A rubbish fire that got out of control -- triggering a brush fire -- has reportedly destroyed a home and garage on a farm in the town of Harmony...
Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office Dispatchers say Panama firefighters were called to the scene at 1102 Hoag Road in Watts Flats shortly after 3 p.m. yesterday. The Post-Journal reports that the owner was burning manure and other items when the flames got away from him, and spread to the house and garage. Panama was joined at the scene by Ashville, Lakewood, Busti, Kiantone, Clymer and Bear Lake, Pennsylvania fire crews. No injuries were reported; crews were at the scene through late afternoon.
A city man is jailed for allegedly taking part in an early morning home invasion Monday that's left the victim in critical condition at an Erie, Pennsylvania hospital...
City police say they arrested 33 year-old Dacien Devalut in connection with their investigation into the incident at 322 Newland Avenue. Officers say Devault and others broke into the home shortly after 2 a.m. Monday and hit the male victim over the head several times. He was initially taken to UPMC Chautauqua WCA Hospital, then transferred to UPMC Hamot Medical Center in Erie. City police say more arrests are expected. Officers say at least one gun-shot was fired from a hand-gun during the incident, but no one was struck. Devault is being held, pending arraignment on one count of first-degree assault. If you have any information on the incident, call city police at 483-7537, or their confidential tips line at 483-TIPS (8477). You can also contact their Tips 4-1-1 app.
Village board members in Lakewood have approved a 2018-19 budget that includes a 64 to 65-cent per thousand assessed value tax rate increase...
Village Clerk Joe Johnson says the $3.9-million spending plan was approved during a special meeting Monday night. The budget increases the tax levy by $110,000, up to $1.92-million, and includes a line item for the Lakewood Library. That line-item was increased about $2,000 to just over $67,000. Village officials say the increase puts the rate at $7.98.
One person was hurt during a motor vehicle accident that caused a power outage on Lakeview Avenue yesterday afternoon...
The Jamestown Post-Journal reports the unidentified driver refused treatment at the scene for minor injuries. The newspaper says the man was ticketed for failure to keep right after his SUV went onto a curb near Severn Parkway and struck a utility pole. The Board of Public Utilities says most power was restored to the area within an hour, and all power was restored just before 8 p.m. Tuesday evening.
Local Congressman Tom Reed says he's impressed with the way The Resource Center's "Community Health Center" in Jamestown is serving several thousand local residents...
Reed toured the East Second Street facility late yesterday morning to see the multi-million dollar renovation project, which is nearly complete. The Corning Republican says the project is being helped along by "several" funding sources and, he says the ultimate goal is improved service delivery.
The Community Health Center houses a number of health care services, from primary care, to dental and mental and behavioral health treatment. Reed listened to health center officials, who detailed their concerns as the nation shifts from a legacy "fee for service" to "valu-based" delivery system. He says 30 to 40-percent of reimbursement dollars go to the older system, instead of directly to patient services. Reed says federal policies need to better match up with those. Services at The Resource Center Community Health Center are primarily for the developmentally-disabled, as well as lower-income, Medicare, and Medicaid recipients.
Congressman Reed was later in the north county... making a stop at Dunkirk Specialty Steel. Reed toured the facility with company officials to learn about the products they make. Reed says he was impressed with the operations and hopes they grow...
Reed says the change in trade policy by President Trump seems to be helping the local company and, he hopes the threat of higher tariffs against foreign competitors such as South Korea and China can make a difference. He adds he understands the concern voiced there, but he says there are already positives being seen -- especially from China regarding intellectual properties. Reed was joined on the tour and roundtable meeting by Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas and Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency Chief Executive Officer Mark Geise.
A Panama man is now jailed on one-million dollars cash bail on 11 additional charges for allegedly sexually abusing two young girls earlier this year...
Sheriff's deputies say that 50 year-old Frederick Antill, Junior of Niobe Road was arraigned on new charges -- including third-degree criminal sex act, and second-degree rape yesterday afternoon. Officers say Antill was intially arrested back on April 20th for the alleged incidents, which occured this past February and March. He was arraigned in County Court and, sent to the county lock-up. The Sheriff's Office was assisted in the investigation by Child Protective Services and, the Child Advocacy Program of Chautauqua County.
A Jamestown-area native convicted earlier this year of stealing a gun from a Chautauqua County Sheriff's deputy as she was trying to arrest him has been sentenced to up to seven years in state prision...
The Post-Journal reports that Justin Haffa -- now of Cheektowaga -- received the 2-1/3 to seven-year maximum from County Court Judge David Foley for third-degree robbery. Haffa was accused of crashing his car in the town of Pomfret in September of 2016 and, fought with Deputy Sara Cunningham as she was giving him a sobriety test. Haffa was acquitted of more serious charges, including first-degree attempted murder.
Gasoline prices in the Jamestown area are up two-cents this week, to $2.90 per gallon for regular, unleaded fuel...
AAA reports that prices at the pump have spiked as much as 15-cents in a few Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states. Officials report a 544-million barrel gain in gasoline inventories after last week's decline. Nationally, prices are the highest since November 2014 at $2.81 per gallon.
