JPS officials, JPD investigating high school students near school grounds Tuesday afternoon...
An altercation allegedly involving Jamestown High School students -- but, who don't regularily attend school -- is being investigated by city police and the school district. District Spokesperson Cameron Hurst says the district was notified about the fight... which was reported Tuesday afternoon off school grounds... but, close by. Hurst adds that district officials and city police immediately responded... and, city police report that charges are pending for those involved. He says high school officials will conduct an investigation into this matter... and those involved. School officials say violence of any kind will not be tolerated.
Firefighters make quick work of fire at Falconer-area restaurant...
Quick work by a handful of local fire departments prevented heavy damage to a restaurant in the town of Ellicott late Monday night. Chautauqua County Fire Investigation Team members say Falconer firefighters were called to the Maple Tree Cafe-&-Ice Cream at 1993 East Main St. about 11:55 p.m., and reportedly had the blaze under control in about 10 minutes. Fire investigators were called in... and determined the cause was spontaneous combustion of some towels that had been exposed to cooking oil before being laundered. They were apparently left piled in a plastic laundry basket. No one was hurt.
City of Jamestown dealing with aftermath of office fire at JPD headquarters...
The city of Jamestown is working with it's insurance company after fire ripped through an office in the Jamestown Police Department last Friday. Mayor Eddie Sundquist reported to City Council about the matter at Monday night's work session... noting that the fire at the City Hall location was accidental. However... he says the office was pretty heavily-damaged after an appliance in the officer caught fire. Sundquist says maintenance is working to clean-up that space, and they're working with the insurance company on what's covered. He says the city Fire Department's mid-day shift responded quickly... and, helped minimize damage to the department. He adds that there were also members of the Chautauqua County District Attorney's Office in that office... so the county's insurance carrier is also involved in the process.
Medicaid Rally draws attention to funding shortage for local senior living facilities...
Proponents of a 20-percent increase in Medicaid reimbursement for long-term care facilities in New York gathered at a rally outside Christ First United Methodist Church at Noon Tuesday. The President and Chief Executive Officer of Heritage, Lisa Haglund, was one of the speakers. Haglund told the crowd that New York had not raised rates in 15 years... and, actually enforced a 1% cut when the pandemic came. She says they are taking a more than $100 loss per day for each resident they have, and as a not-for-profit, it's hurting them. Jamestown Mayor, Eddie Sundquist, said the message needs to be heard in Albany. He says "enough is enough." Some 30 people attended the rally, organized by a group of residents at Heritage.
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Following the event, State Assemblyman Andy Goodell confirmed the state is looking at a Medicaid increase for long term care facilities, but it probably won’t be 20%. He says the governor requested a 5% increase, and that was raised to 10% in each of the ‘one house’ budgets. The state budget is due by Apr. 1.
Jamestown man arrested for harassment in Panama...
A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly harassing another person during an incident last weekend in Panama. Sheriff's officers were called to an undisclosed address shortly after Midnight Sunday for a harassment complaint. Deputies say their investigation showed that 20 year-old Michael Shafer harassed the person at the residence... and, he was located a short time later. Officers took Shafer into custody without incident... and, he was charged with second-degree harassment. He was taken to the cunty jail pending centralized arraignment.
Gas prices decline in Jamestown-area...
The price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline in the Jamestown-area has fallen 6-cents over the past week to just under $3.60. The AAA East Central Gas Price Report says the price is now just over $3.59 a gallon after being just over $3.65 a gallon last week. Despite economic news affecting the stock and oil markets... AAA says the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline fell 3-cents over the past week to $3.44. That's 3 cents more than a month ago, but, 84 cents less than a year ago. Meanwhile, the global oil price plunged into the low to mid $60 range per barrel, a level not seen since August 2021.
Essek lays out $11.4-million, 2023-24 budget for Fredonia...
Fredonia Mayor Doug Essek has proposed a 2023-24 village budget that totals just over $11.4-million. The proposed spending plan, announced during Monday night's Village Board workshop, would increase spending by just over $115,000. During the budget presentation... Essek said he's proposing a 1.97% increase in the village tax rate... a hike of 77-cents per $1,000 of assessed value. He says that would bring the rate to $36.95... from the current rate of $36.18 per $1,000. Essek says the budget proposal does not includes any layoffs... and, were able to eliminate some excess from the budget. However... he says the spending plan keeps essential services intact. Village trustees will soon begin a review of the proposed budget. A final budget is due by May 1.
