Jamestown fire officials say Westburgh Electric Fire was intentionally set....
Jamestown fire officials now say the fire inside a long-vacant, three-story commercial building on the city's eastside early Thursday afternoon was intentionally set.  City Fire Battalion Chief Ryan Rousch says crews were intially called to the former Westburgh Electric Company at 16 Scott St. -- near Winsor -- at 12:30 p.m.  While it was earlier reported that there were a couple of fires involved... Rousch says it wound up being a fire started on the second-floor with extension to the third floor.  Rousch says a second-alarm for an off-duty shift was called in a short time after initial responders arrived on scene.  He says there is a lot of debris inside the building... and, that made for a smokey blaze that was hard to find, and put it out.  Rousch says crews were at the scene a couple of hours... and, the investigation into the cause is continuing.  He says damage was mostly to the contents... and, adds there was minor structural damage.  No injuries were reported.

Goodell says State Assembly has acted on Chautauqua County bed and sales tax requests...
The New York State Assembly has wrapped up a two-day, special session in Albany to finish up work on some pieces of legislation.  Local Assemblyman Andy Goodell says among the items that were approved during the session, two local bills that impact the funding of Chautauqua County Government.  One is an extension of the 5% bed tax... which is used for tourism-related activites, and maintenance of Chautauqua Lake.  Goodell says lawmakers also approved an extension of the additional 1% sales tax for the county.  The Jamestown-area Republican says that's important to holding property taxes down in Chautauqua County.  The added one-percent tax keeps the local sales tax to 8%.

Early primary voting in Chautauqua County continues through Sunday...
Early voting in Chautauqua County for the June 27 primary continues through this weekend.  However... the one polling location in the county has not been very busy.  Republican Elections Commissioner Brian Abram says turnout has been "very light" at the County Fairgrounds for the first five days.  Abram says the early voting period ends this Sunday.  Abram says only 12 people have taken advantage of early voting as of Thursday morning.  Primary contests are taking place in a handful of towns, including the city of Dunkirk.  For voting hours... go on-line to VoteChautauqua.com.

Sundquist explains Bird Bike e-bike and e-scooter program, and delay in implementing...
The effort to get a new e-bike and e-scooter rental program up and running in the city of Jamestown has been delayed pending the hiring of someone to run the program.  City Council members got an update during a recent work session about the status of the pilot "Bird Bike" program... which was first introduced to lawmakers this Spring.  On a recent Community Spotlight program... Mayor Eddie Sundquist explained the program... noting they plan to begin with a small number of vehicles at designated drop-zones.  He says there would be about 20 bikes and 20 scooters available.  Sundquist says the city could start up the e-scooter program now... but, adds his administration doesn't want to risk a poor implementation of the electric bike and scooter program... resulting in a “much worse” situation for the community than originally expected.  He feels it would be better to wait for the full implementation of the program.

Erie, Pa. man arrested for DWI after "suspicious vehicle" investigation...
An Erie, Pennsylvania man has been arrested after being found slumped behind the wheel of his car... with the engine running... in town of Clymer driveway.  Sheriff's officers were called to a residence on Bailey Hill Road shortly before 5 a.m. last Saturday for a "suspicious vehicle" parked at the end of the resident's driveway.  Deputies made contact with the driver... who was identified as 25 year-old Martin Winkler.  Their investigation found that Winkler had been driving while intoxicated... and, he then pulled into the driveway.  He was arrested and charged with DWI and DWI Per Se... and, is to appear in Mina Town Court at a later date.

JHS Graduation set for tonight...
It's graduation night for most Jamestown-area school districts... as the Class of 2023 prepares to receive diplomas.  There's always a lot of anticipation for local seniors... and none more-so than those at Jamestown High School.  The Class of 2023 were Freshmen when the COVID-19 pandemic hit... and, had to distance learning for a while.  They then alternated days in school, and others by remote learning.  JHS Principal Dana Williams says, though, this year was "pretty normal" compared to the previous three.  Williams says the Class of 2023 was very much able to meet the challenges caused by the pandemic... and, exceed expectations.  He says this year's class numbers between 260 and 270... which is lower than earlier in the decade.  He says there were a number of factors involved... one being that some families left the area.  JHS Graduation will again be held at Chautauqua Institution's Amphitheater beginning at 7 p.m.  Williams advises graduates and their families to get there early because there's a bit of a walk from the parking area across Route 394 to the amphitheater.  He also asks those attending to be respectful of all the speakers.  Tonight's main speaker is Jamestown-area attorney, Charles DeAngelo... a member of the Class of 1973.