The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said as people gather at bars and pubs today and following days, it sometimes can lead to deadly consequences if plans aren’t made to get home safely.

The NHTSA said during the 2020 St. Patrick’s Day period, more than a third (36%) of crash fatalities involved a drunk driver. From 2016 to 2020, 287 lives were lost in drunk-driving crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day period.

Sheriff Jim Quattrone said, “Please remember, Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. If you plan to drink this St. Patrick’s Day, plan ahead for a safe way home.”
He said even walking while intoxicated can be deadly. In 2020, 30% of the pedestrians killed in traffic crashes had blood alcohol concentrations at or above .08. Pedestrians who have been drinking should also arrange for a sober ride or for a sober friend to walk them home.

The NHTSA encourages everyone to take the following safety precautions, including:
– It’s never okay to drink and drive. Designate a sober driver or a call a ride service to get home safely.
– Never let a friend drive drunk.
– If you’re the designated driver, make sure you don’t drink so you can keep that promise of safety to yourself and your passengers.
– Don’t ride in a vehicle with a driver who has been drinking.
– And if you see a drunk driver on the road, contact your local law enforcement to report the driver.

The event will take place, rain or shine, at 11:00 a.m. on the Jamestown Riverwalk.

The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities, along with the assistance from a local leprechaun, will turn the Chadakoin River green in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Celtic music will be playing to add to festivities.

The event will be held along the Riverwalk near the Main Street Bridge.

Chautauqua County Sheriff Jim Quattrone said, “We understand people are looking for a reason to celebrate, and we want our community members to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day, but we also want to impress upon everyone the importance of safe driving. If you’ve been drinking, make the right choice to find a sober driver to get you and your friends home safely.”

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 10,142 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in 2019. During the 2019 St. Patrick’s Day period, almost half of crash fatalities involved a drunk driver.

Drivers should also keep an eye out for pedestrians who have had too much to drink. Walking while intoxicated can also be deadly, as lack of attention to their surroundings could put pedestrians at risk of getting hit by a vehicle.

Police say even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage you should designate a sober driver or a ride service to get home safely.

If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact your local law enforcement office or call 911.

Chautauqua County police agencies will participate in the upcoming New York State STOP-DWI Enforcement Crackdown, a state-wide effort to crackdown on impaired driving. The crackdown will take place March 17 through March 19.

The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, municipal law enforcement agencies, and New York State Police will vigorously enforce laws related to driving while impaired. They will work together to reduce the number of impaired driving injuries and deaths, with special emphasis on driving while impaired by either alcohol or drugs.

“Removing intoxicated drivers from Chautauqua County roadways is one of our top priorities,” said Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph Gerace. “If you choose to drink, don’t drive. Drunk drivers not only put themselves in danger, they threaten everyone who shares the highway with them.”

These events are funded by a 2016-2017 grant from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, and is part of a national crackdown effort. Future crackdowns will take place around such holidays as Memorial Day and Fourth of July.

The Chautauqua County STOP-DWI Program is funded by drinking and driving fines collected from convicted drunk drivers.

According to Train Station Executive Director Lee Harkness, the event will commence at 1 p.m. with the turning of the river green.  Festivities at the train  station will begin at 1 p.m. and end at 6 p.m.

“For entertainment we have the 96th Highlanders Pipes and Drums, the Olean Irish Dancers and an outstanding Celtic Band from Buffalo—Stone Row,” Harkenss said.  “The traditional Irish Corn Beef and Cabbage and Guinness Irish Stew will be served starting at 2 and be available all afternoon—catered by Miley’s. In addition a full bar will be available.”

Harkness says there will be tables for everyone to sit at and groups are invited to reserve tables ahead of time. Reservations would good but not required.

The cost to attend is $30 for adults with reservations, $35 at the door. Kids 5 to 12 get in for $20.00.  Kids under 5 Free. General Admission (no food) is $15.00.  Reservations can be made by calling 483-3041, Email—lharkness@jamestowntrainstation.com.  Just leave number attending and a phone number. Payment can be made at the door.

The promotional poster for the Wits n’ Giggles stand up comedy show.

JAMESTOWN – It’s going to be a busy week for the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena, starting Friday night and continuing through next Friday, March 14.

On Friday (March 7), Wits n’ Giggles Stand-Up Comedy returns to the arena with the ‘Best Of Series’, which will feature returning headliner comedians and their openers along with local talent.

Quinn Patterson will headline the first installment of the series Friday Night with Angel Isaac and Mary Santora as openers. Local comedian Eric Basile will also be featured as openers with a pair of short sets to kick off the show along with Robb Will as the host.

