The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office is investigating what appears to be a repeat of a prank letter that was sent to local towns and others in Chautauqua County. The phony, but, realistic looking letter states that Sheriff Jim Quattrone has declared "martial law..." and, officers will be confiscating any AR-15 semi-automatic rifles. Quattrone says it's alarming this time around due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
As with the August situation, Quattrone says his office did NOT send out the letter, and what it says is not true. He says confiscation of firearms is a violation of the second-amendment. Quattrone says the envelopes and the letterhead look authentic. He says if you receive such a letter, don't open it, but call the Sheriff's Office at 661-7232.
Jamestown firefighters battled an overnight fire late Tuesday through Wednesday morning that heavily damaged a home on the city's southside. Fire Battalion Chief Cris Dahlgren says crews were called to 43 Adams Street shortly after 11 PM Tuesday and, found the structure fully-involved on arrival. Dahlgren says the three occupants were able to get out safely, but their pet cat perished in the blaze. The fire is believed to have started on the exterior porch, but Dahlgren says investigators are still looking into the cause at this time. Crews were back in station shortly after 6 AM Wednesday morning.
Chautauqua County Executive P-J Wendel says there's been one new case of COVID-19 in the county. He says it's woman in her 50s, bringing the total number of positive cases county-wide to 38. Wendel adds that there are now three active cases, who continue to recover under orders of the Public Health Director. He adds there are now 31 recovered cases, with four deaths. He says 65 cases under quarantine or isolation orders, and are being monitored, while there have been 1,105 negative test results to date.
Chautauqua County Executive P-J Wendel says ramping up testing and "contact tracing" of positive cases will play a big role in how soon New York state will allow Chautauqua County -- and others -- reopen. Wendel says the county meets many of the health numbers that have to be met in Governor Andrew Cuomo's 12-Point Reopen New York plan. Wendel says the county is already ramping up testing... especially for essential workers -- like health care professionals and day care workers.
Wendel says their "drive-thru" testing will continue tomorrow and Saturday at the Chautauqua Lake Central school bus garage. He says contact the county's Department of Health and Human Services for more information. Back to the governor's criteria for opening Wendel says one of the more difficult parts will be testing 30 people per 1,000 every month. However... he says that testing ratio would be for the entire region. He adds they also have 57 "contact tracers" ready to go... with another 27 on stand-by.
There will be no Summer Collegiate baseball at Diethrick Park this summer after the Perfect Game League cancelled the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 Outbreak. This was to be the Jamestown Tarp Skunks inauguaral season... but, General Manager Frank Fanning says the Tarp Skunks orgtanization is "committed to bring you baseball fun and excitement in 2021." Fanning says -- first and foremost -- “Our thoughts and prayers go out to those whose lives have been devastated from the effects of COVID19." Field Manager Jordan Basile says he's "disappointed..." but adds they'll be ready to go in 2021. Team officials say the Tarp Skunks will continue with certain scheduled releases throughout the remainder of 2020, and they hope to attend public appearances whenever it is safe to do so later in the year.
Chautauqua Opportunities, Incorporated is receiving a five-year, $4.7-million grant from the federal government for it's Head Start program. Local Congressman Tom Reed announced Wednesday that the funds were being provided through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Reed says he wants to make sure "our children are prepared for school and given all the opportunities they need to thrive. This grant funding will benefit both the children in Head Start and their families by providing a safe and educational environment.” COI they provide services to more than 440 children under the age of 5 in Chautauqua County.
