Woman who died in Gerry house fire now identified...
The investigation is continuing into a fatal house fire early Wednesday morning that claimed the life of a Gerry woman... who has now been identified.  Chautauqua County Sheriff's deputies say Sally Wissman was found dead inside the home... sometime after Gerry firefighters were called to the scene -- at 4532 Route 60 -- just after 3:30 a.m.  On arrival... fire crews found the structure fully-engulfed in flames.  Officers say... while trying to put out the blaze... firefighters determined one occupant was unaccounted for.  They later found Wissman inside.  The Sheriff’s Department Fire Investigation Team responded... and, are still looking into the cause of the blaze.

House fire in Chautauqua Wednesday night apparently triggered by electrical problem around ceiling fan...
A house fire in the town of Chautauqua last night is believed to have started in the ceiling of a spare bedroom.  Chautauqua County Fire investigators say Chautauqua firefighters were called to the scene at 6639 Lawson Road shortly after 6 p.m., and found flames coming from the structure.  The fire investigation team determined the blaze originated in an area where a ceiling fan and electrical wires were located.  No injuries were reported.

Wendel says new state mandate on treating addicted County Jail inmates may cut into proposed tax rate decrease...
Chautauqua County's top-elected official says a new state mandate may eat away at least some of a 30-cent per $1,000 tax rate decrease in his proposed 2023 budget.  Executive P.J. Wendel says he's pleased with the reaction he's gotten from members of the county legislature, who have said there's very little excess to cut.  However... Wendel says -- as of tomorrow -- they'll have to account for paying more for a program called "Medically-Assisted Treatment" for inmates with addiction issues at the county jail.  He says it appears it will become a "massive, unfunded mandate."  Wendel says... the problem is... they don't know exactly how much the new mandate will cost the county.  Hearings on the 277.6-million dollar county budget got underway Monday... and, countinue through today.  Further discussion and meetings will be held before the budget hearing is held later this month, and a final budget is approved.  The proposed budget includes a $2.76-million increase in the 2023 tax levy.  Wendel made his comments for this weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the six Media One Radio Group stations.

City man arrested during traffic stop for illegal possession of a loaded handgun...     
A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly being found in possession of a loaded, semi-automatic pistol illegally.  City police say a patrol stopped a vehicle on West Second Street... near Sprague... just after 1:30 p.m. Tuesday for a traffic violation.  Officers say they found the driver, 56 year-old Carlos Rivera-Leon, with the loaded, Taurus .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol.  Police say Leon did not have a New York State Pistol Permit, and has multiple Felony convictions.  He was jailed pending arraignment on one count of second-degree criminal possession of a Weapon... and, failing to stop at a stop sign.

North county man arrested by Lakewood-Busti police after vehicle pursuit for theft, and drug possession...
A Dunkirk man has been arrested for allegedly stealing a utility trailer... and, being in possession of narcotic drugs after fleeing a convenience store between Lakewood and Ashville.  Lakewood-Busti Police say they were called to a "suspicious situation" at the Crosby's at 4469 Fairmount Ave. about 8 p.m. last Friday.  Officers say the stolen trailer had been reportedly seen attached to a vehicle in the parking lot.  However... the driver fled onto Fifth Avenue and drove towards Gleason Road before being spotted on Hunt Road traveling east.  Police say the driver, identified as 40 year-old Jeremy Brumfield, then struck a parked vehicle on Hunt Road before leading them on a high-speed chase to Southwestern Drive.  Brumfield was allegedly found in possession of 27 grams of methamphetamine ... and, he was arrested on charges including third-degree unlawfully fleeing police... reckless endangerment of property... fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.  He was arraigned in Busti Town Court, and issued appearance tickets for a later date.

Berke reflects on releasing Nushawn Williams' name in late 1990s during AIDS Epidemic...
Dr. Robert Berke was recently honored by Chautauqua County for 40 years of service to public health here.  Originally from Quebec, he moved to Mayville in 1982 to set up a private practice... and, become Chautauqua County’s Health Commissioner.  There is one day and hour in the midst of the AIDs epidemic he will never forget.  He says it was at 10 a.m. on Oct. 27, 1997 when he identified Nushawn Williams as the man who had infected 16 girls and young women.  A judge had cleared the release of Williams’ name in hopes he would not infect anyone else with HIV.  Dr. Berke’s announcement was heard all around the country... including all the major TV and Radio networks.  Williams was soon found, and subsequently convicted of second degree rape and reckless endangerment.  Fifteen-hundred ‘at risk’ young people were tested.  However... no other cases were found.