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WJTN Headlines for Thursday Nov. 30, 2017

Jamestown Police have now identified the man killed during a stabbing incident last night on the city's eastside. 
 
City Police now say that 22 year-old Dylan Ownbey is the victim and, say he and the suspect were reportedly walking down Willard Street together when they began to fight with each other.  Officers say the other man allegedly stabbed Ownbey before running off on Peterson Street towards Scioto Street. 
 
It is believed that the two men may have known each other as they were seen walking together prior to the altercation.  It's also believed the suspect may have fled the scene with another person.  Investigators are looking for any information that on the suspects identity. 
 
City police ask anyone with information to call JPD at 483-7537, their confidential tip-line at 483-8477,  or use the Tips-411 app. 
 
 
A city man is jailed on $10,000 cash bail on nearly a dozen charges after allegedly threatening his pregnant girlfriend at the Chautauqua Mall, then leading police on a nearly 25-mile vehicle pursuit. 
 
Lakewood-Busti Police were called to the scene on Fairmount Avenue in Lakewood about noon Tuesday on a report of a domestic incident.  Officers say the victim told them that 30 year-old Travis Spencer had fled the scene after pinning her against a wall, and threatening to kill her.  She says, as she tried to get into her car, Spencer started driving away, causing her to fall onto her stomach and knee. 
 
Police later spotted the vehicle in the parking lot of the Lakewood Village Center, and tried to stop the suspect.  However, they say Spencer sped off westbound on Fairmount Avenue.  Other agencies later joined in, and three different times, they deployed deflation devices. 
 
But, they say Spencer was able to continue into Westfield, where he finally stopped and was arrested.  He was arraigned on 11 charges, including second-degree reckless endangerment and harassment and, sent to the county lock-up.
 
 
A Ripley School teacher has been charged with endangering the welfare of child following an alleged incident earlier this month. 
 
Sheriff's deputies say they received a complaint back on November 3 that 35 year-old Lisa Sabella had allegedly used inappropriate physical contact while dealing with a juvenile child.  Sabella was issued an appearance ticket for Ripley Town court at a later date.
 
 
Dunkirk city firefighters encountered heavy flames and smoke when they battled a structure fire in the north county city yesterday morning. 
 
Crews responded to the blaze at 313 Pelican Street shortly after 10 AM.  The fire scene is not that far from Fire Headquarters, just a block away.  Fire Chief Mike Edwards says they were alerted by a passerby who spotted the fire.
 
He says city crews were able to get the blaze under control within minutes, even though the house was boarded up.  He says there was "heavy-involvement, up to the second-floor" of the building.  No injuries were reported.  Edwards says a heating unit on the first floor had malfunctioned, triggering the blaze.
 
 
The Clymer Central School District will begin the search for a new superintendant shortly due to fall-out from district voters overwhelmingly defeating a proposed merger with Panama. 
 
Bert Lictus, who has been superintendent for both districts the past few years, made the announcement at Tuesday night's board meeting in Clymer. 
 
Lictus confirmed the move for us Wednesday morning.   He called it a "very trying" time, and told board members in his statement that while he supported a merger with Panama, it was "made abundantly clear that the community and the board of education may not agree with my vision for this district."  Lictus will remain superintendent there until February 2 of next year.
 
 
A new owner is looking for help from the state to redevelop the former Vikings Lodge on Jamestown's westside to become a new commercial and convention hall location. 
 
That from city Development Director Vince DeJoy after the City Council this week approved an application for an up to one-million dollar Restore-New York grant for the project.  DeJoy says the new owner, Falconer-area businessman James Schwab, is still early in the process of lining up financing for the effort.
 
The lodge fell into disrepair after it was vandalized by members of a semi-pro hockey team who were staying in the lodge at the time.  DeJoy says plans include renaming the new building the "3 Vikings Convention Center and Meeting Rooms."  He adds that Schwab had purchased the building earlier this year, and has done some preliminary work on it already. 
 
DeJoy says Schwab's son, Martin, is also going in on the venture with his experience in event planning.  He says they are also seeking old pictures of the former Vikings Lodge that would be part of the renovation effort. 
 
 
Fredonia Mayor Athenesia Landis has declared a state of emergency in the village. 
 
The mayor says she made the declaration in an effort to begin fixing the problem of discolored water in some parts of the village. Earlier this month, Dr. Landis told us that an emergency declaration was apparently the only way to secure emergency funding from the state.
 
Mayor Landis says the village is looking to address water problems that affect portions of six streets.  She is advising residents there are no new problems with the water and they should not be alarmed.