More LES on the way over the coming weekend after most recent system drops more than a foot of snow in most places...
We're getting a break from the wintry weather today... but, there's more to come.  The National Weather Service in Buffalo has now issued a Winter Storm Warning for Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and southern Erie counties from 7 a.m. Saturday until 7 a.m. Monday.  Forecaster Jim Mitchell says a strong cold front will pass through late tonight, and a band of lake effect snow will set up across the area into Saturday morning... with a quick burst of snow.  Later in the day... Mitchell says we'll see a more sustained snow from Saturday afternoon through Sunday afternoon.  The higher terrain of the Chautauqua Ridge should see at least another seven inches of snow through Sunday night.  Mitchell says they are still trying to determine exactly where the greatest amounts will fall.  Typically... he says the higher terrain will see the most.  This upcoming round of winter weather may also include wind gusts up to 35 mph, producing blowing and drifting snow.

Overnight fire in Mina late Wednesday destroys Amish Shop...
An overnight fire in the town of Mina Wednesday has destroyed a small Amish shop on Bailey Hill Road.  The Stanley Hose Company in Sherman reports on it's Facebook page that they provided mutual aid to Findley Lake firefighters at the scene shortly after 9 p.m., and, found heavy flame coming from the structure on arrival.  Officials say crews battled not just the fire... but, windy and frigid conditions as well.  They were able to keep the blaze from spreading to other nearby structures.  In addition to Findley Lake and Sherman... mutual aid was also provided by Clymer, South Ripley, North Lake... and, Greenfield, Pa. fire companies.  One person was treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation.  Crews were at the scene for several hours.  The cause is under investigation.

Stockton man arrested for arson...
A Stockton man has been arrested for allegedly setting various items inside a home on the Cassadaga-Stockton Road on fire Thursday morning.  Sheriff's officers say they and State Police troopers responded to the address just before 9:30 a.m. on a report of an altercation.  Investigators later found that 38 year-old Keith Carlson intentionally set various items inside of the residence on fire while in a dispute with another person there.  Carlson was arrested for second-degree attempted arson... and, taken to the county jail pending centralized arraignment.

County resumes taking applications for state Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement program...
A federal program temporarily shut-down during the government shut-down that helps homeowners aged 60 and older with repairing or replacing heating equipment has now reopened.  That from Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services Director Dana Corwin... who says the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance reopened the Home Energy Assistance Program's Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement -- or HERR benefit -- for qualifying homeowners.  Corwin says that's important to know with Winter weather already here because things can go wrong quickly and with furnaces -- something has to be done immediately.  Corwin adds that the program has made some temporary changes... noting that HERR benefits are being offered only to homeowners aged 60 or older... and, applicants must own and reside in their home as their primary residence.  She emphasized that you need to apply for this program through the county's Dept. of Social Services.  If multiple people are listed on the deed, at least one must be 60 or older when applying.  Corwin says all other HEAP eligibility rules are the same.  Residents can learn more by going to may apply by going on line to: chautauquacountyny.gov/office-aging... or call the Department of Social Services at (716) 661-8200.

Gillibrand calls for full video of Sept. "Double Tap" strikes on alleged drug boat to be made public...
The full video of the "double-tap" strike on an alleged drug smuggling boat in the Carribean should be made public.  However... at the very least all members of Congress should be able to view, and review the footage from the September attack that destroyed the vessel... and, killed all 11 people on board.  That from U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York... a member of the Senate's Armed Services Committee.  The state's junior senator says every member of Congress should be allowed to see it... since they all have security clearances.  Gillibrand says the legal memo that authorized the strikes should be made public.  While the commander involved says a JAG officer was on hand to review the legality of the second-strike... which allegedly killed the remaining two survivors... Gillibrand says she's doubious of the memo that the officer was referring to... and, whether it's legal or not... Congress should have the ability to ask those questions.  Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said he's still weighing whether or not to release the full video of the second strike on the alleged drug boat... which killed two survivors who were holding onto the vessel.  Gillibrand is among the federal lawmakers who have called on Hegseth to resign because she feels the strikes are illegal.