City Council meets today with FEMA officials to resolve issued surrounding SAFER Grant...
The Jamestown City Council will get to speak directly today to an official with the Federal Emergency Management Agency regarding a $1.8-million grant to hire eight new firefighters.  Mayor Eddie Sundquist and his administration have put together a Zoom Conference with the FEMA Grants Coordinator at 4 p.m. at City Hall to get answers to a number of questions they have.  Sundquist says lawmakers need more information before next week's vote... and, those were given to FEMA in advance of today's meeting.  Deputy Fire Chief Matt Coon recently discussed the need for more firefighters... and, how the SAFER Grant would help cover those costs.  He says most of their calls -- about 81% -- the past year have been rescue calls.  The Teresi Administration did look into just providing an additional ambulance service... but, Sundquist says they found that EMT's are already "in short supply" in the county and region... and, you wouldn't be able to hire enough people to do it. 

Burham now a suspect in last week's homicide, and charged with arson in vehicle fire...
Jamestown police remain on the look-out for the now-suspect in last week's homicide of 34 year-old Kala Hodgkin... and, Western New York Crimestoppers is now offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest of Michael Burham.  The 34 year-old Burham is considered armed and dangerous.  In addition to the homicide... Burham is also wanted on a warrant for a rape charge.  Crimestoppers says information can be reported anonymously by calling 716-867-6161, through the "Buffalo Tips" app or by visiting www.crimestopperswny.org.  Burham is accused of killing Hodgkin during an incident early last Thursday morning.  JPD Captain Bob Samuelson also says that he is wanted for the Fulton Street vehicle fire a short time later that morning.  In addition to previous warrants... Samuelson says new warrants have been issued for third-degree arson... fourth-degree criminal mischief... and, two counts of second-degree criminal contempt... and, endangering the welfare of a child.  Anyone with any information regarding Burham can also contact JPD at 483-7537 or the anonymous tips line at 483-8477.  All calls and tips will be kept confidential. 

City police recover stolen car, arrest three in the theft...
Three men... two from Jamestown and one from Lakewood... have been arrested for allegedly stealing a car in the city last weekend.  Jamestown police say they were alerted to the stolen car from a location on Tower Street shortly before 8 PM Sunday... and, conducted a traffic stop.  Officers say they found 19 year-old Illinois Jackson... and 18 year-old Joseph Connolly of Jamestown... and, 21 year-old Corey Stingel of Lakewood inside.  All three were charged with third-degree criminal possession of stolen property... and, they were taken to the city jail pending arraignment.  Police say the vehicle's owner came to the scene and retrieved their vehicle.

Several departments make quick work of Ripley house fire...
Eight fire departments battled a house fire on Route 76 in the town of Ripley Monday afternoon.  Ripley firefighters responded to the blaze shortly after 2 p.m. and, the department's Facebook page reports that tankers from South Ripley, Westfield, Sherman, Findley Lake, Portland, Fuller Hose in North East, Pennsylvania and Chautauqua were called in for water supply and manpower.  Crews had the knocked down quickly with no injuries being reported.  County fire investigators have determined the cause was an electrical issue along an exterior wall of the home.

County Board of Elections again assisting with local school budget votes...
All 18 school districts in Chautauqua County will be holding budget votes and board elections on Tuesday.  The Chautauqua County Board of Elections will be once again partnering with the local districts.  That from County GOP Elections Commissioner Brian Abram says they use the same machines, and work with the districts to have "familiar faces" on hand to help with the voting process.  Since the voting hours vary from district to district... Abram encourages residents to check with their local school districts for more information.  All schools in the state will hold their budget votes on Tuesday... with the exception of the "Big 5" city districts of New York, Yonkers, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse.

JPS school budget, capital reserve fund, and school board votes underway...
Among the local districts... voters in Jamestown will be deciding on a $101-million, 2023-24 budget that includes no tax increase.  There will also be a proposition to establish a $5-million capital reserve fund for future projects.  School Superintendent Kevin Whitaker urges eligible residents to come out and vote at one of the three presidents schools from Noon to 9 p.m. In addition to the budget... and, reserve fund... Whitaker says there are also four people on the ballot running for three school board seats.  They include: incumbants Paul Abbott and Christine Schnars... and, newcomers John Panebianco... and, Melissa Paterniti. 
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Others holding votes also include Southwestern.... where residents will decide on a $33.1-million budget for the new school year.  School Superintendent Maureen Donahue says there is a small increase in the tax levy... and, three people are running unopposed for three school board seats.  Voting at Southwestern High School runs today from 7 to 9 a.m. and, 2 to 8 p.m. 
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Voters in the Falconer Central School District will decide on a $29.5-million budget... which increases spending by nearly 9%, but, includes no tax levy increase.  Two school board incumbants are running unopposed.  Voting runs from 2 to 8 p.m.