Second double-fatal accident reported in the past few days in Cattaraugus County...
Two Cattaraugus County teenagers have died in a two-car crash in the Cattaraugus County town of Yorkshire. State Police in Machias say they were called to the scene on West Yorkshire Rd. about 9:45 p.m. Sunday... and found a westbound 2002 Toyota made contact with an oncoming 2007 Cadillac. Troopers say the Toyota went off the roadway... rolled over and struck a tree. Police say the driver, 18 year-old Nathaniel Schwartz of Freedom... and, his passenger, 18 year-old Alexander Schenk of Delevan, were both pronounced dead at the scene. Both were taken to Olean General Hospital for an autopsy. The investigation is continuing.
Lakewood Village Board holds first public hearing on possible vote to "opt-out" of allowing marijuana dispensaries...
Both sides of the debate over the legalization of marijuana in New York state was on display during a public hearing in the village of Lakewood last night. The village board held the first of what will be two public hearings on whether the village should opt out of allowing recreational marijuana dispensaries. Those dispensaries are now legal in New York state. Credentialed Substance Abuse Counselor Steve Kilburn with the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene pointed out this is not "1970s pot." Kilburn says the concentration of THC is "much higher" now. Kilburn says there are also vulnerable populations... namely among younger people... to the affect of THC in the marijuana. However... proponents of recreational marijuana say the pot is highly-regulated in those states where it's legal. Village resident MacKenzie Shults also runs a cannibus operation in California... and, argues it's shown many benefits... especially from the effects of stress... which is prevailent in society these days. However... Lakewood Police Chief Christopher DePonceau says Colorado has seen an increase in the number of armed robberies -- especially outside around dispensaries, and nearby neighborhoods. The village board approved holding another hearing on the marijuana opt-out proposal on Monday, Aug. 23 at 6:45 p.m., and, a likely vote would take place after that.
County reports big uptick in COVID-19 cases from past weekend...
Chautauqua County is now mirroring much of the rest of the United States with 53 new COVID-19 cases being reported from the past weekend. County Health officials also report the first COVID-related death in several weeks. That brings the total number of fatalities to 159. Health officials say there have now been 9,437 total cases... and, 79 of those are now active. The most cases in one locality is 13... which was reported in the Jamestown 14701 zip code. Officials say four people are hospitalized... and, 9,199 cases have now recovered. The seven-day infection rate is now 3.9-percent.
Celoron mayor says it's going to be a long-haul replacing Highway Garage, and trucks and equipment...
Monday was "Day-One" of working to replace thousands of dollars worth of public works equipment, and the village's Highway Garage in Celoron. Mayor Scot Schrecengost has been working with his DPW and others to begin getting temporary quarters, and equipment in place after Sunday morning's devastating fire at the facility at 50 Gifford Ave. Schrecengost the losses are significant... including "pretty much" their entire fleet of dump trucks. There were also two trackless snow plow machines lost in the blaze. Schrecengost says several neighboring muncipalities and private entities have donated equipment to help the village get by for the time being... and, he expressed his appreciation for their help. He says the village will be able to do garbage collection... and, they are working with their insurance company on replacing equipment and the building. He says the village has been working on an addition to the Highway Building that was still in the process of being completed that will soon become the temporary DPW Highway Garage. Schrecengost says, fortunately, no one was hurt in the blaze.
City man arrested after picking up woman and slamming her during domestic violence incident...
A Jamestown man is accused of picking a woman up several times last weekend...and, slamming her onto her head during a domestic violence incident on the city's southside. Jamestown Police were called to the undisclosed location about 1:30 a.m. Sunday after receiving a 911 hang-up call. When officers arrived... they saw the woman with a large contusion on the back of her head. Police say the suspect, 41 year-old Carl Moore, fled the scene while officers were responding to the call. They say Moore was later arrested for third-degree assault, and aggravated criminal contempt because he is a repeat offender. He was jailed pending arraignment. The woman was taken to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital for treatment of her injuries.
Babe Ruth World Series teams announced, teams begin arriving Wednesday...
A year later than first planed, the 40th anniversary 13-year-old Babe Ruth World Series is coming to Jamestown later this week... and, local Babe Ruth Vice-President Kim Ecklund says they haven't "missed a beat" in getting ready. Ecklund says teams will start arriving here on Wednesday from all over the country -- Norwalk, Connecticut... Atlantic Shore, New Jersey... Tallahassee, Florida... Tallassee, Alabama... Puyallup, Washington... West Fargo, North Dakota... Eau Claire, Wisconsin... and Kai, Hawaii. It's the first time in Jamestown's long World Series history that a team has come from Hawaii. Ecklund was quick to acknowledge that bringing a team from that far away is a big deal, and each player will have two people with them. Teams from Jamestown... and a regional champion from Buffalo will also be playing in the series. Ecklund urges everyone to come out and formally welcome the players and their families... during a parade Friday at 6 p.m. on Third Street. The actual games begin Saturday morning at 11:30 a.m. at Russell E. Diethrick, Jr. Park.
