OBSERVER File Photos First responders are picured at the site of a house fire on Webster Road in the town of Portland. Ten firefighters got sick fighting the fire and three needed doses of Narcan.

By M.J. STAFFORD

mstafford@observertoday.com

Violence and drugs.

We sometimes think of them as things that are bigger problems in urban areas than in northern Chautauqua County. However, this area had some notable violent and drug-related crimes in 2022.

There were stabbings and shootings. Three firefighters had to get doses of Narcan after getting ill from drugs at a Portland fire. An infant tested positive for cocaine, and two people were arrested and charged over it.

First responders swarmed the Kwik Fill in the town of Dunkirk on Route 60 in July after two youths wounded by gunfire sought help there.

FIREFIGHTERS SICKENED

On May 3, 10 firefighters had to go to the hospital and three of them needed Narcan doses after getting ill at a house fire scene at 6842 Webster Road in Portland.

Two days later, Portland Fire Chief David McIntyre told the OBSERVER all of the first responders were out of the hospital and recovering at home.

He added, “The house was totally destroyed. … We have no idea where anything was inside or what may have been in there.”

The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department said it was investigating what got the firefighters sick. Narcan is administered for opioid overdoses.

STABBINGS IN FREDONIA

Early in the morning of April 23, two people were stabbed at a Water Street bar.

After Fredonia police officers got multiple calls for assistance, they arrived to find a crowd leaving the bar and gathering on Canadaway Street. Some in the crowd yelled that two people were just stabbed.

The victims were located, treated by Fredonia fire and rescue responders, and taken to Brooks Memorial Hospital. One refused medical attention and released himself from the hospital with minimal injuries. The other victim was treated for stab wounds and released with non-life threatening injuries.

The stabbings allegedly took place during a dance floor altercation. Police were investigating but never announced any arrests tied to the stabbings.

COCAINE CHILD

New York State Troopers charged two people April 17 after an infant tested positive for cocaine.

See HEADLINE,

The troopers found Halas and Keech driving through Fredonia with the 3-year-old. The boy was observed to be in good health, but the law enforcers found heroin and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.

Halas and Keech were arrested and both charged with endangering the welfare of a child and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Halas was also hit with a resisting arrest charge.

The infant was later released from Brooks and both children were turned over to a third party.

SINCLAIRVILE SHOOTING

Police said Joseph Misciagno of Cassadaga was killed in a July shooting in Sinclairville.

Misciagno was with five other people when there was a shuffle near Reed and Park streets in Sinclairville. Sheriff James Quattrone said Misciagno was struck in the lower back with a gunshot.

Misciagno got into a truck and drove about a quarter mile before his truck ran off the road. He was transported by an ambulance to a hospital and later pronounced dead.

A man was arrested Dec. 8 in connection with the shooting and charged with first-degree manslaughter. Police wouldn’t release his name.

ROUTE 60 VIOLENCE

According to police, two youths were shot July 18 in a vehicle on Route 60 in Dunkirk. They sought medical assistance at a nearby gas station.

The Dunkirk Police Department stated that according to witnesses, a southbound vehicle got passed by another vehicle, leading to shots fired.

Javier Cruz-Corraliza, 34, was later charged with first-degree assault, two counts of first-degree attempted assault and second-degree assault. Juan Cruz-Corraliza, 40, was also subsequently charged in connection with the shootings.

The victims were aged 8 and 11. The 8-year-old suffered life-threatening injuries and is still in recovery.