Six arrested following drug raid in Fredonia...
Six north county residents have been arrested during an early morning raid Thursday in the village of Fredonia that uncovered a large amount of Fentanyl... and, firearms.  Sheriff's officers say their department... along with Fredonia, Dunkirk and Jamestown Police... executed a search warrant at 166 Newton St. just before 5:30 a.m.  The six people inside were 26 year-old Faith Grisanti of Dunkirk... along with 27 year-old Dakota Cordell... 34 year-old Brett Plucinski... 36 year-old Joseph Culmo... and 31 year-old Nicholas Culmo and 63 year-old Richard Culmo -- all of Fredonia.  During the search... investigators say they also found 81.8-grams of fentanyl... six handguns, one rifle...  50 suboxone strips, a quantity of Oxycodone, scales and packaging material for the sale and distribution of narcotics.  They also found $6,170 in cash.  Police say Cordell, Grisanti, Plucinski, Joseph Culmo and Nicholas Culmo were all charged with two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia.  Cordell is also charged with fourth-degree criminal Possession of a Weapon... and, on three arrest warrants.  Joseph Culmo also had an arrest warrant from Fredonia Village Court... and, Richard Culmo was charged with first-degree criminal nuisance.  He was released with an appearance ticket... the others were all taken to the county jail pending centralized arraignment.  Anyone with information on suspicious criminal or illegal drug activity is asked to call the Sheriff's Department tip line at 1-800-344-8702 or 716-664-2420.  For the JPD Tip line call 483-8477.

Schmidt mainly blames illegal drug trade for recent spat of shootings in city, and county...
Monday's shooting at the EconoLodge in Fredonia was the fifth one in Chautauqua County in less than a week... and the third one resulting in serious injury or death.  And... the county's top prosecutor says the "proliferation" of illegal firearms into local communities is something law enforcement is very concerned about.  District Attorney Jason Schmidt says it's a "huge" public safety issue.  Schmidt says years ago, most of these conflicts would have resulted in a street fight.  However... more and more of those arguments have turned to the use of guns.  Schmidt says there are a lot of reasons behind it, but one reason he highlighted in particular was narcotics trafficking... and, he says there's lots of it going on across the country.  Schmidt adds that with just the five recent shootings alone, his office has been "operating on very little sleep."  The other four shooting incidents in the county in the past week included three in Jamestown and one in Dunkirk. 

Olean woman arrested for allegedly collecting $30,000 public assistance benefits...
An Olean woman has been arrested on several charges after allegedly receiving more than $30,000 in public assistance benefits and not reporting income and the make-up of her household.  Cattaraugus County Sheriff's officers say they arrested 26 year-old Lindsay Gardner of Promised Land Road this week on charges including: third-degree grand larceny... third-degree welfare fraud... and, 15 counts of first-degree, Felony offering a false instrument for filing.  Deputies say county Social Services investigators found that Gardner had fraudulently received $30,678 dollars in SNAP and Home Heating Assistance benefits.  She was processed and issued appearance tickets for Olean City Court next month.

House fire in Lakewood ruled accidental...
A clogged dryer vent in the laundry room is now listed as the cause of a house fire in the village of Lakewood Tuesday afternoon.  Chautauqua County Fire Dispatchers say Lakewood firefighters were called to 135 West Summit Ave. about 3:30 p.m.  Officials say the flames were knocked down in about 15 minutes... and, the fire was out about 20 to 30 minutes later.  Everyone got out of the home safely... and, no injuries were reported.  There was interior damage done to the home.  Mututal aid was called in from Busti, Ashville, and Celoron.  County Emergency Services and the the county's Fire Investigation Team were also called in. 

City man arrested for damaging several vehicles used for eastside businesses fleet...
A Jamestown man was arrested late last week after allegedly damaging several fleet vehicles belonging to a business on the city's eastside.  Jamestown police were called to the unidentified location just after 9 p.m. last Thursday on a report of a man destroying property.  Officers investigated... and, say they learned that 43 year-old Allan Broadwater was the suspect.  Broadwater was later located... and, arrested on one count of second-degree criminal mischief.  He was jailed pending arraignment.

County Chamber announces Congressional Luncheon to be held in Dunkirk on Oct. 3...
Chautauqua County's representative in Washington, D-C will be making a visit to the Dunkirk area this Fall for one of CHQ Chamber's major annual events.  Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Heitzenrater says Congressman Nick Langworthy will be the guest at the Chamber's Congressional Luncheon.  Heitzenrater says the event will take place on Thursday, Oct. 3 at Shorewood Country Club.  He says it'll begin at 12 Noon, and allows chamber members to learn more about what's taking place in Washington.  While registration details have not been finalized yet, Heitzenrater says the luncheon is open to the community and will provide an opportunity to ask Langworthy questions once the program is open to querries from the floor.  He says the luncheon is part of CHQ Chamber's Legislative Series.