Western NY News Now

DUNKIRK – Northern Chautauqua County is among the many places preparing for a weekend full of festivities this Independence Day. The Lake Erie shoreline in Dunkirk will play host to several events for the public spanning the next few days. A 5k run is planned to kick things off Saturday ... read more

MAYVILLE – With many coming together to celebrate Independence Day across Chautauqua County, local law enforcement are stepping up patrols to target drunk and impaired drivers. Sheriff Jim Quattrone issued a warning Friday to those who plan to drink alcohol and then drive a motor vehicle. He says driving drunk, ... read more

POLAND – A 53-year-old Conewango Valley man was hurt following an early morning motorcycle crash in Kennedy. The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office reports the crash happened around 4 a.m. Friday on Route 394 when a deer ran out in front of William Whalen’s motorcycle. After striking the deer, deputies said ... read more

ROCHESTER – A Western New York based grocery store chain has reached a settlement with state officials over a data breach that leaked customer information. New York’s Attorney General announced Wegmans has agreed to pay $400,000 following a data breach that impacted more than 830,000 New Yorkers. For years, Wegmans ... read more

WESTFIELD, NY – Two Ohio men are facing a slew of federal charges in connection with 15 bank robberies across five states, including in Western New York and Northwest Pennsylvania. According to a criminal complaint filed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Michigan, 32-year-old DeAndre Thorington and 30-year-old Jeremy ... read more

By Kurt Martone ALBANY, N.Y. (WENY) – At 2 a.m. Friday morning, New York lawmakers convened for an extraordinary session of the legislative body under the duress of Gov. Kathy Hochul. The governor wants lawmakers to consider new ways to tighten the state’s gun laws after the Supreme Court struck ... read more

HARRISBURG, Pa. (Erie News Now) – Thursday was the deadline for Pennsylvania lawmakers to finalize the next fiscal budget.  The state budget determines the funding for various state agencies, organizations, public schools, state higher education institutions, municipalities and so many more. Over the past week, the halls of the State Capital ... read more

WASHINGTON, D.C . – We have a new Supreme Court Justice. Ketanji Brown Jackson took the oath confirmation and became the nation’s first Black woman to sit on our highest court.  This historic moment comes at a turbulent time for the Court.  “I Ketanji Brown Jackson do solemnly swear,” said Ketanji Brown Jackson during ... read more

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court declined on Thursday to take up a case involving a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for health care workers in New York that does not offer an exemption for religious reasons.  The court’s action follows a decision in December in which the justices declined an emergency request ... read more

By LAURAN NEERGAARD and MATTHEW PERRONE  WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. regulators told COVID-19 vaccine makers Thursday that any booster shots tweaked for the fall will have to add protection against the newest omicron relatives.  The Food and Drug Administration said the original vaccines would be used for anyone still ... read more

WARREN, Pa. (Erie News Now) – A sulfuric acid leak has closed several roads from United Refining in the City of Warren to the New York state line, according to Warren County officials Thursday. City of Warren Police are asking drivers to avoid Lexington Ave. from Carver to Conewango, Market ... read more

App users, tap here to watch video report. ELLICOTT – With many planning to take to the open water on Chautauqua Lake this Independence Day Weekend, work is underway to cut down nuisance lake weeds. Each summer, the Chautauqua Lake Association leads the mass undertaking to make boating more enjoyable ... read more

JAMESTOWN – Today the Jamestown’s Department of Development is submitting this year’s Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), seeking financial assistance to help cleanup city streets. Over the past few months, Director of Development Crystal Surdyk’s office led several community walking tours, gaining ... read more

App users, tap here to watch video JAMESTOWN – There will be a few showers and storms to go ... read more

JAMESTOWN – The Independence Day Weekend is packed with events, from fireworks shows to parades in Chautauqua County. Here’s a list of what’s scheduled, courtesy of the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau. read more

