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News Headlines for Mon., Apr. 14, 2014

City homeowner arriving back at residence Sunday afternoon helps prevent major fire on Cutting Street...

A Jamestown man returned to his home shortly after a fire started in his basement Sunday afternoon... and, likely saving the house from extensive damage.  That from Jamestown Fire officials... who say crews were called to the scene at 24 Cutting Street shortly before 2 p.m.  Fire Battalion Chief Sam Salemme says the owner had come home to find his house full of smoke.  Salemme says most of the fire was out when they arrived... but, some of the fire had traveled up the walls to the attic.  He says they had to pull some parts of the ceiling to reach the fire and fully extinguish it.  Salemme says the area where the blaze started was extensively damage... but, structurally... the home is intact and repairable.  He says fire investigators were able to determine that spontaneous combustion triggered the flames.  Salemme says the homeowner had apparently been working in the basement... and, had thrown some oily rags in a pile... and, overtime they heated up, and started the fire.  He says the home owner was fortunate to return when he did.  No one was hurt.  He says an off-duty shift of nine firefighters was called in to assist... and, fire crews were at the scene until about 4:30 p.m.


Frewsburg woman arrested for Felony DWI Hit and Run accident...

A Frewsburg woman is accused of driving with three-time the legal limit of blood alcohol in her system when her car was involved in a crash in the Jamestown-area hamlet.  Sheriff's deputies say 46 year-old Amy Schultz had already run off from the scene before they arrived at the corner of Ivory and Falconer Streets about 1:30 PM Saturday.  Officers say they got help from witnesses in locating Schultz at her residence... and, she was initially arrested for Driving While Intoxicated... and, leaving the scene.  However... a license check later showed that Schultz had a prior DWI conviction in 2007... making this arrest a Felony.  In addition, the suspect's blood alcohol content was .24%... and, she was also charged with Aggravated DWI.  Officers say, fortunately, no one was hurt in the accident.


Young updates local chamber on state PSC process for allowing NRG Repowering Project to begin...

New York state, NRG and the National Grid Company are getting closer to finalizing the agreement that will allow NRG to move forward with a $150-million plan to upgrade and expand the NRG Plant in Dunkirk.  That from State Senator Cathy Young... who helped lead the charge to save the plant from being mothballed late last year.  During the county Chamber of Commerce's annual Legislative Breakfast... Young updated members on the status of the project to convert the plant from coal to natural gas.  She says the most recent comment period just ended on Apr. 5... and, the comments are now being evaluated.  Young says the next big date is May 8... when the Public Service Commission will hold a public hearing on a final determination to allow a final contract to be negotiated between NRG and National Grid.  Young also took time to thank chamber members... who worked hard to make sure the county's voice was heard regarding the need to keep the NRG plant open, and converting it to a natural gas-fired facility.  Governor Andrew Cuomo traveled through snow storm last Dec. 15 to announce in Dunkirk that a final agreement plan to repower and expand the Dunkirk Power Plant.


New, high tech control center ready to go on-line...

New York's electrical grid is getting a new high-tech control center.  The New York Independent System Operator will officially unveil its new, $38-million control center near Albany on Tuesday.  Grid operators say the new control center will increase reliability and security.  The control center is part of ``smart grid'' initiative that will match electricity production with consumer demand.  The independent operator oversees the market as well as operating the state's electrical grid.


Jamestown to receive $80,000 more in CHIPS funding for pothole and street repairs...

The city of Jamestown will be getting another $80,000 in state funding to help with pothole and street repair following the harshest Winter season in recent memory.  That from Mayor Sam Teresi... who says the city just learned it'll be receiving the additional funds from the $40-million allocated by the state legislature to help with the repairs.  The frigid cold... along with brief thaws... wrecked havoc on street and highways across the region.  Teresi thanked lawmakers... especially in the state Senate... where the funding originated.  He says the funding was absolutely necessary.  Teresi says the money will come from the state's Consolidated Highway Improvement Program -- or CHIPS funding.  He says the city's allocation in the final, 2014-2015 budget will be nearly $800,000.  Teresi says it's welcomed news because the city's Public Works crews have been out patching up the bigger trouble spots around the city.  He adds they won't have quite as long a list of street repair and replacement projects because more "minor road repairs" have to be made first.  Teresi made his comments on this past weekend's "Community Spotlight" program.