County fire investigators determine origin... but, not cause of Tuesday house fire in Ellington...
Tuesday's early morning house fire in the town of Ellington started in a first-floor bedroom... however... the cause remains undetermined at this time. The Sheriffs Department's Fire Investigation Team was called in to look for the cause of the blaze... which was called in shortly before 1 AM at 785 West Main St. Ellington firefighters and three mutual aid companies responded to the scene. After they snuffed out the blaze... the Fire Investigation Team was requested and determined the area where the fire started... but, they say the cause has not yet been determined. No injuries were reported.
Quattrone announces new, "Friends of the Sheriff" initiative to help deal with people on Autism Spectrum during traffic and other emergency calls...
The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office has launched a new initiative designed to promote safety and awareness for people with special needs -- including those on the Autism Spectrum. Sheriff Jim Quattrone Wednesday morning announced the "Friends of the Sheriff" which introduces optional decals and dispatch alerts to assist deputies in responding to traffic and other emegency calls with greater understanding and care. Quattrone says law enforcement nationwide have recently adopted the "Blue Envelope Program," and encourage drivers with Autism and their families to put the person's license, registration and other pertinent information to it's easily accessed in case of a traffic stop, or other emergency. He says there are more and more drivers that are on some part of the Autism Spectrum... and, adds this will help with person with it... or whoever is riding with them... to respond appropriately. The Sheriff also announced a "Friends of the Sheriff" decal... which is now available through his office, and can be placed on rear driver's side window, mailbox, or front window to identify there is a person with "special needs" involved. Quattrone says applications for the decals... and, envelopes are available through Reva Cusimano at the Sheriff's Office. The phone number is (716) 753-4900. He says they also hope to have it on their website and mobile app.
New Police Chief for Lakewood-Busti Police Dept., has family ties to department...
The Lakewood-Busti Police Department will have a new chief onboard at the beginning of next month. That after the Lakewood Village Board approved the hiring of Matthew Bentley to head up the department at Monday night's meeting. Mayor Randy Holcomb introduced the measure to hire Bentley who will begin his new duties on May 1... and, at a starting salary of $95,000. Bentley, who is the younger son of retired Chief John Bentley, Jr., has been with the Jamestown Police Department and will end his employment there on April 30th. Trustee Ben Troche thanked Mayor Holcomb for letting board members be part of the interview process... and, adds all four candidates they spoke with were good. Troche added that the $95,000 salary is what recently-retired Chief Christopher Deponceau was making.
Details given on Fredonia Village Trustee's proposed budget...
Fredonia village trustees have come up with a budget proposal for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, and it contains an even greater tax increase than what Mayor Mike Ferguson presented last month. Treasurer Erlyssa LeBeau, who presented the figures during Monday's Board of Trustees meeting, says the budget that trustees are proposing totals about $12.78-million. It also contains a property tax rate that's up 65.3% from this year. Thats's a tax rate of $61.09 per $1,000... and, that would be a $540 tax increase for the average he average household. LeBeau says trustees' proposal also includes an increase in the village's water and sewer rates. Ferguson's budget proposal calls for a tax increase of nearly 55%. A final budget is due by May 1.
Two arrested in Mayville for aggravated harassment following altercation at business...
Two people from Mayville have been arrested for allegedly being involved in an altercation at a village business... and, then threatening an employee of that business. Sheriff's officers say they were called to a West Lake Road address about 10 a.m. back on Apr. 8 on a harassment complaint. Deputies say they found that 57 year-old Larry Passinger... and, 25 year-old Alexis Passinger were involved in the altercation... and, determined that Larry had verbally threatened the safety of an employee multiple times before leaving. They add that Alexis later called and threatened the same employee multiple times as well. Both were charged with second-degree aggravated harassment... and released with appearance tickets for Chautauqua Town Court at a later date.
Two arrested for DWI, and obstruction following incident during traffic stop last Friday...
Two people have been arrested on Jamestown's southside... one for allegedly driving drunk... the other for interferring with her arrest. City police say they stopped a car... driven by 30 year-old Ellen Mesler... on Forest Avenue near Terrace Place... just after 2 a.m. last Friday for a traffic infraction. Officers say they found Mesler had been driving while intoxicated... but, during the investigation... a man operating a vehicle in front of Mesler's... began to obstruct police. Officers arrested both Mesler and 38 year-old Timothy Cornelius... and they wre taken to the city jail. Police say both were charged with DWI... and, Mesler was additionally charged with Aggravated DWI. Both were issued appearance tickets for city court at a later date.
