An 8-year-old Amish boy suffered a gunshot wound to the chest this morning in Leon when one of his brothers accidentally shot a .22-caliber gun at him while they were playing at 8:30 Thursdady morning, according to Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Capt. Robert Buchhardt. The Buffalo News reports that the child, who is in stable condition, was rushed by ambulance to Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk and was expected to be transferred to either Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo or to Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. Four brothers were playing in their house and one of them picked up a loaded .22-caliber gun and shot his brother in the chest, the captain said. Detectives are doing interviews with the boys, but it appears to be accidental. He said he did not know, at this point, if the gun involved was a rifle or handgun.
Our early cold and snowy weather may allow for an earlier than usual opening for Chautauqua County's snomobile trails. That from Bemus Point's Bryce Steffan... a snowmobile enthusiast who also owns Chautauqua Lake Snowmobile Services. Steffan says most of the county's five snowmobile clubs are working towards opening next Wednesday, December 18th. Last year... Steffan says they started late and conditions were spotty. The year before that -- there was no season. That's no small task. Steffan says the county is continually adding to the current 550-miles of trails that local property owners allow the clubs to use. He says about 90-percent of the land they use belongs to local land owners. However... snowmobile enthusiasts would like to see more snow on the ground to make for optimal conditions. Steffan adds the economic impact of snowmobiling in Chautauqua County is about 13-million dollars. Steffan says the county will also be featured in 'Snow Board' magazine next month.
After digging out from one lake effect snow event... northern Chautauqua County has again been feeling the effects of another. The National Weather Service is continuing a Lake Effect Snow Warning for Chautauqua, Northern Cattaraugus and Southern Erie counties until 1 PM today. A band of moderate to heavy lake effect snow moved across the region Thursday. Forecaster Dan Kelly with the National Weather Service says the band was to possibly move into Buffalo this afternoon. The weather service has also issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 6 AM Saturday to 6 AM Sunday. Here in the Jamestown-area... we'll see a little more snow... but, continued cold temperatures, and blustery conditions.
Chautauqua County is in line for a significant share of the nearly 61-million dollars the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council is getting through the third-round of the state's Economic Development Council initiative. We have learned from the state that several north and south counties initiatives were funded... including one-million dollars for modernizing water infrastructure to help industrial businesses improve efficiency. Acting County Executive Steve Abdella says that's largest award for one project. The city of Dunkirk will also receive a good share of the funding -- 970-thousand dollars for the rebuilding of the Lakefront Boulevard Seawall. The Greater Jamestown Riverwalk project is receiving just under half-a-million dollars... and the village of Celoron is getting nearly 84-thousand dollars for improvements to Lucille Ball Memorial Park.
The Media One Group of stations is hosting a first-ever "virtual" chance for employers to connect with job seekers... starting in early January. In addition... the "Media One Online Career Expo" is not just for people who are in need of a job... but, those who would like to explore other career options. That from Media One's Director of Operations and Programming, Andrew Hill, who says people are "busy" in this day and age... and, this is a 'unique way' for people to avoid the stress of having to prepare for an actual job fair. Hill says Media One is welcoming local employers to post their current... or upcoming openings by no later than this Sunday, December 15th. He says there is no cost to the employer. Hill says... if you run a business... and, would like to post one or more job openings... you just go -- on-line -- to Radiojamestown-dot-COM. He says there's a form you need to complete that includes the job description... or descriptions. Hill says... if you have any problems... call him here at Media One at 487-1151.
The annual Carol Sing sponsored by the Allen Park Women's Club has moved to a new night. Club Co-President Shannon Neubauer says it'll be tonight from 6 to 8 PM, near the Allen Park Pavillion on West Virginia Boulevard. The highlight of the event is singing around a bonfire. Neubauer says Jamestown High School Acappella Choir Director Norm Lydell will lead the caroling with the Choir's Madrigal Singers. Santa Claus is set to make an appearance at the Allen Park event 6:30 PM. Neubauer emphasizes the Carol Sing is free. She says the Allen Park Women's Club works all year to preserve and enhance the neighborhood around the park.
