Snow and winds are expected to hamper Thanksgiving Day travel in Western New York Travel around the Thanksgiving holiday is the busiest of the year, and snow paired with high winds increases the risk of blowing and drifting snow. Those traveling for the holiday should leave themselves extra time to reach their destinations and avoid traveling during intense periods of snow. A Lake Effect Snow Warning goes into effect for Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Southern Erie Counties at 1:00 a.m., Thursday, November 27 and remains in effect until 1:00 a.m., Saturday, November 29.

The Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office is declining to press charges in a 2024 fatal shooting incident in Jamestown. District Attorney Jason Schmidt said on August 16, 2024, 25-year old Corey Johnson of Buffalo sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head during an altercation with other individuals in an area behind the Wine Cellar, located at 309 North Main Street. The incident was thoroughly investigated by Jamestown Police Department and processed the scene with assistance from the Chautauqua County Forensics Investigation Team.  Between the two, police recovered numerous items of physical evidence, including a defaced 9mm semi-automatic handgun used in the incident, obtained multiple surveillance video recordings capturing the shooting event from different viewpoints, and identified and interviewed numerous witnesses, including people present before and during the altercation which resulted in Mr.

12 new units of housing will be developed in Jamestown following the award of $3.2 million in state funding. Citizen’s Opportunity for Development and Equality Inc., also known as CODE, is receiving the money from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s (OTDA) Homeless Housing and Assistance Program. It will go toward the development of 12 units of permanent supportive housing in Jamestown for individuals with mental illness or those who have experienced long-term homelessness. The project, Blooming Gardens, includes the new construction and the substantial rehabilitation of 18 buildings across 12 sites, with a total of 48 units and 140 beds.

United Way is partnering with Lake Erie Wine Country this holiday season to help keep local families warm. From November 28 through December 15, the twenty wineries of Lake Erie Wine Country will collect new winter items as part of a new regional initiative called “Gift of Giving.” All donated items will be collected and distributed by United Way of Chautauqua County and United Way of Erie County. Visitors who contribute a donation will receive a complimentary wine tasting, with offerings varying by winery. A full list of participating wineries, including hours and locations, is available at 

Students, alumni, and community members are invited to audition for Jamestown Community College’s production of "Biloxi Blues.” Auditions will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 3 and Thursday, December 4 at the Jamestown Campus Scharmann Theatre. Auditions are open to individuals of all experience levels, from first-time performers to seasoned actors. The show will take the stage in March 2026. Set during World War II, “Biloxi Blues” follows a young recruit, Eugene Morris Jerome, as he navigates boot camp life, friendship, and self-discovery under the watchful eye of his eccentric drill sergeant.

The Audubon Community Nature Center and the Blue Heron Gift Shop are participating in Small Business Saturday on November 29 and extending their specials to Sunday, November 30 as well. The center will have free admission, discounts throughout the gift shop, and a special gift with your purchase of a holiday gift membership to the Nature Center. The Blue Heron Gift Shop will have everything at 10% off while current Nature Center Members receive 20% off. Those who purchase a holiday gift membership to the Nature Center will receive a free honey product from a choice of honey or soaps.

The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities offices will be closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28, in observance of Thanksgiving. The Customer Service Office reopens for business at 9 a.m. Monday, December 1. Garbage and recycling collection will not occur on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, and will instead be delayed until Friday, November 28. The regular Friday collection will take place on Saturday, November 29. Recycling for the week is metal. Customers are reminded that bills may be paid by phone or online with a credit card, debit card or e-check.

Kaycee Colburn will be the guest speaker at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown as part of Native American Heritage Month. Colburn will speak at the 10:30 a.m. hybrid service Sunday, November 30. She will present “Growing Up DEI,” a conversation on growing up in Jamestown as a pagan, native girl. She will present a glimpse into the daily struggle of enduring racism, colorism, oppression, violence and other forms of hate. Colburn is a local artist who works with a variety of mediums and uses her art to deliver messages, history and stories on Indigenous issues and to bring voice to the voiceless.

Jamestown City Council has approved a budget for 2026 with a 5.5% tax increase. This tax increase is 2% less than what was initially proposed by Mayor Kim Ecklund. Council passed four amendments to the executive budget. One amendment increased the amount budgeted for sales tax revenue in 2026 from $8,895,847 to $9,244,704. This represents an increase of $348,857, or a 2% to 6% increase over the 2025 sales tax revenue budget. City administration proposed this increase based on favorable sales tax receipts through third quarter of 2025. Another amendment decreased the amount budgeted for 2026 for health insurance by $670,192.

Longtime Jamestown School Board member Christine Schnars has been installed as President of the New York State School Boards Association. School Board President Paul Abbott said, “The New York State School Boards Association is one of the largest advocates for public school students in the entire nation and certainly carries a strong voice within New York state. Having Mrs. Schnars installed as president this year speaks to her years of service and commitment, and is not only a real honor for her, but for our district and region as well.”

The CHQ Chamber has rolled out a Shop Small pass that could result in a shopper receiving a $50 ShopLocalCHQ Gift Card. 170 local businesses are taking part in the pass where customers can check-in while shopping and collect points. When you reach 150 points you can redeem them for a $50 ShopLocalCHQ Gift Card. Only 30 of these cards will be given away. Only one prize is available per person. To participate, get the pass at www.chqchamber.org/experiences and click “Sign Up” on the pass, then go to “Checkout” and enter your contact information.

The City of Jamestown celebrated 44 consecutive years of being recognized as a Tree City USA with a tree planting Friday. Four new trees, including two Silverbells and two ‘Royal Raindrops’ Crab Apples, were planted at the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities customer service parking lot off Steele Street. Parks Manager and Arborist Dan Stone used the ceremony to recognize BPU General Manager Dave Leathers, who is retiring in January, with the Joan P. Shevory Citizen Forester Award, to show his appreciation for Leather’s “generous support of Jamestown’s Urban Forestry program.”

Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care is accepting names for its Pillar of Light program through today. The organization is also offering two ornaments that serve as lasting tributes to those who have touched our lives. You can submit the names of loved ones to be displayed on the Pillar of Light—a touching centerpiece that shines in remembrance throughout the season. Name submissions are welcome with or without an ornament purchase. The Pillar of Light will be part of the Jamestown Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 6. Name submissions must be received by midnight tonight to ensure inclusion in this year’s Light a Life display. Orders after December. 5 may arrive after Christmas. The link to order is available here: For more information, visit

Dancing With Victoria will bring “The Reindeer Who Saved Christmas” to the Reg Lenna on Friday, December 5. Hundreds of young dancers will tell the story of this timeless family classic and remind audiences of all ages that it’s okay to be different. The dynamic dance production features a number of magical holiday favorites including “Run, Run Rudolph,” “Let it Snow” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” The show begins at 6:30 p.m., Friday, December 5 at the Reg Lenna Center for The Arts theatre. The production is being presented in partnership with…

Rora Morealis of Eternal Creature Center returns to AOF to talk all about their new album Gurnsey Gallows with host Anthony Merchant eternalcreaturecenter.bandcamp.com/album/gurnsey-gallows linktr.ee/xcreaturecorex

Take a tour of Scandinavia without ever leaving Jamestown. The Swedish Hour is hosted by Gerd Brigiotta and provides listeners with a weekly opportunity to explore a wide and diverse selection of traditional Scandinavian music. Sundays at 3 a.m. (9 a.m. Swedish Time) and 7 p.m with an additional replay Tuesday's at 6 p.m.

Craig Robbins is a NYS full-time licensed hunting and fishing guide for 25 years. Through guiding he has successfully guided thousands of fishing clients and their families on Chautauqua Lake to their fishing trip of a lifetime. As a hunting guide Craig has successfully guided visiting and local hunters for geese, ducks, turkey and whitetail. Craig first started writing about the outdoors for the Corry Times. It wasn’t long before he then received a phone call the Jamestown Post-Journal sports editor Jim Riggs about the writing for the Post-Journal. That started his almost three-decade weekly column Outdoors with Craig Robbins. Each week Craig shares his insight, tips, techniques and news regarding the outdoors to sportsmen and women of Chautauqua County, western New York and beyond.

CHQ Chamber Chats is a monthly podcast presented by the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce, featuring business owners and Entrepreneurs from throughout the Chautauqua Region to introduce who they area and help to offer insight into their particular business sector. It is hosted by Chamber president Dan Heitzenrater and broadcast the first Sunday of every month at 10:30 a.m. on WRFA-LP. www.1719westmain.com www.chautauquachamber.org

Jamestown City Council members will have to decide whether to bolster the city’s rainy day fund or lower the proposed tax rate when they vote on the 2026 City Budget tonight. Council President Tony Dolce said there was a lot of discussion at the Budget Public Hearing on November 17 about the use of the unassigned fund balance, “Almost half of it being used up to offset this budget. And, so, the question came up as to do we want to restore some of that, or is there other ways to make up for that?

The Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency has approved the sale of property on North Main Street to be used for housing development. JURA members approved a resolution selling 810 North Main Street to Monroe & More LLC for $2,923.81. Department of Development Director Crystal Surdyk said the city had initially took title of the property two years ago with the intention to make it a 19A rehabilitation property, but found the house had deteriorated more than anticipated, “Monroe and Moore actually has purchased the house next door to 810, North Maine, and so the intention of selling it to them is they will do demolition of both properties, and we'll do so they've been working on developing a manufactured, manufactured housing, and so they're working on kind of a model.

“Colors of Courage” will bring world-renowned performance artist Michael Israel to the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel on December 4 for a live show to benefit families fighting cancer. Known for his high-energy performances that blend music, movement, and visual art, Israel turns a blank canvas into a masterpiece before the audience’s eyes. Each larger-than-life painting created live on stage will be auctioned following the performance, with proceeds benefiting Kallie’s Krusade, the Italian American Charity Golf Association, and local families affected by cancer. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour and silent auction, followed by Israel’s headline performance and live art auction.

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel discusses his plans for his next term in office, including discussions on municipal mergers.

The Empty Bowl Project returns Saturday, December 6th to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Jamestown Farmers Market’s Nick Weith and Pearl City Clay House’s Deb Eck tell us more.

The Buffalo man found guilty of killing two women whose bodies were found in Chautauqua County has been sentenced to life in prison. Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane announced that 62-year old Richard Fox was sentenced Thursday morning before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes to 40 years to life in prison. Sometime between 2003 and 2004, Fox killed Cassandra Watson in the City of Buffalo. On September 26, 2021, a hiker found a human skull while walking along the Chautauqua Rails to Trails near Woleben Road in the…

Chautauqua County has awarded $135,349 in 2026 Occupancy Tax Tourism Development Grants to 14 projects across Chautauqua County. The funding will go toward Tourism Product Development, supporting innovative projects that elevate visitor experiences, strengthen regional attractions, and drive long-term tourism growth. The 2026 Tourism Grant Awardees are: Events: *         SUNY Fredonia School of Business - AI Film Festival *         Chautauqua County Airports - Wings over WNY, Chautauqua Skies Airshow *         Jamestown Skating Club - Skate Chautauqua *         Sukanya Burman Dance Inc. - Jamestown Dance Festival *         Festival's Fredonia - Ice Wine Festival…