Little in the way of new snow predicted for Jamestown-area after near record warm December...
It's been one of the warmest, and least snowiest starts to Winter in Western New York ever... and, El nino is to blame. That from Forecaster Jason Alumbaugh with the National Weather Service in Buffalo... who says we're seeing some snow activity to our north and east... but, very little here over the next day or two. Alumbaugh talked about that with our Dennis Webster Wednesday morning... noting that we've seen only short bursts -- one to two-days -- of cold air that brings just a small amount of snow. So far this Winter... Alumbaugh says they've only recorded about 8-inches of snow at their headquarters at the Buffalo-Niagara Airport. He says December was unusually warm -- adding it was the second warmest on record. However... with Lake Erie still warm at 43-degrees... Alumbaugh says the potential is still there for some significant lake effect snow once cold artic air finally sets up over the lakes.
News of transcript of Rushdie's book leads to postponement of Matar trail...
Author Salman Rushdie's plans to publish a book about the 2022 attempt on his life at Chautauqua Institution has delayed the start of the trial of his alleged attacker. County Court Judge David Foley Wednesday morning granted a defense motion to postpone the trial for 26-year-old Hadi Matar... which was to begin next Monday. District Attorney Jason Schmidt was disappointed by the decision... noting that he and his case were ready to start jury selection next week. Schmidt says it may be May before jury selection begins. Public Defender Ned Barone had made the request to Judge Foley Wednesday morning after the book situation arose Tuesday. Barone said -- in an A--P article that "It's not just the book. Every little note Rushdie wrote down, I get, I'm entitled to. Every discussion, every recording, anything he did in regard to this book.” However... Schmidt said Rushdie's representatives had declined the prosecutor's request for a copy of the manuscript, citing intellectual property rights. He downplayed the book's relevance at the upcoming trial, given that the attack was witnessed by a large, live audience and Rushdie himself could testify.
Gowanda woman arrested for allegedly stealing credit card, and other items from man's wallet...
A woman from Conewango Valley is accused of stealing a wallet from a 76 year-old man at the Gowanda Rehab Center... and, using a credit card belonging to the victim. State Police in Collins say troopers were called to the location in the village of Gowanda on Tuesday, Dec. 26 on a report of the wallet... and, it's contents being taken from the man. Police found the credit card had been used at a local pizzeria. Troopers say they worked with the business... and, the Rehab Center to identify the suspect as 36 year-old Shauna Skinner. Skinner was arrested for fourth-degree grand larceny -- credit card... and, second-degree criminal impersonation. She was issued an appearance ticket for Persia Town Court for a later date.
Ferguson takes oath of office as new Fredonia mayor...
The village of Fredonia's new mayor is charging the community to continue to "fan the flames of community pride..." as well as faith in the village's government. Those were the words of Mike Ferguson during his inaugural address on Monday. Ferguson, who took his oath of office at Village Hall, says he is challenging members of the community for a "call to service" to help give the village the direction on where they want them to take. In his address, Ferguson said he will ask for New York State's help in three main areas during the New York Conference of Mayors convention in February. He says the first is freeing up the money for a new hospital... help in getting clean and safe water to village residents... and, helping to save the SUNY College at Fredonia. Other priorities Ferguson spoke about in his address included downtown development, the refurbishing of the White Inn, and the WCA Home.
City man arrested after breaking window during domestic incident...
A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly breaking a window inside a southside home during a domestic dispute early Wednesday evening. City police were called to the unidentified location just before 6 p.m., and on arrival, found that 25 year-old Nairobi Bautista had broken the window. Bautista was arrested for fourth-degree criminal mischief... and, was taken to the city jail pending arraingment.
County urges applications for Youth Team Sports grant program...
Chautauqua County is looking to increase the positive impact that sports and athletics have on young people by taking part in a newly-created youth team sports grant program. The county's Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services is now accepting applications for the new grant stream created in the 2024 state budget... which appropriated additional funding to support the operations of Youth Team Sports programs for underserved youth under the age of 18. County officials say the funding was made available through a "legislative addition..." and is not guaranteed from one year to the next. For this funding opportunity... a “team sport” is defined as an organized physical activity in which groups of two or more individuals are in competition with two or more opposing individuals. The application period runs until Jan. 26, and for a request for proposal outline, go on-line to chqgov.com/humansocial-services/legal-services-rfp.... you can also call the county Youth Bureau at 716-753-4117.
