Heat Advisory in effect for Chautauqua County...
The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory until 8 o'clock tonight for Chautauqua and Southern Erie counties. Meteorologist Phillip Pandolfo in Buffalo says heat index values will reach the mid to upper 90s. Pandolfo says the lower elevations near the I-90 corridor will see the higher index numbers. He also offered some heat safety tips... including drinking plenty of fluids, staying out of the sun as much as possible, and spend time in air conditioning when you can. Pandolfo also reminds area residents to check the back seat for any kids and pets before leaving their vehicles.
City police investigators rule last Friday's massive blaze at former Jamestown Royal as arson; two teens arrested...
Two teenaged girls have been arrested for allegedly setting the fire that destroyed the former Jamestown Royal Furniture building on the city's eastside. City police say the 14 and 15 year-olds were arrested Monday after investigators reviewed multiple videos from area businesses and saw the pair enter prior to the fire starting... and, leaving as it was starting to burn. Deputy Fire Chief Matt Coon expressed his appreciation for JPD's efforts to get the video, and investigate what happened. Coon adds that anyone who has additional information on the arson, call the JPD Tips line is 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477. Police say the girls then fled east on the railroad tracks behind the building, and were picked up by other surveillance video cameras. Coon says officials are still trying to track down the owner, and see if there might be some kind of reimbursement for their costs from insurance. City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says both juveniles have been interviewed and released to a parent. They will both face second-degree arson charges through Chautauqua County Family Court.
City Council approves purchase of part of formerly Hartley Buick dealership for new central garage location...
The city of Jamestown will save about half the costs of locating a new, central garage by purchasing part of the former Hartley Buick dealership on Washington Street. Mayor Eddie Sundquist outlined the proposal to purchase the property from 1425 to 1505 Washington St. from owner Tim Shults during last night's City Council voting session. Sundquist says the deal makes sense because construction costs have skyrocketed in recent weeks. Public Works Director Jeff Lehman says it will allow more vehicles to be kept indoors. Lehman says the DPW also has equipment that's often left outside due to the lack of space for fleet management. Sundquist says the state is granting the city an additional $1-million to help pay for the "adaptive reuse" of the former dealerships buildings. When it's completed... Central Garage Manager Pat Monaghan says it'll save the city about 1.9-million dollars. A couple of years ago... city lawmakers approved borrowing $4-million to locate a new garage on Crescent Street as part of the city's SMART Cities Improvement program. Sundquist says the purchase price is $400,000.
Dunkirk police investigating weekend shooting incident...
Dunkirk Police have now released some details about a shooting incident that occurred Saturday afternoon in the area of Fifth and Main Streets in the north county city. Police Chief David Ortolano says two people were treated for non-life threatening injuries following the incident that occurred around 1:30 p.m. and the two victims were taken to separate hospitals. He says if you have any information on the incident, call Dunkirk Police at 366-2266 or their tip line at 366-0313.
Wendel says county looking at doing more local, COVID-19 vaccination programs...
Chautauqua County Executive P-J Wendel says his COVID-19 task force hasn't made a final decision yet... but, the county appears to be moving away from the use of mass COVID-19 Vaccination clinics. That after just two new cases were reported over the past weekend. Instead, Wendel says they are focusing on some local areas where there is a need for vaccinations, along with doctors and others in those areas. While they are pleased with the way the COVID numbers are trending, Wendel says they are still keeping close watch of them. He says they will be following the numbers that come out after the Fourth of July holiday weekend, and a week or two after that. Wendel says attention is also focusing on September with the re-opening of area schools. He says the County Health Department recently received $4.5 million grant to make sure they have the necessary supplies on hand should there be any future upticks.
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With the two new cases of COVID-19... there have now been 9,294 total cases in the county to date. The Health Department reports only three active cases... and, none are hospitalized. There were also no new deaths... and, the infection rate is down to point-2 percent.
Inmate at County Jail rearrested after trying to escape during hospital visit...
A Chautauqua County Jail inmate from Jamestown is accusing of trying to escape custody while he was receiving medical treatment at UPMC Chautauqua Hospital in Jamestown. Sheriff's officers say a corrections officer accompanied 53 year-old Velmon Boyd, Senior when he was taken to the hospital last Wednesday. While at UPMC Chautauqua... deputies say became agitated and tried to get away from the corrections officer by running out of room, and into the hallway. Boyd was apprehended in the hallway by the county corrections officer, and brought back to County Jail. Boyd was arraigned in City Court on one count of second-degree attempted escape... and, remanded back to the county lock-up.
