(Sorry no headlines in recent days, it was due to a death in the family)
Ohio man arrested for alleged menacing following fight call in town of Ellery...
A fight between two men in the town of Ellery last night led to the arrest of one of them for alleged menacing. Sheriff's officers say they were called to the scene just before 8 p.m. on a report of an altercation. Deputies say they found that 43 year-old, Andrzej Leszczak of Broadview, Ohio had menaced... and, threatened harm towards another person. He's also accused of damaging another person's property. Leszczak was arrested for third-degree menacing and fourth-degree criminal mischief. He was issued appearance tickets for Ellery Town Court at a later date.
Firefighters deal with accidental camper fire in town of Busti....
Flames damaged a camper on Southwestern Drive in the town of Busti. Sheriff's Department dispatchers say Busti firefighters were called to the scene shortly after 2 p.m. Thursday... and, were able to get the flames out. The county's Fire Investigation Team was called in... and, determined the blaze originated on a stove top inside the camper... and, was caused by an unattended stove top burner. The fire was ruled accidental... and, no injuries were reported.
Ribbon cutting and grand reopening held for refurbished White Inn in Fredonia...
The ribbon was cut on the newly-restored, and historic White Inn in Fredonia during an event co-hosted Thursday by the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency... and, the CHQ Chamber. Development officials say the White Inn restoration and reopening was the culmination of a multimillion dollar, three-year effort made possible by an ownership team represented by Steve St. George... and, Business Partner and Executive Chef, Devin Jones. Marcy Davidson spoke for the management team in calling the effort "challenging but rewarding." She says they hear -- every day -- stories about gatherings and other events held down through the years at the White Inn. State Senator George Borrello praised St. George and the others for their efforts... noting that's he's a native of Fredonia and "grew up here." Borrello says his mother ran a hair salon inside the inn back when he was growing up... and his first communion party was held there. The White Inn formally opened last November... although additional renovation work continued through the spring and into the summer of 2025. County Executive P.J. Wendel recalled all the false alarms as a new owner was sought for the building... but, when he was told about St. George's interest... he was excited. The White family built the home that serves as the core of the Inn in 1868.
Woman arrested in Jamestown for allegedly trespassing inside condemned home...
A homeless woman has been arrested for allegedly trespassing inside a condemned home on Jamestown's northside. City police were called the unidentified location just after 8 a.m. Thursday for a reported burglary-in-progress. Officers say during their investigation... they noticed the woman getting out of the neighboring house through a boarded-up window. They arrested 42 year-old Chelline Occhipinti for second-degree criminal trespass... and, she was jailed pending arraignment.
County Legislature approves motion supporting Job Corp...
The Chautauqua County Legislature has unanimously approved a motion in support of keeping the Cassadaga Job Corps open. The Job Corps... which is one of 99 such programs across the country... were "paused" several weeks ago... and, are to closed soon by the federal government. However... a court injunction has put a temporary hold on it. Jamestown Democrat Tom Nelson... whose been a teacher for 39 years in Frewsburg... says Job Corps has helped keep many from falling through the cracks... and, has often helped supply labor to local businesses. Even a few lawmakers who oppose motions because they're often symbolic and carry little weight... supported this one. Regional lawmakers have voiced a lot of support for the Job Corps mission of helping troubled and at-risk youth get an education, and job skills. One local parent... Stephanie Nick... had a son who ended up at Job Corps... had the rug pulled out from under him just days before graduation. She say he told officials he had a place to go to in Buffalo... however, he was dropped off there in "the middle of the night." Greenhurst resident Rachel Brown says Job Corps has had about a $17-million cumulative impact on the county with 190 students... and, it employs about 100 people.
County lawmakers approve receipt of $847,000 STRIVE Grant...
The county legislature has approved the receipt of state funding to reduce and eliminate domestic violence in Chautauqua County. Lawmakers unanimously approved acceptance of the 5-year "Statewide Targeted Reductions to Intimate Partner Violence" -- or STRIVE -- grant funds during Wednesday night's meeting. Dunkirk Democrat Bob Bankowski says the Public Safety Committee was starting to discuss the grant on Wed., June 18... when the Public Safety director's radio went off for the officer-involved shooting in the town of Mina... which involved a domestic dispute between 66 year-old Mark Bemus and his son. Bankowski says unfortunately, Bemus would not heed officers attempts to de-escalate the incident, but, there was an exchange of gunfire and Bemus died at the scene. One officer was treated for hand injuries. Bankowski says four entities will benefit from the first year's funding... and, adds others can get it in later years. The four receiving a share of the $847,000 for 2025-26 are the Chautauqua County District Attorneys... and Public Defender's Offices... the Sheriff's Office... and, the city of Jamestown.
