Family left homeless after house fire in Sinclairville...
A fire that began early Sunday afternoon in the town of Gerry has left a family at least temporarily homeless.  Sheriff's Department investigators say Sinclairville fire crews were called to a resident on Damon Hill Road just after 1:30 p.m., and, once they got the blaze under control... called in fire investigators.  Members found a dryer vent is where the flames originated... and, the cause was accidental.  No one was hurt... and the family is being assisted by the local Red Cross.

City man arrested for alleged DWAI, and drug possession...
A Jamestown man found sleeping behind the wheel of his running car has been arrested for allegedly driving while under the influence of drugs.  City police responded to a call to a West Third Street address about 9:30 p.m. last Friday for a man sleeping behind the wheel of a car.  Officers say they found 30 year-old Dylan Abbey in the driver's seat with drugs and drug paraphernalia through-out the vehicle.  Police say they determined that Abbey had driven to the location... and, was high on drugs at the time.  Police also found quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine inside the car.  He was arrested on two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and one count each of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... driving while ability impaired by drugs... and several other traffic violations.  Abbey was jailed pending arraignment.

Woman from town of Portland arrested after alleged altercation...
A town of Portland woman faces criminal charges following an alleged fight at home in the town late Saturday night.  Sheriff's officers were called to the scene on Ellicott Road shortly after 11 p.m., and, their investigation found that 33 year-old Cassie Dash allegedly made threats to physically harm another person... and, obstructed that person's breathing in the presence of a child under the age of 17.  Deputies arrested Dash for second-degree aggravated harassment... criminal obstruction of breathing or Blood Circulation... and, endangering the welfare of a child.  She was taken to the County Jail pending centralized arraignment.

After two-year COVID hiatis... Scandinavian Folk Festival is back...
Jamestown’s Scandinavian Festival awakened from its two year pandemic hibernation just before noon on Saturday.  To help open the two day event... local musician Rick Lundquist sounding the traditional wooden horn known as ‘naverlur’ to start a parade to take the fully decorated 22-foot tall ‘mid-summer pole’ from the Public Market to the festival site at the Northwest Arena..… where is was raised to loud cheers.  Festival organizer, Don Sandy, was elated to be back, along with the people and community in general.  Sandy reflected on Jamestown’s deep Scandinavian roots….. dating back to the immigration of the 1840’s and said "we're proud to celebrate it..." particularly at the new location.  This is the first time the Scandinavian Festival has been held in downtown Jamestown since its inception in 2002.  Events continued at the arena until mid-afternoon Sunday.

Chautauqua County Fair opens today... officially on Tuesday...
There’s a lot of anticipation for the 138th Chautauqua County Fair… which opens this week in Dunkirk.  Dave Wilson is the Fair Board President... and says everyone's happy to see the fair is back, from 4-Hers to Demolition Derby participants.  This is the first full fair since 2019.  The official opening day has been delayed a day, to accommodate the ride provider.  The opening cannon shot will be Tuesday morning, with events unfolding from there.  Wilson says they were lucky to get any carnival rides, as they've been hard to obtain.  Presale tickets will be available for $10 at a number of locations through tonight.  Admission at the gate is $15... $9 for seniors.  Late Sunday the fair announced a $5 admission fee for today's 'preview day’ on the Dunkirk fairgrounds.  Parking is free.  There will be harness racing at 2 p.m.  More information at the fair website chautauquacofair.org.

City man arrested for slashing tire during domestic incident...
A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly slashing a tire on the car of another person during a domestic incident late last week on the city's eastside.  Jamestown police say they were called to the scene shortly before 8 p.m. Thursday... and, found that 35 year-old Andrew Schultz had slashed the tire... and, then took the victim's cellphone as they were trying to call 9-1-1.  Schultz was arrested for two couints of fourth-degree criminal mischief... and, one count of fourth-degree Grand Larceny.  He was jailed pending arraignment.

Trooper shoots man involved in incident in which man allegedly pointed gun at officers...
The investigation is continuing into a State Police-involved shooting of a Cattaraugus County man earlier this month in the town of Machias.  State Police were called to the scene on Reynolds Rd. the evening of July 9 for a possibly suicidal subject.  Troopers say they were assisted by the Sheriff's Office in finding 20 year-old Thomas Wright, using an unmanned drone.  Police say Wright threatened them initially with a baseball bat.  They got him to drop the bat... but, he then drew what appeared to be a black pistol at the trooper.  Police told him to drop the weapon, but, he did not... and, the trooper fired one shot... hitting Wright... who was taken into custody, and given immediate medical aid.  He was taken to Erie County Medical Center for treatment and a mental health evaluation.  Police say the pistol was later identified as an air-soft pistol.  He's charged with second-degree menacing.