City Council members take no action to rescind Los Contrincantes Car Show permit, though concerns over noise remain...
A car show and stereo competition will be held at Jamestown's Bergman Park on Saturday, Sept. 18 despite ongoing concerns over potential loud noise issues. No resolution to stop the show by the Los Contrincantes Car Club was brought forth at last night's City Council voting session. Councilwoman Marie Carrubba... whose ward includes Bergman Park... apologized to members of the Hispanic community for wording she used to describe the event. However... she says the words she used were used by car show organizer Jose Sanchez to describe their program and it's differences from a "classic car show." Sanchez put on a demonstration for council members to show what kind of sound level would be involved. Hallock Street resident Amy Holland lives near Bergman Park... and, felt a different venue should be used. However... doubting that would change... she urged lawmakers to revisit the city's noise ordinance -- especially regarding conditions for car shows that would also involve the number of vehicles involved. The permit for the Los Contincantes Car show was approved earlier this Summer by the Council's Public Safety Committee.
City lawmakers approve SRO for Jamestown schools, and sale of property to Shawbucks for expansion...
City lawmakers also approved a resolution allowing the Jamestown Police Department to provide a School Resource Officer for the city school district beginning this Wednesday, Sept. 1, and running through next June 30, 2022. The cost for the officer will be $131,530... with the school district reimbursing the city $109,479 of that cost. School begins in Jamestown this Wednesday.
---
Council also approved the sale of a city parcel to Shawbuck's bar and restaurant on West Second Street to owner Kurt Johnson for a project to add a three-story deck to the building. The city is selling the property for $1,000.
Tennessee man dies after being struck by car in Home Depot parking lot in West Ellicott...
A Tennessee man has died of injuries suffered when he was struck by a car pulling into a parking spot in the Home Depot Parking lot in West Ellicott. Ellicott Town Police say the accident occured shortly before 2 p.m. last Thursday... and, they found 74 year-old Austin Piper of Knoxville had been struck by the car when they arrived. Officers say Piper was flown to the UPMC Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pa., where he died from his injuries last weekend. No charges are pending against the driver of the vehicle, George Prickett, Junior.
Wendel defends not strongly recommending mask wearing indoors with COVID-19 cases continuing to rise...
While there is no longer a mask mandate when Chautauqua County residents are indoors in public... it is still highly-recommended because the COVID-19 Delta Variant is here. That from County Executive P.J. Wendel... who says his administration gave no "free passes" to people after former Gov. Andrew Cuomo lifted the mandate earlier this year when 70-percent of New Yorkers had received at least one shot of a COVID vaccine. Wendel says they reminded people to be "careful, safe and cautious." He adds they continue to monitor the numbers, and remain in contact with local hospitals to make sure they have what they need with the current uptick. Wendel... who is running for re-election this Fall... has been criticized by his Democratic opponent for not being stronger in recommending people to wear masks. He does urge people to wear a face covering when in public... but, doesn't believe mandates need to be enforced. As for county buildings... he says the Office of Court Administration is requiring them to enter the Gerace Office Building. Visitors also need to have a temperature check taken.
----
The county Health Department is reporting 119 new confirmed cases of COVID over the past weekend. That puts the total over 10,000 now... at 10,007. Officials say there was one new death. There are 257 active cases, and, eight are hospitalized. There was one new death... bringing that total to 163. The Health Department adds that 9,587 case have now recovered.
Lakewood man arrested for DWI after backing his truck into an LBPD patrol car...
A man from Lakewood has been arrested for allegedly driving with a blood alcohol count nearly three-time the legal limit after being pulled over on East Fairmount Ave. In addition... Lakewood-Busti Police say 66 year-old William Urbanski then backed his pick-up truck into the patrol car that stopped him. Officers got a report of an intoxicated driver shortly after 6 p.m. Sunday... and, stopped Urbanski after seeing him allegedly commit multiple vehicle and traffic violations. Once pulled over... Police say Urbanski put his truck into reverse, and backed into the front of the patrol car. He then got out of the truck, was was visibly intoxicated. Urbanski was given field sobriety tests... and, found to be drunk. He faces several charges... including aggravated driving while intoxicated, DWI, and unsafe backing. He was issued appearance tickets for Busti Town Court.
Car accident at Dunkirk Fairgrounds under investigation...
No injuries were reported after a car crashed into a building at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds in the city of Dunkirk on Sunday. Dunkirk Fire crews responded to the call around 11:30 a.m., but, Fire Chief Mike Edwards says no injuries were reported. Dunkirk Police also responded to the scene to investigate. No official word on what caused the crash.
