One person dies in Saturday morning fire north of Falconer...
One person has died in a serious fire that destroyed a home early this morning in the town of Ellicott. -- just north of Falconer. Falconer Fire Chief Charlie Piazza says a passer-by called in the alarm at 3730 Wilson Hollow Road shortly after 7 a.m. Piazza told us... at the scene... that he and initial crews found heavy fire in half of the house. He adds they also learned someone may be trapped inside... and they called in a second-alarm for manpower. Piazza adds they weren't able to make an interior attack because of the heavy fire conditions, and the fact there was a lot of "rubble inside" the structure. He says the unidentified victim was a "40 to 50 year-old" male. He says the man's name is being withheld pending notification of relatives. Piazza says the resident apparently was a hoarder... and, that made fighting the blaze difficult. He says it took about an hour to bring the fire under control. Chautauqua County Fire Dispatchers say Falconer firefighters were joined at the scene by crews from Gerry... Kennedy... Fluvanna... Sinclairville... Ellington... Cassadaga... and, Kiantone. Piazza and county fire investigators were still at the scene late this morning. The cause remains under investigation.
City man arrested for possessing a "large amount" of Methamphetime during traffic stop...
A Jamestown man is jailed without bail for allegedly being found in possession of a large amount of Methamphetime after being pulled over early Friday morning for driving erratically on the city's southside. Jamestown police say officers pulled over 35 year-old Maurice Hough just before 6:30 a.m., and, checked on his well-being because he appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Police say Hough admitted to recently smoking Meth, and added there were also warrants out for his arrest. But... when officers tried to arrest him, he resisted before being taken into custody. Police say they found Hough with the Meth, and two hypodermic needles in his possession. He faces charges including fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, criminally possessing a hypodermic instrument. Hough was arraigned and sent to the county jail.
Jamestown woman arrested during mid-week drug bust...
A Jamestown woman has been arrested for allegedly making and trafficking Methamphetime following a traffic stop and investigatiion early this past Wednesday morning. City police were called to the Charlestown Apartments at 30 Charles Street shortly after 3 a.m. on a report of a dark-colored Sports Utility Vehicle driving in and out of the property... possibly involved in narcotics sales. Officers say they found a dark-colored Jeep in the area... and, pulled over 35 year-old Cassie Nichols on McKinley Avenue. Officers say they saw Nichols commit several traffic infractions. She was allegedly found with a quantity of Methamphetime... several glass pipes... scales... precusors... solvents... re-agents... and other items. Nichols was arraigned on charges including third-degree unlawful manufacture of methamphetime... and, sent to the county jail on $25,500 cash bail.
DiNapoli tours So. Tier Brewing in Busti, touts investment by state's Pension Fund used to help craft brewer grow...
It's an investment program that has helped to build New York state's Common Retirement Fund... and, helped several businesses across the state expand and grow. Those are the feelings of State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli... who visited Southern Tier Brewery in the town of Busti yesterday to tour the facility... and, discuss the pension fund's 'In-State Private Equity Program." The program invests about $1.6-billion in businesses -- like Southern Tier. All told... DiNapoli says they've invested $7.6-million in the local, craft brewery... since it opened in 2003. He says the program provides a good return for the pension fund, about 11.5-percent, and helps the businesses involved in the program. DiNapoli says Southern Tier... which recently bought out Victory Brewing in Pennsylvania for an expansion... has done "very, very well." Southern Tier Owner and Operator Phin DiMink... who started Southern Tier Brewery with three employees in 2003.. says the investment by the Comptroller's office has helped grow to be 13th biggest craft brewery in the northeast. DiNapoli was joined for the event by State Senator Cathy Young.
County Legislature resolves tax issue Busti properties...
Four properties that have belonged to a town of Busti man for many years... and, that town was trying to take for back-taxes... has been returned to the man. The County Legislature this week agreed to return the Fairmount Avenue properties --- between First Avenue and Big Tree Road -- to Lee Fischer after some discussion and a closed-door session. Fischer spoke earlier in the meeting... and, laid out his on-going dispute with the town over how the property is maintained. He says one nearby business also complained of vermin... but, he says he knows that's not the case because as a pest control business operator... he's strived to do that. Fisher... who lives on Fourth Avenue... owns the 40-by-70 foot property that fronts on Fairmount Avenue... and, three lots behind it. He says the properties were being wrongly put up for tax auction because he had paid the taxes when they were due. Fisher also says he has invested about $100,000 into the Fairmount Avenue property.
Tarbrake likely to step down after August Legislature meeting due to moving out of the district...
A veteran member of the Chautauqua County Legislature from the Jamestown-area will be likely be stepping down after next month's meeting because he's moving out of his district. Republican Mark Tarbrake has represented District 14 for the past nearly eight-years... but, he and his family will be moving to the Bemus Point area soon... and, he'll have to step down. Tarbrake says he'll miss working with his fellow lawmakers, county staff, and his constituents. He also did not rule out the idea of running for office again sometime in the future. Before being voted onto the legislature... Tarbrake served in local government... including several years on the Busti Town Board.
