• City of Jamestown –  6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Village of Celoron – 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Town of Ellicott – 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Village of Falconer – 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Village of Lakewood – 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Children and their parents are invited to stop in at the Halloween Book Giveaway at the Unitarian Church in 2018

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown is holding a Halloween Book Giveaway during Jamestown’s trick or treat hours.

The free event from 6 to 8:00 p.m. will be held at 1255 Prendergast Avenue. Children can enjoy treats, choose a book, and do a simple craft.

Parking is available behind the church.

Visit UUJamestown.org for more information.

NFPA offers these tips and guidelines for enjoying a fire-safe Halloween:

– Keep common decorations like cornstalks, crepe paper, and dried flowers far away from any open flames or heat sources, like candles, heaters, and light bulbs.

– Use candles in a well- attended area, out of the path of potential trick-or-treaters. Remind children of the dangers of open flames, and make sure they are always supervised when candles are lit. Extinguish candles before leaving an area.

– Glow sticks or electric candles are the safest choice when it comes to lighting up your jack-o-lantern. If you choose to use a real candle, do so with extreme caution. Light a candle inside a jack-o-lantern using long fireplace matches or a utility lighter; and keep it away from other decorations.

– Avoid costumes with fabric that billows or trails behind you, as these can easily ignite. If you are making your own costume, avoid loosely woven fabrics like linen and cotton, which can be very flammable.

– Give children flashlights or glowsticks for lighting. These can even be incorporated into the costume. If your child has a mask, ensure the eye holes are large enough for them to see clearly.

– This is a great time to make sure your smoke alarms are functional and up to date.

– And when decorating, ensure that nothing is blocking any escape routes.

According to NFPA, an annual average of 770 home structure fires began with decorations between 2014 and 2019, resulting in one civilian fire death, 26 civilian fire injuries and $13 million in direct property damage. More than 44% of these fires occurred because the decorations were too close to a heat source, such as a candle or hot equipment.

Bat Week is held October 24 through 31 to raise awareness about the critical role of bats in the environment.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said bats spend the winter hibernating in underground cavities where relatively constant, warm temperatures protect them from harsh outside winter temperatures above ground. He said human visitation in the winter to these “hibernacula” disturbs the bats, and is especially harmful since the arrival of white-nose syndrome, a fungus that has killed more than 90 percent of bats at hibernation sites in the state.

Seggos said if bats are disturbed during hibernation, they raise their body temperature, depleting crucial fat reserves. This stored fat is the only source of energy available to the bats until the weather warms in spring and insects become readily available. The more frequently bats are disturbed, the less likely they are to survive the long winter months underground without eating.

The DEC reminds the public to follow all posted notices restricting access to caves and mines. If explorers do venture out and discover bats hibernating in a cave, the DEC urges them to leave quickly and quietly to minimize disturbance.

Anyone entering a northern long-eared bat hibernation site from October 1 through April 30, the typical hibernation period for bats, may be subject to prosecution. Details about the protection of the northern long-eared bat can be found on DEC’s website.

For more information about bat week, visit https://batweek.org/

Jamestown City Council work session (October 3, 2022)

While a deer hunt will not take place in the city of Jamestown this year, the discussion of options to deal with deer overpopulation is back on the table.

Council member at large Randy Daversa said he had met with Council member at large Jeff Russell as well as Council members Andrew Faulkner and Brent Sheldon on the issue. He said they hope to have a formal meeting soon.

Russell said with deer hunting season starting October 1, it’s not feasible to do the hunt this year, “We’re not able to move that quickly with tags and get this together. So, we all knew that this was going to take place, to come up with a plan, if it’s approved, that it would be for next year’s season.”

Council member Marie Carrubba said in conversations with members of the community, there were recommendations on who should be included in the discussion group, “Corporation Counsel or another attorney about the liability to the city, having someone who is in favor of it (a hunt) from the community, someone who has other ideas as we had someone here last week who talked about other options. I think if we have a more inclusive group than just council members. And not just the hunters. I think last time we just had the bow hunting group.”

Daversa agreed his plan was to include various community members. Russell said there will be a notification for when the deer group meets next.

Council also discussed hours for trick-or-treating on Halloween with the consensus being to keep them at 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Council President Tony Dolce said there would not be a Halloween Fun Fest this year but that the Parks Department was looking at other options including a “trunk or treat.”

