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News Headlines for Mon., Jan. 15, 2018

Falconer mayor says village will rebound after latest devastating blaze in downtown area...
A major fire that broke out just before Noon yesterday in the village of Falconer has destroyed another large, residential-commercial building in the heart of the downtown area.  It's the second fire within the past 10 months on that part of Main Street.  A dozen fire companies were called to the scene of the Falconer Vac-Shop building at 15 West Main St. at 11:55 am Sunday.  Falconer Fire Department Spokesman, and Mayor Jim Rensel says all 11 tenants got out safely.  Rensel says they were being taken care of, temporarily, in the Falconer Central School building.  That shelter was needed in the wake of temperatures in the low to mid-teens.  Those frigid temperatures also made it difficult for firefighters on the scene.  The building... which housed the Falconer Vac-Shop... is believed to be a total loss.  Rensel says two other businesses were there... including a hair salon that had been burned out of the other blaze last March at 29-34 West Main.  He calls it a "tough situation."  Rensel says one firefighter suffered a knee injury... which he hopes is minor.  The fire was deemed under control about mid-afternoon... but, several fire crews remained at the scene to douse hot spots.  No cause has yet been released.  Several fire companies... including Jamestown, Lakewood, and Frewsburg joined Falconer at the scene.  West Main Street has been closed between Phetteplace... and Work Streets.  
 
 
New County Executive on hand to support Falconer in wake of second major fire in 10 months...
The second major fire in the village of Falconer is "very sad to see."  That from new Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello... who praised firefighters for their efforts in battling the blaze in Sunday's frigid conditions.  Borrello says there's still plenty of work to do... but, he's confident fire officials will find out what happened.  Mayor Jim Rensel says a tenant inside the building called in the alarm after smelling smoke and fire inside.  Borrello offered Mayor Rensel whatever help the county can... and, praised the county's on-going mutual aid program for a strong turn-out by firefighters.
 
 
BPU reports wide-spread discolored water due to Falconer fire...
The major fire in the village of Falconer has caused systemwide discolored water in the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities' service area.  That from BPU Spokeswoman Becky Robbins... who says the heavy hydrant use stirs up the water.  Robbins adds the BPU's electric line department had to cut power on Main Street in Falconer from Tiffany Avenue to Homestead to permit firefighters to battle the fire safely.  It was restored about mid-afternoon.
 
 
Teresi says, despite troubling and unresolved shooting and stabbing incidents, major crimes are down in city...
With a number of shooting incidents... and, one stabbing death in late 2017... public safety remains at a premium in the city of Jamestown.  Mayor Sam Teresi says the situation is getting better, but, adds that city police need to have better cooperation from the public in a few cases.  Teresi says he understands why some people may not feel safe... but, adds the crime rate will never be zero.  At the same time... he says an improving economy will help advance that.  He says that has helped "calm" the major crime numbers in the city.  Teresi adds, though, that better law enforcement first needs to have better citizen concern and involvement.  That's why he is pleased to have Chief Harry Snellings back on the job for another four-years.  He says Snellings has worked hard to impart the need for solid evidence, and witness assistance to his officers.  City police have been frustrated by not getting cooperation in a few shooting incidents, and the fatal stabbing late last year.  Snellings has carried the dual position of Police Chief and Public Safety Director for nearly the past eight years.  
 
 
Dunkirk man arrested after alleged DWI Accident...
A minor two-car crash in the north county has led to the arrest of a Dunkirk man for allegedly driving while drunk.  Sheriff's officers were called to the scene of the two-car accident at Route 5 and Temple Road in the town of Dunkirk last Friday afternoon... and, found that 33 year-old Bradley Ross was driving while he was in an intoxicated state.  He was arrested for DWI, following too closely, uninspected motor vehicle, and, Aggravated DWI with a .18 BAC or higher.  Ross was issued appearance tickets for Dunkirk Town Court at a later date.