Flash fire-explosion at McDonald's in Fredonia sends two to the hospital...
An explosion and flash fire injured three workers... one seriously... at the McDonald's restaurant on East Main Street in Fredonia late last night.  Village Police say the county's dispatch center received multiple 9-1-1 calls shortly before 10:30 p.m. reporting the explosion.  Fredonia firefighters with mutual aid from Dunkirk... arrived within three minutes of the call... and, found all occupants evacuated and being treated at the scene.  A Fredonia Fire Captain confirmed that the fire had been contained by the sprinkler system with no extension... and, the utilities were secured.  One of the three workers was flown by Medivac helicopter to the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo... while another was taken to Brook's Hospital in Dunkirk.  A third was treated at the scene.  County fire investigators say an employee had pulled out a grilling unit in order to clean behind it... but, in doing so... the natural gas line that supplied the grilling unit became detached, allowing gas to flow freely and it was ignited by another grilling causing the explosion.  They add that safety features that were in place automatically shut off the natural gas supply and put out the fire keeping damages to a minimum.  The McDonalds Restaurant was closed and this fire is being ruled accidental in nature.  No first responders were hurt.  Crews were at the scene about three hours.  It's not known if the McDonald's had reopened.

City teen arrested for holding person against their will...
A Jamestown teen is accused of holding a woman against her will during a domestic dispute on the city's eastside late last week.  Jamestown police were called to the scene last Friday... and, on arrival... made contact with the suspect, 18 year-old James Leonard.  Officers determined that Leonard had restrained the victim... not allowing her to leave the home.  Leonard was arrested without incident on one count of second-degree unlawful imprisonment.  He was jailed pending arraignment.

"Made in Falconer" event helps kick-off Manufacturing Month in county...
Six manufacturing companies in Falconer were featured during the kick-off to the second-ever "Made in Falconer" event in the south county village last Saturday.  The program began at Ellison Bronze on Main Street to help kick-off "National Manufacturing Month" locally.  It was hosted by the CHQ Chamber... and, Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Heitzenrater says the day gave people the chance to learn more about the manufacturers in their community... noting there's a "great partnership" going on to highlight and showcase what each manufacturer does.  Ellison Bronze President and Chief Executive Officer Tracy Hultin says they were pleased to host the event.  Hultin says last year's "Made in Falconer" event gave people a chance to see how they make their custom, balanced doors.  She says their custom doors are on many U.S. Navy Ships... and, were on the ground-floor of the former World Trade Center towers -- prior to the "9/11" terrorist attacks.  Still... their doors are also in the new "Freedom Tower" in NYC.  Also taking part again was the Manufacturer's Association of the Southern Tier.  MAST Executive Director Todd Tranum says Western New York still makes -- and ships -- about $26.5-billion of product each year.  In addition to the tours of the six plants through the CHQ Transit Trolley program... stops were also made at other business locations... including West Main Mercantile.  Also on hand for the kick-off were State Senator George Borrello... Assemblyman Andrew Molitor... and, County Executive P.J. Wendel.  Falconer Mayor Jim Jaroszynski also offered comments. 

CHQ Chamber presents business awards at annual banquet...
The CHQ Chamber celebrated several high-achieving businesses and organizations Thursday evening at one of its biggest annual events.  A large gathering of businesspeople throughout Chautauqua County packed SUNY at Fredonia's Williams Center for the Chamber's Awards Banquet.  Among the award recipients was Fredonia's White Inn, which was named the Hospitality Business of the Year.  Co-owner Steve St. George says he and co-owner Devin Jones, who purchased the facility in 2022, have received plenty of community support.  The White Inn reopened to the public last November.  The Business of the Year Award went to the Bemus Point Golf Club & Tap House.  Karen Kearney was on hand to accept that award on the owners' behalf... and, says it's "exciting" to be recognized.  The other awards went to West Main Mercantile in Falconer for Emerging Business of the Year... Porter-Blair Cleaning Company in Jamestown got Service Business of the Year.  Triple E Manufacturing in Sherman is Producer of the Year... and, the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities is Business Champion of the Year.
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The CHQ Chamber also recognized numerous businesses and organizations for milestone years of service.

City man arrested on multiple warrants, and drug possession...
A man from Jamestown has been arrested on several active, city court warrants... and, allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of methamphetamine.  Jamestown police say a foot patrol encountered 31 year-old Mackenzie Kelley just before 8 a.m. last Friday... and, were aware of the warrant.  Officers took Kelley into custody without incident... and, upon further investigation... found Kelley with the meth.  He was subsequently charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... in addition to the warrants.  He was taken to the city jail pending arraignment.