By MARINA VILLENEUVE  ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York will ban people from carrying firearms into many places of business unless the owners put up a sign explicitly saying guns are welcome, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Wednesday.  The Democrat said she and legislative leaders have agreed on the broad ... read more

LAKEWOOD – A trio of 12-year-olds are facing several charges following a residential burglary in Lakewood where they allegedly stole liquor bottles and a handgun. The Lakewood Busti Police Department reports the break-in happened at a residence along Chautauqua Lake this week. Police say the juveniles, two from Jamestown and ... read more

JAMESTOWN – The Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency has received a $600,000 grant to help revitalize Brownfield Properties. The money, allocated by the Environmental Protection Agency, will help fund a Revolving Loan Fund that local developers can use to help rehab former manufacturing properties. As part of the grant arraignment, ... read more

LAKEWOOD – A malfunctioning pool heater is blamed for an early morning fire in Lakewood. The Lakewood Fire Department responded to 2113 Big Tree Road in Lakewood around 5:30 a.m. Thursday for a reported structure fire. Following a probe by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office Fire Investigation Team, deputies determined ... read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Most Americans do not approve of the job President Joe Biden is doing. A new poll of polls shows his approval rating is down to 38-percent. He lost just one-point from where it stood earlier in the month. The President is doing worst on the economy, with ... read more

By Christyn Allen ERIE, Pa. (Erie News Now) – Amazon and Rite Aid are two retailers now limiting the purchase of emergency contraceptive pills, like Plan B and Aftera. After Roe V. Wade was overturned, people across the country began stocking up on the over-the-counter medication. “There currently is a ... read more

HARRISBURG, Pa. (Erie News Now) – A proposed state constitutional amendment in Pennsylvania would let voters decide the future of tax-payer funded abortions.    The process is the only way for lawmakers, opposed to abortion, to bypass the governor’s veto pen. The legislature would have to pass the amendment in two consecutive ... read more

NEW YORK (AP) — A 20-year-old woman was fatally shot Wednesday night while she pushed her infant daughter in a stroller on the Upper East Side, police said.  The woman was near the intersection of Lexington Avenue and 95th Street around 8:30 p.m. when she was shot, police said ... read more

By MARK SHERMAN  WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly three months after she won confirmation to the Supreme Court, Ketanji Brown Jackson is officially becoming a justice.  Jackson, 51, will be sworn as the court’s 116th justice Thursday, just as the man she is replacing, Justice Stephen Breyer, retires.  The judicial pas ... read more

JAMESTOWN – A 27-year-old man is in custody following around a 20 minute standoff with police officers in Jamestown.  City of Jamestown Police responded to several 911 calls for shots fired at 34 Regent Street around 11 a.m. Wednesday morning. Callers also reported a possible domestic incident at the ... read more

App users, tap here to watch video report. LAKEWOOD – Homeowners in the Village of Lakewood speaking out and demanding action to address disturbances in their relatively quiet neighborhood. A group of residents voiced their concerns about illegal activities at two houses on Ohio Street and Pennsylvania Avenue this week, ... read more

App users, tap here to watch video report. JAMESTOWN – News never sleeps, which is why the City of Jamestown is rolling out a new alert system to keep residents informed.  First introduced by Mayor Eddie Sundquist, and taking inspiration from other municipalities, the system will send notifications to residents ... read more

App users, tap here to watch video JAMESTOWN – While the sunshine will return in good supply for Thursday, ... read more

NEW YORK – The two frontrunners in New York’s race for Governor came out on top Tuesday night, winning their respective party’s endorsement. In the Democratic Primary, Kathy Hochul beat back primary challenges from New York City’s elected public advocate, Jumaane Williams, and U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, a moderate from ... read more

JAMESTOWN – If you’re planning on hosting a backyard BBQ or maybe you live in a neighborhood that’s known for setting off fireworks, best friends animal society, a national animal welfare organization, has some tips to keeping your furry family members safe. First, make sure you bring your animals inside ... read more