Chautauqua County Sheriff's report a car accident with injury at Route 62 and Riverside Road. The accident happened just after 5:30am. Not much information is available yet as crews are still heading to the scene. They do ask anyone travelling to avoid that area. Again that's the area of Route 62 and Riverside Road. We will have more details as they become available.
A routine traffic stop in Jamestown late Monday night ended with two men being arrested for allegedly possessing "crack" cocaine... and, one with intent to sell it. City police pulled over a car... being driven by 48 year-old Timothy Hopkins of Celoron... for allegedly failing to signal a turn on Falconer Street at Dunn Avenue just after 11 PM. Officers say they discovered the front seat passenger, 37 year-old Daryel Cotton of Buffalo, was in possession of a quantity of "crack" cocaine packaged for sale. Police add that Hopkins was in possession of a small amout of "crack." Cotton was arraigned on one count of Felony third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, sent to the county jail without bail. Hopkins was charged with simple possession... and, released pending further court action. Anyone with information on the sale or possession of illegal narcotics is asked to call the City Police Tip-line at 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477.
Three young Fredonia men have been arrested for allegedly robbing the occupants of an apartment in the village with hammers last month. Sheriff's officers says they concluded a lengthy investigation into the break-in last August 19th with the arrests of 20 year-old Stephen Meyers of Curtis Street... and, 19 year-old Justin Schreier... and, 18 year-old John Dewey -- both of 60 Temple Street. Deputies say the trio entered the home at 42 Eagle Street... and, threatened the occupants before having them lay on the floor. Officers say they took some money... and, a backpack with unknown contents. After further investigation by the Sheriff's Office... warrants were issued for the three men on charges including first-degree robbery... first-degree burglary... and, second-degree menacing. They were arraigned in Fredonia Village Court... and, sent to the county jail on 60-thousand dollars cash bail each.
The Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services is urging residents to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites... and, protect themselves from possible exposure to Eastern Equine Encephalitis. That after the local Health Department was notified Tuesday by state officials that a mosquito pool in the south county tested positive for the "Triple-E" Virus. County Health Department Director of Environmental Health... Mark Stow... says this comes after Triple-E was found in the area last year, as well. County Health and Human Services director Christine Schuyler says -- statewide -- the West Nile Virus has been reported in 10 humans... and, Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus has been reported in one human... with no deaths attributed to either virus so far this year. Stow urges people to safeguard against this illness by taking basic precautions... though it is late in the season. He says once we have a hard frost... that will take out most of the adult mosquitos. Aside from staying indoors between dusk and dawn... Stow says people living near large mosquito populations should use insect repellent -- especially one with DEET. Also... if you have to be outside... wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks as weather permits. The health department adds you should get rid of areas of standing water.
A lit cigarette igniting some combustables is the apparent cause of an early morning blaze Tuesday in a mobile home in the town of Portland. Portland firefighters were called to the scene at the New Horizon's Trailer Park on Route 5 about 3 AM. Firefighters from Portland, Westfield and East Dunkirk, assisted Portland along with the county's Emergency Services Department in battling the smoky blaze. Fire officials say the occupants of the trailer were able to exit without injury. The local Red Cross is assisting the family that lived there with emergency needs.
Local Congressman Tom Reed says just over a year's worth of work on an advanced manufacturing bill he co-authored has come to fruition. The House late Monday night approved the "Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act." The measure was Co-Sponsored by Reed... and, Massachusetts Democrat Joe Kennedy. The Corning Republican says the unanimous approval of RAMI is "great news..." and, he says the move is now to have the Senate pass it. President Obama has indicated that he will sign the measure... which he spoke about during the State of the Union address last March. Reed says RAMI will focus on new manufacturing concepts... and, supporting those in regional centers where new ideas will move from being a concept to commercial reality. Reed feels there are centers... and, people with the ideas in the 23rd Congressional District to make the region competitive for the 300-million dollars that'll be used to help support moving innovative ideas forward. Grants for the funding will come from the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Account in the federal budget.
A long-time elected official in the town of Ellicott has announced his resignation effective the end of the year. Town Supervisor Cecil Miller announced that he will be stepping down from the position he's held the past seven years as of December 31st. Miller had been a board member for eight years before that when he decided to run against former Supervisor Pat Tyler in 2007. He says he felt the town needed to go in a different direction... but, adds he never wanted to be a supervisor for the rest of his life. However... Miller says a current town board member has expressed an interest in succeding him... so, it all goes as planned... that person will take over in January of 2015. He would not say who is was, though the name has been given to board members. Miller feels he's leaving the town in good hands... and, adds he's glad he fought to keep the town police department intact despite criticism over the cost.
Plans to rebuild a landmark venue at the Chautauqua Institution are reportedly causing a rift between preservationists and the organization. The Buffalo News reports today (Tuesday) that the institution plans to tear down most of the 120-year-old amphitheater after the 2015 season ends next September and replace it with a modern replica. The 30-million dollar project will increase seating capacity from just over 4,000 to 4,500. It's expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2016 season. Chautauqua Institution officials say the upgrades are needed to make the venue safer and more comfortable. Preservationists agree that improvements are overdue, but they're questioning whether demolition of most of the venue is required. Lectures by leading political figures and performances by national acts are held in the amphitheater during the institution's annual nine-week summer season.
