Fire on Fluvanna-Townline Road at Ellery-Ellicott town line ruled accidental...
Chautauqua County Fire investigators have determined the cause of Sunday afternoon's house fire on the Fluvanna-Townline Road north of Fluvanna was accidental. Investigators say Fluvanna firefighters were called to the scene about 1:40 p.m., and, found that State Police had arrived moments earlier and tried to get the flames out with a fire extinguisher. Mutual aid was called in from Gerry, Ellery Center, Bemus Point, Sinclairville, and Ashville firefighters. County Emergency Services was also called in to assist. Crews were still on scene early last evening. The cause was found to be the natural combustion of oil soaked rags in a bucket. No injuries were reported.
Garage destroyed, and Barn damaged by Saturday night blaze...
Firefighters from seven departments battled a blaze that destroyed a garage and damaged a barn Saturday evening in the Town of Villenova. Crews from South Dayton, Cherry Creek, Forestville, Sunset Bay, Leon, Cassadaga and Sinclairville responded to the scene at 8959 North Hill Rd. shortly after 8 p.m. Forestville Fire officials say they found a garage that had already burned down prior to this fire. Due to the wind, the fire had spread to a large barn. Crews immediately began fire suppression on the barn, and were able to stop the fire from spreading any farther. The house on the other side of the garage that had already burned down had melted siding but no extension into the house. There is no word on any injuries. The cause of the fire has not been determined at this time.
JPD says they have "strong person of interest" in Pacheco homicide case...
Jamestown Police say they now have a person of "strong interest" in the shooting death of a man on Water Street back in mid-October. City police say they also have reason to believe that the weapon used to shot and kill Angel Pacheco the night of Oct. 19 at 60 Water St. was passed on to others not directly-related to the shooting. On it's Facebook Page... the department says Pacheco was shot and killed in his front yard after a brief dispute with at least one other subject. Police are looking for anyone who may have information on the whereabouts of the weapon, and who may have possessed it after the shooting. All calls and tips are kept strictly confidential and you may be eligible for a reward through Crime Stoppers of Western New York. You can call JPD at 483-7537... or the anonymous tips line at 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477.
Whitaker says, even with COVID numbers rising in the area, the goal remains keeping students in school...
COVID-19 case numbers have been soaring in recent weeks in Chautauqua County... but, the goal in the Jamestown Public Schools remains staying open. That from Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker... who says there are only two instances in which they would close... and, go to "all-remote" learning again. On our Dennis Webster Show recently... Whitaker said the first would be an edict from New York state... where the governor orders them closed. He says the other instance would be having an unusually high number of teachers, or transporation staff, out due to illness. Whitaker says local school officials are all concerned about news regarding the Omicorn variant of COVID-19... and, it's something he's watching closely. Back to potential reasons for going all-remote... he says they have had some instances -- especially regarding transportation -- where they've been close. Most officials say going "all-remote" learning is a last resort.
SUNY Board standing by Malatras...
Leaders of New York's public college system are standing behind SUNY Chancellor James Malatras. Malatras is facing calls to resign after the release of text messages showing he mocked one of the women who later accused former Governor Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment. Malatras issued an apology Friday, which was accepted by the State University of New York Board of Trustees. Malatras' text messages have prompted calls for his resignation from the SUNY Student Assembly and others. The woman who was the subject of the exchange, Lindsey Boylan, tweeted late Friday that she's received no apology.
Wilson Foundation awards significant grants to arts and cultural entities -- including Comedy Center...
The National Comedy Center in Jamestown is one of several arts and cultural entities chosen to receive part of $100-million over the next 10 years from the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation. The foundation late last week announced the grants... with the largest being $60-million over 10 years to establish an endowment at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. The National Comedy Center is slated to receive $250,000 of the $3.75-million in annual funding being dedicated to 13 institutions... the largest being $500,000 to the Buffalo AKG Art Museum.
Jamestown Holiday Parade returns last Saturday night...
Downtown Jamestown was filled with seasonal spirit Saturday night, as the 2021 Holiday Parade marched down 3rd Street. The musical accompanyment was provided by the Jamestown High School Marching Band... which led off the 70 unit parade with an assemblage of dignitaries. Patrick Smeraldo was the principal organizer... and, took up the job to ensure the parade would happen this year. He says it was great to see the tradition continuing after not having a parade due to COVID-19 last year. Smeraldo is a teacher in the Jamestown Public Schools, and a Toys for Tots Coordinator. The parade lasted for just under 90 minutes and was followed by fireworks over Tracy Plaza at City Hall.
