City firefighters called to early morning house fire on Wilson Place...
A home on Jamestown's northside has been damaged in an early morning fire.  City fire officials say a crew was called to 25 Wilson Place about 5:30 a.m., and, had the blaze under control fairly quickly.  Flames could be seen coming from the roof and attic area of the home.  North Main Street at the intersection with Wilson was closed for a time so crews could access a fire hydrant.  No injuries were reported... but, the occupants are being helped by the local Red Cross.  Fire officials say the building appears "salvagable."  The cause is under investigation.

Man arrested for allegedly firing off hand-gun on Dunkirk street last Friday...
A Dunkirk man was arrested Friday afternoon on several charges after Dunkirk Police received numerous complaints of a person pointing a gun at people and firing several shots in the air.  Police say the suspect was reported to be shooting the gun in the area of the 400-block of Park Avenue and the 400 and 500 blocks of Columbus Avenue shortly before 1:30 p.m.  Officers say 24-year-old Adrian Rivera-Salome, who is a convicted felon on parole, was located with a 9 mm pistol near the intersection of East Sixth Street and Columbus Avenue, where he surrendered without incident. Rivera-Salome was charged with six counts of reckless endangerment, two counts of second-degree menacing, and one count each of second and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.  He is being held in the Chautauqua County Jail on $50,000 bail.

Gerry woman arrested on drug and weapons charges in Silver Creek last weekend...
A Gerry woman has been arrested in Silver Creek for allegedly being found in possession of three illegal narcotics and a set of "plastic stun gun knuckles."  Sheriff's officers were called to the scene of an apparent drug overdose on Jackson Street... and, found 36 year-old Amanda Sendall inside.  During the investigation... Sendall was allegedly found with three separate controlled substances, and the stun gun knuckles.  She was arrested on three counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and one count of fourth-degree misdemeanor criminal possession of a weapon.  Sendall was later released with appearance tickets for Hanover Town Court.

Jamestown's Juneteenth Festival wraps up Sunday...
Jamestown’s Juneteenth celebration took place Saturday and Sunday at Jackson-Taylor Park.  At the opening ceremony, event coordinator, and City Councilwoman, Regina Brackman talked about the diverse members of the Juneteenth planning committee that was brought together to trying an bridge the gap that causes racial divisions.  Reflecting on the May 14 shooting rampage in Buffalo, Mayor Eddie Sundquist said Juneteenth is not only about history... but also knowing how much we still have to do.  The two day celebration featured a poetry reading, musical performances, vendors, a basketball tournament, and a worship service. 

New IDEA Coalition introduced during Juneteenth...
The Juneteenth celebration in Jamestown marked the official beginning of a new coalition to eliminate systemic racism in the community.  It came about from a series of conversations led by United Way Executive Director Amy Rohler... who says the name is short for: "Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Diversity Coalition."  Rohler says it's a group that will work for "community change."  Over a dozen community groups and institutions have committed to the new coalition, and they’ve chosen Bishop Leecroft Clarke of the Healing Word Ministries Church as project manager.

Early primary voting underway in NYS, and Chautauqua County...
New Yorkers began going to the polls last Saturday to cast early votes in a primary election that could determine whether Governor Kathy Hochul keeps her job.  Select polling places are open for early votes across the state through June 26th... ahead of the June 28th primary.  In the Democratic gubernatorial primary... Hochul is trying to fend off challenges from Long Island Congressman Tom Suozzi and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.  On the Republican side... four candidates are competing for the nomination: Long Island Congressman Lee Zeldin, former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, businessman Harry Wilson and Andrew Giuliani, the son of New York City's former mayor.
----
In Chautauqua County... there are four polling sites open for early voting.  They are the Board of Elections Offices in the Hall Clothier Building in Mayville... the county Fairgrounds 4-H Building in Dunkirk... the Robert Jackson Center in Jamestown... and, the Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood.  For move information... go on-line to VoteChautauqua.com.

Jamestown's "Yassou!" Festival returns after two-year hiatus for COVID...
Two years without a "Yassou!" Festival apparently whetted Jamestown’s appetite for Greek music and food.  At St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Saturday, ‘Yassou’ spokesperson Alexis Singleton said the community response had been outstanding.  Singleton says many people talked about how pleased they were it was back.  She says Yassou is important for St.Nicholas as a fundraiser, and for the way it builds the church community and helps young people understand their heritage and faith.  The full festival was not held in 2020 or 2021 because of the pandemic.
-----
There was a break in the festivities at the Yassou Festival Saturday for a presentation by State Senator George Borrello.   He announced that the Director of the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging, Mary Ann Spanos, had been chosen to receive one of the Senate’s ‘Women of Distinction’awards.' Spanos has been director of the Office for the Aging since 2007, and is a long time member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.  Borrello noted how important she has been to seniors throughout her career... and particularly during the pandemic.  Spanos was ‘humbled’ by the recognition.