Southern Tier receives several inches of early morning Lake Effect Snow; more to come...
The first major lake effect snow event of the season is underway in the region... and, the Buffalo area could see the bulk of the snowfall. However... the Jamestown area, which was predicted to get about seven inches of the white stuff -- at most -- overnight through tonight... is now looking at upwards of a foot already. With that, our Lake Effect Snow Warning has been extended until 10 o'clock tonight. National Weather Service Forecaster David Thomas said snowfall totals -- mainly along the Chautauqua Ridge -- would range to around a foot before the snow bands lift northward tonight. Snowfall totals in Southern Erie county will range from 1 to 3 feet tonight through early Saturday. The Buffalo area is bracing for snowfall range from 2 to 3 feet through Sunday evening.
Sheriff Quattrone urges motorists to drive cautiously...
With some parts of southern Chautauqua County receiving upwards of a foot of snow from the Lake Effect system that's moved into the region... local police are urging driving caution today. Among them is Chautauqua County Sheriff Jim Quattrone... who reports some accidents this morning... mainly of the fender-bender type. Quattrone says if you have to drive... be ready for the conditions. He says drive at a "reasonable speed," and give yourself enough time to get where you are going. Quattrone adds that you should also have an emergency kit in case you get stuck, and or delayed while traveling.
Crews stay on scene of major fire at former Crawford Furniture building in Jamestown late into the night...
Two Jamestown Fire Department crews remained at the scene of yesterday's huge fire that destroyed the former Crawford Furniture factory at the Jamestown city-line with Falconer. The building is the same one that had partially collapsed in recent months. The fire was still going into the late afternoon Wednesday as several nearby departments joined city fire crews in battling the blaze at 1061 Allen St. Deputy Fire Chief Matt Coon says crews were initially called to the scene at 11:20 a.m. Wednesday, and found heavy fire coming from several locations in the building. With that, Coon says firefighters took a "defensive posture" in fighting the flames. A full off-duty shift was called into assist city fire crews at the scene... and, they had several water guns and aerial guns pouring water on the fiery debris. While there were "multiple" parts of the vacant complex on fire... Coon couldn't say if the fire was set. However... he did say it is suspicious because no services were hooked up to the building. In addition to Falconer and Celoron... he says other nearby departments assisted by trucking water to the scene. Coon says Allen Street and some side streets will remain closed for a time due to debris in the roadway from the building. No injuries were reported. Coon says no one was apparently in the building.
County Legislature approves increasing some landfill, and transfer station tipping fees...
Chautauqua County lawmakers in Mayville have approved a resolution to raise tipping fees at the landfill... and, the county's transfer stations. The county legislature approved the resolution 12-to-3... with four legislator's absent at last night's monthly voting session. Sheridan Republican Terry Neibel says the increase is modest... but, is needed to keep the "enterprise fund" operation viable. GOP Majority Leader Tom Harmon agreed the increase is needed. However... Dunkirk Democrat Bob Bankowski was among those voting no... because that increase will be felt by the taxpayers of the north county city. Bankowski says the increases may seem small... but, he feels with a large number of people living below the poverty level... it will have a negative impact. The cost to dispose of municipal solid waste at the landfill will increase from $30 to $31 per ton... while it will increase from $42 to $45 at the transfer stations at the beginning of 2023.
City man found with stolen credit cards, and cocaine...
A Jamestown man has been arrested following a early morning noise complaint on the city's southside that led to him being found with multiple stolen credit cards. City police were called to the location around 2:30 this morning... and, found 31 year-old Matthew Buck at the scene. Officers say they found that Buck had multiple warrants for his arrest... and, found him in possession of a quantity of cocaine... and, the credit cards. Police say the credit card had been reported stolen this past Tuesday. Buck was taken to the city jail... and, held pending arraignment on three counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property... and one count of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign gets early start...
The Salvation Army of Jamestown's annual Red Kettle Campaign is getting an earlier start this year... with two locations set to open today. That from Salvation Army Major Kim Merchant says their bell-ringers will be on hand at the local TOP's Markets... and, then Wal-Mart in Lakewood this coming Saturday. Merchant says the goal this year is again $115,000... and, they're getting a boost from another anonymous donor. That donor will match the first $10,000 they receive. Merchant says... in addition to putting spare change into any of their bright red kettles across the region... and sending a check... you can also text a donation to "Jamestownkettle" to 51555. If you would like to volunteer to man the Red Kettles... you can also call them at 664-4108.
