A fire at an alleged Methamphetime house on Jamestown's northside has led to the arrest of three people living there. City fire crews were called to the scene at 57 Spruce Street about 3 o'clock Thursday afternoon... and, as the blaze was being put out... they discovered several items used in the production of the drug "Meth." It's believed the combustable material triggered the flames. City police obtained a search warrant... and, the three residents -- 38 year-old Scott Finch... 37 year-old Nina Finch... and, 29 year-old John Dursma -- were all arrested. Police say they're accused of endangering the welfare of three children who were also inside the home. The investigation is continuing... and, police more charges are expected. The three suspects are jailed pending arraignment.
Jury selection has now been completed for the murder trial of a Virginia man charged with killing former Clymer superintendent Keith Reed, Junior. Chautauqua County Court Clerk Kathleen Krauza says two final alternates were added today (Thursday) to complete the panel. There are 12 jurors... and, four alternates for the trial... which is slated to begin next Tuesday morning, October 22nd. Opening statements will be given by District Attorney David Foley... and, Public Defender Ned Barone. Woodbridge, Virginia's Anthony Taglianetti is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of the 51 year-old Reed. Taglianetti is accused of driving to Clymer in September 2012... and, shooting Reed outside his home.
The resolution to restore full-funding for the government... and, temporarily increase in the nation's debt ceiling is nothing more than "kicking the can down the road." Those are the feelings of local Congressman Tom Reed... who was among the 144 House members to vote against the Senate measure that was approved by Congress late Wednesday night. However... during a special Thursday telephone conference call with Western New York media... Reed again emphasized that he's "all in" as far as negotiating a solution. He also says he's taking President Obama at his word. Thursday morning... the president said Washington "has to change...." Reed feels the best proposal is the "Honest Proposal" that he and a bi-partisan group of lawmakers are continuing to support. In the end... Republicans got little of what they were trying to get with the partial government shut-down... and, the threat of a shut-down. He says the GOP leadership's effort to tie defunding the Affordable Care Act -- or Obamacare -- to keeping the government open was a poor strategy... and, he says questioned that strategy because it was "unrealistic."
A decision to close a regional hospital in January has area state lawmakers scrambling. The Lake Erie Regional Health System announced Wednesday that Lake Shore Health Care Center in Irving will close its doors on January 31st. The move will leave about 460 workers on the campus without jobs. Assemblyman Andy Goodell says he's been working closely with State Senator Cathy Young... who is taking the lead on trying to keep the hospital open.
Goodell says they did not have any advance notice of the closing, although they had heard rumors in recent days. Meantime... County Executive Greg Edwards says he met with Lake Shore's Chief Executive Officer not long ago... and, says much of the red ink stems from the facility's Long Term Care Unit. Edwards-nursing home not helping "their organization...." The health system's board of directors decided during it's Tuesday meeting this week that the facility would close its doors effective January 31st of 2014. According to the statement, the Lake Shore Health Care Center in Irving is projected to lose another 7-million dollars by the end of 2013.
Chautauqua County's top-elected official has been honored with the top Community Service Award presented by the county's Chamber of Commerce. Outgoing County Executive Greg Edwards was presented with the chamber's Person of the Year Award before a full-house last night at the SUNY College at Fredonia's Williams Center. Edwards says he was "truly shocked" to get the call from Chamber Director and Chief Executive Officer Todd Tranum about receiving the award. During his remarks after receiving the award... Edwards applauded the county Chamber for being a "very unique group." Unlike most chamber's... the business group has been very pro-active in taking positions on important issues facing the county. He says the fact the chamber has articulated those clearly, and researched them... helps him rally public support for those efforts... such as the need for state mandate relief. Edwards thanked his administration for making county government a "team operation." He also publicly thanked his wife, Carrie... and, three children for their "support and sacrifice" during his eight years in office.
A locally-owned and operated bank was honored by the county Chamber with it's Economic Development Award at last night's ceremony in Fredonia. Lake Shore Savings Bank was recognized for it's work as a community bank for the county's residents... and, small businesses. Lake Shore President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Reininga calls the award a "great honor" for the bank... and, ALL of it's employees. Reininga says economic development is "very important" to Lake Shore because they're "nimble" as a small bank to be able to help small, family busiesses. He says they are often overlooked by the bigger banks. Lake Shore has five branches in Chautauqua County... and, six others in Erie County.
The county Chamber also recognized six individuals, and one cable public service channel with Community Service Awards for going above... and, beyond the call of duty in what they do. The Dunkirk Chamber's honoree was Doug Fenton... in Fredonia... it was Tim Eades. In Hanover... the recipient was Matt Bogosian. Here in Jamestown... Media One's own Terry Frank and Dennis Webster received awards. The Mayville-Chautauqua Chamber's award went to Cable Access Channel 5... and, in Westfield-Barcelona, the honoree was Nancy Hanks.
