(Sorry this was inadvertantly not posted Wednesday)City man sentenced to 4-years and 9 months for felony possession of a firearm...
A Jamestown man will spend the next nearly five-years in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.  U.S. Attorney Trini Ross has announced that 38 year-old Walter Duprey... also known as "Spoons" and "Waldo" received a term of 57-months in prison from U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Vilardo.  Prosecutors say Duprey had been convicted on felony charges in county court in 2005, 2006 and 2012... and, is legally prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.  They say on April 30, 2020... Duprey was a passenger in a car that was stopped by Jamestown police.  After saying he had a "bud on me," Duprey was asked to step out of the car... and, during a search an officer found a shotgun shell in his pocket.  While searching the car, officers recovered a loaded shotgun.

City fire officials say discarded smoking materials started porch fire on E. 5th St...
Improperly discarded smoking materials are being blamed for starting a house fire on Jamestown's eastside that caused significant damage to the front of the home.  City Fire Battalion Chief Cris Dahlgren says crews were called to the scene at 341 E. Fifth St. shortly after 2 a.m. Tuesday, and, found a lot of fire coming from the front of the two-story structure... especially on the front porch.  He says they laid two handlines... and, had the blaze under control in about 30 minutes.  Dahlgren says the front part of the house was gutted, and there was some severed damage to the second floor.  He says crews were on scene about five hours to overhaul the scene and make sure there was no fire extending into the walls.  He says the family called in the fire before getting out of the building safely.  Dahlgren says no one was hurt, but, two pet cats perished in the blaze.  He says eight off-duty firefighters were called in to assist at the scene.  No injuries were reported.  Dahlgren says the smoking materials triggered the fire on the porch.  Jamestown Police, Alstar Ambulance, and the Board of Public Utilities assisted at the scene.

Cassadaga home heavily damaged in fire...
Firefighters from eight different departments were called in to battle a house fire on High Street in the village of Cassadaga early Tuesday morning.   Cassadaga firefighters were called to the scene at 22 High St. just after 1:30 a.m., and, found the back part of the home heavily-engulfed in flames.  Cassadaga Fire Chief Josh Newark says they called in a number of mutual aid companies.  Newark says Forestville, Sheridan, Stockton, Sinclairville, and Lily Dale were called in soon after the initial alarm.  Newark says they started an initial attack on the exterior of the back... and, once that was under control, crews went inside to get to the flames there.  Chautauqua County fire investigators determined that the fire originated on the rear porch of the residence due to combustion in some oil-soaked cotton rags.  There were no injuries.  The homeowners are being assisted by the Red Cross.

Budget negotiations continue with housing and home care the focus...
New York's Democratic-controlled Assembly and Senate are both pushing to boost funding for housing and home care in this year's budget.  Legislative leaders have spent weeks negotiating with Governor Kathy Hochul over the state budget, which lawmakers must pass by Apr. 1.  Both legislative proposals would boost funding for rental relief, utility debt and home care.  Neither included extra relief for undocumented workers, while the Assembly's lacked the Senate's proposed statewide ban on fossil fuels in new construction.

Hochul addresses budget, COVID issues during NYSAC speech...
Governor Kathy Hochul spoke at the annual Legislative Conference of the New York State Association of Counties Monday night... and, addressed several issues.  That included the 2022-23 state budget... which she proposed back in mid-January.  Hochul told county officials from across the state that she was working with legislative leaders as the April 1st deadline approaches... saying she understands why it's important for local governments to have an on-time or near-on-time budget in place.  Both the Assembly and Senate have passed their own "one-house" spending plans to begin the reconciliation process.  Hochul also applauded the role that local health departments played during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Western New York Democrat recognized a number of county executives during her address.  In speaking about the lifting of the mask mandate... Hochul made a reference to Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel... who she said was smiling because the mandates have all been lifted now.  In highlighting the budget plan... she spoke about investing in CHIPS funding... and, putting $150-million into the Pave-NY program.

"Turn the Chadakoin Green" returns this Saturday in Jamestown...
The annual "Turning the River Green" St. Patrick's Day event will take place this coming Saturday morning at 11 a.m. along the banks of Jamestown's Chadakoin River.  Mayor Eddie Sundquist's office says they'll be along the Greater Jamestown Riverwalk on... and near the Main Street Bridge.  Sundquist says the local Leprechaun, and the Board of Public Utilities will again collaborate to make the magic happen.  Celtic Music, and the Blarney Stone will also be part of the event.