Fire investigators continue probe into house fire in Forestville...
The investigation is continuing into a house fire in the village of Forestville early last Saturday evening. Chautauqua County Fire investigators say Forestville firefighters were called to the scene at 31 Center St. about 7 p.m., and, with the help of a handful of mutual aid companies... got the blaze out. Sheriff's Office dipatchers say the fire investigation team was called in... and, found the fire originated in a second-floor crawl space. They add the two adults and four children living there got out of the home safely... and, no injuries were reported.
Gerry man arrested for menacing...
A town of Gerry man has been arrested for allegedly trying to hit another person with an object... and, injuring them. Sheriff's officers were called to an undisclosed location for a possible "harassment in progress" shortly after 11 p.m. last Friday. Deputies say they found that 61 year-old William Harrison tried to hit the other person... causing that person to fear for their safety. Harrison was arrested... and, charged with third-degree menacing. He was taken to the county jail pending centralized arraignment.
City Council to vote on several major items tonight...
The Jamestown City Council is expected to act tonight on several key resolutions... including one to hire eight new firefighters, and another to purchase a second ambulance. The additional firefighters would mostly be paid for through a three-year, $1.8-million dollar federal SAFER grant. However... while most lawmakers have said they would love to have more firefighters... they are very concerned about future costs once the grant funding is gone. The new ambulance... which would cost about $247,000, would allow the city to handle more EMS calls. Council will also vote on acquiring a new computer software service from Springbrook Holdings to upgrade a 20 year-old financial software program... and will help the Finance Department's workflow to save time, and hopefully money. Corporation Counsel Eliot Raimando explained the resolution to lawmakers... noting that the just over $106,000 cost would be paid for through American Rescue Plan Act Transparency and Tracking funds. Finance Committee Chairwoman Kim Ecklund says... given that the move is recommended by their third-party auditor... she's not opposed. However... she adds there be an additional $23,000 cost in next year's budget. Tonight's voting session begins at 7:30 p.m.
Irving man arrested for violation of Leandra's Law...
A north county man faces drunk driving and Leandra's Law violations following an altercation at a location in Irving just over a week ago. Sheriff's officers were called to the location shortly after 1 a.m. on Sunday, Apr. 16. Deputies say they found that 35 year-old Jamar Fountain of Irving was driving a car while drunk that had several people under the age of 16 as passengers. Officers say the altercation occured after Fountain had arrived at the location. He was arrested and charged with Aggravated Felony DWI Leandra's Law... and, DWI. Fountain was released with appearance tickets for Hanover Town Court.
County development officials excited, pleased by Cummins' $452-million expansion project at JEP...
Chautauqua County economic development officials are very pleased about Cummins Engine's recent announcement of a $452-million dollar expansion project at the Jamestown Engine Plant. But... at the same time... Deputy County Executive for Economic Development, Mark Geise, says he doesn't want to get "too far out in front" of what's taking place at the Ashville-area plant. Geise does agree, though, that this shows a long-term investment in the Jamestown-area. As for a start date for the project in 120,000 square feet of the nearly 1,000,000 square foot facility... Geise believes that will be announced soon...but, adds getting the infrastructure in place, and other pre-construction work should begin shortly -- if it's not already underway. Geise -- who is also director of the county's Industrial Development Agency says -- so far - that Cummin's has only requested additional sales tax exemptions from the IDA. He says there are already exemptions in place for things like equipment purchases... but, obtaining infrastructure and other items still has sales tax attached to it. Those additional exemptions would save Cummins about $3-million. Geise made his comments for this past weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the six Media One Radio Group stations.
JCC to begin new "Career Closet" on Jamestown campus...
The Career Services office at Jamestown Community College is launching an ambitious project and asking the public to assist. Julie Page, Navigator at Career Services says the new venture is the ‘J. Hawk Career Closet’... a free clothing closet for students. Beginning this fall each student can get up to five items per semester. Page says, by the time students leave JCC, they should be able to have a "professional" wardrobe that they can use for job interviews, internships and the like. To get the ‘Career Closet’ up and running... Page says a donation day has been set up for the Phys Ed Center at JCC on Saturday, May 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. She says they're looking for professional clothing for "all sizes and gender." Page notes that ‘professional clothing' is expensive and hard to find, but still necessary for those who want to enter the workforce. She made the announcement on Media One’s High School Bowl program over the weekend.
