Search underway for missing Jamestown man in town of Charlotte...
The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in finding a young Jamestown man who was reported missing in the town of Charlotte this past Thursday morning. Sheriff Joe Gerace says they were helped today by several other agencies in the search for 25 year-old Tyler Chase. Gerace says Chase had driven to his parents house in the Cook Road area of Charlotte. He says they were assisted in the search by State Police, the NYS Ranger service, and several fire departments. The search is done for the day... but, they're now asking for the public's assistance. Gerace says they're not sure if Chase had met up with someone... and, left the area... or if he went to the wooded area nearby himself. His last contact with family or friends was about 12:30 AM Thursday. He says today's search was very extensive. Tyler Chase is a white male with short dark hair. If you have seen him... or know of his whereabouts... you're asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 753-2131.
Steady, but, not heavy rain prevents seriously flooding in water-logged areas of Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties...
Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties are drying out after steady overnight rains threatened to create more flooding issues. However... County Emergency Services Director Julius Leone says they had no reports of any such problems. There may have been some high water issues in places hit hard by flash flooding earlier this week... including Randolph... the Frewsburg area... Gowanda and Silver Creek. Leone says it appears the worst of the rain moved through the area quicker than expected. No evacuations were needed... but, Southwestern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross Director Bill Tucker says their volunteers were ready if needed. Tucker says the Red Cross had been distributing Flood Disaster Kits to residents in those flood prone areas. Leone says they were in touch with state officials to help deal with any problems they may have. The state also allowed some dredging work in a troublesome creek in the Gowanda area to allow water to flow unempeded there. The clean-up is also continuing in those hard-hit areas.
Cornell to replace Larson on County Legislature...
A former Chautauqua County Legislator will be returning to the County Legislature to fill a vacancy. Jamestown Democrat Chuck Cornell will replace Fred Larson who stepping down after recently being appointed as Jamestown's second, full-time city judge. County Democratic Party Chairman Norm Green says Cornell will be a good fit. Green says Democrat Committee members in Jamestown met, and decided on Cornell. Chuck Cornell is currently the director the Center of Regional Advancement at the SUNY College at Fredonia. He will fill the vacancy until a special election is held in November. He still needs to formally accept the appointment... and, the full legislature is also required to act on it, most likely during it's May 28 meeting.
