Two people were arrested for allegedly arguing with police and firefighters at the scene of a minor structure fire last Saturday night on Jamestown's southside.
City firefighters were called to 15 Partridge Street shortly before 8 PM and, say 27 year-old Blake McAffee began screaming in the face of fire personnel, and preventing them from doing their duties. City police were then called in, and say McAffee was angry that no one asked if he was okay. However, he was asked seven times by personnel if he needed an ambulance. A woman, 30 year-old Cynthia Howie, then jumped into the fray and both were arrested. McAffee faces two counts of second-degree obstruction, and one of resisting arrest. Howie is charged with third-degree criminal tampering for spitting continuously all over the booking room. Both are also charged with unnecessary noise, and jailed pending arraignment. The fire only caused minimal damage.
Federal disaster aid is coming to 18 upstate New York counties -- including Chautauqua -- that endured severe thunderstorms and flooding on Halloween.
U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, along with local Congressman Tom Reed, announced approval of the state's aid request late last Friday. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will provide public assistance funding to the western, central and northern New York counties affected by the major disaster declaration. Damage in Chautauqua County was mainly along the Lake Erie shoreline, including the break-wall in Dunkirk. The October 31st storms brought at least three inches of rain and winds up to 70 mph. A Catholic priest died after being swept away in floodwaters in Herkimer County after his car got stuck.
A Portland man has been arrested by members of the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force following a several month long investigation into illegal narcotics trafficking.
Task Force agents say the arrest of 34 year-old Michael Borst came during a raid at Borst's home at 6374 Route 5 in Portland. The Task Force and Sheriff's officers conducted the raid at 9 AM last Friday and, took Borst into custody without incident. He was charged with two counts of fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, and sent to the county jail pending arraignment.
The Salvation Army's Kettle Campaign in Jamestown begins it's last two days facing a major challenge.
The campaign -- at last word -- was $50,000 behind last year's effort. That from Major Kim Merchant of the local Salvation Army in Brooklyn Square. A combination of the short time between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year... and the loss of K-Mart and Sam's Club over the last two years have made it harder to get contributions. The Major says they don't like the idea, but if they don't make the goal, programs will be dropped.
The kettles will be out only through Christmas Eve. Checks made out to the Salvation Army, 83 South Main Street, will be accepted for a few days after the holiday. Major Merchant reminds potential donors the funds do not leave town and, they go towards their low income assistance, and other social service programs. There are still some open hours for bell ringers to sign up. Call the Salvation Army of Jamestown for more information at 664-4108.
The United Way of Southern Chautauqua County's 2019 General Campaign in nearing 75-percent of their goal but, they are slightly behind where they should be.
That from United Way Executive Director Amy Rohler, who says staff and volunteers are continuing to put on presentations at local work places. They have now reached 73.7-percent of their $1.33-million goal.
The campaign will continue through the holidays, and will end in late January when they have their campaign celebration. Rohler says they aren't the only human service agency experiencing stuggles this year. The Salvation Army, which is one of their partner agencies, it way behind in it's annual Red Kettle Campaign. Rohler says they've been able to do presentations at a couple of new workplaces this year and, that broadening the number of people they are reaching with their message. The campaign not only funds several partner agencies but, the United Way's own programs.
