About half-a-dozen fire departments battle flames for several hours yesterday afternoon... but, were unable to save a multi-story house in the town of Ellery. Chautauqua County fire dispatchers says Ellery Center crews were called to the scene at 43-97 Fluvanna-Townline Road just before 12:30 PM Wednesday. They called in Fluvanna, Maple Springs, Ashville and Stockton to assist and truck water to the scene. No one was hurt. Fire crews were at the scene more than 4-and-a-half hours. The cause is under investigation.
One of the biggest travel holidays of the year is now underway... and, local police agencies are urging safety during the long, Thanksgiving Day weekend. The Triple-A estimates about 50-million people will travel 50 ore more miles during the weekend period... just over 43-million will be driving. State Police are holding one of their Stop-DWI Crackdowns starting today... and, Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace says his deputies will be out in force as well. Gerace says they'll also be on the look-out for drivers who may be driving impaired by drugs... as well as the "distracted driver." He says they can be as dangerous. He says it's all in the interest of the safety of the traveling public... and, they want everyone to get through the holiday safely. If you're traveling any long distance... Gerace says make sure to plan frequent stops, and have a safety kit with you. He also says make sure you get plenty of rest before starting that trip... adding that drowsy drivers can be as dangerous as those who are impaired. Local and state police will continue their special details through next Sunday.
Gas prices in the Jamestown-area are up slightly to begin the long, Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend. That from the Triple-A's Fuel Gauge Report... which says the price is up by a penny a gallon this week to just over 2-dollars-39 cents for regular, unleaded. Nationally... Triple-A says the 43.5-million Americans expected to take a road trip this Thanksgiving will see the second-lowest Thanksgiving gas prices since 2008. At that point... the national average was one-dollar-85 cents a gallon. The current average is now 2--14 a gallon... and, that represents a savings of 3-cents a gallon versus one week ago... and nine cents per gallon on the month.
Fans of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade who come to see the soaring SpongeBob and Snoopy balloons may get a far less heartwarming sight this year: giant dump trucks filled with sand. More than 80 city sanitation trucks will be used along the 2 1/2 mile parade route to create an imposing physical barrier to terror. The trucks weigh about 16 tons empty and up to twice that with sand. This truck security tactic isn't new. But... the New York Police Department says it will play a bigger role at this year's parade in the wake of the cargo truck attack in Nice, France, and a recent posting in an Islamic State magazine that called the parade "an excellent target." Despite that, authorities say they know of no credible threat.
A north county man is being sought by Dunkirk Police for his alleged involvement in the stabbing of another man last Friday night. That from Dunkirk Police Chief David Ortolano... who says they are on the look-out for 23 year-old Martin Rubio of 104 Webster Street. Ortolano says the victim apparently suffered non-life threatening injuries. Ortolano says the 26 year-old victim sufferd multiple stab wounds... and, was flown to the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo for treatment. He says Rubio is being sought on an arrest warrant issued out of Dunkirk City Court. Police are asking that anyone with information on the suspect's whereabouts contract Dunkirk Police at 366-2266 or by calling 9-1-1.
Jamestown's largest soup kitchen will be opening it's doors to the area's needy on thisThanksgiving Day. That from soup kitchen Director Jeff Smith... who says their Water Street location will be open from 12:30 to 2 PM. Smith says they'll be serving full turkey dinners with all the trimmings. He says they estimate they'll have between 100 and 150 people to serve on Thanksgiving. He says they also handed out 200 turkeys last week... thanks to Jim and Stacy Rauh with Tabone Construction and Paving. Smith adds they're all set for volunteers for today. However... he says they can always use more during the course of the year. For more information on volunteering, or to make a donation... call the St. Susan's Center... at 664-2253.
Thanksgiving Day is here... and, for many of us... it'll be the first time we've spent significant time in the kitchen in quite a while. The task of cooking a Thanksgiving turkey and dinner can be a bit daunting... but, the U-S Department of Agriculture has their meat and poultry hot-line ready for your questions. USDA Food Safety Specialist Archie Margolous told our Dennis Webster earlier this week to keep four things in mind. Keep surfaces clean... separate... cook... and chill left-overs. While clearning hands and surfaces... Margolous says washing the bird is not necessary. Margolous says when it comes to cooking... the turkey needs to be brought to a constant 165-degrees before serving. He says one of the most frequent questions they get at USDA is whether a bird that's been kept frozen since last year is still good. Margolous said it should be... and, adds that a basic, 12-pound turkey needs to thaw three days in advance. If you have any further questions... Margolous says you can call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hot-line at 1-888-674-6854.
A programming note for today. Due to our National Football League triple-header on WJTN... the Noon and 5 o'clock News will not be heard today. We will resume our regular news schedule tomorrow morning. However... the Noon News will be move to 11:30 tomorrow morning due to our coverage of the Class-D New York State Football Championship game featuring Maple Grove. The Red Dragons face Cambridge of Section-2 here on WJTN... and, WQFX-FM beginning at 12 Noon.
