Fire damages East Second St. home, but, firefighters stop spread to house next door...
An overnight fire in a vacant and condemned home on Jamestown's eastside kept city fire crews busy for several hours. Fire Battalion Chief Ryan Roush says firefighters were called to 901 East Second St. shortly before Midnight Thursday... and, found heavy flames coming from the back corner of the house. Rousch says there was possible extension into the home at 903 East Second. He says fire crews, and city police helped to evacuate that residence... and, checked for people inside the unoccupied structure. No one was found inside as crews began battling the blaze. Rousch says an off-duty shift was called in... and once the bulk of the fire was nocked down outside... crews put out the fire inside the structure. No injuries were reported. Crews were at the scene until about 4:30 a.m., and, the cause is under investigation.
Woman identified as victim in fatal car-pedestrian accident in town of Dunkirk...
A Dunkirk woman has now been identified as the person killed in a car-pedestrian accident Wednesday afternoon in the town of Dunkirk. Troopers say the accident occured in the parking lot of the Tops plaza on Vineyard Drive. State Police say the victim... 69 year-old Barbara Sam... was walking north in the parking lot when she was struck by southbound car. Troopers say she died at the scene. The State Police Accident Reconstruction Team... and, Bureau of Criminal Investigation were called to the scene. The investigation is continuing into the incident. No charges have yet been filed.
Hochul announces new, state strategy for cybersecurity...
Cybersecurity is the focus of a first-in the nation program that's been rolled out by New York Governor Kathy Hochul. During a press conference in New York City Wednesday... Hochul noted that cyber threats are a major concern facing state governments... and, she says this plan could be the "template" for the nation to address the issue. She says funding for the effort was included in the state's 2023-24 budget... and says you also have to be weary of threats that get into local government computers, and wind up in the state system. Hochul says the new system will not only take care of state government... but, some 53,000 computers across local towns, villages and cities... as well as counties... now have this safeguard. During the announcement... she pointed out the problems Suffolk County faced when hampered by a cyberattack last fall.
Second "Veteran's Wellness Day" at JCC a big success...
Connecting local veteran's with programs that can help them deal with their physical and mental health needs was the focus of a special program Wednesday at Jamestown Community College. The "Veteran's Wellness Day" at the JCC Student Union was put on by the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County's Veteran's Subcommittee... the Joseph Dwyer Veteran's Peer to Peer Program... and other community partners. Cindy Reidy with the Dwyer program was chief organizer of the event.... and, says they had a great turn-out. In fact... Reidy says they probably had at least twice the number of people who attended last year. She says all the providers they had for the program were thrilled with how it turned out. Reidy says they hope to make this an annual program for the local veterans. She says more than 30 veteran-serving partners had booths and displays, dealing with a number of areas, including housing, drug addiction services... and, a special equinne program that's being offered. However... she says it's not a "riding" type of therapy... the horses mirror the person's emotions to give a better picture of how they are. Reidy says you can learn more information about the Dwyer Peer to Peer Program on their Facebook page. You can also call her at 716-969-5542 or via email to reidyc@chqgov.com.
Jamestown man arrested after being found in possession of meth and fentanyl...
A city man was allegedly found with quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl by Jamestown police Monday night while they were investigating his possible involvement in another incident. City police say officers saw 39 year-old Todd Dalton walking on Lakeview Avenue just before 10 p.m., and, saw he matched the description of a man involved in the other incident. During their investigation... police found Dalton in possession of 6-grams of meth... and, 7.1-grams of fentanyl that was packaged in individual wrappers... along with a digital scale. They arrested Dalton on two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, criminally using drug paraphernalia.
Abbott receives Mason Award for United Way...
A long-time member of the Jamestown School Board... and, volunteer soccer coach... is this year's recipient of the Joseph Mason Community Service Award. Retired Jamestown Police officer Paul Abbott received the honor during the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County's "Salute to Labor" dinner last night at the Harborfront Hotel in Celoron. Abbott called it a great honor... and, humbling. He says he and his wife got involved with the JAYS Soccer program when their children played... and, then he got a call about coaching. Abbott says he knew nothing about the sport... but, developed a passion for the sport. Abbott has also been Jamestown School Board President the past several years... and, had been on the board for 15 years. He's been a soccer coach for the past 20 years. The Mason Award is presented each year by the United Way to a person who gives of their time... and was also involved in local labor.
