A vacant, two-story house on Jamestown's eastside had to be torn-down late yesterday morning after flames destroyed the structure during the overnight house fire. 

 

City Fire Battalion Chief Sam Salemme says firefighters were called to the scene at 320 Stowe Street about 3 a.m. Thursday.  He says they found a lot of fire coming from the upper floors and attic areas. 

 

Salemme says it took crews about two-hours to bring the flames under control, mainly due to safety issues.  He says they had to protect two nearby homes from exposure damage.  Salemme says there was some minor damage to one.

 

Salemme says no one was hurt in fighting the blaze and, an off-shift of 12 firefighters and a shift commander was called in.  He says firefighters were there until about 1 p.m. Thursday.  The cause is under investigation. 

 

A city man is recovering from a minor stab wound following an altercation involving two other men on Jamestown's southside Wednesday night. 

 

City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says the 21 year-old victim was stabbed during the attack in front of 125 Sampson Street shortly after 7:30 PM.  However, Samuelson says the victim was targeted.  He was treated at UPMC Chautauqua WCA Hospital for his wound. 

 

Samuelson adds the victim is not cooperating and, the two suspects are at-large.  If you have any information, call the JPD tips-line at 483-TIPS (8477).  You can also leave a message at their Tips 411 phone app.

 

Today is the last day of open enrollment for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act for 2018, a deadline even those with insurance should heed.

 

The open-enrollment window was cut in half this year and the federal budget for advertising it was slashed by 90-percent. But Scott Mulhauser, with Consumers for Quality Care, points out that despite efforts to repeal the program, it's still working.  And, it's important for everyone who needs insurance and those already in the marketplace to look at what's available.

 

With all the negative comments in the news about skyrocketing premium costs, some people may believe marketplace insurance is now simply unaffordable.  Mulhauser acknowledges that costs have gone up but, he adds subsidies have also gone up in some places.  Navigators are available to help consumers pick the right plan. 

 

Mulhauser adds that some policies may change their prescription plans, their co-pay or co-insurance requirements.  To enroll or change your plan in New York, you can go to NYStateofHealth.NY.gov

 

There would be no closure of West Second Street in Jamestown under the proposed expansion of the Northwest Arena in at the corner with Lafayette Street. 

 

That from Arena Board Co-Chairman Dave Leathers, who addressed city Council earlier this week about the city's proposed sale of that right of-way area to the Arena. 

 

Leather discussed plans for the addition, which would add office space, and a kid's zone area to the arena.  Mayor Sam Teresi reiterated what Leathers said and that is there would be no permanent closure of that part of West Second.

 

The City Council will vote next Monday on selling that small strip of the West Second Street right of way at Lafayette Street to the arena for the proposed expansion. 

 

However, Teresi and Leathers noted that the project is contingent on obtaining that property.  One the move has been agreed to, they say formal plans will go before the City Planning Commission for final site plan approval.

 

The annual Community "Holiday Haul" to benefit the St. Susan's Center in downtown Jamestown is underway and, collecting donations of food stuff and money through Saturdayafternoon. 

 

Jamestown Community College Athletic Director Keith Martin is back at the Jamestown Cycle Shop in Brooklyn Square for the event, which brings in food and other kitchen items to the St. Susan's Center.

 

Martin says they've set up the Jamestown Mattress Company truck in front of the Cycle Shop and, he says it was empty to begin with.  However things started picking up later. 

 

Martin says he'll be having members of various JCC sports teams and others on hand for this year's Holiday Haul.  He says he hope to raise more than the $14,000 in money they received last year. 

 

Martin says he'll be back at the Jamestown Cycle Shop today from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and, will be back there again tomorrow from 7a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

The state Health Department says influenza is now prevalent in New York state, which means health care workers who haven't had a flu shot must wear procedural masks around patients. 

 

Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker says everyone over 6 months old is encouraged to get a flu shot as soon as possible.  He says the vaccine is especially important for people at high risk of complications from flu, including children under 2, pregnant women and adults over 65. 

 

Flags at Dunkirk City Hall were lowered to half mast on Wednesday in memory of former Mayor Richard Frey who died at the age of 86. 

 

Frey served 10 years as the mayor of Dunkirk, from 2002 to 2012.  Officials say a Memorial Mass will be held Monday morning at 10 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.  Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 1-6 p.m. at the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.