The Post-Journal

As utility crews worked throughout Wednesday repairing the damage caused by high winds and rain, they were already gearing up to respond to the next potential stage of bad weather. By Wednesday evening, most of the widespread outages reported to National Grid in Chautauqua County had been resolved, with a number of isolated incidents involving 50 customers or fewer remaining. Full Story »

WESTFIELD - Westfield residents saw just how destructive Mother Nature can be as part of a major winter storm moved through the region on Wednesday. Throughout the village and town, trees were uprooted, branches lay scattered on the ground and power lines were ripped from utility poles. Full Story »

Cattaraugus County's first death linked to the H1N1 virus has been reported by the county's Health Department. A news release from the department regarding the death states laboratory testing confirmed the female, with underlying medical conditions, tested positive for the virus before the recent death. Full Story »

Addressing the three graduates of the Chautauqua County's Family Treatment Court on Wednesday - including the court's first husband and wife graduates - Judge Judith Claire saw three of the most courageous and accomplished people she had ever seen. "They are some of the bravest people I know," she said during the ceremony. Full Story »

A local business that meets the needs of its customers throughout the year has once again stepped up to help three organizations that work daily to help those in the community whose needs would otherwise go unmet. The owners of Z&M Ag and Turf of Falconer, formerly known as Zahm and Matson, presented checks to the Joint Neighborhood Project, the Salvation Army and the St. Full Story »

Cattaraugus County's first death linked to the H1N1 virus has been reported by the county's Health Department. A news release from the department regarding the death states laboratory testing confirmed the woman, with underlying medical conditions, tested positive for the virus before her deat. Full Story »

Jamestown's mayor has decided against using his veto power on any part of the city's 2010 budget, which was passed by the City Council on Nov. 30. Full Story »

With an increase in expected snowfall over the next few days, skiers, snowboarders and winter enthusiasts can finally prepare to hit the slopes this week. On Tuesday, both Holiday Valley and Peek'n Peak announced that the 2009-2010 ski season will start Thursday. Full Story »

With winter making its official arrival in Western New York later today, some people are cursing while others are excited about what it means for their recreational endeavors. According to Tom Paone, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service at Buffalo, much of the Southern Tier will experience temperatures in the mid-to-low 40s with rain throughout the morning. Full Story »

The Jamestown High School Madrigal Singers will perform more than 20 times during the month of December. One of those concerts will be in front of a much larger crowd than the others, however. The group has been preparing for a month to join Kenny Rogers on stage Friday at the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena. The upcoming event will be unlike any other they have had in past, group members said. Full Story »

NEW YORK (AP) - Investors dumped stocks and sought safe-haven assets like the dollar and Treasurys on signs that the global economy is still struggling. Major stock indexes fell about a percent, including the Dow Jones industrial average, which lost 100 points. A disappointing earnings forecast from Dow Jones industrials component 3M Co. and a weak sales report from McDonald's Corp. Full Story »

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama has sharp criticism for Republicans, taking them to task for opposing economic stimulus efforts and health care reform while supporting tax cuts and spending that have ballooned the deficit. Obama said Tuesday in a Washington speech proposing new job-creation measures: "It's a sight to see. Full Story »

The Jamestown Police Department released the names of the two men involved in the accident on Washington Street Monday morning. According to the JPD, 48-year-old Michael E. Winne of Bemus Point was traveling north on Washington Street just after 7 a.m. in his personal Chevy truck, equipped with emergency lights and sirens. Full Story »

A Lakewood man is in serious but stable condition at the Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pa., after a two-vehicle collision in downtown Jamestown on Monday morning. Due to the severity of the accident, limited information is being released by the Jamestown Police Department, which along with the Chautauqua County Accident Reconstruction Team, is investigating the inciden. Full Story »

The snow and strong winds that closed schools and caused traffic troubles in the west Monday are headed this way. Joe Pace, meteorologist with the National Weather Service said "a mixed bag of precipitation" will face Jamestown-area residents later in the week as the storm that hit the west today moves across the country. Full Story »

There are still a lot of unknowns when it comes to Aid and Incentives to Municipalities, or AIM, money Jamestown normally gets from the state of New York. ''Normally'' is the operative word - Gov. David Paterson has threatened to withhold Dec. 15 AIM payments to municipalities across the state. It is unknown whether or not Jamestown will be one of them. Full Story »

With Christmas less than three weeks away, Major Richard Best of The Salvation Army in Jamestown in concerned that since there aren't enough volunteers to man the red kettles, the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Drive goal may not be reached. "We are asking anyone who would like to volunteer, even for an hour, to please give us a call and help us out," Major Best said. Full Story »

A two-vehicle accident in downtown Jamestown closed the intersection of Washington and Fourth streets for a period of time Monday morning. A teal Ford Crown Victoria was traveling west on Fourth Street when it was t-boned by a Chevy Z-71 pickup truck which was traveling north. As of 10 a.m. Full Story »

On a day in late October, two women walked into Geer-Dunn, an office furniture and supply store on Prendergast Avenue in downtown Jamestown, and bought some specialty lamps, tables, metal shelving and a paper cutter. Ordinarily, that wouldn't raise any eyebrows. Full Story »

Kenny Rogers fans who see The Gambler at the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena on Friday will also have the chance to see some fresh local faces on stage with him. Five students from Catholic Academy of the Holy Family will be joining Rogers during the concert to sing a medley of classic Christmas tune. Full Story »

FALCONER - Though logging volunteer hours is a requirement that comes with being a member of National Honor Society, Falconer senior Jordan Steele says that isn't what drives her to be active in the school and the community. ''I'm not really good at keeping track of (my hours), but volunteering isn't something you should do just to meet a requirement,'' the daughter of Mike and Cindy Steele said. Full Story »

LAKEWOOD - If the almost free, low-price items available at the retail store Mr. Salvage wasn't enough to entice people to visit one of the company's area locations, maybe a free set of children's winter wear will. The JPDiamond Company, owners of Mr. Salvage stores, will be giving out winter gloves, scarves and hats to children as part of their ''Keeping Kids Warm'' campaign. Full Story »

Government is already involved in almost every aspect of a private citizen's life - why shouldn't it provide youth services? That was one question posed by Vickye James, Jamestown's director of youth services, during an interview with The Post-Journal last week. Both the city's youth services department and Mrs. Full Story »

Keeping at-risk students in school isn't about applying force - it's about attending to their needs and wants, keeping them healthy and showing them the value of going to class and earning a diploma. Full Story »

MAYVILLE - Chautauqua County at one time had 30 different police agencies. Today, Undersheriff Charles Holder counts nine - with the Sheriff's Office making up the difference in coverage. On Monday, the Public Safety Committee will review several contracts for enhanced police services. Each year, municipalities contract with the county for additional road patrols and deputies. Full Story »