Search underway for missing kayaker in Barcelona area of Lake Erie...
A search is underway for a kayaker who went missing last night in the area of Barcelona Harbor. Chautauqua County dispatchers say the U.S. Coast Guard is heading up the search, which got underway shortly before 7 p.m. in that area of Lake Erie. The Sheriff's Office, along with the Fuller Hose Company Water Rescue Team from North East, Pa., were also involved. Dispatchers say the search resumed this morning.
City man arrested after toddlers wandered away from home, and were missing for more than 20-minutes...
A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly letting his two young children wander away from his home... and, they were almost struck by a car. City police were called to a southside address shortly before 5:30 p.m. Tuesday on a complaint of two lost toddlers. Officers were told the children were walking in the middle of the street... and, were almost struck by a vehicle. Police were able to locate the father, 26 year-old Natanion Klein... and learned the children had been missing for more than 20-minutes before he began looking for them. Klein was arrested on two counts of endangering the welfare of a child... and, held pending arraignment.
EF-1 tornado confirmed in Cattaraugus Co. late Monday afternoon...
Officials with the National Weather Service in Buffalo have now confirmed that an EF-1 tornado touched down in the Cattaraugus County town of Great Valley Monday afternoon... with top winds of 110 mph. That from Forecaster Dave Thomas with the Weather Service's Buffalo office... who says the twister first touched down at 5:37 p.m., and caused a fair amount of damage over about a 2.4-mile swath, and it was about 600-yards wide. Thomas says for our area... that was a fairly wide tornado. Drone camera video showed dozens of trees taken down and other property heavily damaged... including several houses... outbuildings on a farm... and, some vehicles. The storms that produced the Great Valley tornado hit the region shortly after 4:30 p.m. Thomas add that the other hard hit area was Jamestown... with heavy rains that triggered high, rushing water along Fairmount Avenue... and, around Falconer Street in the city. There was also a report of hail falling in spots... with some of those being 1 1/2 inches in diameter. No injuries were reported.
No one hurt in small fire at home on W. 15th St. in Jamestown...
Jamestown firefighters made quick work of an attic fire at a home on the city's westside early Tuesday afternoon. County fire dispatchers say city fire crews were called to the scene at 11 W. 15th St. just after 12:30 p.m., and, had the flames out in about 6 minutes. There was minor damage. Dispatchers add that fire investigators were called in to look for the cause. No one was hurt. Crews were at the scene until about 2:30 p.m.
Officials at Cassadaga Job Corps, and some elected leaders, sound off on federal pause in program, and possible cuts...
Local unions, Job Corps center instructors and former students were at the Stockton Fire Hall on Monday to call on elected officials to save the Cassadaga Job Corps Center. About 100 people chanted "Save Job Corps Now during the rally... which was organized by the Cassadaga "Guardians of the Hill" union in response to the U.S. Labor Department of Labor's recent announcement of a pause of Job Corps operations. Speakers included Guardians of the Hill President Jake Brock, who said Job Corps is more than just a training program -- it's a lifeline -- and a bridge for young people 16 to 24 years of age to finding a job or career. Eric Pasquale, who is also a purchasing agent at Cassadaga Job Corps, called on Congressman Nick Langworthy to fight for the program that "lifts up working-class youth" between the ages of 16 to 24 across New York State and the country. Former students also shared their stories about how Cassadaga Job Corps helped change their lives. Among them was Triston Vera, who said the program gave him a place to sleep, as well as "food, safety and structure." He added that Job Corps gave him more than that... including how to write a resume. Union representatives say the closing of Cassadaga Job Corps would result in the loss of 100 jobs, impact local employers who hire students who have gone through the program, and harm current students themselves.
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U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer will hold a video press conference this afternoon to call attention to the plight of the Jobs Corps... and, what actions he'll take to try and prevent their closures. Earlier, County Executive P.J. Wendel released a statement throwing his full support behind Job Corps and it's mission.
City man accused of punching another person in face during domestic dispute...
A man is accusing of punching another person in the face during a domestic incident early Tuesday morning on Jamestown's southside. City police say they were called to the scene about 1:30 a.m., and, found that William Leamer had struck the victim in the face... causing an injury. However... the victim did not require hospitalization. Learmer was arrested for third-degree assault... and, taken to the city jail pending arraignment.
