Weekend house fire in Ellington blamed on electrical issue...
An electrical issue inside an outlet has been listed as the cause of a late morning house fire last Saturday in the town of Ellington. Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office dispatchers say Ellington firefighters were called to the scene at 4110 Hopkins Rd. about 10 a.m. for a "working structure fire." A second-alarm was later called out. Mutual aid was called in from Kennedy... Gerry... Falconer... Conewango... Rescue 7... and, the county's FAST Team. County fire officials say two people who were inside the home at the time were taken to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.
Two treated for smoke inhalation following house fire in Forestville...
An early morning fire yesterday in the town of Hanover damaged a home on Route 39. Sheriff's Department dispatchers say Forestville fire crews were called to the scene shortly before 6 a.m. Not long after... the county's fire investigation team was called in to look for the cause... and, found it began inside a dishwasher and spread throughout the residence. Officials say no injuries were reported.
Hundreds attend city of Jamestown's 76th Easter Egg Hunt...
Hundreds of young people gathered near the soccer fields at Allen Park in Jamestown Saturday morning for the city’s 76th annual Easter Egg Hunt. City Parks Manager Dan Stone whipped up the anticipation… and counted down the start in a most interesting way -- going from 1 to 3 quickly. The throngs of kids poured across the fields picking up candy and eggs. A few minutes later, 8-year-old Michael spoke to our Dennis Webster... who asked if he had fun. Michael says he had a lot of fun finding all the candy he did. In addition... 10-year-old Anjolina was particularly successful... finding a prize egg with a $50 Walmart gift card. Mayor Kim Ecklund was there, and said the city is working to be ‘all inclusive’ with the Easter Egg Hunt, with a new section for the developmentally disabled, and those on the autism spectrum. The mayor and Dan Stone expressed appreciation to all the sponsors and volunteers who made the Easter Egg Hunt possible.
Christ First UMC hosts 5th annual Easter Egg Hunt...
Another major Easter Egg Hunt occurs at Christ First United Methodist Church on Lakeview Avenue. It started in 2019. One of the Directors of Children and Youth Ministry, Danika Olson, says the 1,800 eggs ‘hidden’ in their side yard disappear more quickly every time. This year... she says... they were done in about six-minutes. The hunt is just the beginning at Christ First. The other Director of Children and Youth Ministry, Kenzie Mason, says kids and families then go inside to collect their prizes and do much more... including a number of activities. Those include crafts, a sensory table, snack making, egg racing… and more. Danika Olson added, the effort fulfills Christ First’s mission as a community and neighborhood church.
Dunkirk Common Councilman-at-Large explains resolution to expand north county city's credit line...
The Dunkirk Common Council has approved a resolution supporting a bill in the State Assembly that would expand the city's credit line to as high as $18.5-million to help address looming financial issues in the city. The measure, supporting the city of Dunkirk Fiscal Recovery Act, was passed unanimously during a recent special meeting of the Council. Councilman at Large Nick Weiser says it's the first step towards addressing debt the city faces. The past two months... Weiser says they've determined there is a "significant amount of debt" the city has accumulated. Weiser explains that the resolution acknowledges the city needs help from lawmakers in Albany to manage the situation. The bill, which was introduced last week by State Assemblyman Andrew Goodell would, among other things, authorize the city to issue bonds up to $18.5 million, require the city to prepare quarterly budget reports and a three-year financial plan to be submitted to the State Comptroller's Office. It would also require the city to establish a special debt service fund with the Comptroller's Office in order to pay city debt service due or becoming due in subsequent fiscal years.
Bobseine pledges to protect Lakeview and Collins Correctional facilities -- if elected to Assembly...
Democratic State Assembly candidate Michael Bobseine says he's pledging to protect the Lakeview and Collins Correctional facilities if he's elected. In a printed statement...Bobseine -- a native of Fredonia -- says Governor Kathy Hochul's 2024-25 budget plans to close another five correctional facilities in the coming fiscal year. That's in addition to several that have already been closed. If elected... Bobseine feels that he'll be in a position with the Democratic Majority to prevent any local closures. He says the governor has not identified which five will be closed. However... he says closing either the Brocton or Collins facilities would be a blow to the region. Bobseine says the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision reports that Brocton’s Lakeview Facility employs 510 staff... including Corrections Officers. This Collins Facility employs 742 total staff. He adds "these facilities play an important role in making our communities safer and providing rehabilitation and needed treatment services to incarcerated people. I aim to be a strong voice for the employees at these facilities and protect their valuable work and the communities where they live.
