Flames of an unknown origin have destroyed a home on Rice Avenue in the town of Carroll. Chautauqua County Sheriff's Dispatchers say Frewsburg firefighters were called to the scene about 5 PM Monday... and, fire officials tell YNN the attached garage to the two-story home was heavily-engulfed in flames when they arrived. The blaze then spread to the upstairs of the ranch-style home. No one was hurt. A couple lived in the home. County fire investigators were called in about 6 PM. Frewsburg was joined at the scene by Kiantone, Falconer, Kennedy, and Lakewood fire crews. Firefighters were at the scene nearly four-hours.
A Chautauqua County Sheriff's officer and an off-duty paramedic were able to rescue a Silver Creek woman from her burning vehicle in Villanova before it became fully-engulfed in flames early Sunday. We have learned that Ray Austin, a paramedic with Allstar, was on his way home from work on Route 83 about 5:20 AM when he saw smoke coming from a car that had crashed into a field. He called 9-1-1... and, a Sheriff's Deputy arrived soon after with a fire extinquisher. The Sheriff's Deputy, Stephen Romanik, helped Austin get 28-year-old Valerie Roach out of the car. She had been seriously hurt... and, was treated on scene by South Dayton and Cassadaga Fire rescuers... before being flown by Starflight Helicopter to the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo for treatment. She was initially in serious condition... but, at last word was stable. The investigation is continuing... and, charges are pending.
The fourth-phase of the Greater Jamestown Riverwalk project has been completed... and, will be dedicated this afternoon. Ground will then be broken for the fifth-phase of the on-going effort. Mayor Sam Teresi says County Executive Greg Edwards... along with State Senator Cathy Young and Assemblyman Andy Goodell will be on hand to officially open the newest phase of the project. Teresi says they're among the people who helped to get this part of the project completed. Teresi says the public dedication will take place at the Northern Shore Extension behind Blackstone-Ney Ultrasonics at 9 North Main Street. He says that's where the fourth-phase began... and, it runs to the Chadakoin Riverfront north of Panzarella Island at the Board of Public Utilities. Another state leader expected to be on hand will be former County Executive... and, current Western New York State Parks Director Mark Thomas. The Gebbie Foundation also provided some funding... and, land for the project. The ground-breaking for Phase-Five... will take place after the 2:30 PM dedication at the Clifton Avenue end of the trail near D & S Glass on Fluvanna Avenue.
Current District 16 Chautauqua County Legislator Chuck Nazzaro has announced his candidacy for re-election to a fourth-term in the legislature's new District 9... which maily is comprised of Jamestown's southside. Nazzaro currently serves as the ranking Democrat on the Audit-and-Control Committee. Nazzaro has been endorsed by the Democrat and Independence parties. In addition... Nazzaro chaired a special task force formed to research the Chautauqua County Home's operations and has consistently supported its sale. He also supported the elimination of health insurance for County Legislators... and, voted in favor of reducing the size of the County Legislature. Nazzaro indicated that he supports the consolidation of government services, regionalization, neighborhood revitalization and in reducing property taxes. He also served on the Jamestown City Council for three terms. Nazzaro is currently the Chief Financial Officer at WCA Hospital. He has been employed by WCA since 1985... and, has also held the positions of Director of Finance/Controller, Director of Reimbursement and Senior Accountant.
The federal government shut-down is now two-weeks old... and, a new, bi-partisan proposal has surfaced in the House of Representatives. Local Congressman Tom Reed says he's joined with that group of lawmakers who are promoting what's being called an "Honest Proposal" to deal with both the shut-down... and, pending default. Reed says the three-year plan would allow the government to continue operating through the end of the year... and, raise the ceiling. During his weekly media conference call... the Corning Republican said that would extend through 2014. However... Reed does say it would include 230-billion dollars in new sequestration cuts. He adds the third part would also include a extension of debt ceiling relief -- with the cuts -- through 2015. Reed calls it automatic relief from the debt ceiling... and, allow the president to be more active in the debate without -- what he calls -- "a gun to his head." Reed adds the sequestration cuts would generally be "across the board."
New York Education Commissioner John King, Junior has canceled a slate of community forums on the Common Core following what he called ``disruptions caused by the special interests'' during the first meeting in Poughkeepsie. A statement from King provided by the Education Department Monday says the commissioner was looking forward to answering parents' questions. But... after the October 10th PTA-sponsored forum, he says it's clear that special interests are determined to manipulate the meetings. Additional forums had been scheduled for this week in Garden City and Clifton Park... and, later this month in the Buffalo subarb of Williamsville and New Hartford. The learning standards are intended to better prepare students for college and careers. Critics say New York was too quick to align standardized tests to the standards, resulting in a low passing rate.
