Buffalo-area man arrested following DWI accident at Love's Rest Stop in Ripley...
An accident in the parking lot of the new Love's Rest Stop off Shortman Road in the town of Ripley has led to drunk driving charges against a Buffalo-area man.  Sheriff's officers were called to the scene just before 3 a.m. last Saturday... and, found the driver of the vehicle "at fault" was 38 year-old Ruben Bocanegra of Orchard Par;k.  He was arrested for Aggravated driving while intoxicated for having a blood alcohol content of .18 percent or higher... DWI... and, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle.  Bocanegra was released with tickets for Ripley Town Court for a later date.

City man arrested for drug possession after allegedly shoplifting incident at Lakewood Wal-Mart...
A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly driving without a license... and, being in possession of methamphetamine following an incident at the Lakewoood Wal-Mart SuperCenter.  Lakewood-Busti Police say they were called to the Fairmount Ave. location for an alleged shoplifting incident.  However... the suspects allegedly drove off in a pick-up truck.  They were stopped a short distance away... and, the driver identified himself as 53-year-old Brian Lewis.  But, he only had a New York State Non-Driver ID... and, was found to have had his license revoked twice since 2017.  A search of Lewis... led to discovery of the drugs in a small, screw-top container.  He was arrested for seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation.

Maple Weekends get underway with "excellent" quality of sap reported...
The first of two 'Maple Weekends' wrapped up Sunday.  At Big Tree Maple in Lakewood... Lloyd Munsee was pleased with a steady flow of people, including a Cub Scout troop that came to see their operation.  Producers across the region are delighted to welcome Maple Weekend visitors back this year.  The formal events were curtailed the last couple of years because of the pandemic.  As for the season itself, Munsee says they are running on a 'traditional' timetable... with the first syrup made around President's Day, and he says they're "still going at it" right now.  At their sugar house, Lloyd Munsee says the quantity so far has been average... the quality excellent.  If you missed the first Maple Weekend, there's a second... next Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Big Tree Maple is one of six participants in Chautauqua County.  The full list can be found at nysmaple.com.

Jamestown hosts annual "Turn the River Green" event Saturday...
There was a good turn-out of people for the annual "Turn the River Green" St. Patrick's Day weekend celebration in downtown Jamestown.  Jamestown's Lucky Leprechaun again teamed up with the Board of Public Utilities to perform the magic to the delight of both children and adults attending the event along the Chadakoin River last Saturday.  Mayor Eddie Sundquist welcomed people... and, says Jamestown is one of the few cities left in the U.S. that still does this.  Sundquist says the city began work on the Greater Jamestown Riverwalk a couple of decades ago, and it's allowed people to enjoy it's natural beauty -- and reconnect with it, again.  In addition to the gold coins being put in places along the riverwalk for children to find... Vicky McGraw from Elegant Edibles was also on hand selling tasty sweets to those who attended.  Bill Stevenson was again Honorary Chairman of the event... which he started many years ago with former BPU Assistant Manager Randy Peterson.  

Stockton man arrested for harassment, and choking victim...
A Stockton man has been arrested for allegedly choking another person during an altercation last week in the town of Stockton.  Sheriff's officers were called to the undisclosed scene just after 8 p.m. last Wednesday on a complaint filed against 29 year-old Dylan Eckert.  Eckert is accused of physically harassing the victim... and, obstructed their breathing.  Deputies later located Erkert in Lakewood... where he was arrested for second-degree harassment, and obstruction of breathing or blood flow.  Officers say Eckert was taken to the county jail for arraignment... and, he was given appearancet tickets for Stockton Town Court at a later date.

CLRA begins rowing recruitment effort...
Spring is officially here, and the Chautauqua Lake Rowing Association is getting ready for the season.  The association’s President, Jen Martin, says the group is actively recruiting young rowers from seventh through 12th grades for their spring season.  Rowers practice for a couple of hours every weekday starting April 4th, with regattas on the weekend.  The season wraps up the first Thursday in June.  The sport offers a great, full-body workout... and much more... including the challenge and learning teamwork.  Interested rowers and their families can get full information at rowchautauqua.org.  Some scholarships are available.  The Chautauqua Lake Rowing Association also offers recreational and learn to row programs for the general public later in the spring.

New Fredonia Chamber coordinator named...
A Fredonia woman who recently retired as the assistant to the President at the SUNY College at Fredonia has been appointed as the new coordinator for the Fredonia Community Chamber of Commerce.  Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Heitzenrater says they are "incredibly pleased" to have Denise Szalkowski join the chamber team.  Heitzenrater says Szalkowski held the assistant's position at SUNY Fredonia for many years, and during that time managed the President’s office, worked with numerous other departments on campus, served as events coordinator, and was campus liaison for presidential search committees.