Arson suspected in porch fire at Falconer Rod and Gun Club last Saturday morning...
An Ellicott Town Police officer's quick actions are being hailed for preventing serious fire damage to the Falconer Rod and Gun Club early last Saturday morning.  In addition... the Falconer Fire Department is now indicating on Facebook that the fire at the location on Rod and Gun Club Road was intentionally set.  County Fire dispatchers say Falconer fire crews were called to the scene about 3:40 a.m. after the officer... who was doing a routine property check... spotted flames on the porch.  He then grabbed a fire extinguisher to help stop the flames from spreading.  Firefighters soon after arrived and got the rest of the fire out... and, begin and investigation.  The county's Fire Investigation Team is also looking into the incident.  No injuries were reported.

City woman arrested for allegedly trying to assault another person with hammer...
A Jamestown woman is accused of threatening another person with a hammer during a domestic dispute on the city's westside late Sunday afternoon.  Jamestown police say they were called to the scene shortly after 5 p.m., and, found the suspect -- 53 year-old Sheri Hawkins -- was wanted on an active warrant.  Their investigation determined that Hawkins had held a hammer and threatened the victim with it.  She was arrested on one count each of second-degree menacing... and, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon... along with the bench warrant.  Hawkins was jailed pending arraignment.

Ohio man arrested for allegedly hitting another person with plastic baseball bat...
An Ohio man has been arrested for allegedly hitting another person with a plastic baseball bat in the town of Ellery.  Sheriff's officers were called to the scene just after 8 p.m. last Thursday on a report of an altercation.  Deputies investigated... and, arrested 78 year-old Jim Weaver... and, charged him with second-degree harassment.  Weaver was issued an appearance ticket for Ellery Town Court at a later date.

Bouys stolen from Lawson Boat Museum in 2016 returned...
A citizen's tip has led to the recovery of some antique metal mooring buoys stolen from an outdoor display at the Lawson Boat Museum in Bemus Point nine years ago.  Sheriff's deputies say mooring buoys are floating devices anchored to the seabed, allowing boats to tie up and remain stationary without using an anchor.  Historically they were large metal spheres with a metal loop end for tying to an anchor, but are now typically plastic or Styrofoam.  Long thought to have been cut up and sold for scrap metal, they were found in good condition and being used as lawn ornaments.  Past Lawson Center President David Wesp recently traveled with Sheriff's Office Navigation Division members to Erie County, New York... where they located and recovered the long missing buoys.  Wesp was ecstatic about their return... and, says the buoys have been returned to their former display and will soon be refinished.  No charges will be filed because the person in possession did not know they were stolen.

New Chocolate ingredient manufacturing plant completed at Wells in Dunkirk...
As work continues on the expansion of Wells Enterprises' facility in Dunkirk... the company is celebrating a milestone in that $425-million project.  Wells announced late last week that it has completed its new chocolate ingredient manufacturing unit, which is part of its Phase 1 expansion.  Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz says it's very exciting news that Wells is moving forward with the project that was first announced in August 2023... adding that they are looking forward to it's completion.  City Planning and Development Director Vince DeJoy says he is pleased that Wells has been investing in the city... noting that the chocolate plant was added on to Wells' original expansion plans... and he says ice cream flavors will be upgraded as part of the next phase.  Wells Plant Manager David Fiore added, "This isn't just about adding capacity. It's about creating a future-ready facility that can fuel innovation, support the community, and bring joy to millions of ice cream lovers nationwide."  Two new production lines will be operational by October.  The entire expansion project is slated to finish in 2028.

Power outage on Jamestown's westside, and Celoron, taken care of in less than two hours...
The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities is still looking into the cause of a power outage in Celoron and in Jamestown Sunday morning.  Spokesperson Becky Robbins says it occured in the area of Livingston and Fairmount Avenues.  Crews had power restored in about two hours.

BPU announces road closure for District Heat project in city...
The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities is announcing a road closure today through next Sun., Aug. 3, for a significant District Heat main replacement project.  The BPU reports the work will be conducted in Brooklyn Square, located on South Main Street between Harrison and West Second Streets.  Motorists should follow the signs to find alternate routes.  The street is targeted to reopen to traffic next Mon., Aug, 4.

City man arrested after allegedly "mooning" another person...
A 40 year-old man has been arrested for allegedly exposing his buttocks to another person -- in broad daylight -- at a business on Jamestown's northside.  City police were called to the unidentified location on a report of a disorderly man.  A short time after arrival... the victim told officers that Richard Neal had exposed himself.  Neal was arrested for public lewdness... and, arraigned in city court.  He was issued an appearance ticket for a later date.