County Emergency Services Dir. cautions about potentially damaging winds with thunderstorms later today... 
Chautauqua County officials are warning of a severe storm possibility today after attending breifings with local and national weather reporting organizations.  County Director of Emergency Services... Noel Guttman... says weather reports for Wednesday call for showers and thunderstorms in the morning.  During the mid-morning and early afternoon... Guttman says temperatures are expected to rise to around the mid-70s.   Showers and thunderstorms are then expected to redevelop in the late afternoon or early evening hours and are expected to bring damaging wind gusts.  Guttman says National Grid and NYSEG are pre-positioning crews to be able to quickly respond.  County officials encourage residents to take precautions, avoid and report downed power lines, and follow any warnings that are issued about the storm.

Jamestown woman arrested as fugitive from justice...
A city woman is jailed pending extradition following her arrest on several warrants from multiple police agencies in New York and Pennsylvania.  Jamestown police say a patrol in the area of West Second and Cherry Street spotted 44 year-old Sarah Johnson walking on foot shortly before Midnight Monday night... and, she was taken into custody on warrants issued in both the city, and town of Ellicott.  Officers later found that Johnson had several more warrants for her arrest in Pennsylvania from Warren County... the city of Erie, and Millcreek Township -- all for retail theft.  Johnson was take to the city jail on three counts of being a Fugitive from Justice... in addition to the local warrants.  

JPS breaks ground on new $86.5-million capital improvement project...
Ground has been broken to officially begin the Jamestown Public School's multi-year, $86.5-million Capital Improvement Project.  During a ceremony in front of the Tech Academy on East Fourth Street... School Superintendent Kevin Whitaker said they're "doing a lot" to "keep kids warm, safe and dry."  Whitaker was joined by school board members... and, representatives from the district's architectural firm... and, the general contractor.  He says much of the project... which was approved by district voters in May of 2021... will be upgrades to a number of facilities, including HVAC, roof, sidewalk and other upgrades.  In addition... he says they'll be increasing the size of many classroom -- especially in the high school -- after the Covid pandemic.  Young and Wright Architectural Project Coordinator Eric Zeffiro says one of their major areas of focus will be the Tech Academy... where they'll replace all the window, and add a new, secure entrance.  Dr. Whitaker says the largest phase will be Phase-Two... which will involve major renovations to Jamestown High School... including a complete upgrade to the cafeteria.

Whitaker says JPS Capital Improvement Project includes emphasis on safety...
Safety and security has come to the fore-front as a major concern after the most recent school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee.  With that in mind... Jamestown Superintendent Kevin Whitaker says that was already one of the key focuses of this most recent capital project.  Whitaker says that will include new, and upgraded security cameras, and door systems.  He says upgrading the security of entryways in the $86.5-million capital project will mainly focus on the Tech Academy... and, Persell Middle School.  He says the Persell project has been underway as part of a "capital outlay" project in recent years.

Unattended cooking blamed for Dunkirk house fire...
A major fire that extensively damaged a home in the north county city of Dunkirk Tuesday afternoon has been blamed on cooking oil left unattended on a stove top.  That's the ruling of the Chautauqua County Fire Investigation Team after it was called to investigate the blaze at 137 Maple Ave., which was reported shortly after 3 p.m.  The fire and response led to the closing down of Route 60 in that area while firefighting efforts were underway.  Dunkirk firefighters were joined by Fredonia and East Dunkirk at the scene.  No injuries were reported.

Yorkshire man arrested following vehicle chase in Catt. Co...
A vehicle chase throught multiple towns in Cattaraugus County recently led to the arrested of a Yorkshire man for being in possession of methamphetamine.  Sheriff's officers in Little Valley say they tried to stop 49 year-old David Smith after he allegedly failed to yield on Worden Road... and, wouldn't stop for deputies.  Officers say they found Smith in possession of the drugs... and, he was taken into custody on the failure to yield charge... and, multiple others.  He was arraigned and given appearance tickets for Yorkshire Town Court.

Fredonia trustee responds to offer by Rosas to help with water issues...
A proposal from Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas to offer assistance to the village of Fredonia as it deals with ongoing water issues has received a response from a village trustee.  During Monday night's Village Board meeting... Trustee Jim Lynden spoke out against the proposal... saying they have not asked the North County Water District, nor the city of Dunkirk, to take over services provided to village water customers.  Lynden says trustees previously rejected an offer to join the North County Water District after conducting professional research.  He supports the continued use of the village's water system... which includes a reservoir and water treatment plant.  In a news release issued Sunday... Rosas indicated the city, which also supplies water to the North County Water District, could -- in combination with the district -- supply the village with about 1.3 million gallons of water on a daily basis.