The National Comedy Center is holding its second annual “Halloween Boo Ha! Ha!” now until Sunday. Children and teens up to the age of 17 will be admitted free with a paying adult. The NCC will have a Halloween-themed museum experience featuring candy and prizes for costumes.

The James Prendergast Library is holding a Halloween Extravaganza today starting at 3:30pm. A makerspace event starts at 3:30 and will be followed by storytime at 5:30, a costume parade at 6pm, and Halloween crafts until 7pm. Masks are recommended for all library users. Registration is recommended. You can register at the Children’s Desk or by calling (716) 484-7135 extension 234.

And trick-or-treating hours in the City of Jamestown will be from 6 to 8pm on Sunday, October 31st.

Doug Champ spoke before the City Council’s Public Safety Committee and at last night’s work session, saying Chautauqua County had designated 4% of their ARP money toward public safety, “Such things as new hand guns, personal ballistic vests, body and mail scanners; communications upgrades, message boards, EOC upgrades.. whatever that is, replace a dive boat, EMC equipment, and additional money for the District Attorney’s office. $985,000 for those. We’re doing nothing for our Police and Fire Departments.”

Champ said public safety and public health are supposed to be the number one addressed items in the use of ARP funds.

Champ asked the condition of police vehicles to which Jamestown Police Chief Tim Jackson said aside from one new car, the vehicles were in poor condition with each having mileage of around 100 to 150-thousand miles.

Councilmember At Large Jeff Russell, who is a retired police officer, asked Chief Jackson about the state of handheld radios used by officers. Jackson responded, “A lot of the officers have to share because the radios are broke and they can’t be repaired. The batteries are bad. We need new radios.”

Russell, “Can they not be repaired because they’re outdated?”

Jackson, “They’re outdated and the batteries are very expensive.”

Russell, “Would you agree with me that a police officer’s lifeline is their radio that they’re carrying with them out on the street?”

Jackson, “Yes, communication is what it all rests on.”

Jackson also said 32 of the bulletproof vests officers use are outdated and not covered by the manufacturer any longer. Councilmember Brent Sheldon asked if JPD had been asked to submit any requests for use of American Rescue Plan funds to which Jackson said every department had submitted a wish list.

Councilmember At Large Kim Ecklund said the Finance Committee chose not to act on the resolution regarding the American Rescue Plan master plan in anticipation of additional conversations over the coming weeks.

In other business, Councilmember Brent Sheldon said he’s noted a lot of neighboring communities have voted to opt-out of allowing cannabis dispensaries and on-site consumption locations. He said the state has not come out with promised regulations yet which makes it difficult for municipalities to decide what to do, “Also, with part of the law if you don’t opt out now, you’re opting in and you can’t opt out later and that just does not make sense to me. If you have problems in the future, you should be able to opt out. So I think this is something we need to discuss as a full body, as a full council, look into it more, see if there’s things happening at the state level. The new Governor has appointed several people to the Commission but the rules still have not been promulgated at this point.”

The Public Safety Committee did approve a motion to set trick-or-treating hours for Halloween in the City of Jamestown for 6pm to 8pm. The City will again not hold a Halloween Fun Fest this year due to it not being funded in the city’s budget.

Trick-or-treating hours in Jamestown, Bemus Point, Celoron, Frewsburg, and Mayville will run from 6 to 8pm. Hours will be from 5 to 7 p.m. in Ashville, Ellington, Gerry, Kennedy, and Sinclairville.  Hours are from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Lakewood and Panama.  And hours in Falconer will run from 5:30 to 8 p.m and the Falconer Fire Department will also be holding a Trunk-or-Treat event from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

TIPS TO KEEP SAFE

With a number of families expected to be out tonight, the Jamestown Police Department and other Law Enforcement Agencies are providing additional patrols of neighborhood streets throughout the evening.

The JPD also offering a number of tips to parents for Halloween:

• hildren should wear light colored, flame retardant, short costumes to avoid tripping and falling;
• Reflective tape should be added to the costume enhances safety;
• Carry a flashlight so you can see and be seen;
• Use make-up instead of masks, which can be hot, uncomfortable and obstruct a child’s vision;
• Children should Trick-or-Treat in groups, accompanied by an adult and should only Trick-or-Treat within their neighborhoods and only visit homes with outside lights on;
• Give and accept wrapped candy only and instruct children not to eat any treats until they get home. Examine all candy before allowing children to eat it;
• Keep costumed children away from pets. The pet may not recognize the child and become frightened;
• Watch for traffic.

