Frewsburg house damaged by fire, crews respond to rekindle this morning...
Frewsburg firefighters had to respond to the rekindle of a house fire on Frew Run Road in the Frewsburg area early this morning. Crews were called out just after 6 a.m., and, were at the scene until about 7:30. Sheriff's Department dispatchers say firefighters were initially called out to the scene in the town of Carroll just after 6:30 last night... and, the county's Fire Investigation team was called to the scene late last night. Officials say mutual aid was called in from Falconer, Kennedy, Busti, Kiantone and Randolph. No injuries were reported.
Back portion of house in Dunkirk heavily-damaged by fire...
Dunkirk city firefighters made quick work of a house fire late yesterday morning at 75 West 4th Street. Fire Chief Mike Edwards says crews were called to the scene around 10:30 a.m. Edwards says one occupant was able to get out with no injuries being reported. He says the back portion of the house had heavy fire, but, they were able to contain it pretty quickly. Dunkirk had mutual aid from East Dunkirk and the County's heavy rescue unit from Fredonia. He says they saved one dog and two cats. The cause is under investigation.
Cattaraugus County Car-Buggy accident sends two people to the hospital...
No serious injuries were reported Sunday afternoon when a car and Amish buggy collided on Cherry Creek Hll Road in the Cattaraugus County town of Leon. Sheriff's deputies in Little Valley say the accident occured about 2 p.m. at the intersection with West Road. Officers say both persons inside the vehicle were taken to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital in Jamestown for treatment. However... the operator of the buggy was not hurt. Deputies say members of the Leon Fire Department assisted at the scene. No charges have been filed.
City of Jamestown to open parks, including ballparks, back up this Spring...
With improving numbers for the COVID-19 pandemic... the city of Jamestown is now planning for pretty much a full Summer of parks and recreation activities in 2021. Mayor Eddie Sundquist discussed the situation with City Council members during last night's work session... noting that seven more Summer staff members will be brought on to ensure baseball and softball seasons can begin this Spring. Sundquist says normally there were 15 seasonal workers. However... he says the seven to be added will make this year's number 13 to provide additional Summer help. Sundquist says the city would also bring back the Parks and Recreation Coordinator's position at half-time... beginning on Mar 15. He says... given the amount of money the city is slated to get from the recently approved COVID-19 relief bill... it would free up $121,000, and, this plan would cost about just over $90,000. Council President Tony Dolce this was something lawmakers had asked to be looked at to get back to "some semblence of normality." Sundquist says this includes the expectation that there will be a season for the Tarp Skunks... Jamestown's entry in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball Summer League. However... due to timing and other issues, there will be no Summer Playground Program again this year. A special meeting is tentatively planned to act on the additional hires this Thursday at 5:30 p.m., and it will be held via Zoom conferencing.
Officials hope to have Gerry Rodeo in 2021, but, need to know state COVID guidelines before moving forward...
The postponed 75th annual Gerry Rodeo is set for early August... five months from now. Spokesman Paul Cooley says they’d like to be able to put it on... but, says they need to know if they can hold it, and what kind of restrictions will be in place. Cooley says that's because it takes about $100,000 to open the gates each August. If they're only allowed to have 25-percent capacity, they won't meet expenses. The pandemic has hurt all professional sports and athletes, but Paul Cooley believes it’s hit rodeo performers harder than most because they have to pay their own travel expenses, and entry fees. The scheduled rodeo dates this year are Aug. 4-7. The Gerry Rodeo is the only annual fund raiser for the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department.
Chautauqua Lake Assoc. 'Ice Pick' Fundraiser now underway...
The Chautauqua Lake Association has its annual 'Ice Pick' challenge underway. Executive Director, Doug Conroe says for $5 you can guess when the ice will go out of the lake... at one specific location - Bemus Bay in front of the Lawson Center. Except to say 'the ice is fantastic this year,' Conroe wouldn't speculate as to when the ice pick will sink. But, the contest is certain to go until March 20... and will likely be extended to the end of the month. The person with the closest guess wins $250, with the five runners up each get $50. Conroe hopes a lot of people will make a lot of guesses, as the association needs the money for lake and shoreline maintenance. He says New York state budgeted $150,000 for the CLA, but, they have yet to see the money. If the money doesn't come by the end of the month, it likely won't come at all. You can make your guess as to when the ice pick will sink at the Chautauqua Lake Association office on Terrace Avenue in Lakewood... or on-line at chautauqualakeassociation.org.
