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NY weather update: Thunderstorms with damaging winds and quarter-sized hail in New York Saturday
An updated severe thunderstorm warning was issued by the National Weather Service on Saturday at 4:04 p.m. valid until 4:30 p.m. for Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Erie counties. The storms are anticipated to bring wind gusts of up to 60 mph and quarter-sized hail (1 inch). "At 4:03 p.m., a severe...
NY man arrested after investigation finds CSAM
Bemus Point, NY (WJET/WFXP)– A New York man is facing criminal charges with more possibly coming after an investigation by Chautauqua County authorities uncovered child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office has charged 35-year-old Isaiah C. Hitchcock of Bemus Point with one count each of promoting a sexual performance of a child […]
Foundation helps youth impacted by addiction
Earlier this month, clients, members and friends of COPE Foundation 19 volunteered to host an awareness event at the local Fredonia Walmart. “We met so many caring and compassionate friends. We had the opportunity to educate C.O.P.E. works and benefits the children impacted from losing a parent to an opioid addiction,” said Bill Matteson, executive director.
Friday Morning Shooting Claims Life
A man who was shot early Friday morning in Jamestown has succumbed from his injuries. According to Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt, that was the first of three shootings in about a 24-hour period in the city. That shooting took place around 2 a.m. in a parking lot of an establishment on North Main Street. No arrests have been made.
Area police
– DUNKIRK – Two Dunkirk residents are facing drug-related charges following a multi months-long investigation into narcotics activity in the city. On Friday, narcotics investigators from the Dunkirk Police Department and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at 56 W. Doughty St. Located at the residence at the time of the search warrant was Kevin Dejesus-Rivera, 32, and Christian Ayala-Gonzalez, 37. As a result of the search investigators said they seized 13.85 grams of crack cocaine, 2.2 grams of cocaine, 7.02 grams of fentanyl, scales and packaging material for the sale and distribution of narcotics and $971 in US currency. Both Dejesus-Rivera and Ayala-Gonzalez were charged with three counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. Ayala-Gonzalez also had a valid misdemeanor warrant for his arrest. Both were taken to the Dunkirk Police Department to be arraigned in Dunkirk City Court. Authorities continue to ask members of the community to call and report suspicious or narcotics related activity within their neighborhoods. For the Dunkirk Police Department Tip line call 716-363-0313. For the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Investigators Tip line call either 800-344-8702 or 716-664-2420.
Revitalizing Lakewood’s Waterfront Has To Start With Chautauqua Lake
It’s only natural for the village of Lakewood to discuss revitalizing the waterfront at Richard O. Hartley Park after the relative success of the village of Celoron’s work to revitalize its Chautauqua Lake waterfront. The addition of a new playground at the park brings attention to the lack...
Community notebook
PORTLAND — The Chautauqua County Parks Commission will be having its monthly meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Luensman Overlook Park on Thayer Road. The public is welcome to attend. VFW Auxiliary talks donations, raffle. SHERIDAN — Sheridan VFW Auxiliary Post 6390 held its monthly meeting at 6...
Two Escape After Boat Bursts into Flames Near Bemus Point
Two Ashville residents who were boating on Chautauqua Lake were able to escape after their vessel caught fire early Friday evening. The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office reports that 86-year-old Michael Giarrizzo was operating the vessel in the Bemus Bay area and through the Bemus Narrows by the Bemus Point-Stow Ferry with 83-year-old Barbara Giarrizzo aboard shortly before 7:15 PM. Deputies say Michael noticed a clicking noise in the engine compartment and saw smoke, and when he opened the engine cover, the boat burst into flames. Michael and Barbara both grabbed flotation devices and jumped into the lake. A swimmer from shore and other nearby boaters assisted and got both out of the water and brought them to shore. Firefighters from Lakewood, Ashville, Celoron and Bemus Point assisted at the scene, along with Chautauqua County Fire Coordinator Noel Guttman.
CCHS Walk 4 Paws Scheduled for September 14th
The Chautauqua County Humane Society is getting ready for its largest fundraising event of the year. Registration is now open for its annual Walk 4 Paws, which is slated for Saturday, September 14th at Panzarella Park in Jamestown. Registrants will receive a free pet bandana. Top fundraisers will receive a special recognition and doggie prize bag with a value of over $250.
Dunkirk City Schools Awarded Grant from NYS Archives
A school district in northern Chautauqua County has been awarded a grant from the New York State Archives. New York State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa announced this week that the Dunkirk City School District will receive $74,625 in a Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund (LGRMIF) grant, one of 111 issued statewide. LGRMIF grants support a variety of projects, including aiding local governments in managing paper records, converting historical documents and microfilm to electronic formats, and backing up archival and vital records like maps, deeds, mortgages, cemetery records, meeting minutes, and other essential documents. According to NYSED, the grant for Dunkirk City Schools will be used for document conversion and access.
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