Home in Kiantone heavily damaged in fire...
A home in the town of Kiantone has been extensively damaged after fire broke out early this morning. Chautauqua County fire dispatchers say Kiantone firefighters were called to the scene at 105 Sturdevant Rd. shortly before 2 a.m., and, found the home fully-engulfed in flames. Mutual aid was called in from Busti, Frewsburg, Lakewood, Gerry and County Emergency Services... and, Russell's ambulance was on stand-by. No injuries were reported, though. Kiantone fire crews were at the scene until 6:30 this morning. The county's Fire Investigation Team is looking into the cause.
Long-time City Council member, Youth Services Director, Vickye James, remembered for her passion, work for people's rights...
A long-time member of the Jamestown City Council, and former city Youth Services Director, has died. Vickye James' sudden passing was announced Sunday afternoon in a joint statement issued by Mayor Eddie Sundquist, and Council President Tony Dolce. Both expressed their shock and sadness over James' sudden passing last Saturday night. Sundquist says "I share in our collective sadness as we mourn the loss of an icon for Jamestown." Dolce is in his second-year as Council President... and, says one of her passions was starting, and chairing the Housing Committee. He says she always had an interest in housing, and neighborhood matters. Sundquist added that James' "decades of public service have made an impact on countless individuals that will continue well into the future." He says James actually got him interested in politics when she headed up the city's Youth Bureau. She was first elected to the City Council in 2015. Lawmakers are to meet for their monthly voting session tonight... and, Dolce says at this point... that meeting will go on because a number of resolutions need to be dealt with before the end of the month.
Wendel expresses sorrow on Vickye James passing...
County Executive P-J Wendel is also extending his thoughts and prayers to the family of Vickye James... noting that he was a county legislator when she was on the panel. Wendel says she was on the legislature from January of 2006 to December of 2013. He adds "I had the pleasure of working with Vickye when I first became a county legislator, and she represented her residents well as she always took their concerns to heart and led in a way that was best for her community. It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the loss of a great civic leader and public servant, who has been influential to so many people across Chautauqua County and the Jamestown community."
Council to meet tonight, act on Police Reform, and tentative Police union contract...
At last word... the city council will meet as scheduled tonight on Jamestown's final, proposed Police Reform and Reinvention Initiative Plan. The plan was discussed at length by the council's Public Safety Committee last week... and, the panel agreed to move it forward for a final vote. Councilwoman James was very much involved in that work. Committee member Tamu Graham-Reinhardt says one area she would like see is more of an on-line presence that includes not just Facebook... but, Twitter and Instagram, as well. Graham-Reinhardt says it's a good way to update the community on what JPD is doing. The city's Police Reform plan addresses an number of areas of policing... from interactions with the public, to command structure, and dealing with sensitive matters... such as domestic calls.
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In addition... city lawmakers will vote on a tentative agreement with the Kendall Club-Police Benevolent Association on a three-year contract. A prefiled resolution says it will cover the years 2018, 2019 and 2020. The city recently agreed to an arbitration panel's decision on fiscal years 2016 and 2017 for two-percent raises. Tonight's Zoom meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.
Chautauqua Center in Dunkirk to receive federal funding...
A Community Health Center with facilities in Jamestown and Dunkirk is receiving just over 1.8-million dollars in emergency funding from the recently approved American Rescue Plan. U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the Chautauqua Center in Dunkirk is receiving $1.89-million of the nearly $400-million in funding coming to 63 centers in New York state. They say it will give local centers the support needed to expand COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and treatment for underserved populations.
State Legislature Democrats reach agreement on legalizing recreational marijuana...
Majority Democrats in the New York state legislature say they have finalized an agreement to legalize recreational marijuana sales to adults over the age of 21. The state has come close to passing marijuana legislation in the past... but, until now could not finalize a deal. Once legislation is approved... New York would join at least 14 other states that allow residents to buy recreational marijuana. Local State Senator George Borrello opposes the legislation... noting that the state's 55,000 officers aren't yet ready to deal with an increase in driving while under the influence cases... and, he says they are all trained to identify drivers operating under the influence of alcohol. Borrello says... only 350 officers across the state are trained Drug-Recognition Experts.
Wendel announces re-election campaign kick-off...
Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel has officially kicked off his re-election campaign this week by filing petitions with the Board of Elections. The Lakewood Republican won last year's election to fill the remaining year of the term vacated by current State Senator George Borrello last year with 67 percent of the vote. Wendel says "I am humbled by the support I continue to see throughout our community. To file our county-wide petitions with over 1,500 signatures shows the energy around my campaign, and is a vote of confidence for the job I am doing as County Executive." To learn more about Wendel's campaign go on-line to pjwendel.com.
