A winter storm that has a bull's eye on the Northeast has brought several inches of snow to the Jamestown-area... but, some persistant snow areas may wind up with about a foot of new snow. That snow is being followed, though, by bitterly cold temperatures with blustery conditions that will drop the wind chill factor to minus-15 to 20-below zero at times. Forcaster Bill Hibbert in Buffalo says the winds will become stronger later in the day... and, that will cause blowing and drifting snow. Hibbert says that will make driving difficult. Be sure to dress warmly. The bitterly cold wind chills will pose a risk for frost bite and hypothermia for anyone outside, even for short periods of time.
Jamestown city plow crews have been working hard to keep up with the snowfall since late New Year's Eve. That from Public Works Director Jeff Lehman... who adds that the colder temperatures of the past couple of days have made roads more slippery. Lehman says... in addition to the snow... they've also been battling vehicles that aren't parked in the right place. Lehman says alternate parking rules... which take effect at 10 AM each morning during the Winter... aren't being adhered to the way they should be. Lehman says vehicles should be moved to the odd-numbered side of the street on odd-numbered days... and, the even side on even-numbered days. He and city police adds that parking on downtown streets is strictly prohibited between the hours of 2 AM and 7 AM each day... unless otherwise noted... to allow for effective snow removal from public parking areas.
A Jamestown man has been arrested for an alleged New Year's night break-in... and, pulling a knife on a resident on Barrows Street. City police were called to the scene at 163 Barrows about 10:30 PM... and, quickly learned that 24 year-old Mario Adams was the suspect involved. They accuse Adams of breaking in the door... and, holding the knife to the throat of the victim with children close by. Officers say he ran off before they arrived... and, the JPD K-9 Mitchell was called in. The dog track Adams to a home at 174-and-a-half Barrows Street... where he was arrested without incident. He was arraigned on several charges... including first-degree burglary... second-degree menacing... and, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Adams was then sent to the county jail without bail.
Dunkirk police have now identified a suspect in their investigation into a shooting incident early New Year's Day in the 400-block of Swan Street. Officers say 24 year old Traiquane (Tray-quan) Nance of Dunkirk was the alleged shooter. Dunkirk Police Chief David Ortolano says police were called to the scene about 4 AM... and, found a male victim with a single gunshot wound to the hip. Police say the unidentified victim was not seriously wounded... but, the case remains on-going. Ortolano says the victim was treated at the scene... and, taken to Brooks Hospital where he was treated and released for a "non-life threatening" wound. Police are asking for the public's help in locating Nance... who they say should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who sees him or knows of his whereabouts is encouraged to call Dunkirk Police at 366-2266... or their confidential tip-line at 363-0313.
Governor Andrew Cuomo New Year's Day pardoned three men he says deserve a second chance without criminal records. Seymour Hunter of Manhattan, convicted in 1994 of attempted drug sale, finished rehab and probation and for 12 years has worked at a nonprofit housing elderly, low-income professionals and people fighting HIV. A permanent U.S. resident, the 70-year-old seeks citizenship. Gerardo Alvarez of Lake Peekskill, convicted in 2002 of drug possession, also seeks citizenship. The 49-year-old, married to a U.S. citizen since 1986, has two children in college, held the same job for 25 years and is active in his church. Rocco Paciello, of Clinton, was convicted in 1988 of statutory rape for sex with his 15-year-old girlfriend. They later married, raising two children. He retired from the military in 2007.
Just over a year after the former AFA Foods plant in Ashville closed down... county officials were able to work out a deal to sell the facililty to a new food processor in last October of 2013. The purchase of the Route 474 property in the town of Harmony to Empire Specialty Cheese Company was our 4th big story of the year. County Economic Development officials... and, the owners of Empire Specialty Cheese Company... were on hand to announce Empire's purchase of the 80-thousand square foot building. Former County Executive Greg Edwards... who had been criticized for not sealing an earlier deal for a pet food maker to move in... said he was "thrilled" to announce the news. County Economic Development... and, Industrial Development Director Bill Daly... said they received help from the Empire State Development agency.... and, Office of Community Renewal to get the deal in place. Daly says the project to convert the building to a cheese factory will cost about 6.37-million dollars. Empire Specialty Cheese owners Jerry and Tony Matese were on hand for the announcement... and expressed their excitement over the larger location... and, being able to expand their current line of two cheeses.
