Jamestown man identified as person killed in fatal, Sunday motorcycle accident in city...
A city man has died from injuries suffered in a motorcycle crash on Jamestown's southside early Sunday afternoon. City police say they were called to the area of Barrett and McKinley Avenues for an accident involving the lone motorcycle. Officers say they identified the operator as 35 year-old Benny Salva... and, say he lost control of the bike, and it crashed into a tree. Police say Jamestown fire rescuers and Chautauqua County EMS attempted life saving measures... but, Salva died at the scene. The investigation is ongoing with the help of the county's Accident Reconstruction Team and the County Coroner's Office.
Long-time Ben Weitsman employee arrested for theft or more than $1-Mill from the company...
A long-time employee of a scrap metal recycling business on Jamestown's westside has been arrested for allegedly stealing more than $1-million from the company the past decade. City police arrested 60 year-old Paul Weinstein Monday morning on one count of first-degree grand larceny following a joint investigation with the Chautauqua County District Attorneys' Office. They allege that Weinstein took in excess of $1-million from Ben Weitsman of Jamestown on West 6th Street... and, he may hae also taken several million dollars more from the business. He was arraigned in City Court this morning... and, is jailed on $50,000 cash bail... or $100,000 property bond.
Water testing begins today in Fredonia...
Turbidity levels in the Fredonia Water System have leveled out, and it has now entered the required testing phase. The announcement was made Monday morning on the Fredonia Office of Emergency Management Facebook page. It comes as Fredonia water customers remain under a boil water order until further notice. Two consecutive days of negative test results are required by the Chautauqua County Health Department in order for the boil order to be lifted. Two more water distribution events are planned from 12 Noon to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at the Fredonia Fire Department.
Chautauqua County Fair to begin 142nd edition Tuesday, July 15...
The 142nd annual Chautauqua County Fair gets underway Tuesday... and, final preparations are being made for the yearly celebration of fun, food and farming. The fair begins tomorrow -- Tuesday, July 15 -- and runs through Sunday, July 20. County Fair Association President Linda Lanphere, says there will be plenty of activity throughout the course of the week, which officially begins with the traditional firing of their Civil War-era cannon with dignitaries on hand... and, then they'll move onto the dedicatiion of their new Conservation building. The main events will take place at the Fair's Grandstand. Lanphere says this year's lineup includes two demolition derbies, a truck and tractor pull, and a monster truck show. She says the demo derbies will take place on Tuesday and Sunday. On Wednesday, they'll have Figure-8 racing. The Monster Truck Show will be held on Saturday night. Lanphere adds that New Jersey-based Amusements of America will provide the rides on the midway for the second year in a row... and, they'll be bringing in some new rides this year. She says new attractions at the fair will include the new Conservation and Education Center, tin smithing shows, and several new activities at Floral Hall. Advance sale tickets are available for $10 at several locations throughout the county through Monday, gate admission is $15 starting Tuesday.
Sheriff's Office investigating pair of car fires in Cherry Creek...
Chautauqua County Sheriff's investigators are looking into two reported vehicle fires in the town of Cherry Creek early Sunday morning that appear to have been deliberately set. Deputies say Cherry Creek firefighters were called to the scene on Dredge Ditch Road shortly after 6 a.m., and, were later joined by the county's Fire Investigation Team. Officers say the investigation found that the two unoccupied vehicle fires were incendiary in nature. The investigation is ongoing by the Sheriff's Office... along with Jamestown police... the Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit... and, the Cherry Creek Fire Department.
Bemus Point man arrested in town of Ellery following raid on drug and weapons charges...
A Bemus Point man has been arrested following a raid on a trailer home at the High Acres Mobile Home Park in the town of Ellery last Friday. Sheriff's officers say narcotics investigators with their office, and the Jamestown Police Department, executed a search warrant at 28 Second Street just before 1 p.m. Deputies say they found 36 year-old Franklin Matteson III when they arrived.... they also seized 28.7 grams of fentanyl, 1 gram of crack cocaine, a loaded .40 calibur Glock handgun, nine high-capacity magazines, scales used for the sale and distribution of narcotics and $190 in cash. Matteson was charged with three counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia... criminal possession of a firearm and nine counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was taken to the County Jail pending centralized arraignment. Nayone with information on suspicious or narcotics-related activity in their area should call the Sheriff's Office Narcotics Investigators Tip line at either 1-800-344-8702 or 664-2420... or for the Jamestown Police Department Tip line,,. call 483-8477.
