More rain, and possible flooding in the forecast through late Friday...
We had some heavy rain showers in the Jamestown-area late yesterday afternoon... and, the National Weather Service is continuing a Flood Watch for the area from now through Friday afternoon for much of the region. Forecaster Jim Mitchell in Buffalo says a major weather system will continue to bring "waves" of rain through the end of the week. Mitchell says a stalled frontal boundary has been "hanging over" this part of the state through early Saturday. He says the typical areas will likely be impacted. Most of the region will receive up to 4 inches of rain by the time the weather pattern breaks by Friday night. A Freezing Rain Advisory that had been issued has now been cancelled because warmer air was over our part of the region.
Heavy, late afternoon storm brings high water; road closure to Chautauqua County...
There were a few problems due to the severe thunderstorm that rumbled through the Jamestown-area late yesterday afternoon. The storm struck shortly before 4 p.m., and brought heavy rain that filled ditches to overflowing. The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office reported high water on Mall Boulevard... and, Summit Avenue in Lakewood. However... neither road was ever closed. Route 474 between Booker and Weeks Road in the Town of Harmony was closed about an hour early last night after a tree came down across the road. The County's Department of Public Facilities this morning announced the closing of Kabob Road between Route 380 and Waterman Road in the town of Stockton due to flooding. Barricades have been put up.
Falconer man arrested for alleged "Deerjacking..."
A Falconer man has been charged with dozens of offenses for allegedly shooting deer illegal using a method called "deerjacking" from his car at night. The state Department of Environmental Conservation reports 60 year-old Bruce Giddy faces 54 misdemeanor counts... including 46 violations of environmental conservation laws, following a four month investigation. DEC officials say En-Con police began their investigation in November when a deer was shot on the grounds Bush Elementary School in Jamestown during Thanksgiving weekend. Giddy faces charges include deer jacking... which is the illegal practice of shooting deer with the use of an artificial light. Officials say they have linked Giddy to several similar incidents over a four-month period where deer had been shot in residential areas and left behind.
Cassadaga Valley School District voters overwhelming approve water project...
Voters in the Cassadaga Valley School District approved a nearly $1.5-million water project by an overwhelming margin. The proposition cleared 146 to 14. School officials say the district will use State building aid and EXCEL funding to cover most of the cost and the project is not expected to impact district tax rates.
Gas prices down again this week in Jamestown-area...
Springtime is bringing some relief at the gas pump in the Jamestown-area. The AAA's Fuel Gauge Report says local prices for regular, unleaded gas fell to $3.87 per gallon this week... making it the third week in a row of decreasing prices. That's a six-cent drop over last week. The AAA says the recent price decreases are not reflective of lower crude oil prices, which have actually increased during the downward pricing trend. Falling gas prices have instead been the result of an increase in refinery production... and, economic worries, which have raised demand concerns. The current, national retail price per gallon is now $3.58 per gallon... which is down 5-cents since last week. It is also 34 cents less than a year ago.
