Two homes heavily-damaged in Vukote-area fire, seven others damaged...
An overnight fire in the Vukote-area of Ashville destroyed one home... extensively damaged another... and, damaged seven other seasonal homes. Lakewood Fire Captain Tom Allen was among the first responders... and, says they were called to the dead end on Keller Road -- near Chautauqua Lake -- about 2 a.m. Allen says the blaze moved very quickly through the two primary homes involved. Allen says the first home was heavily-engulfed in flames when they arrived, and the flames had begun moving into the second home. Allen says it took about two hours to bring the fire under control. He says the family in the second home had opened a window about an hour earlier... and, heard the fire crackling in the vacant home. Fortunately... Allen says they were all able to get out safely. The fire burned so hot that three of the homes that had exposure damage were located across the canal from the initial site of the fire. Allen says no one was hurt... but, one firefighter was treated for dehydration. Lakewood was joined at the scene by Ashville, Busti, Celoron, Clymer, Sherman, and Kiantone crews. Allen says Panama and Lander, PA were on stand-by. The county's Fire Investigation Team is looking into the cause.
City man arrested after allegedly shooting off stolen gun near occupied buildings...
A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly firing a handgun in close proximity to multiple occupied buildings early this morning on the city's eastside. Jamestown Police were called to the scene at 45 Franklin Street shortly after Midnight on a complaint of a person with a weapon. Officers determined that Bless Grant discharged a single round from the firearm... and, arrested him a short distance away. Police say they later found the gun had been stolen in an unrelated burglary. Grant is being held pending arraignment on charges of first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal possession of stolen property.
County Jail inmates receive single-dose, Johnson and Johnson vaccinations...
More than 100 inmates at the Chautauqua County Jail have been administered the COVID-19 vaccine. That from Sheriff Jim Quattrone, who says those inmates each received the single-dose vaccine Tuesday from the jail's medical unit, which is staffed by the county's Department of Health and Human Services. Quattrone says the single-dose vaccine was earmarked by New York State for "homebound" individuals... meaning those who are not able to get to "other vaccine points." Quattrone says the vaccine allotment had to be used within a week. Otherwise, the county would have faced a potential penalty from the state for not using it. Quattrone says the vaccination of the inmates gives protection not only for the jail staff, but for the community as well.
Jamestown man indicted on federal child porn-related charges...
A Jamestown man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on three child pornography-related charges. U.S. Attorney James Kennedy, Junior says the indictment charges 34 year-old Richard Lafrance with enticement, production of child pornography, and committing certain crimes while required to register as a sex offender. The charges carry a minimum sentence of 45 years in prison, and a maximum penalty of life. Prosecutors say that... in April of 2019... Lefrance met and began communicating via email and text message with a 14-year-old Minor Victim... and, they were sexually explicit and included the defendant requesting the victim send him naked pictures. In addition, Lafrance had sex with the victim at least twice. He was also convicted in Oregon in 2006 on rape and sexual abuse charges... making Lafrance a Level-Three sex offender.
Single-day COVID-19 cases falls to 13 in Chautauqua Co...
There are 13 new cases of the COVID-19 Virust being reported in Chautauqua County over the past day... and, the infection rate has now fallen to 1.1-percent. The county's Health Department says there are now 7,752 cases of the new coronavirus since the pandemic began... and, 110 of those are active. The most were reported in Fredonia, where there were three. Officials say 8 people are now hospitalized. There were no new deaths... and the number of recovered cases has now exceeded 75-hundred at 7,503.
Gas prices in Jamestown area continue rising in Jamestown-area and nation...
The price of regular, unleaded gasoline in the Jamestown-area continues climbing towards $2.90 a gallon this week. The price was 4-cents a gallon higher to begin the week... bringing it to about $2.83. However... some locations are now just under $2.90 a gallon. The AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report says prices are increasing as refinery utilization is at an all-time low, and crude oil prices surged by more than $2-dollars a barrel to $66 last Friday, the highest price in nearly two years. The national average jumped a nickle a gallon to begin the week, and is now $2.77.
