Jamestown police are investigating a report of multiple shots fired after officers were called to the area of Falconer and Bowen Streets Wednesday night. City police Captain Bob Samuelson says officers located multiple shell casings in that eastside area about 9 PM, that were fired from a semi-automatic pistol. He says there are no known injuries at this time... and, anyone with information is asked to contact JPD at 483-7537, use the Tipsline at 483-TIPS -- 483-8477 -- or via the TIPS 4-1-1- app. Police say all calls will be kept confidential.
There are now 45 active cases of COVID-19 being reported in Chautauqua County, after 12 new cases were added Thursday morning. Interim County Executive P-J Wendel says 2 cases are in Jamestown, 3 each were reported in Brocton and Dunkirk... and, 4 more cases were in the Fredonia area. Wendel says 345 cases are under quarantine or isolation orders by the Public Health Director. Two people are hospitalized.... and, 30 persons under domestic traveler quarantine. He says 674 people have now tested positive for the coronavirus, 619 people have now recovered and 44,981 negative test results have been reported to date.
A seventh Cattaraugus County resident has died from coronavirus-related complications. According to county health officials.... the 75 year-old male victim developed respiratory failure and was unable to overcome his illness despite aggressive medical treatment. In a printed release, officials also announced that six more residents have tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing the Cattaraugus County total case count to 237 since the pandemic began. The department's COVID-19 caseload reports 21 active cases.... and, 209 residents who have recovered from COVID-19.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday a new app that will alert you if you were within 6 feet of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. The app, called "COVID Alert," uses bluetooth technology... and, does not track GPS coordinates. State officials say it also does not collect personal information. Three other states are using the app, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and soon Connecticut.
Schools across New York have reported that at least 1,200 students and staff have tested positive for the coronavirus since the start of the academic year, though that number is likely an undercount. As of Tuesday, 693 public and private schools had reported at least one infection. Around 700 students and 400 school staff have tested positive. State officials noted that the count doesn't capture the full extent of infections among schoolchildren. A separate data system operated by state health officials documented around 2,300 infections among school-aged children since September 1st. The state is making both sets of numbers public.
COVID-19 is very serious... but there is hope. That's the message a well known, former Chautauqua County resident wants to communicate about the coronavirus. Mike Sullivan is a former Director of Institution Relations at Chautauqua... retiring in 2010. At home in Colorado earlier this year, he was on a telemedicine visit with his doctor, thinking he had bronchitis intially. Mike spent 15 days in the hospital, 11 in intensive care... turning 77 years old while there. He applied himself to breathing with vigor, began 'prostrate' therapy... sleeping on his stomach... and eventually recovered. Sullivan believes he caught COVID when he was working a concert at the Pepsi Center in Denver. Though living in Colorado, Mike Sullivan continues to be active on the UPMC Chautauqua Hospital Board of Directors. He's proud of what the hospital can offer and says, "Jamestown can feel fortunate to have a great organization like that available in a time like this."
There is only one debate scheduled between the candidates running for the 23rd Congressional District seat... and, that won't be until early voting is well underway. That from Democratic Challenger Tracy Mitrano, who again Thursday accused Republican incumbant Tom Reed of ducking substantive debates. Mitrano says she has been invited to a League of Women Voters Forum in Chautauqua Count -- via ZOOM on Wednesday, Oct.14 from 6 to 7 p.m. She says the Libertarian Candidate, Andrew Kolstee, has also been invited to be part of the League's event. As of now... she says the only definate debate between her and Reed is set for Oct. 27 at WETM in Elmira.
The first member of Congress to endorse Donald Trump for president four years ago has cited the coronavirus in asking to delay serving his 26-month prison sentence in Florida. Former Congressman Chris Collins is supposed to report to a federal prison camp in Pensacola on October 13th after pleading guilty last year to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and lying to law enforcement officials. Lawyers for the 70-year-old former Republican congressman asked a judge to modify his sentence or let him delay starting it until December. They say Collins' age and health condition put him at great risk of life-threatening complications if he gets Coronavirus.
A new, Latino themed restaurant has opened up on Jamestown's westside. The ribbon was cut Thursday morning for the opening of "LaRumba" at 104 West Second Street in the Pearl City Arts Building. The location is the former Skinner's Restaurant... which has now moved into the former "Q" location on West Second Street. Co-Owner Jomar Gomez says he and his girlfried, Lee Perez, worked for just over a year to get their operation going. Gomez says their Puerto Rican dishes are high-lighted by what is called "La Mufungo..." otherwise known as mashed fried plaintains. Gomez says they began working on the menu, and finding a location from their home. Several dignitaries and family members were on hand. Mayor Eddie Sundquist says it's exciting to see more people pushing foward, and opening during the pandemic. LaRumba is open on Thursday's from 10 AM to 7 PM... and on Friday's and Saturday's from 10 AM to 10 PM. On Friday and Saturday... Gomez says they turn-down the lights after 7 PM to allow dancing. For more infromation on LaRumba... call 720-4859.
It was a busy morning Thursday for waterspouts on Lake Erie. A weather observer near Westfield reported seeing as many as 10 waterspouts and funnels over a two-hour period. Meteorologist Aaron Reynolds at the National Weather Service in Buffalo explained that lake effect rain and the temperature of the water can produce these waterspouts. Reynolds says we may see more waterspouts over the next couple of days. Waterspouts can be a hazard for boaters, easily overturning watercraft.
