More than 150 Falconer residents sign petition calling on county to reconsider using village hotels for temporary and transitional housing...
More than 150 residents of the village of Falconer have signed a petition calling on local leaders to reconsider having transitional and temporary housing at two hotels there. During Wednesday night's county legislature meeting... resident Kerry Chase, who oversees the recently-established Neighborhood Watch program... addressed lawmakers about the clientele at the Budget and Quality Inns. Chase submitted the petition that had 156 signatures on it. However... she adds that people are also asking what can they do to help the situation. Chase says residents are thinking more about "what can we do to help the situation" because "this is everywhere." Chase says some didn't want to sign fearing retribution from that clientele... or who felt it wouldn't do any good. She says residents are trying to get more educated, and find ways to better deal with the problem... which she says has been exacerbated by the recent fire at The Colony Motel in West Ellicott where some homeless people were being housed. In the petition and other information... residents say they have "endured an increase in theft in our businesses and our residences for way too long." It adds the village has lost two businesses because of the activity coming from the Budget Inn.
Overheated antenna amp blamed for Forestville house fire...
An overheated antenna amplifier located in the attic of a Forestville home triggered Thursday morning's fire that damaged the house. The Chautauqua County Fire Investigation Team was called in to look for the cause after the blaze at 11165 Mixer Rd. was out. County fire dispatchers report that Forestville firefighters responded to the scene about 9:15 a.m. and received mutual aid from Hanover Center, Irving, Sheridan, Silver Creek, Sunset Bay and East Dunkirk. There were no reports of any injuries. The Red Cross was called in to help the victims.
Schumer calls new U.S.-China deal to stem Fentanyl trafficking "good news..."
New York's Senior U-S Senator is praising the new high-level agreement to stem the flow of materials used to make fentanyl from China to drug traffickers and into our country. Democratic Majority Leader Charles Schumer called the new agreement between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi "good news." Schumer says they now have to hold China accountable to "make sure these commitments are kept." He says there was an agreement during the first Fentanyl crisis several years ago... but, China backed off on that starting in 2019. He says this one is public... at a higher-level... and, more comprehensive. Schumer says there will be joint counter-narcotic efforts between Washington and Bejing. He was part of a bi-partisan delegation to China a short time ago that got to meet with President Xi... and, they laid much of the groundwork for the new agreement jointly announced late Wednesday by Xi and President Biden. The senator calls the new agreement a "great first step..." but, adds it "must" be enforced.
Wendel says decision to cancel "Strong Starts Chautauqua" program not made lightly...
Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel says the decision to cancel the county's contract with the Health Community Alliance for the Strong Starts Chautauqua program was "not made lightly." In a printed statement Thursday... Wendel says the decision to cancel the contract was due to "an internal concern over proper policy and procedures, which is being review by external counsel." The Strong Starts program had been approved by the legislature to receive over $370,000 in American Rescue Plan Act money to implement universal screenings for newborn children. Wendel says county government is "unable to comment further at this time as the investigation continues."
City of Jamestown Christmas Tree is up for holiday season...
On a day that felt more like early Fall... the city of Jamestown's official Christmas Tree was harvested... and, put up on Tracy Plaza for the season. Parks Manager Dan Stone supervised a parks, public works and BPU crew in harvesting the tree on a sunny, 60-degree morning. Stone told our Dennis Webster that the Norway Spruce was donated by Jeff and Connie Muntz who live on the eastside. He says putting up the tree isn't all they've been doing. They've also been putting up decorations on Third St. City crews will put about 3,000 lights onto the tree... which will be lit for the Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 2. Stone says the 60-foot tall tree is really full... and, has a good shape. He adds they cut it to about 45-feet tall to be put on the Plaza.
Comedy Center receives Don Rickles archives...
The National Comedy Center in Jamestown is now the home of an archival collection from the late Don Rickles' estate... showcasing the comedy legend's six-decade long career. Comedy Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson says they will celebrate the legendary comedian -- known as "Mr. Warmth" -- with rare artifacts on display and signature “Insults” for visitors. Gunderson says the collection from the 1950s to 2000s, will chronicle his storied life in comedy through rare photographs... correspondence... creative papers... and wardrobe — all of which will be preserved at the center. She says the centerpiece of the collection is a "remarkably thorough and intimate documentation of Rickles’ career in comedy in more than 40 photo and memorabilia albums assembled by the comedian and his wife, Barbara."
