New York is honoring late U-S Senator John McCain by lowering flags on government buildings to half-staff...
Governor Andrew Cuomo said Sunday lowering the flags on state buildings was a "small gesture for one of America's giants." New York City is doing the same at city-government buildings. The 81-year-old McCain died Saturday in Arizona after discontinuing medical treatment for an aggressive form of brain cancer. Cuomo, a Democrat, said the tribute to McCain, a Republican, would remain until his funeral. McCain is expected to be honored in Arizona and Washington before being buried, likely this coming week, at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland. Cuomo called McCain "one of our nation's finest public servants" and an example of an old-fashioned statesman who "indisputably aimed to put country over party."
Progress is being made in the future of the Jamestown Brewery on the 100-block of West Third Street...
Construction Manager Lori Galster -- of Galster Enterprises -- says West Third Street will be closed off to traffic between Washington and Cherry Streets from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (August 29-31). Galster says a flagman will be located at Third and Cherry for local required traffic. All pedestrians can walk on the northside of the road and pedestrian traffic on the south side will be open from Cherry to Sawtooth Building. For any questions, contact Lori at 499-3815.
The Jamestown Schools 'Promise Fund' is planning a big party at the front door of Jamestown High School on Saturday, September 8 from 10 AM to 4 PM...
Dr. Lilian Ney, a Promise Fund official, says they want the community to come and bring unused musical instruments as gifts. Dr. Ney says it's come to the attention of fund officials that many families have to rent instruments long term, or deny students the opportunity to play one, because of cost. JHS band director, Meghan Murray says once people graduate, their instruments often end up the attic. She is ecstatic the Promise Fund has stepped up to help get throse instruments into the hands of students. All donations will be tax deductible. Financial contributions will also be accepted. The Promise Fund will have a tent with balloons, music, and a fun atmosphere for the party on September 8. Any questions can be directed to jpsinstrumentdrive@gmail.com.
A Corry Pennsylvania man is accused of driving on suspending license with weapons and drugs in his SUV last Thursday...
State Police in Warren say a traffic stop was initated on a Toyota 4-Runner traveling south on State Route 6. Troopers say while interviewing 36 year-old Ryan Groves, they saw a black and silver Smith and Wesson nine-millimeter pistol on the driver's lap. Further investigation revealed two pistol magazines and a bullet in the side-door panel, along with a piece of glass containing suspected methamphetamine in plain sight. Officers searched Groves's vehicle and allegedly found LSD, meth, paraphernalia and brass knuckles. While being interviewed in custody, Groves admitted to officers that the white powdery substance was meth and the stamps possibly contained LSD. He's being held in Warren County Jail.
Governor Andrew Cuomo says time is running out for New Yorkers who want to get around a federal cap on state and local tax deductions by donating to a charitable fund set up by the state...
The Democrat says Monday is the last day for residents to contribute to the Charitable Gifts Trust Fund before new Internal Revenue Service rules take effect. Taxpayers can earmark contributions either for health services or education. They can get 85-percent of the donation amount back by claiming a state tax credit. The fund was created in the state's 2019 budget after federal tax law was changed to put a $10,000 cap on deductions for state and local taxes. The IRS hasn't ruled on whether contributions to the fund will qualify as charitable donations.
Catholic Charities of Buffalo says it will end foster care and adoption services next year over state regulations that bar discrimination against same-sex couples looking to adopt or foster children...
The Catholic organization says it is phasing out the program because it cannot simultaneously comply with state regulations and conform to the teaching of the Catholic Church. Catholic Charities services are under contract with the Erie County Department of Social Services until March 2019. The charity is sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo.
An elderly man was rescued with the help of Good Samaritans and Sheriff's deputies Friday afternoon after his sailboat overturned in Chautauqua Lake...
Officers say the 77 year-old was unable to get back inside the sailboat and, had been in the water for an extended period of time with a personal floation device on. The man reportedly had become extremely fatigued and hypothermia was beginning to set in. Deputies say a Pontoon boat found the man and were able to safely get him out of the water with assistance from Navigation deputies. The operator was then transported to Midway State Park where he was checked by medics. He was not transported to the hospital.
An East Otto man faces a number of charges -- including two counts of allowing a person to drive without a boating certificate -- after a Sheriff's patrol boat allegedly found a child unable to control his watercraft near Long Point last Thursday...
Deputies say the incident occurred mid-lake when the child fell off his craft, which subsquently struck the patrol vessel without damage. The 9 year-old was reportedly struggling to swim in an oversized floation device when 45 year-old Nathan Hill and a 15 year-old approached from another part of the lake on separate watercrafts. Officers say the first personal watercraft was towed to shore as it began to sink and was unregistered with an improper registration sticker. Hill was arrested and released with appearance tickets for Chautauqua Town Court at a later date.
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The Sheriff's Office Navigation Division reminds citizens that they must be at least fourteen and must have successfully completed a Boating Safety Course before operating a personal watercraft. They add Adults are also responsible for the actions of children under their supervision.
The shooting death of an Ohio man following what state police are calling a "brief encounter" with troopers in northwestern Pennsylvania has been ruled a homicide...
State police in Erie County say troopers responded a report of a suspicious person in Girard Township just after 5 p.m. Thursday and encountered 36-year-old Matthew Orrenmaa of Conneaut, Ohio. Police say one of the troopers fired, hitting Orrenmaa in the trunk and killing him. Coroner Lyell Cook ruled the death a homicide. Police haven't provided more details about the encounter between Orrenmaa and the troopers, who are on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of probes by police and the district attorney.
In sports....
One of the locals hoping to score big in the "Mansfield Million" dirt late model race at Mansfield Motor Speedway in Ohio made the race and, had a good finish. Centerville, Pennsylvania's Max Blair started 15th and wound up 10th in the 100-lap event, and won $6,400. The race was won on a late pass by Jacksonville, Florida's Earl Pearson, Jr, who won $203,000. Illinois Bobby Pierce was second. Several locals, including Greg Oakes, Chub Frank, and Boom Briggs did not make the big show.
