Fire in Falconer asphalt plant hopper put out by three local fire companies...
No one was hurt when several hundred filters in a giant hopper at an asphalt paving facility in Falconer caught fire about mid-afternoon Wednesday. Chautauqua County Fire Dispatchers say Falconer fire crews were called to the Kingsview Paving Asphalt facility on Allen Street Extension shortly after 3 p.m., and, found there was no actual material inside the hopper. Falconer was joined at the scene by Kiantone and Kennedy fire crews, and the county's Emergency Services Department. The county's Hazardous Materials Team was also called in as a precaution. The Jamestown Post-Journal reports the fire was under control in about an hour.
Two city men now face federal charges in connection with weapons thefts at Warren County sporting goods store...
Two Jamestown men arrested last year after allegedly stealing guns from a Warren County, PA sporting goods store now face federal charges... and, one is also accused of trafficking drugs. U-S Attorney James Kennedy, Junior says that 27 year-old Tyler Anderson... and, 26 year-old Robert Lincoln... were arrested Tuesday and charged with conspiracy to make false statements to purchase firearms, which carries a mandatory penalty of five years in prison. In addition... Kennedy says Anderson is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Those carry a mandatory minimum five years in prison and a maximum of life in prison. Prosecutors say Ellicott Town Police received complaints from area residents regarding suspected drug dealing at Anderson's residence... and, started investigating Anderson's alleged drug dealing. Last month... Kennedy says police raided Anderson's home and recovered cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, 14 firearms, and ammunition. Further investigation found that at least three of the guns were bought by Lincoln at a sporting goods store in Russell, Pennsylvania. However... while Lincoln filled out the required federal forms saying he was the buyer... shortly thereafter... he allegedly turned the firearms over to Anderson.
Apthorpe says city School Board looking at keeping tax levy flat in 2018-19 budget proposal...
The head of the Jamestown School District says he wants to keep the tax levy stable in the 2018-19 school budget proposal in the interest of keeping current programs... and, stability for tax payers. School Superintendent Bret Apthorpe made the comments after Tuesday night's board meeting... the first since final state school aid wa announced. Apthorpe says, while there was some discussion about a small tax levy cut, he pushed for keeping the current figure of just over $14.6-million in place to help preserve programming, and giving the taxpayers stable rates. He says the current budget totals about $86.2-million... and includes $1.1-million in additional aid.
Reed speaks on Russian interference, and trade with China...
President Donald Trump is very angry after the FBI raided the offices of his personal attorney Michael Cohen on Monday. Mr. Trump is also openly talking about firing the special counsel looking into Russian interference in the presidential election. But... area Congressman Tom Reed says he doesn't have a problem with the FBI's investigation so long as it doesn't violate attorney-client privilege. Reed was asked about the investigation during a conference call Tuesday afternoon with area media... and, he says he's always supported allowing the investigation to follow the evidence and the facts, and he believes that's what's happening. The Corning Republican also indicated during the conference call that he didn't think Trump would actually fire the special counsel. On another topic... Reed spoke about President Trump's trade policy, and he believes it is starting to produce some positive results with China, especially because Tuesday it was reported that they were opening up their markets to more U-S automobiles... and help protect intellectual properties.
Schumer urges V-A to allocate funding for New York V-A hospital upgrades...
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer is urging the Department of Veterans Affairs to allocate hundreds of millions of dollars for much-needed upgrades at VA hospitals across New York state. The New York Democrat says Wednesday that the recently approved federal budget includes about $4-billion for the nation's VA medical centers. Schumer says he's asking agency officials to expedite funding for dozens of long-delayed projects at upstate VA medical facilities that are in desperate need of repairs.
Documentary "I Am Battle Comic" to be shown, with film maker, at RHJ Center Saturday...
Film maker Jordan Brady will bring his movie, "I Am Battle Comic..." to the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown this coming Saturday night. Brady says it's a documentary designed to help troops laugh away from the front lines. To make the movie, Brady developed some of his own jokes... and joined a crew of professional comedians on a three-week tour of the Middle East. Now, he's screening the film all over the country and always to help a local veterans' cause. The Jamestown show will benefit the United Veterans Council's effort to mark every veteran's grave in Chautauqua County. There's no fixed cost to attend, but all donations will be welcomed. Jordan Brady says there are some hilarious moments in the film, and a serious message as well. The show starts at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Jackson Center.
