City man arrested on warrants for shooting death of man in Cattaraugus County...
A Jamestown man has been arrested in the city on a second-degree murder warrant from Cattaraugus County. Sheriff's officers in Little Valley say 50 year-old Theodore Coffie of 221 Cherry St. was recently arrested by Jamestown Police during a raid on the murder charge in the Mar. 24 shooting death of 35 year-old Alexis Figueroa Torres in Olean. Deputies say Coffie was also wanted on charges including second and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon... and, first-degree reckless endangerment. The Olean Times-Herald reports Torres was shot multiple times during an apparent confrontation. Officers say Coffie was arraigned, and sent to the Little Valley Jail on $250,000 bail.
Pair of city men arrested for allegedly burglary and assault...
Two Jamestown men have been arrested following an alleged fight on the city's northside... and, where one suspect allegedly used a stun gun on several people. City police were called to a West 10th Street location about 3 p.m. Thursday... and found that 38 year-old Marlo Carter had forced his way into the home... and, used the stun gun inside. They also found that 23 year-old Haley Pearson assaulted a person at the scene who had an order of protection against him. Peason is also accused of damaging property inside the home... and to a vehicle belonging to the person outside. Carter faces charges including second-degree burglary, and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Police say Pearson is charged with aggravated criminal contempt... and, two counts of third-degree criminal mischief and assault. Both men were jailed pending arraignment.
Jamestown area under Winter Storm Warning through Saturday morning...
Parts of Chautauqua County could wind up with a foot of new snow after a major storm system brings colder air and snow to the region through early Saturday morning. The National Weather Service in Buffalo has now issued a Lake Effect Storm Warning for all of Chautauqua County through Saturday morning. Forecaster Bob Hamilton says the change-over to snow came overnight... and, some parts of the area may see up to a foot on the ground by mid-morning Saturday. Hamilton says a large storm system will make it's way through the area today... with 11 to 12 inches in the area of the Chautauqua Ridge. He says the big question is how lake effect snow off Lake Huron may enhance local snowfall. Hamilton says the inland areas will see about 3 to 6 inches of snow by Saturday morning.
Black Friday shopping underway in Chautauqua County...
One year after a scaled-back Black Friday across the United States and Chautauqua County... a full day of activities -- including the return of Santa -- will take place today at the Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood. Mall Manager Julie Biehler says that includes the arrival of Santa Claus at Noon-time. Biehler says Santa will arrive with Rudolph, and his elves and plenty of holiday cheer. Following the arrival... Biehler says guests are invited to visit with Santa until 2 p.m., and, photos will be available for purchase. Entertainment and refreshments will also be provided. The mall's more than 30 regional and national retail chain stores and other venues will be open today from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and, COVID safety protocols will be followed. For more information... call 763-9355 or go on-line to Chautauquamall.com. They're also on Facebook and Instagram.
County reports 663 new confirmed COVID-19 cases the past week...
The number of people hospitalized for COVID-19 in Chautauqua County has doubled over the past week... and risen to levels not seen since last January -- just before the vaccines came out. In addition... the county's Health Department reports the number of new cases has more than doubled where it was in late October, to 663. Officials say there have now been 14,890 total cases... and, there were four new deaths. They say there have now been 219 total deaths... and, there have now been 14,000 recovered cases. Officials say there are now 671 active cases... with 50 people hospitalized with the virus. In addition... Public Health Director Christine Schuyler adds the county is seeing the highest infeciton rates among school-aged children to date. Schuyler says "the Delta strain of the coronavirus is very contagious and is especially making those unvaccinated very, very ill." She and her staff are "strongly recommending" vaccination, and boosters for everyone eligible and recommend that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask in indoor public settings, wash hands frequently, and stay home and away from others if ill.
Former co-worker with Amy King -- and his beverage cart -- will be on hand for Saturday's Amy King 5K run-walk...
Anyone attending the Amy King 5K Run/Walk Saturday will see one highly unusual entrant. Retired United Airlines flight attendent Paul Veneto will be pushing an airline beverage cart during the event. Veneto was a United Airlines flight attendant in 2001 and had worked closely with Celoron's Amy King. Her flight... United 175... crashed into the World Trade Center on '9/11.' While he was not in the air that day, the tragedy left Veneto with severe depression and addiction to opioids. He recovered... and earlier this year pushed his beverage cart from Boston to Gound Zero in time for the 20th anniversary of the attacks. He did it to raise awareness of the bravery of airline crew members that day... and to raise money for their families. Veneto says he's honored be part of the event, and says "it's really important that I do this." Veneto will make a financial contribution, too. The Amy King 5K starts at 11 a.m. Saturday... kicking off at the Harbor Hotel in Celoron.
