National Weather Service continues Lake Effect Snow Warning for Chautauqua County through Tuesday night...
A prolonged lake effect snow event continues to bury parts of Chautauqua County under multiple feet of snow.  The National Weather Service in Buffalo says the greatest accumulation reported as of this morning was in Cassadaga, which has received just over 4 1/2 feet of the white stuff since the snow began falling during the Thanksgiving holiday period.  Forecaster Jon Hitchcock says the remainder of this lake effect event will shift its focus from the Lake Erie shoreline to the higher elevations as opposed to the Lake Erie shoreline.  While the heaviest snows should taper off by Tuesday, Hitchcock says it will still be a wintry week across the county... with snow Wednesday and Thursday.  He says the Wintery weather is expected to calm down by early next week.  A lake effect snow warning remains in effect until 7 p.m. Tuesday for both Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.

Local fire and rescue personnel respond to reported barn collapse in Cassadaga-area...
First responders were called out to a report of a barn collapse this morning in the Town of Arkwright.  County Emergency Services reports five cows were killed in the collapse... due to heavy snows... and, about 100 had to be rescued.  One firefighters suffered a minor injury.  County fire dispatchers say Cassadaga Fire crews responded to 2841 Tarbox Rd. shortly before 9 a.m. today.  They have also confirmed that the county's Technical Rescue Team was called in an effort to free livestock trapped inside the barn.

Wendel urges driving caution for Winter driving due to Lake Effect Snows...
With most Chautauqua County schools closed today... there hasn't been a lot of traffic volume on the roads.  However... if you have to be out... driving caution is advised with the Lake Effect Snows still falling in the Jamestown-area.  That from Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel... who says it seems like a lot of people were caught flat-footed by the weekend storm.  Wendel emphasized the need to slow down for the conditions... and, take your time.  He also says check your tires to make sure they're properly inflated, and have enough groove left in them to handle these conditions.  Wendel says... for the most part... the county's plow truck system worked well in keeping main roads clear.  He says they have have plow drivers working two shifts... and, supervisors have also been manning trucks in the west and north county areas.  While there were several vehicles off the road... no serious accidents have been reported in the county. 

Gillibrand announces more money available through both HEAP and LIHEAP...
With temperatures falling well below freezing the past few days across Western New York... U-S Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is again reminding residents that they can apply for federal help to pay their heating bills.  During a recent video press conference... Gillibrand noted that applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program are open, and more than $360-million has been secured so far this year for the state.  She says she was able to help secure $4.1-billion for LIHEAP...including more than $400-million for New York state.  In addition... Gillibrand says New York households "can now apply to receive what's called the regular HEAP benefit, which provides up to $1,000 in heating assistance per program year.  She adds that eligible New Yorkers can apply for this funding either in person, through the mail, or online. 

City man arrested following shooting incident in which no one was hurt on Jamestown's northside...
A Jamestown man has been arrested following a gunshot complaint at a home on the city's northside late last Saturday night.  Jamestown police were called to the unidentified location about 11 p.m., and, learned that 29 year-old Skyler Tritapoe had fired a shotgun at another man.. nearly striking him.  Officers add that Tritapoe allegedly fired anoher round into the ceiling of his home.  Police say they were able to get him to come outside... where he was taken into custody without incident, and they recovered the shotgun.  Tritpoe was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon... first-degree reckless endangerment... and, second-degree menacing.  He was jailed pending arraignment. 

Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame announces Class of 2025 Inductees...
The nine newest inductees to the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame have been announced... and, there's a big Southwestern and Jamestown influence in the Class of 2025.  Hall of Fame President Randy Anderson says 1992 Mayville Central School graduate Jessica Anderson starred in multiple sports... and went on to star at Niagara University where she's a member of the university's Athletics Hall of Fame.  Tennis is represented by 1976 Southwestern graduate Tom Anderson... who was a tennis standout in high school... and at SUNY Brockport.  He was an instructor for 23 years... and, later helped design much of the programming for the Lakewood Family YMCA.  Jamestown's Anthony Barone was a stand-out baseball and basketball player... who has been head coach of the minor league Milwaukee Milkmen the past five years.  Another JHS graduate... Stephen Carlson... was a football stand-out there, and at Princton University.  He played tight end for the Cleveland Browns from 2019 to 2021... and, the Chicago Bears since 2023.  Mark Edstrom starred in multiple sports at JHS... and, also did likewise at Alfred University.  Jamestown native Ron Frederes coached basketball and baseball at Southwestern... and, became a big name in local, fast-pitch softball circles.  In Track and Field... Falconer's Nick Kahanic was a four-time NCAA Champion... and, has won several Highland Games competitions.  Jamestown's Aaron Leeper was a star running back at JHS... setting a single season, Western New York record, with 2,276 yards rushing.  The final inductee is the current head coach of the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles... Nick Sirianni... who is a 1999 graduate of Southwestern High School.