Jamestown duplex fire injures resident, firefighter and kills two pets...
Flames have extensively damaged an older home on Jamestown's southside that left an occupant and one firefighter hurt. City Fire Battalion Chief Chris Dahlgren says firefighters were called to 52 McKinley Ave. about 9 p.m. Friday. Dahlgren says a passerby called in the alarm... and, crews found a lot of fire on arrival on the first and second floors. Dahlgren says there was also heavy smoke throughout the building. He says the lone occupant at the time was already outside when crews arrived... but, that person was taken to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital for evaluation. He says, due to the duplex's older construction... fire got into the walls... and it took a while to get the flames out. He says there was fire damage through-out the home. Dahlgren says one firefighter was taken to UPMC Chautauqua for treatment and evaluation. Two pets perished in the blaze. He says an off-duty shift was called into assist. Crews were at the scene until about 3 this morning. Dahlgren says the cause remains under investigation.
Jamestown High School teachers overwhelmingly vote "no confidence" in JHS principal...
Nearly 90-percent of Jamestown High School faculty and staff supported a vote of "no confidence" in JHS Principal Dr. Rosemary Bradley this past Thursday. In a statement released by the Jamestown Teachers Association... President Stephanie Sardi called the November 6th incident involving two fights in the school a "tipping point" that led to the vote. Sardi also noted "a lack of trust and support for teachers, as well as poor interpersonal relationships between Dr. Bradley and her staff." The association noted that the 86-percent vote is non-binding and is meant to express discontent with administration to the school board." Additional concerns will be presented at the next Jamestown School Board Meeing at 6 p.m. Dec. 3 at Jefferson Middle School.
City woman arrested during drug bust on Crossman Street...
A city woman is jailed for alleged drug trafficking following a raid at her home on Jamestown's northside early Thursday morning. JPD Captain Bob Samuelson says the Jamestown Metro... and Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Forces were assisted by the department's SWAT Team in executing a search warrant at 115 Crossman St. just before 6 a.m., and, they arrested 36 year-old Wanda Torres. Samuelson says Torres was allegedly found in possession of 27-grams of cocaine, and 35-grams of marijuana. He says investigators also allegedly found cash proceeds and drug paraphernalia. Samuelson says Torres was later arraigned on charges including third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and criminally using drug paraphernalia... and, sent to the county jail.
Westfield man arrested for allegedly holding person against their will and harassing them...
A Westfield man has been arrested for allegedly harassing another person... and, holding them against their will Friday morning. Sheriff's officers were called to the scene of a physical altercation on Finley road in the town of Portland about 9:30 a.m., and, leaned that 30 year-old David Zapata allegeldy grabbed and dragged the victim throughout the residence. During the altercation... deputies say Zapata did not allow that person to leave the home.... and, he later took a .22-caliber rifle from the residence and went into the wooded area behind the house. Officers say K-9 "Drake" was deployed into the wooded area and was able to locate the long gun that was allegedly used in the incident. Zapata was arrested without further incident... and taken to the county jail pending arraignment.
Adoptees soon to be able to obtain certified Birth Certificates in New York state...
Adoptees can soon obtain a certified birth certificate under a new law passed by the Democratic-controlled Legislature. Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the law Thursday. The law is set to take effect Jan. 15. Under the current law, adoptees must go before a judge to request access to their birth certificate. Advocates who have fought for 20 years for New York's law say access isn't always guaranteed. The National Conference of State Legislatures says about half of states still require a court order. Some critics worry about privacy rights of birth parents.
Near record numbers of people expected to travel during upcoming Thanksgiving holiday...
Planes, trains and automobiles will be on move this Thanksgiving... with more than 55-million travelers expected. That from AAA Spokeswoman Elizabeth Carey with the group's Western and Central New York Office. Carey says this will be the second highest Thanksgiving travel volume since AAA began tracking in 2000. She says the biggest reason for the increase is the economy... and, more people are working. Carey says that means they have the money to travel, and visit more family and friends. While the vast majority of holiday travelers will drive to their destinations... Carey says there will also be a big increase in air travel. She says they're expecting air travel to increase by nearly 5-percent... with more than 4-million people flying during that time period. Carey says AAA expects the worst day to travel will be the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
