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News Headlines for Mon., Feb. 1, 2021

Jamestown woman arrested for alleged animal abuse...
A city woman is accused of animal cruelty after allegedly beating her dog with a long 2-by-4 piece of wood last weekend.  Jamestown police received a complaint of a woman hitting her dog with a stick on Benedict Avenue about 8 AM Saturday.  Officers spoke with a witness... who said they saw 42-year-old Nancie Gerrish hitting the animal.  Police found Gerrish, and took her into custody without incident.  The dog was also found, and taken to a local vet for evaluation.  Gerrish was charged with overriding... torturing, or injuring an animal. 


Buffalo man arrested on DWI, Leandra's Law violation after car gets stuck in snow in Hanover...         
A Buffalo man faces drunk driving and a Leandra's Law violation after his car went off Routes 5 and 20 in the town of Hanover.  Sheriff's officers were called to the scene just before 2 a.m. Sunday... and, found the vehicle stuck in the snow.  Deputies say the driver, 24 year-old Jordan Martinez, also had a 4 year-old passenger in the car with him.  Further investigation found that Martinez was driving while intoxicated, and had a small amount of marihuana in his possession.  Martinez was subsequently charged with DWI, DWI -- Leandra's Law, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, unlawful possession of marihuana, speeding, and moving from Lane unsafely.  Martinez was taken to the county jail for arraignment... and, the 4 year old was safely turned over to family at the scene.


Findley Lake man arrested in sex abuse case as predicate sexual offender...
A man from Findley Lake is accused of forcibly touching another person in a sexual manner late last week.  Sheriff's deputies were called to a Route 426 address in the town of Mina on a sex offense complaint.  Following an investigation... deputies charged 70 year-old Barry Haertel with forcibly touching the person.  Haertel was taken to the county jail pending centralized arraignment.  He will appear in Mina Town Court on a later date.


Cuomo says larger weddings and receptions can be held beginning in mid-March...
Bigger weddings and wedding receptions will be allowed in New York state... beginning Mar. 15... if COVID-19 infection rates continue to drop.  That from Governor Andrew Cuomo... who announced the move late last week.  Cuomo says the 50-person cap on wedding receptions will be raised to 150... provided those attending take a COVID rapid test.  Cuomo says the recent successes with two Buffalo Bills play-off games allowing nearly 7,000 fans to attend -- if they got a rapid COVID test -- were the determining factor in the decision.  He adds that are developing more rapid testing ability, as well as putting it on a phone app.  Cuomo also announced that the indoor dining ban at city restaurants that went into effect in mid-December is on track to be partially lifted on Feb. 14 -- Valentine's Day.


Girl Scout Cookie sale fully-underway in the region...
The annual Girl Scout cookie sale is fully underway in our area.  Chief Executive Officer Alison Wilcox with the Girl Scouts of Western New York, says it's easy to buy cookies even in the midst of a pandemic.  Wilcox says, if you know a scout, you can certainly buy from her.  If not, you can call them at 1-888-837-6410, and they'll get you in touch with one.  The girl scouts plan to have some direct sale locations open in March, if COVID conditions permit.  The cookies are $5 a box... and all the profits stay local.  Wilcox says the cookie sale teaches enterprenureal skills, and raises money for their troop.  There's a new cookie this year, the french toast inspired 'Toast-Yay.'  This is the final year for the 'Smores' cookie, so Wilcox encourages fans of that flavor to buy plenty, and freeze them for future use.  You can also go on-line to gswny.com.


New flower and gift shop cuts the ribbon in Lakewood...
For the first time in many years... there is a flower and gift shop open in the village of Lakewood.  The ribbon was cut late Saturday on "Pea Pod and Juniper" at 141 Chautauqua Ave. -- next to the Busti Town Hall.  Owner Kim Carlson says her shop's name comes from the nickname, and first name of her two granddaughters.  Carlson says, when you look at life through the eyes of a youngster, it reminds you that you should do something you love doing.  While Carlson has operated the family business... Robo Car Wash and Gas the past 14 years... she wanted to get back to her first-love... which was making floral arrangements, and running a small shop.  The grand opening was hosted by the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce... and, a number of officials... including County Executive P-J Wendel were on hand.  Wendel says it's great to see another woman-owned, small business open in the county, and in Lakewood.   Pea Pod and Juniper is open Monday through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and, at least part of Sundays.  For more information... call Kim Carlson at 526-1081.  She says they also have a website.