Fire destroy's large, vacant house in Jamestown's eastside...
Flames have destroyed a large, two-story vacant home on Jamestown's eastside.  City Fire Battalion Chief Keith Olson says crews were called to the scene at 59 Tower St. just before 5 a.m. Sunday... and, found heavy flame coming from the structure... mainly on the first-floor in the front and one side of the building.  Olson says members of the responding crew reported the blaze was under control in about an hour-and-a-half... and, they mainly used an exterior attack due to the heavy fire... and, the fact no one was living there.  He says an off-duty shift of 15 firefighters and a shift commander were called in to assist.  He says no one was hurt... and, the cause remains under investigation.  Crews were at the scene until about 7:30 a.m.  The city's Department of Development was called in... and, ordered the building be demolished.

Matar may plead guilty to state charges in Rushdie stabbing...
There's a chance the man accused of stabbing author Salman Rushdie on the stage at Chautauqua in 2022 will not face trial on the state charges placed against him.  Following a 'status conference' in Mayville on Friday, the Associated Press reported the possibility that Hadi Matar would plead guilty in the state case.  That could open the door for federal terrorism charges to be lodged against Matar. The AP suggests there is a significant sticking point:  Matar's attorney, Public Defender Ned Barone, would like to see the maximum prison sentence reduced from 25 to 20 years.  District Attorney, Jason Schmidt says he would not sign off on less than the maximum sentence... given the nature of the crime and the fact it occurred in front of thousands of people.  He added, "It's not just Salman Rushdie, it's freedom of speech." No federal authority has, as yet, confirmed the potential for charges at that level.  Rushdie suffered life threatening injuries and lost vision in one eye in the attack in the Amphitheater on the morning of August 12, 2022,  A stunned crowd witnessed Matar's leap from the floor to the stage and his wild stabbing of the famed author.   

City man arrested for allegedly assaulting UPMC workers...
A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting two employees at UPMC Chautauqua Hospital as they were trying to provide them medical care.  City police say they were called to the hospital about 9:30 a.m. Sunday for a disorderly person.  On arrival... officers say they found 45 year-old Rashaun Smith being restrained by UPMC Security guards. UPMC staff advised officers that Smith had physically assaulted the employees.  Police say Smith was placed into custody... and, taken to the city jail pending arraignment on two counts of second-degree assault.

North county man arrested following domestic violence incident in Hanover...
A north county man faces multiple charges following a domestic violence incident in the town of Hanover.  Sheriff's officers were called to an "in-progress" physical altercation on Old Hanvoer Rd. shortly before 2 p.m. last Friday.  Deputies say their investigation found that 30 year-old Robert Lyman of Silver Creek had initiated the confrontation... violating an order of protection... and, had choked the victim.  Lyman was arrested for first-degree criminal contempt... unlawful imprisonment... criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation... second-degree harassment... and, fourth-degree criminal mischief.  He was taken to the county jail pending centralized arraignment.

Borrello, Goodell continue to push against possible wetlands designations for Chautauqua Lake...
Chautauqua Lake does not meet New York state's definition of a wetlands area... and, with that -- it shouldn't be one.  That from local State Senator George Borrello and Assemblyman Andy Goodell during last Friday's State Legislative Breakfast in Mayville.  During the annual program hosted by the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce... Borrello noted that there's been a "lot of misinformation" put out on how much of the lake it going to be designated as wetlands... and, what kind of restrictions there may be.  He says a navigable, recreational lake of a "certain size" should not be subject to such designations, and he's proposing such a bill now.  Borrello says he and Goodell have had extensive discussions with the state Department of Environmental Conservation about the matter... and, they have said -- on the record -- that people will be able to use their property as they have in the past.  He says some actions may require a permit... but, that would be it.  Goodell says -- if the state goes by it's own definition of a wetlands area -- Chautauqua Lake should not be considered a wetland -- period.

State legislator's continue to push NYS to release funding for a new, Brook's Hospital in north county...
It's hoped that a new state entity being brought to the effort to get New York to release the $70-million set aside for a new Brook's Hospital in the north county will bear fruit.  That from Senator Borrello and Assemblyman Goodell during last Friday's Chamber Breakfast.  Goodell says that one key move was bringing the state Division of Budget into the mix... because keeping the old Brook's Hospital on-line will cost $16-million this year alone.  He says the new hospital will save the state $1-million a month.  Another key step for Goodell and Borrello was to include language to dispose of the old property to the city of Dunkirk to use for housing... or some other tax-paying entity.