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News Headlines for Sat., Jan. 20, 2018

Tenants escape flames in Jamestown apartment house fire...
The investigation is continuing into an early weekend fire that's extensively damaged a two-story apartment house on Jamestown's eastside.  City Fire Battalion Chief Roger Sigular says crews were called to 24 Phillips Street about 9:30 p.m. Friday.  Sigular says crews found fire coming from the rear of the first floor when they arrived... and, they knocked down the fire in about 15 minutes.  Sigular tells us the home is currently uninhabitable.  Sigular says all the tenants were out when crews arrived.  However... he says two cat perished in the blaze.  He says it's too early to tell whether or not the house will be torn-down.  Sigular says an off-duty shift of 12 firefighters was called in to assist.  There is no cause yet for the blaze.  Sigular says a woman living in one of the apartments passed away earlier in the day.
 
 
Long-time Maple Grove Coach Curt Fischer resigns amid disagreements with parents, school officials...
One of the region's top high school coaches has left the district where he has coached almost exclusively for the past quarter of a century.  Maple Grove Junior-Senior High School Varsity Football... Basketball... and, Girl's Softball Coach Curt Fischer has led his teams to five state titles.  But... the Falconer native tells Media One Group News that he resigned during Thursday's Bemus Point School Board meeting... but, adds it's a decision he did not want to make... adding he'll have "Dragon in my heart forever."  He says there have been so many great players, parents and people he has met down through the years.  However... Fischer says it's too bad "that things changed."  Fischer says a problem with a "few parents" over the past two years -- mainly with girl's softball -- was allowed to fester... and, the situation came to a head in recent weeks.  Fischer had been Girl's Softball Coach the past nine years... and was head boy's basketball coach the past 13 seasons.  He was emotional when talking about leaving the school... and, decided it was best for his family -- especially his two children -- who are both in high school.  Curt Fischer has been acclaimed as one of the best coaches in modern times in Chautauqua County... and, will be inducted into the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame next month.
 
 
Bemus Point School District responds for Fischer decision with printed statement...
We were unable to reach Bemus Point School Superindent Mike Mansfield directly... but, he did issue a joint statement with School Board President John Novotny.  Mansfield says "Curt Fischer asked for and was granted an unpaid leave of absence from his position of varsity boys basketball coach. The leave was approved at our January 8th Board of Education meeting."  Since that time... Mansfield says Fischer told the district that he is resigning as basketball coach.  As for his position as Football Coach... he says "all athletic coaching positions are posted annually and the District appoints all athletic coaches on an annual basis."  He says no decision has been on a football coach.  Mansfield adds that the district "deeply appreciates" Fischer's commitment, and wishes him well in the future.
 
 
Two people arrested in Jamestown during illegal narcotics investigation...
Two men are jailed after an investigation by drug agents in Jamestown for allegedly found a large quantity of methamphetamine  during a traffic stop Wednesday night.  Officers say they were investigating the trafficking of meth coming into the city when they stopped a vehicle at the intersection of Allen and King Streets.  Further investigation revealed that the driver... 26 year-old Zachary Witherwell of Youngsville, Pennsylvania.... was in possession of one half-ounce of crystal Meth and drug paraphernalia.  Witherwell was also found in possession of Clonazepam and was subsequently charged.  Officers say his passenger -- Jacob Motherwell of Jamestown -- became disorderly and began using vulgar language towards officers... creating a disturbance.  He's also accused of fighting with officers, and refused to get into the police car.  He was additionally charged with obstructing governmental administration. 
 
 
Kreamer says state school districts need at least double the amount of aid increase Cuomo is proposing...
There is a 3-percent increase in school aid in Governor Andrew Cuomo's 2018-19 budget proposal.  However... very little of it can be used as local districts want to spend it.  That from New York State School Boards Association Executive Director Tim Kreamer...  who says.. when you peel back the layers... the $769-million increase is more like a 2.3-percent increase.  He says schools actually need about $1.5-billion to just meet projected expenses in the coming year to cover transporation, salaries, security, and pay bills in general.  Kreamer says what the Governor proposes for education funding is a starting point.  It's now up to the Assembly and State Senate to review the governor's proposal... and, come back with their own budget plans.  He says early indications are that Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie also believes the increase is not enough... while Senate Majority Leader John Flanigan is "embracing" the Governor's increase.  The budget is due April 1.
 
 
Reed blames "extremists" on both sides for government shut-down...
Extremists on both sides of the political aisle are to blame for the federal government shut-down... which began at Midnight last night.  That from local Congressman Tom Reed... who calls the shut-down "unfortunate."  He adds that -- "I am deeply disappointed these extremists, who are refusing to compromise, have prevailed.  I want to assure people that I will not stop working until a solution is found."  In the meatime... Reed says his offices will remain open, accessible and able to help as many people as possible with the things they need such as social security checks, Medicare, or veterans issues."  In Washington... he says he will continue to work out the details of a bipartisan solution.