Early morning house fire in Lakewood ruled accidental...
An early morning house fire in the village of Lakewood is being blamed on an electrical issue inside a first floor wall. Chautauqua County fire dispatchers say Lakewood crews were called to the scene on 6 Freeman St. shortly before 6 a.m. They were joined by Celoron, Ashville, and Busti firefighters. Once the fire was put out... the county's Fire Investigation Team was called in. The cause has been ruled as accidental. No injuries were reported.
Mayville Winter Festival cancelled due to high insurance costs, lack of hands-on manpower...
Citing increased expenses... and, less "hands-on" help... organizers of the annual Mayville Winter Festival have made the "disappointing" decision to cancel this year's event. That from the CHQ Chamber of Commerce... which has worked with the Mayville/Chautauqua Chamber to put on the event in recent years. Chamber president and Chief Executive Officer Dan Heitzenrater... in a press release late Tuesday... says there have been ongoing conversations the past several months involving people directly involved... and the decision was reached at Monday night's planning committee meeting. In addition to expenses... mainly insurance... Heitzenrater says there have also been "increasing challenges around the hands-on support required to mount an event of this magnitude." He adds that -- "after a great deal of discussion with insurance carriers... the unfortunate reality is that there are certain activities and events traditionally associated with the Winter Festival that have now been deemed as "high-risk." He says that's made them "either uninsurable or very expensive to insure." Heitzenrater thanked everyone who stepped up to try and make this years festival -- which would have been held on President's Day Weekend -- work.
Schmidt announces Grand Jury indictment against Bertino in daughter's April 2024 death...
A Silver Creek woman who was charged last November in connection with the death of her diabetic, 12-year-old daughter has now been indicted by the Chautauqua County grand jury. District Attorney Jason Schmidt says 36-year-old Ashley Bertino faces a five-count indictment, with second-degree murder as the top count. Schmidt says the grand jury was asked to consider that charge under the theory of "depraved indifference" in last April's death of Mya Smith. He admits it's going to be a "difficult charge" to prove in court, though. Schmidt says Bertino also faces one count of second-degree manslaughter and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He says Bertino continues to be held in the Chautauqua County Jail, and a discovery conference has been scheduled for later this month. Schmidt says she pled not guilty, and bail was set at $250,000 cash bail. He adds a discovery conference is set for Jan. 27. Bertino faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the murder count. Schmidt says the case was brought after an investigation by the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with his office and the Silver Creek Central School District.
Teen burglar in Dunkirk arrested again...
Dunkirk Police say a juvenile who had been previously charged in connection with multiple burglaries that occurred in the north county city last spring has returned to the area and has been charged again. That from Police Captain Chris Witkowski, who says the unidentified 17-year-old male, who had been serving a detention period at a secure downstate facility... was recently released and allegedly burglarized a local establishment, and he was charged with third-degree burglary and other lesser charges. Witkowski says the teen, who is currently on probation in Erie County, was arrested late last week. In addition to appearing in Chautauqua County Youth Part Court, he will also appear at the Office of Probation to answer for the most recent charges. Dunkirk Police are reminding business owners to secure their building after hours of operation and report any suspicious activity.
City man arrested after smashing out front window at Jamestown bar...
A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly smashing out a front window at the Wine Cellar on North Main Street last night after being denied service at the bar. City police were called to the scene at 309 North Main about 8:30 p.m. for an "in-progress" criminal mischief complaint. When officers arrived... they were helped in locating 50 year-old Frank Hagberg by some patrons of the bar. Police say they found that Hagberg has used a long metal pipe to smash out the double-paned window... and, he was arrested for third-degree criminal mischief... and, jailed pending arraignment.
Chautauqua County Beekeepers Association to hold introductory program Saturday in Fluvanna...
The Chautauqua County Beekeepers Association will hold it's third-annual "Introduction to Bees and Beekeeping" event this coming Saturday, Jan. 11 at the Fluvanna Community Church on Fluvanna Avenue. Club President Laura LaMonica says the program runs from Noon to 4 p.m., and, will feature seminars for the beginning hobbyist... all the way to the experienced beekeeper. There will be two talks at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. They will also be switched around the following hour to allow people to attend both. They are: "A Year in the Bee Yard..." and, "Making Salves, Balms, and Candles with Bees Wax." There will also be a 3 p.m. panel discussion on the opportunities and challenges for the second year beekeeper. For more information... email the club at ccba1870@gmail.com... or call (845)797-0544.
