Five people being helped by Red Cross after apartment house on Bowen Street hit by fire...
Five people were displaced by a fire early Friday morning in a home with two apartments at 96 Bowen Street in Jamestown. Fire Department Battalion Chief Brian Acterburg reports crews were summoned at 12:06 a.m. and found fire on the first floor... extending to the second. Crews were there for three hours, but the flames were fully out in about 30 minutes. Damage described as 'minor.' There were no injuries. The cause is being investigated. Fire fighters rescued a dog from the first floor apartment. The Red Cross is helping the evacuees.
Lakewood-Bustii police warn drivers to be careful with holiday traffic on Fairmount Avenue...
There's been a notable increase in the number of motor vehicle accidents being responded to by Lakewood-Busti Police and the Lakewood Fire Department in recent days. In a Facebook posting... police say that's especially been the case on Fairmount Ave., and, they are reminding motorists to obey the speed limit and stay attentive to the traffic flow with the increased volume due to the holidays. In fact... officials say the police and fire departments responded to three traffic accidents at the intersection of Fairmount and Fairdale Avenues -- in front of Wal-Mart -- this past Wednesday. They also remind folks to slow down when approaching an emergency scene... move over and listen to any emergency directives or detours. They say they are in place to keep motorists and first responders safe... and to keep traffic moving. They add it is the law to comply to any emergency traffic directives from Fire and Police personnel.
Jamestown man pleads guilty to federal Child Porn charge...
A city man has pleaded guilty to federal child pornography distribution following a more than two-year investigation into the allegations. U.S. Attorney Trini Ross says 23 year-old Brandon Uber pled guilty Thursday to one count of distribution of child pornography before U.S. District Court Judge Richard Arcara. Prosecutors say in March of 2021... Uber sent a Snapchat user image and video files of a 16-year-old minor female engaging in sexually explicit conduct. They add he also received images and videos of child pornography from other users of social media applications. Prosecutors say -- in addition -- Uber had online conversations with another known minor female victim, during which he persuaded her to create sexually explicit videos of herself to send to him. He stored the pornography he received and distributed on various electronic devices that were seized during the investigation. Ross says Uber faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, a maximum of 20, and a $250,000 fine. He's to be sentenced next June.
Ecklund names four of her department head-cabinet members...
Incoming Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund says she's been able to fill four positions in her administration... with more to follow prior to her taking office on Jan. 1. Ecklund says one of her biggest priorities was filling the City Comptroller's position... which has been filled by a handful of people since the COVID Pandemic began. Ecklund says she's tapping a fellow co-worker from eSolutions -- Bush Industries -- to perform those duties. She says Ericka Thomas has 35-plus years of experience in the private sector -- most of that at eSolutions. Ecklund says the good news is... both she and Thomas have been able to look further at the city's current finances to get a better handle on where things stand. While she has no doubts about Thomas being able to do the job... she says the new comptroller still has to learn the "government side" of the job. In addition... Ecklund says City Clerk Jennifer Williams will be staying on in that position. Ecklund adds that current, interim Public Works Director Mark Roetzer will also be staying on. She made her comments for this coming weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the six Media One Radio Group stations.
County Legislature honors retiring members...
The Chautauqua County Legislature spent part of Wednesday night's final meeting of 2023 recognizing lawmakers who are leaving the panel at the end of the year. Dunkirk Republican Kevin Muldowney came up just short in his effort to win a fifth-term last month. Muldowney began his political career in the office of late State Senator Jess Present over three decades ago. Legislature Chairman Pierre Chagnon read off a long list of accomplishments... which Muldowney responded to jokingly... saying listing those sounded "more like a eulogy." Lawmakers also recognized Jamestown Republican Elisabeth Rankin... who was first elected to the legislature in 2015. She brought her family up with her... and, expressed her appreciation to them... and, her fellow legislators. She says it was an honor to serve, but, also a big responsibility. One other legislator from Jamestown... Democrat Billy Torres... was unable to attend the meeting due to a death in the family. Two other Republicans... John Davis from the Frewsburg-area in District 16... and, John Hemmber from the Westfield area representing District 19... were also presented commendations for their work on the legislature.
