Electrical issue with car triggers flames in Jamestown garage...
A late morning fire on Jamestown's northeast side has destroyed a garage... and, it's contents -- including a car. City Fire Battalion Chief Brian Acterberg says firefighters were called to the scene at 11 Blanchard St. -- near Winsor and Alton Place -- shortly before 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Acterberg says they encountered a fully-involved garage fire, that was threatening other structures close by. He says crews began attacking the fire itself... but, also wetting down potential exposures. Acterberg says an off-duty shift of seven firefighters and one commander were called in to assist at the scene. He says crews worked hard to contain the fire because some adjacent property and other exposures were in jeopardy. Acterberg says crews were on the scene for about 2 1/2 hours... and, no one was hurt. The department's fire investigation team responded to the scene... and, determined that an electrical issue with jumper cables to the car inside triggered the blaze.
Mother of JHS student arrested after the youth disrupts several downtown businesses...
A city woman has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child after her high schooler was allowed to run around downtown Jamestown... disrupting several businesses during the day. City police were called to the area of Jamestown High School shortly after 3 p.m. Monday for a "disorderly juvenile." Officers found the youth, and took them to the JPD Juvenile Bureau. Their investigation found the child had done this repeatedly... and, the child's mother was arrested. Police say 43 year-old Meliza Velazquez-Vega was taken into custody for failure to exercise "reasonable diligence" in controling her child. Velazquez-Vega was issued an appearance ticket, and later released.
Wendel says county Gas Tax Cap Holiday ends Thursday... but, says it provided little relief...
The cap on the gasoline tax in Chautauqua County will come to an end this Thursday -- Dec. 1. County lawmakers voted back in April to cap the gas tax at $3 per gallon, through the end of November. County Executive P-J Wendel says he questions whether the cap has provided much relief for motorists... and, where prices will go. Wendel says he doesn't believe it's really helped. He questions if there will be a spike in the price... because we really didn't get much relief when the cap was instituted. Wendel says he's reluctant to support another gas tax holiday... because it had a minimal impact. So far... there hasn't been a proposal to extend the cap. Meanwhile, New York State's suspension on gas taxes continues until the end of the year.
Gas prices down slightly in Jamestown-area over the past week...
The average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline in the Jamestown-area is down just over a penny this week compared to last. That from the AAA East Central's Gas Price Report... which says the cost is now slightly over $3.98 a gallon. It was just under $4 last week. Nationally... AAA says the average price dropped 12-cents this week to $3.54... which is 22-cents less than a month ago, and 15 cents more than a year ago. Excluding holiday travel... the Energy Information Administration reported that gas demand fell from 8.74 million to 8.33 million barrels per day last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks rose by more than 3-million barrels to 211 million barrels. Increasing supply and fewer drivers fueling up have pushed pump prices lower.
Sheriff's Office provides new information on second set of human remains found in Portland in July...
There's new information being released on the second-set of human remains discovered this past July on the "Rails to Trails' hiking area in the town of Portland. Sheriff's officers say the second female was found off Woleben Road along with the other remains... which were soon after identifed as Marquita Mull of Buffalo, who went missing in June of 2021. Deputies say the second female is between 15 and 35-years of age... and, between 4'-11” and 5'-7" inches tall. The Sheriff's Department Facebook page has pictures of the clothing worn by the unidentified female. Research shows the clothes were first sold in the early 1990s. The unidentified person’s remains are estimated to have been at the site where they were recovered since 2011 or earlier. If you have any information on who this person might be... or who might have been wearing this clothing... you're asked to call Investigator Jacob Stahley at (716) 753-4973... or send an email to UnsolvedChautauqua@sheriff.us.
Red Kettle Campaign in Jamestown closing in on $10,000 raised...
There's been some progress in the Salvation Army of Jamestown's annual Red Kettle Campaign... but, there's still a ways to go to reach their final goal. That from Major Kim Merchant... who says they're about $3,000 behind last year's total. However... Merchant added Tuesday that they were only $1,000 below the amount they needed to trigger a $10,000 match from an anonymous donor. Merchant says... while the numbers have improved... they still need volunteers to man the kettles. She adds the indoor stands tend to fill up more quickly. At the same time... Merchant says they know a lot of people don't carry cash anymore... so they've been able to put a texting option together. She says that you can text "jamestownkettle" to 51555... and, you can make a donation whereever you are. The campaign continues until Christmas Eve. For more information... call the Salvation Army at 664-4108.
