A portion of Interstate-86 is closed off this morning as first responders assist at the scene of a crashed semi tractor-trailer.
Chautauqua County dispatchers say the accident occurred shortly before 6 AM in the eastbound lanes and, has now shut down the 7.4-mile stretch between Exit 8 (Lakewood/Mayville) and Exit 11 (Strunk Road). Dispatch says State Troopers and Sheriff's Deputies responded to the scene alongside Ashville and Bemus Point Fire crews and County EMS. No injuries have been reported, but police are assisting with traffic control at this time.
Many of the major arguments against Jamestown annexing the Board of Public Utilities' Dow Street Substation into the city are the same as they were two years ago.
That was what the majority of about 150 people felt during last night's public hearing held at Jamestown High School. Falconer School Superintendent Stephen Penhollow... whose district stands to lose about $153,000 in tax revenues, says the city should abide by an appellate court ruling just over a year ago.
However... Jamestown officials and some residents last night argued that the annexation would save the BPU, and city about $330,000 a year. Board Chairman Greg Rabb says the BPU did it's "due diligence..." and, they have to look out for their ratepayers. Rabb adds the BPU has twice voted unanimously to proceed with annexation. The Jamestown City Council, Falconer Village Board, and the Ellicott Town Board now have 90-days in which to review the material and testimony in the matter... and, vote on whether the proposed annexation is in the "public interest."
The Jamestown City Council has moved ahead with buying two new pumper trucks and, refurbishing the main ladder truck for the fire department.
Lawmakers approved two measures... at a total price of about $1.3-million dollars, at last night's year-end meeting. Finance Committee Chairman Tony Dolce says all three items were part of the major capital investment program adopted this past Fall.
Dolce says city lawmakers were pleased with how the bids came in on all three vehicles. The city is buying the two pumper trucks from Four Guys Stainless Steel Tank and Equipment in Pennsylvania for just over one-million dollars. The ladder truck is being refurbished by Churchville Fire Equipment in Churchville, New York... for just under $300,000.
A Jamestown man was arrested for allegedly threatening a woman with a metal pipe last Saturday.
City police responded to a residence on Lakeview Avenue, about 9 PM, on a report of a suspicious person. On arrival... officers learned 34 year-old John Matteson-junior threatened the victim in her vehicle. Matteson was taken into custody for second-degree menacing and sent to the city jail pending arraignment.
Nearly 10 area fire departments battled a blaze that destroyed a building that housed apartments on Route 62 near Conewango Valley.
The fire was first reported just after 3 AM Monday, with crews from departments in both Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties responding. The fire closed a portion of Route 62 for about four hours. Chautauqua County Sheriff Jim Quattrone now says authorities have located the missing two occupants who lived upstairs, and their safety was in question.
Quattrone says two others inside were accounted for at the scene. The fire caused heavy damage to the building. Quattrone says county fire investigators were still at the scene late Monday morning trying to determine the cause. He says they were interviewing witnesses, combing through the rubble, and checking what video may be available. Quattrone says the structure is so badly damaged that he expects there may have to be emergency demolition.
A Dunkirk man has been arrested as part of a Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force investigation of alleged drug trafficking in the East Second Street and Columbus Avenue area.
Members of the Task Force and Dunkirk Police say they arrested 35 year-old Efrain Aguiar-Rodriguez early last weekend on Chautauqua County Grand Jury warrants at 11 North Gazelle Street. Task Force agents say Rodriguez is charged with three Felony counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. He was arrested without incident and taken to the county jail with bail to be set. If you have information on possible illegal drug trafficking, contact the task force at 664-2420... or the JPD tips line in Jamestown at 483-8477.
The New York State Farm Bureau has named 77 state legislators, one from Chautauqua County, to it's annual "Circle of Friends" list.
Farm Bureau President David Fisher says the award is "an indication of the individual lawmaker’s support of New York agriculture and Farm Bureau..." and, is based on each lawmaker's voting record on issues of agricultural importance, and other evidence of legislative support. Republican State Assemblyman Andy Goodell is one of those on the list. Fisher adds -- "we appreciate their support of bills and budget items that benefit farm families, and we hope to continue this partnership in the 2020 legislative session. We aim to work together with all lawmakers to support local food production and address the needs of our rural communities." Fisher says being named to the "Circle of Friends” is not an endorsement, and this distinction only recognizes the 2019 legislative session.
This year's New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square will spotlight efforts to combat climate change when high school science teachers and students press the button that begins the famous 60-second countdown.
Organizers announced the plan Saturday. The two teachers and four students have done a clean-air project and a fundraising walk to raise money for places without clean water. Young climate activists gained new prominence this year, when Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg sparked school strikes around the world calling for more action to fight global warming. But, 2019 also was a year of setbacks and disappointment for climate activists.
