Cause of Feb. 9 house fire in Brocton is accidental...
Chautauqua County fire investigators say the Feb. 9 blaze that destroyed a Brocton apartment house was accidental. The Fire Investigation Team reports that they had completed witness interviews... and, the fire at 60 East Main Street was caused by an issue around the furnace of the home. Investigators say the fire then sparked flames in the floor... which then led to the house becoming fully-involved. Two occupants of the lower apartments were able to get out... one with minor injuries. Officials say the second-floor apartments were vacant and not rented. They says due to the extensive damage and partial building collapse, fire investigators were not able to safely enter the building.
Homeowner killed in fatal house fire in Ripley last weekend, cause still being investigated...
A Ripley man was killed when fire erupted in his house early last Saturday morning on old Route 20. Sheriff's Department Fire investigators say Ripley firefighters were called to the scene at 9087 Old Route 20 at 5:35 a.m., and, quickly called in Westfield, Sherman, Fuller Hose from Northeast, Pennsylvania... and, Chautauqua County Emergency Services to the scene. Firefighters and investigators later found the homeowner, 63 year-old Richard McCutcheon, dead inside the structure. No other details were released. Officials say the investigation into the fire and McCutcheon's death is continuing.
Winter weather returns to the region tonight with 7 to 14 inches of snow from major storm system...
Winter weather is returning later today... into Tuesday morning and early afternoon with 7 to 14 inches of snow across the region. That from Forecaster Liz Jurkowski with the National Weather Service in Buffalo... who says there is now a Winter Storm Warning from 7 tonight through 1 p.m. Tuesday. Jurkowski says two weather systems are in play... with a quick 1 to 3 inches this morning before we get a break during the afternoon. Snow from the second system will pick-up from about Midnight to 7 a.m. Tuesday. Jurkowski says the worst of the snow will be during the overnight hours Monday through early Tuesday. This will be a general snowfall with the area seeing close to a foot of new snow. But... she says the Jamestown-area will see at least 10-inches. Jurkowski says it'll be cold on this President's Day, with highs only about 22 degrees. There will also be some wind... with blowing and drifting. However... she says that'll be closer to the Lake Erie shoreline.
Cuomo faces calls for impeachment, striping of executive powers, in connection with nursing home deaths controversy...
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo faces intensifying accusations that he covered up the true death toll of COVID-19 on nursing home residents. The attacks challenge the Democrat's reputation for straight-shooting competency, and could cloud his political future. New details emerged this past week about why certain nursing home data was kept secret. An aide told Democrat state lawmakers the data was delayed because officials worried the information would be used against them by the Trump administration.
Buffalo man arrested on warrant, possession of Fentanyl...
A man from Buffalo was arrested late last week for allegedly giving police a false name... and, possessing the deadly drug Fentanyl during a traffic stop in Jamestown. City police say they stopped a vehicle at the intersection of Allen and Institute Streets shortly after 11 a.m. last Friday... and, while talking to the driver, they say 26 year-old Jaqwan Martin gave them a fake name. Police ordered Martin out of the car, and soon after determined his identity. They found that he was wanted for a parole violation, and he was arrested. However... when they got to the city jail, officers found Martin trying to conceal something in the back seat of the patrol car. They found Martin had tried to hide about 2.7-grams of Fentanyl. He now faces charges including third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... criminal impersonation... and, tampering with physical evidence.
Hochul discusses state budget proposal with local leaders...
Chautauqua County officials had the chance late last week to find out more about proposal's in Governor Cuomo's budget plan to address the COVID-19 Pandemic, and rebuild New York's economy. Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul took part in a video conference, hosted by Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas, where she said she wants to work with local governments to establish 'pop-up' COVID-19 rapid testing sites in an effort to get more people involved in downtown activity. She also talked about Cuomo's plan to hold 'pop-up' performing arts events statewide to serve as a bridge to the full safe return of live performances. She noted that she has corresponded with Chautauqua Institution about that, in particular. Hochul also noted the Athenex pharmacutial plant in Dunkirk is scheduled to begin full production later this year. She says it's a $1.5-billion investment that will produce 450 local jobs. Athenex recently begun production at it's location in the town of Dunkirk. Last week's virtual presentation was also attended by County Executive P.J. Wendel... and, Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist.
Bemus Point man arrested on drug charges following weekend traffic stop...
A Bemus Point man is accused of being in possession of narcotics after being pulled over for having a loud muffler on Lakeside Drive in the town of Ellery last weekend. Sheriff's officers say they stopped 36 year-old Jeffrey Schermerhorn shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday for the traffic infraction... and, found him in possession of drug paraphernalia and a quantity of methamphetamine. Officers say Schermerhorn was arrested on charges of seventh-degree criminal possession Controlled Substance... inadequate muffler... and, no left sideview mirror. He was issued appearance tickets for Ellery Town Court at a later date.
