Lake Effect Snows bring up to 11 inches of snow by late morning Friday to Chautauqua County -- and region...
Some parts of Chautauqua County are already reporting nearly a foot of snow from the Lake Effect storm system moving through the region.  It's made Black Friday traveling in the Jamestown-area a bit tricky today.  The National Weather Service is continuing a Lake Effect Snow Warning through next Monday night... and, Forecaster John Rozbicki in Buffalo says there's already been a report of 11 inches of the white stuff in Mayville... and, there have also been reports of 6 to 10 inches elsewhere.  Rozbicki says we will see a wind shift later today... moving the lake effect further north.  By later tonight... the wind will again move the snow bands further south and back towards Jamestown.  By the end of Monday... Rozbicki says some of the more traditional snow belt areas could see as much at 3 to 4 feet of snow.  Again... that Lake Effect Snow Warning remains in effect through next Monday at 7 p.m. 

Black Friday shopping well underway... even with snow falling... 
Black Friday got underway early at some stores in the Greater Jamestown Area today... with the earliest opening store being the JC Penny Store in the Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood.  The store opened at 5 a.m. as retailers in the U.S. and several other countries are preparing for prime time today.  The Wal-Mart SuperCenter in Lakewood was among those opening at 6 a.m.  Meantime... the weekend continues witn "Small Business Saturday" tomorrow.  That from CHQ Chamber President Dan Heitzenwriter... who says one survey shows 68% of each dollar spent supports the local community... which puts money into the pockets of businesses and their employees, as well as other entities that depend on sponsorship money.  Analysts here in the U.S., are envisioning a "solid holiday" shopping season, though perhaps not as robust as last year’s, with many shoppers under financial pressure and cautious with their discretionary spending despite easing inflation.  And just a reminder... there are five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.

Chamber's annual meeting coming up on Dec. 13, with Amy Rohler to get Lydic Award...
The CHQ Chamber will hold it's annual meeting on Friday, Dec. 13 at the newly rerfurbished White Inn in Fredonia... and, a full program is on tap.  That from Chamber President Dan Heitzenrater... who says they'll be presenting the annual Pam Lydic Coalition Builder Award for 2024 to Executive Director Amy Rohler of the now-merged United Ways of Chautauqua County.  Heitzenrater adds that their Keynote Speaker will be Leslie Zemsky from Larkin Development in Buffalo.  Rohler is Executive Director of the United Ways of Chautauqua County.  Under her leadership, the north and south county United Ways merged after several years of successful partnership and shared services.  She has been Executive Director of the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County for seven years and was previously the director of Community Helping Hands. She is passionate about problem-solving, collaboration and community change.  Advanced registration is required by Dec. 6, and, you can do that through the Chamber’s online calendar.

City man arrested on drug and weapons possession charges following street check...
A Jamestown man has been arrested on drug and weapons charges following a street check in Brooklyn Square last night.  City police say officers spotted 23 year-old Andre Sweeney in the area shortly after 9 p.m., and, knew he was sought on multiple court warrants.  Police say they made contact with Sweeney... and, he was taken into custody.  He was searched... and, officers found a quantity of cocaine... fentanyl... cutting agents... a digital scale... and, plastic knuckles in Sweeney's possession.  He was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... one of fourth-degree possession of a controlled substance... two counts of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia... and, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.  Sweeney was jailed pending arraignment.

County 4-H members wins National title... 
A 4-H youth from Chautauqua County has won a national title for her horsemanship... and, equine education.  Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s 4-H Program recently announced that Charlotte Couchman took home top honors at the 2024 Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup in Louisville, Kentucky.  The competition hosted participants from 20 states, including 16 New York State 4-H members.  Local 4-H officials say 4-H Youth competed in a variety of competitions including: Communications, Horse Judging, Hippology (the study of horses), and Horse Bowl.  They also had the opportunity to learn about Kentucky’s equine culture with tours of Churchill Downs... Spycoast Farm... and the Kentucky Horse Park.  Charlotte competed in the Public Speaking division of the Communications competition with a speech titled “Do You Have a License ForThat?”.  Her ten-minute speech discussed finding the middle ground in keeping, riding, and working with horses.