Eight fire departments respond to blaze at Ellington Rod and Gun Club...
Several fire departments made quick work of an early morning fire Saturday at the Ellington Rod and Gun Club in Ellington. Chautauqua County Fire dispatchers say Ellington firefighters were called to the scene at 1045 Hagerdon Hill Road just after 7 a.m. They were joined by crews from Sinclairville, Falconer, Cherry Creek, Gerry, Fluvanna, Kennedy, and Conewango from Cattaraugus County. Officials say the fire was under control in about 15 minutes. Crews were at the scene until about 10:30 a.m., and the Chautauqua County Fire Investigation Team was called into to find the cause. No injuries were reported.
Chautauqua County reports 24 new cases the past day... two in Jamestown Public Schools...
There are 24 new cases of COVID-19 being reported in Chautauqua County this past day... as the recent wave of cases continues. The county's Health Department now reports there have been a total of 1,629 confirmed cases since the Pandemic began in mid-March. The Health Department says there will be a full report on Monday. In addition... two of the new cases in the county include a pair of Jamestown students... one that attended Jamestown High School... and, the other Lincoln Elementary. However... District Spokeswoman Cathy Panebianco says the JHS student last attended school on Nov. 19... and the Elementary student on Tuesday, Nov. 10. With that... the county Health Department has advised that no 'in-school' contact tracing will be required. Out-of-school close contacts are being notified and appropriate steps are being taken.
NYS reports more COVID testing, cases, and deaths...
Coronavirus cases remain on the rise in New York as the state reports record highs in testing for COVID-19. Governor Andrew Cuomo said Friday that western New York's positivity rate has spiked to a seven-day average of 6.28-percent, outpacing other parts of the state, according to figures released by the state. Erie County includes Buffalo and reported six deaths. That's more coronavirus deaths than any other county in the state for a second consecutive day. The state reported 8,176 new cases. Statewide hospitalizations climbed to 3,103. Cuomo says 219,442 COVID-19 test results were reported to the state Thursday.
New York City bishop reacts to SCOTUS decision on churches in NYS case...
The longtime head of the Roman Catholic Church in Brooklyn says that a ruling by the Supreme Court that barred New York from enforcing certain restrictions on religious services in areas hit hard by the coronavirus is a "good decision" that guarantees constitutional protections for the free exercise of religion. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio also praised the words of Pope Francis, who in a New York Times Opinion piece criticized groups protesting COVID-19 restrictions. But he said the pope's words don't apply to his diocese because the ruling is not over "an ideological issue" or "anti-government," and only looks at the First Amendment right to worship when possible.
Local retailers, Chautauqua Mall experience calmer, less crowded Black Friday...
"Black Friday" shopping got underway early Friday morning in the Jamestown-area... but, there were noticably fewer shoppers out... due in large part to the on-going pandemic. Some stores -- like Wal-Mart and Penny's -- opened about 5 a.m. The Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood opened at 8 a.m. Mall Manager Julie Biehler says Penny's opened at 5... and, a couple of others opened at 6. Biehler says -- if you don't want to shop inside the mall -- many stores are taking part in their on-line "Retail to Go" program -- which includes Old Navy, Kay Jeweler's and American Eagle Outfitters. She says you can order your gifts on-line and park in one of their 10 designated spots, and an employee will bring the merchandise out to your car. Biehler says they have already had a number of Holiday Seasonal stores opening on the Mall concourses... with some just coming in this weekend. She says a number of other activites are also getting underway... including Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign, and one of their "Angel Trees" to get gives for poor children in the community, and a Toys for Tot's drive through Dec. 11. For more information go to www.chautauquamall.com.
Cleveland man arrested for speeding, being fugitive from justice...
Details have now released on a high-speed chase that ended in Jamestown involving a Cleveland, Ohio man accused of robbery. State Police say they went to stop a car... driven by 19 year-old Marquis Lewis... for reportedly traveling irratically in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 86 late last week. Troopers say the vehicle got off the interstate and continued fleeing on Main and South Work Streets in Falconer. Lewis then crashed at the intersection of Peck Settlement Road and Route 60 while trying to negotiate a turn. Lewis was arrested on charges including fugitive from justice, and unlawfully fleeing police in a motor vehicle. Further investigation showed Lewis was wanted out of Ohio for aggravated robbery. He was arraigned, and held in the county jail pending arraignment. Neither Lewis nor his minor passenger were hurt.
