***Happy New Year!***
Fire destroys autmotive-transmission shop-factory in Jamestown...
A huge New Year's Eve fire on Jamestown's eastside has destroyed a combination automotive-transmission industrial shop. City firefighters were called to the scene at Transmission Pros/Valpro at 255 Blackstone Ave. shortly after 4 pm Thursday... and, found the structure fully-engulfed in flames. Mayor Eddie Sundquist was among the officials on scene... and, said some workers called in the alarm. He adds the employees were able to get out before an explosion occured due to a number of flameable materials inside the factor-shop. Sundquist says firefighters were expected to be at the scene late into the night... because the building has "multiple layers" and it will take some time to make sure the fire is completely out. An aerial truck at the scene was pouring water on top of the structure some two hours after the initial call to douse hot spots. The single-story business was gutted, and there was at least a partial roof cave-in. City fire investigators were called in early last night to look into the cause. JPD assisted at the scene... and, traffic was closed off in the areas of Blackstone Avenue and Buffalo Street.
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The Board of Public Utilities reported last night that the fire will result in discolored water for BPU water customers on at least the eastside of the city. Spokeswoman Becky Robbins says hydrants pull water through lines quickly, stirring and discoloring the water. The water may not be clear until mid-afternoon in some places.
Chautauqua County reports 116 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, and increase in hospitalizations...
There are 116 new confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus in Chautauqua County the past day... and hospitalizations are up to 45. That from the county Health Department... which reports there are now 3,681 cases to date. Officials say 32 of the new cases were in Dunkirk... and, the Jamestown 14701 zip code area had 30 others. Jamestown is closing in one one-thousand cases there alone, with 960 now. Officials add there are now 534 active cases... and, 3,115 cases have now recovered.
Jamestown cases include four students in city school district...
There are four new cases of COVID-19 being reported among staff and students in the Jamestown Public Schools. Spokeswoman Cathy Panebianco says they include a Jamestown High School student last present on December 21st. She adds a Persell Middle School student, who was last in school on December 22nd... a Love Elementary School student last present December 22nd, and a Fletcher Elementary student who is only distance learning. Panebianco adds that none of these individuals had any in-school close contacts.
Cattaraugus County records 50th COVID-related death...
Cattaraugus County has reached a grim milestone in the COVID-19 pandemic... reaching it's 50 COVID-related death Thursday. The county Health Department reports three new deaths. They were all men... ages 80, 90 and 57. Health officials say there were 79 new cases Thursday... bringing the total number of cases to 2,565. The number of active cases are 504... while 2,011 people have now recovered.
Reed talks stimulus legislation, how businesses can take advantage during Zoom Conference...
The enhanced, $300 federal unemployment benefit should be showing up for laid-off workers in your mailbox or bank account shortly. That from local Congressman Tom Reed... who addressed that concern during yesterday's Zoom Conference with business, muncipal... and other leaders Wednesday. Reed and members of his staff noted that unemployment will be retroactive to Dec. 26th... and will include independent contractors, and people who are self-employed. One of Reed's staff members noted the benefit will run through Apr. 5, but, people need to apply by March 14. He was also asked how soon vaccines will be available to schools and for "essential workers." He says the vaccines, and their mode of travel, have been pre-positioned. However... while the federal government has handled the distribution of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to the states... Reed says the states each have their own guidelines for who receives the vaccine and when. Members of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce were among those taking part in Reed's Zoom Conference.
Man from Celoron arrested after police find during traffic stop his license was suspended 17 times...
A Celoron man whose license had been suspended 17 times has been arrested on several traffic and drug-related charges in the town of Ellery. Sheriff's officers say they pulled over 44 year-old Walter Whitfield, Junior for a traffic violation on Route 430 just after 12:30 am Thursday. Deputies say a background check on Whitfield showed the suspensions... and, Sheriff's Office K-9 Link was brought in... and, found narcotics in the vehicle. Officers say their search uncovered scales, packaging materials, and quantity of methamphetamine. Whitfield faces charges including seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia... and, second-degree aggravated unlicensed operator. He was issued appearance tickets for Ellery Town Court.
Visitations at prisons suspended in NYS due to rise in COVID cases...
New York has suspended visits to state prisons because of a rise in coronavirus cases among inmates and staff and in surrounding communities. The state Department of Corrections first suspended most in-person visits in mid-March. It reopened prisons to visitors in August. New York then restricted visits at prisons in designated hot spots starting in October, but most prisons have remained open for visits. Data reported by the state Department of Corrections show that state prisons have reported the death of three inmates with COVID-19 since mid-December.
