No one hurt when lighting triggers fire in garage in Busti during storms...
A lighting strike during yesterday's severe thunderstorms triggered a garage fire on the Big Tree-Sugar Grove Rod in the town of Busti. That from Chautauqua County Fire Investigators... who were called to the scene once the blaze was out. Busti firefighters were initially called to the location... between Northrup and Kortwright Roads... about 3:15 p.m. Several other New York and Pennsylvania companies were called in to assist. The investigation determined the fire originated in the garage roof due to the lightning strike. No injuries were reported.
Motorcyclist hits tree downed during storm in Jamestown...
A motorcyclist escaped serious injuries in Jamestown yesterday afternoon when his bike struck a tree that had been knocked down near Jamestown Community College. City police say they were called to the scene at Buffalo Street and Prendergast Avenue about 2:45 p.m. on a report of a motocycle hitting a tree in the roadway. Police arrived... and the rider was taken to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. No charges were filed.
City Council approves additional ARPA funding to boost housing, business, and neighborhood stablization...
City lawmakers in Jamestown have approved about $3.3-million in additional American Rescue Plan Act funding for various housing, and other projects. The City Council last night unanimously approved four measures involved... while tabling a fifth. Council President Tony Dolce says the biggest pot of money... $2-million... is for the Healthy Communities and Neighborhoods Program to help with various private property upgrades and repairs. Dolce says they weren't sure how much would be needed initially... but, soon found that money was spent quickly. In addition... lawmakers also approved another $1-million for the Building and Infrastructure program. Dolce says both actually had long waiting lists of people in line for some funding after the intial monies ran out. He says the people who were told they would be covered under additional, pending funding should get it this time around. The ARPA program that was tabled would have created a 750-thousand dollar program for neighborhood stabilization under a "19-A" program. However... Dolce says some questions arose... and, that information is still being scrutinized. The third item using ARPA funding approved last night would use $174,000 for concrete work by Signature Paving and Sealcoating on Gwendolin Avenue... and, the fourth was $133,000 to help replace the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department roof.
----
The annual Labor Day Festival is coming up next Sunday at Bergman Park. With that... city lawmakers last night also approved spending $19,500 for the fireworks that will conclude the program. The pyrotechnics will be provided by Zambelli Fireworks from New Castle, Pa.
Dolce announces final details on public safety and neighborhood forum...
Details have now been finalized for the Sept. 14 public safety and housing forum to be hosted by Council President Tony Dolce. At the end of last night's monthly meeting... Dolce announced the session will be held at Darrah Hall at Christ First United Methodist Church on Lakeview Avenue beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Second-Ward representative says holding the forum has taken on more importance with the fatal drive-by shooting on Prendergast Avenue earlier this month. He says Police Chief Timothy Jackson will first provide an update on that investigation, and other safety issues... and, city Development Director Crystal Surdyk will give a brief presentation after that on Wednesday, Sept. 14. The public is welcome to attend. Dolce says Surdyk will be at the forum to discuss housing and neighborhood issues. He anticipates the program running until about 8 p.m. or shortly after.
Hochul announces $10-million for counties to do Mass Shooting threat assessments...
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that she has made $10-million available to all 57 counties... and, New York City to support the development of Threat Assessment and Management Teams. Hochul says those are a key component of local Domestic Terrorism Prevention Plans required under Executive Order 18. The Executive Order was issued by Hochul in the immediate aftermath of the mass shooting in Buffalo last May 18, and, is designed to fight the troubling surge in domestic terrorism and violent extremism frequently inspired by, planned on, and posted about on social media platforms and internet forums.
Well-known Jamestown piano teacher/instructor Helga Hulse passes at age 100...
One the Jamestown area's most well-known piano teachers and performers has died. Helga Hulse passed away last Saturday at the age of 100. Helga spent more than 50 years in Jamestown teaching piano to thousands of children and adults at her private studio. Her enthusiasm for the area and its musicians was irrepressible, as demonstrated in an interview with our Dennis Webster in 2011 when she was planning to move south to be closer to family. She said she had a "wonderful life" in Jamestown... and, her time away only lasted a year or so. She missed Jamestown so much, she moved back home. The family has announced a memorial service for Helga Hulse at 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 23 at 1st Lutheran Church in Jamestown. The Lind Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
