There was a daring, top-story aerial rescue during the beginning of Sunday afternoon's fire that destroyed a residential-commercial building on West Main Street in Falconer...
That from Falconer Mayor, and Fire Department spokesman Jim Rensel, who says one of the three aerial trucks that responded to the blaze at the Falconer Vac-Shop building made the rescue from a third-floor apartment. The alarm initially went out about 11:55 a.m., Rensel says the four people rescued and seven others who lived in the upstairs apartments, all got out safely. The dozen or so fire deparments that responded ended up making a defensive attack with the aerial trucks because it wasn't safe enough to get inside. Rensel confirms there was a roof collapse while battling the blaze.
There is still no cause yet for the fire and West Main Street remains closed off from Phetteplace to Work Street in Falconer. One firefighter suffered a minor injury. No one else was hurt. The building at 15 West Main is owned by long-time Falconer businessman, Brian Nelson.
A traffic stop in Dunkirk late last Saturday afternoon resulted in the discovery of over four pounds of pot in the vehicle and led to three arrests on drug related charges...
Dunkirk Police say they observed a vehicle being driven by 32-year-old Jessie Melendez of Dunkirk at West 5th and Swan Streets fail to stop at a stop sign. At the time of the traffic stop, an officer observed a large quantity of high quality marijuana packaged in large, clear plastic bags in plain view on the rear floor of the vehicle. Melendez and two passengers, 31-year-old Jonathan Rodriguez and 34-year-old Luis Sanchez -- both of Dunkirk -- were each charged with criminal possession of marijuana in the 2nd degree. Melendez was also charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, failure to stop at a stop sign and unsafe tires. The marijuana had an approximate street value of $8,000.
Governor Andrew Cuomo is expected to unveil his proposed 2018 budget later today and the New York Democrat has hinted that it may include proposed changes to the state's tax code...
Those changes would come in the wake of the passage of new, federal tax reform. During a visit to Dunkirk earlier this month, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul noted that -- with the likely capping of the State and Local Tax deductions, the Cuomo administration was looking at ways to respond.
One Congressman who voted for the tax bill was local Representative Tom Reed, who says the state needs to cut it's tax burden. However, Cuomo has indicated that some type of tax shift is needed to help soften the blow of the federal tax overhaul, which puts a $10,000 cap on the SALT deduction for property taxes. The state is also looking at a $4-billion deficit.
New York lawmakers want to know if a new state initiative aimed at reducing property taxes is working as intended...
A provision in the state budget directs local officials around the state to convene panels to study ways their counties, towns, cities and villages could save money by sharing services and consolidating programs. The idea of the program, supported by Governor Andrew Cuomo, is to reduce the local tax burden by eliminating layers of bureaucracy and encouraging more efficiency. Thirty-four counties have completed the process so far.
The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was celebrated Monday afternoon in Dunkirk with the theme: "The Power of Love, Building Bridges... Tearing Down Walls" at the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior Luncheon held at the Dunkirk Moose Lodge...
Buffalo School Board President Doctor Barbara Seals Nevergold was the guest speaker. Nevergold spoke about a speech Dr. King delivered in Buffalo in 1967 and, how the message still applies today. The lifelong educator says that when it comes to dealing with new challenges, it's important to identify the problems. But, Nevergold adds that it's important to recognize the successes. She says it's easy to get "mired down" in the problems that come up, but she says there have also been many successes to celebrate. The committee also presented the Janice D. Slaton, Esquire Scholarships. One of the winners was Destiny Paredes, a student at Jamestown Community College's Dunkirk Campus. A record of just over 170 people turned out for the luncheon.
The late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy was celebrated in New York's capital Monday and, other places in the state...
A free public program was held Monday morning in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center, near the state Capitol, featuring a performance by Grammy and Tony Award winner Jennifer Holliday. Speakers included Lola Brabham, the acting state civil service commissioner, and SUNY Chancellor Kristina Johnson. The holiday events also will include a march to a nearby King Monument and an Albany City Hall carillon concert. Jamestown's annual celebration was held last Sunday at Immanuel Baptist Church.
The New York Police Department says detectives are looking into a man's claim that disgraced former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer threatened to stab him during an irate interaction in a Manhattan restaurant...
Police say Jamie Antolini filed a complaint Friday. He says he was having dinner January 2nd, when Spitzer came in and became angry at hearing Antolini praise someone Spitzer has fought with. The NYPD says Antolini accuses Spitzer of threatening him with bodily harm and making statements that he would kill him. Spitzer spokeswoman Lisa Linden says there was an argument started by a restaurant patron, and that Spitzer initially ignored his remarks. She said at no time did he make any threats. Spitzer resigned in 2008 amid revelations that he had sex with prostitutes.
