accident in town of Pomfret sends driver to ECMC...
A Jamestown man was injured in a single-car, rollover accident on Route 60 in the town of Pomfret early Tuesday morning. Sheriff's officers say they were called to the scene just after 12:30 a.m., and, found the car had left the roadway and struck a telephone pole. Deputies say the lone occupant of the vehicle, 26 year-old Kade Farbo, was hurt... and, he was taken by ambulance to the Erie County Medical Center for treatment. Officers say their investigation into the crash is ongoing... and, charges are pending.
Wendel defends new contract agreements with CSEA, and CCSEA...
Chautauqua County's top elected official is defending the new, four-year contracts recently approved by the county legislature and two employee unions. The agreements with the Civil Service Employees Association-Local 6300... and, the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Employees Association... both include wage increases. However... County Executive P.J. Wendel has been criticized by some who say "the county can't afford" them. However... he says the county can't afford to not have them if they're to recruit and retain good workers. He adds the contracts were approved by 89% of the union memberships. Wendel says that's the biggest support of a contract by unions ever in the county that he's aware of. The new CSEA contract includes 3% increases each year... while the CCSEA increases are 3% the first two years... and, 3.5% the final two. Wendel says there are some workers who may see up to a 6% increase... but, that's not part of the contracts. He says it would come from additional "step increases" based on length of service and performance. Wendel says he understands the concern over adding another $1.7-million to the county's budget... but, adds they'lll look for more cost savings in the 2024 budget to offset that.
Osprey found outside Media One Radio headquarters has to be destroyed after dislocated elbow found...
The story of the injured osprey, found outside the Media One studios early Monday morning, came to a quick and tragic end on Tuesday. The bird had to be humanely destroyed. Sandra Emke of TSE Wildlife in Frewsburg transported the osprey to the SPCA in West Seneca where veterinarians found it had a severely dislocated elbow. With birds this large... she says the elbows a very delecate, and necessary to be able to fly. Emke says further examination revealed another problem... that being bullet fragments found in his foot and ankle. SPCA leaders determined there would be no quality of life for the raptor... and, the decision was made to euthanize the animal. Exactly when the gunshot wound occurred was not clear. The bird was not bleeding when it was rescued Monday by Emke and Cheryl Burns of Emusing Wildlife. While not ‘endangered,’ ospreys are listed as a ‘species of special concern’ in New York. Shooting one is a violation of state and federal law.
Trio from Sinclairville arrested for trespassing, and one for menacing with machete...
Three men from Sinclairville have been arrested for allegedly trespassing on property they had been evicted from... and, one is accused of pulling a machete and threatening the owner. Sheriff's officers were called to a property on East Road shortly before 9 p.m. Monday for a disorderly person. They investigated, and found that 40 year-old Jason Koch... 32 year-old Ben Gray... and, 49 year-old John Land had been previously evicted from the residence... and, had returned without the consent of the property owner. When they were confronted by the owner... Koch had allegedly pulled and displayed the machete towards another person. All three were ticketed for criminal trespassing and Koch was also charged with second-degree menacing. They were issued appearance tickets for Charlotte Town Court.
