Cattaraugus County Amish boy killed in logging accident...
A 14 year-old Amish boy from Cattaraugus County was killed early last weekend when he was trampled to death by a horse-drawn cart he was using to haul a wood log in Conewango. Sheriff's officers in Little Valley have now identified the boy as Neil Raber of Northeast Road. Deputies say Raber was using the cart to pull the log down a hill in a wooded area just before 9 a.m. last Friday when the cart hit something... and, he was thrown to the ground. Officers were called to the scene... along with Conewango and Ellington Fire crews... State Forest Rangers... and, Randolph EMS. Police say they were unable to revive the boy... who was pronounced dead at the scene by Cattaraugus County Coroner Howie Van Rensselaer.
Two arrested in Jamestown drug bust...
Two people from Jamestown were arrested for allegedly trafficking cocaine and other drugs out of an apartment on the city's eastside... where police also found a small child. Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force agents say they raided the lower apartment at 945 East Second St. about 8:45 a.m. Friday. City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says they were joined by the state Police C-NET, and K-9 Teams. Samuelson says they found significant amounts of cash, and an illegal narcotic drug. The cash totalled just over $9,000, and there was 28 grams of cocaine found... in addition to illegal fireworks.... and, two dogs -- one severely malnourished an chained to a pipe in the basement. Samuelson says the task force arrested 30 year-old Eric Reese and 28 year-old Nichole Farrar inside the apartment. He says the 3 year-old child was not the only one found inside the home. Samuelson says Child Protective Services was contacted. He says both Reese and Farrar are charged with third-degree criminial possession of a controlled substance.... cruelty to animals... and, endangering the welfare of a child. Anyone with information on illegal drug activity in city is asked to contact the JPD Tips 411 app... or call the anonymous Tips line at 483-TIPS...that's 483-8477.
Horrigan and Borrello pleased with Cherry Creek voters taking first step towards dissolution...
The results are still unofficial, but it appears voters in the village of Cherry Creek have approved a proposition to dissolve the village. According to the Chautauqua County Board of Elections, a total of 102 voters took part... with 70 voting in favor of dissolution and 32 against. County Executive Vince Horrigan says he's pleased with the result of the vote as the county looks for more opportunities to save money and be more efficient. County Legislator George Borrello, who chairs the County's Regional Solutions Commission, participated in a public hearing on dissolving the village. He believes voters made the right decision. There are still a handful of absentee and affidavit ballots that must be counted. The County Board of Elections expects to certify the results of the vote next Thursday.
Broome County officials announce new shared services, and consolidation panel...
One county in New York's Southern Tier isn't waiting on officials in Albany to act on Governor Andrew Cuomo's proposal to shrink the size of local governments. Broome County Executive Jason Garnar today (on Friday) announced the creation of a new panel that will look for ways that local governments can share services or equipment to cut costs and ultimately property taxes. Cuomo has proposed requiring each county in the state to do something similar. He says voters should decide if county officials fail to act on their cost-cutting proposals. Cuomo says he commends Garnar's decision to look for ways to find efficiencies and "restore confidence in government." As mentioned before... Chautauqua County has had a Regional Solutions panel working the past year or so.
Pomfret fires heavily damage homes north of Lily Dale...
Several fire departments responded to a blaze that involved two houses at Glasgow-on-the-Lake off of Glasgow Road in the town of Pomfret. Fredonia Firefighters were called out to the blaze around 5:30 a.m. last Friday... and, crews found two houses involved. Heat damage was reported to two other buildings. Fredonia fire crews got mutual aid for tankers and manpower from Cassadaga, Stockton, East Dunkirk, West Dunkirk, Sheridan and Sinclairville Fire Departments. The Chautauqua County Fire Investigation Team was sent to the scene and is trying to determine a cause.
Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame induction dinner sold out...
The dinner to celebrate the newest members of the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame is now officially a sell-out. That from Hall of Fame President Randy Anderson... who says all of their ticket outlets are out of tickets for the event... which begins at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20 at the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club. Leading up to the sell-out... Anderson says tickets were selling quite briskly at all of their locations. Anderson says they'll be inducting 11 new members on February 20th. He says the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame was recently part of the "Doors Open Jamestown" open house recently... and, adds they had their largest number of visitors during the event. The inductees this year include long-time Gerry Rodeo Spokesman and sports official Paul Cooley... former High School and college football stand-out Sam Restivo... and, legendary stock car racer Sammy LaMancuso. For more information on the Hall of Fame... go on-line to www.chautauquasportshalloffame.org.
