Quick work by Jamestown firefighters -- and a working sprinkler system -- prevented major fire damage at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in late yesterday morning. It also appears that all art work and artifacts were saved. That from City Fire Battalion Chief Brian Acterberg... who says crews were called to the Curtis Street location shortly before 10:30 AM. Acterberg says the fire in a second-floor maintenance room... was accidental.
Acterberg says the spinkler system was already engaged when they arrived... and, the flames were confined to that second-floor room. An off-duty shift was called in to assist... and, he says firefighters assisted RTPI personnel in covering artwork... or moving them out to keep water from damaging them. Acterberg says crews were at the scene until just after 3 PM. He says no injuries were reported.
A town of Portland man suffered burns to his arms and hands in a house fire in the town early Thursday morning that destroyed his home. Sheriff's Department dispatchers say Portland fire crews were called to the scene at 8206 Campbell Road about 1:45 AM... and, were joined by six mutual aid companies... including Brocton, Westfield, Ripley, and Stockton... as well as county Emergency Services. Officials say the occupant -- 53 year-old Timothy Coughlin -- was able to escape, but sustained those burns. Coughlin was taken to Westfield Memorial Hospital before being transferred to the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo for treatment. The county's fire investigation team is looking into the cause.
There have been 32 new cases of COVID-19 in Chautauqua County over the past day... as it edges toward 18-hundred total cases of the virus. That from the county's Department of Health and Human Services... which is no longer sending out daily press statements late in the afternoon as of this past Monday. County Executive P-J Wendel says people should be able to get the information they need from the department's new "dashboard."
The new reporting does include the zip codes for new cases, and infection rates. It also gives the number of people quarantined or in isolation. However... there is no narrative as there had been with the previous reporting. Wendel says the lone outbreak they are dealing with is at the county jail in Mayville... where there are now 38 inmates who have tested positive, along with eight staff members. Wendel says there are now 1,793 total cases... while 1,574 have now recovered. Health officials say there are 199 active cases... and, 14 people are hospitalized.
A number of House and Senate members are coming on board in support of the Congressional Problem Solver's Caucuses' $908-billion COVID-19 Stimulus bill. Member of the caucus -- including local Congressman Tom Reed -- held a press conference Thursday to announce that support... and urge others to join them. Reed... the Republican Co-Chairman... expressed his appreciation to the other 49, bi-partisan caucus members.
The Problem Solver's proposal... offered earlier in the week... has led Congressional leaders to talk about COVID-19 relief for the first time in a month. The phone call between Pelosi and McConnell -- who are frequent rivals but proven dealmakers -- came the day after the Democratic speaker signaled a willingness to make major concessions in search of a COVID rescue package.
A late November traffic stop has led to felony charges against a Jamestown man for allegedly possessing a switchblade knife and marijuana. Sheriff officers say they stopped to check a parked vehicle on Route 60 in the Town of Kiantone... and, a male passenger identified himself as 43 year-old John Ferguson. Ferguson was reportedly found in possession of the knife and cannabis. Deputies say previous felony convictions on Ferguson's criminal record made the possession of the knife a "Class-D Felony." He was issued an appearance ticket then released.
The pandemic has taken a toll on a near century tradition for Jamestown High School. The A Cappella Choir will not be able to perform its annual Vespers services at First Lutheran Church. The new director of the choir, Lauren Scharf, made the announcement yesterday. While it was a necessary decision, Scharf says it was not an easy one. In lieu of the live programs, the choir will present two alternatives. One is a recorded performance of some the traditional Vepsers tunes which will available on the district's website and Facebook starting December 21st. WJTN radio will present Vespers broadcasts... taking material from past years... at 4 PM on Sunday, December 13th and 20th. The current and past directors will provide comment for those shows.
