County Sheriff's officers investigating pair of alleged arson fires in front of two Brocton churches...
The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office is investigating a pair of incidents in which fires were set in front of two different churches in the Village of Brocton. In a Facebook post... the department states that it has been working with representatives of the churches and is actively pursuing these cases.  There have been no injuries nor major damage reported as a result of these incidents.  The public is encouraged to contact law enforcement if they observe suspicious activity around places of worship.  If anyone has any information about these incidents... call the Sheriff's Office at 753-4232 and ask for Investigator Doug Walter or Deputy Karlstrom.

Sheriff's Dept. announces new collaboration with IGNITE program to lower jail recidivism rates...
The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office has become the first in New York state to take part in a new educational program designed to help lower recidivism rates.  Sheriff Jim Quattrone hosted a press conference in Jamestown late Tuesday morning with other sheriff's, and law enforcement leaders who are part of the IGNITE -- or Individual Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education -- program.  Quattrone says the county jail will be the 11th in the United States to take part... and, says it's "a comprehensive rehabilition program to provide inmates with education, vocational training and life skills that will allow them to (reenter) society upon release."  He says the program has been developed jointly with the National Sheriff's Association... and, has been very successful in both Mecklenberg County in North Carolina... and, Genesee County, Michigan.  The Genesee County program was the first in the nation in 2020.  Officials say the beauty of the program is it's all volunteer... and, inmates -- now referred to as "residents" -- are given incentives to be in the program.  The program is flexible, and counties can choose what to offer depending on collaboration with local resources.  Among the programs that can be offered are GED classes... job certification and post-incarceration work opportunities and assistance — all things not traditionally offered in jails, which are primarily pretrial holding facilities.

Quattrone says NYS Bail Reform should not be a hinderance to IGNITE program...
Bail Reform has changed how jail inmates are incarcerated... and if they are at all.  However... Sheriff Jim Quattrone says all inmates at the Chautauqua County Jail can take part in the IGNITE program -- if they want to.  Quattrone says they are working with outside entities to allow the programs to continue outside the jail if necessary so they can complete the program.  Among the other entities represented that would be part of the program were: Jamestown Community College... and the Erie-2, Chautauqua, Cattarugus BOCES.  Chautauqua County Public Defender Ned Barone was also on hand... and, said he's pleased to have such a program in place now because the county has many resources for people who are incarcerated.  Barone says this will help tie them together.

Concord Grape crop slow to come in this Fall...
Chautauqua County’s concord grape harvest is coming in, but Steve Cockram, General Manager of Growers’ Coop in Westfield says it’s been slow.  Cockram says they're only 40% of the way into the harvest.  However... he says it's "a big crop."  Cockram says he estimates they are about two weeks behind, but says the wait was worth it, in terms of quality.  He says the birx level is kind of "average."  Brix is a measure of sweetness in the grapes.  The hope now is they’ll be able to get the harvest completed before a major frost or snow storm.  Demand for concord is strong.  Farmers should receive about $400 for each ton of grapes.  Growers’ Coop accounts for about 10% of the 30,000 acres of grapes in the Lake Erie belt… selling most of its output wholesale. 

City man arrested following back-to-back domestic incidents...
A Jamestown man is accused of tackling a woman to the ground during a pair of domestic incidents on the city's eastside that happened within 20 minutes of each other.  City police were first called to the location about 9:15 a.m. Tuesday... and, on arrival spoke with both 34 year-old Justin Martin, and, a woman inside the home.  Neither party wanted to press charges at that time.  However... about five minutes after officers left... they responded to a second 9-1-1 call from the residence.  Police later found that Martin had gone into a bedroom and tackled the female victim... and, held her down while forcibly taking a pack of cigarette's out of her hands.  After he left the room... the victim locked the door and called 9-1-1.  Martin then returned and kicked the bedroom door open... causing more than $250 damage.  He was arrested at the scene on charges including third-degree criminal mischief... fourth-degree grand larceny and second-degree unlawful imprisonment.  Martin was arraigned and later released per bail reform.

Arrest made in Frewsburg-area riding mower theft...         
A Jamestown man has been arrested after allegedly stealing a riding lawn mower in the Sandberg Road area of the town of Carroll.  Sheriff's officers were called to the scene last Thursday... and, the mower was recovered Tuesday.  Deputies say they arrested 36 year-old Joshua Warner for fourth-degree grand larceny.  Warner was issued an appearance ticket for Carroll Town Court at a later date.