The arena has also partnered with the American Special Hockey Association (ASHA) to host the 3rd Annual Special Hockey Extravaganza this weekend. The event begins Friday at 2 p.m. and will conclude on Sunday, March 9 at noon. It will consist of 16 teams including the Chautauqua Lakers as well as teams from Buffalo, Canada, Detroit, Baltimore, Washington DC, Long Island, Pittsburgh and Ohio.

There will be no charge for spectators and concessions along with Sully’s Irish Pub will be open throughout the weekend.

And next Friday, March 14 the Town Pants return to Jamestown for a live concert at the Arena to kick off St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Tickets for that event are available by calling the arena or going to online at www.JamestownArena.com.

Ronan Tynan will appear in Jamestown’s Reg Lenna Center for the Arts on Thursday, March 6.

JAMESTOWN – World-renowned performer, Ronan Tynan will perform live on stage at The Reg Lenna Center For The Arts on Thursday, March 6 at 7 p.m.

A classically-trained vocalist and an original member of The Irish Tenors, Tynan will sing a variety of songs, including several Irish standards that will get audiences ready for St. Patrick’s Day. Tynan will be accompanied by his longtime pianist, Billy Lewis.

Ronan Tynan’s story is one of beating the odds and defying expectations. A lower limb disability didn’t hold him back as he was an active horse rider and motorcycle enthusiast as a child.  At twenty years old, Tynan’s legs were amputated below the knee after complications from an auto accident.  Within one year he was competing in the Paralympics and eventually won 18 gold medals and still holds 9 world records.

Ronan Tynan became the first disabled person admitted to the National College Of Physical Education where he became a medical doctor specializing in orthopedic sports.  At the age of 33 he began studying voice and won the International Operatic Singing Competition.

His operatic debut was in Madame Butterfly.  In 1998, Tynan made a splash on the world stage as one of the original Irish Tenors with Anthony Kearns and John McDermott, astounding American audiences in a series of popular PBS specials.

For several years he has lived in the United States, first in New York City and now in Boston.  The “big Irishman” has a special relationship with American audiences.  “America is powerful and intense, and it begs you to take it on,” Tynan marvels.  “If you do that and do it right, it will give you absolutely everything you want.  The thing I love about America is that there are so many people who want you to do well.  They will you to do well.

A Celtic fiddle duo will perform in the lobby of The Reg prior to Tynan’s concert.  Sue Tillotson and Jim Cunningham have played together for many years, bringing a love of Celtic music and exciting instrumentation to their audiences.  Sue plays fiddle, whistle and spoons and Jim plays guitar, bouzouki, cittern, Celtic harp and bodhran.  Both are vocalists too.

An Evening With Ronan Tynan tickets are priced between $25 and $60.  Tickets may be purchased at www.reglenna.com, by phone at 716-484-7070 or in the box office at 116 East Third Street in Jamestown, New York.

This concert is made possible by support from United Arts Appeal, Trinity Biotech, Gebbie Foundation and Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation.

On Tuesday, the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation (JRC) held an informational meeting for businesses and community representatives interested in learning more about what the JRC has planned for the downtown and city. It was the first such meeting since the JRC and Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation (DJDC) merged services – a decision made by the boards of both organizations in 2012 and which was announced at the start of this year.

During the meeting, several business owners said they were disappointed that the St. Patricks Day Parade would not be taking place, nor would any related festivities. In the past, the event was coordinated by the DJDC, but it was said that in 2012 the DJDC board decided to not hold a St. Patrick’s Day celebration for this year. When the DJDC merged its services with the JRC, that decision was upheld. Businesses and residents – some of whom were paying members of the DJDC – were disappointed it was cancelled and wanted to know the specific reasons.

Also during Tuesday’s meeting, several business owners said they were concerned that the DJDC board never consulted with them prior to going forward with the merger, adding that they were left completely out of the process. Business owner Jim Walton said that since he and dozens of other organizations paid dues to be members of DJDC, they should have had an opportunity to weigh in on the decision. Instead, they claim that at no part of the process were they approached by the DJDC board to get input.

The DJDC still exists, but its primary mission is to oversee the operation of the recently renovated Gateway Train Station on 2^nd Street.

No members of the DJDC board were present during Tuesday’s meeting so none of the concerns or questions on either the cancellation of the St. Patrick’s Day Festivities or the JRC-DJDC merger could be directly address. However, an effort would be made to reach out the DJDC so it can schedule a meeting with its past members to address questions and concerns, specifically in regard to their paying dues to the non-profit agency without being allowed any input in the decision-making process.