CITY HALLOWEEN FUN-FEST AT ALLEN PARK

In addition to safety tips, city police are also urging families to attend the 35th Annual Citywide Halloween Fun-Fest at Allen Park as an alternative to door to door trick or treating.

The event will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at the former Allen Park Ice Rink and has been planned to offer a safe, fun and no-cost alternative to trick-or-treating door to door. The event is for children 12 years of age and under. Individuals over 12 years of age must be accompanied by a child, and children under 6 years must be accompanied by a parent or an adult.

The evening will feature games, a haunted house, refreshments, and musical entertainment by Take 2. There will be a Costume Parade at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. as part of the two costume judging contests with winners announced at 6:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. Two grand prize winners will receive bicycles.

For more information about the Halloween Fun Fest, contact Julia Ciesla-Hanley at (716) 483-7523 or visit the City’s website at www.JamestownNY.net.

Attached Picture (left to right): Jamestown Cycle Shop Mike Donner, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation Rhonda Johnson; Fessenden, Laumer & DeAngelo Mary Schiller; Allen Park Women’s Club Sandy Forsberg, Honest John’s John Raymond, Allen Park Women’s Club Audene Jarosz, Mayor Sam Teresi, Parks Commissioner John Bauer, Recreation Coordinator Julia Ciesla-Hanley, Parks Manager John Williams (submitted photo)

JAMESTOWN – The 34th Annual Citywide Halloween Fun-Fest will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the former Allen Park Ice Rink. The event has been planned to offer a safe, fun and no-cost alternative to trick-or-treating door to door. The event is for children 12 years of age and under. Individuals over 12 years of age must be accompanied by a child, and children under 6 years must be accompanied by a parent or an adult.

The evening will feature games, a haunted house, refreshments, two costume judging contests (at 6:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.), and musical entertainment by Take 2. There will be two grand prize winners who will receive bicycles donated by the Jamestown Cycle Shop.

This year’s Fun Fest is presented free of charge through the generosity of the City of Jamestown and various community sponsors.

Special thanks go to students from Jamestown High School Key Club and Jamestown High School National Honor Society who helped fill candy bags. Other volunteers and members of the City’s Parks, Recreation & Conservation Commission will also be adding their support to the event.

For more information about the Halloween Fun Fest, contact Julia Ciesla-Hanley at (716) 483-7523 or visit the City’s website at www.jamestownny.net.

Little witches, ghosts, pirates and super heroes will soon take to the streets for trick or treat fun, and the American Red Cross, Western and Central New York Region, has tips to help everyone stay safe while enjoying the festivities.

“Halloween is a fun time for everyone and we want to make sure you all stay safe while enjoying it,” said Kenneth J. Turner, Interim Regional CEO.  “Here are the top ways for parents to keep the kids safe while getting ready for Trick or Treat.”

•  Make sure trick-or-treaters can see and be seen.
  • Use face makeup instead of masks. Masks can make it hard to see.
  • Give kids a flashlight to light their way.
  • Add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
  • Have everyone wear light-colored clothing.
• Use flame-resistant costumes.
• Plan the trick-or-treat route in advance – make sure adults know where their children are going. A parent or responsible adult should accompany young children door-to-door in neighborhoods.
• It’s not only vampires and monsters people have to look out for. Be cautious around animals, especially dogs.
• Walk, don’t run.
• Only visit homes that have a porch light on. Accept treats at the door – never go inside.
• Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the street.
  • If no sidewalk is available, walk at the edge of the roadway, facing traffic.
  • Look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at the corner.
  • Don’t cut across yards or use alleys.
  • Don’t cross between parked cars.
• Use extra caution if driving. The youngsters are excited and may forget to look both ways before crossing.
• Make sure a grown-up checks the goodies before eating.
  • Make sure to remove loose candy, open packages and choking hazards.
  • Discard any items with brand names that you are not familiar with.
• And finally, for those planning to welcome trick-or-treaters to their homes, follow these safety steps:
  • Light the area well so young visitors can see.
  • Sweep leaves from your sidewalks and steps. Clear your porch or front yard of obstacles someone could trip over.