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WJTN News Headlines

The vacant building that partially collapsed last Thursday night on Jamestown's eastside has now been stablized, and, the rest will be torn down once the proper permits have been obtained.  That from City Development Director Vince DeJoy... who updated the City Council prior to last night's voting session on the structure at 10-to-12 East Second Street.  DeJoy adds that they've also been able to get the title to the building transferred from the Chautauqua Housing and Rehabilitation and Improvement Corporation to the Chautauqua County Landbank.
DeJoy says that is great news... because final demolition costs are expected to be between 150-thousand and 200-thousand dollars.  He says he's never seen a title able to be transferred that quickly.  DeJoy says the "emergency demolition" is now over... and, the contractor is getting the necessary permits to finish the job.  He says it takes about 10-days to get the permits for the "controlled" demolition.  The construction and demolition debris will be taken to the Chautauqua County Landfill.  DeJoy says about 50-percent of the three-story structure remains between the Fenton and Pintagro Buildings.  He says once the structure is down, a decision will be made on what to do to make the property safe.

 

City lawmakers have approved a couple of moves designed to make operations more efficient... and, save money.  The City Council unanimously approved using 555-thousand dollars in restructuring money from the state to change out 900 existing street and security lights with more efficient LED fixtures.  Council President Greg Rabb says that's about 25-percent of all the city's lights. Rabb says the Fleet Management Study has been suggested by the Public Works Department's Pat Monahan... who believes the city... and, it's Board of Public Utilities... can do better in that area.  Rabb says the study by Mercury Asscoates will cost 58-thousand dollars.  The cost for that will also be picked up by the state's Restructuring Board... which has made 5-million dollars available to the city to make these moves.  Back to the LED lights... Rabb says the city will also be converting the Main Street and Cherry Street Ramps to the new lights.

 

No one was hurt... but, a town of Kiantone family has been left homeless following a fire about mid-evening Sunday.  Chautauqua County Fire Dispatchers say Kiantone fire crews were called to the scene at 679 Kiantone Road shortly before 9:30 PM.  Kiantone was joined at the scene by firefighters from Falconer, Panama, Kennedy, Busti, and Lakewood.  Dispatchers say the blaze was knocked down by 11 PM... and, crews were dousing hot-spots.  The local Red Cross is assisting the family involved.  The cause is under investigation.

 

Dunkirk Police have arrested a 37-year-old man after he allegedly fired a gunshot at a location on Columbus Avenue early last Sunday morning.  Officers heard the gunshot around 4:30 AM... and, through investigation... determined that Raven Bush of Deer Street allegedly shot one round from a pistol in front of 613 Columbus Avenue, which caused another person to fear for their life.  Police took Bush into custody and recovered the loaded pistol.  Bush was also found to have a previous Felony conviction prohibiting him from possession of the pistol.  He's been charged with second-degree and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon... both Felonies.  He's also charged with second-degree menacing.  Bush was arraigned in City Court... and, held without bail. Police were assisted by Fredonia Police and the State Police.

 

Three elementary schools in northern Chautauqua County are among those found in early state testing to have elevated lead levels in their water.  Parents were recently notified in the Fredonia, Forestville and Silver Creek School Districts.  They were among the first 11 districts in Western New York to have notices sent out.  Water Specialist Bill Boria with the county's Department of Health and Human Services says the levels in those districts was above the "Action Level" of 15-parts per billion. Boria says the findings for elementary schools may be somewhat skewed because levels were taken from every fixture, in addition to those used for drinking and cooking.  He says the fixtures that aren't used that often tend to have more lead found in them.  Boria says the state had not sent out any written guidance for schools on what fixtures needed to be tested... and, what didn't... prior to the elementary school testing deadline in late September. 

 

Local State Senator Cathy Young recently announced -- formally -- her re-election bid to the Senate in Albany.  But, Young is not only concerned about her own re-election... but, whether Republicans can maintain their majority in the New York State Senate.  During a recent stop in Dunkirk, Young spoke about the situation that Republicans are facing in the Senate. Young, an 11 year-veteran of the State Senate, is facing a challenge from Democrat Lee Hyson of Salamanca.  She won run-off 12 years ago for the 57th Senate Seat after former Senator Pat McGee died while in office.

 

Democratic Congressional Candidate John Plumb is getting the backing of a former Southern Tier Congressman from Jamestown.  Former City Mayor, and Lieutenant Governor Stan Lundine has officially endorsed Plumb in his race against incumbant Congressman Tom Reed.  Lundine says he's "excited" about Plumb’s candidacy for Congress.  He says --  "I’m confident that John’s military experience and strong roots in the Southern Tier will make him an excellent and independent advocate for our entire region.  I believe he will serve with the honor and integrity that has been ingrained in him through over two decades of service as a U.S. Navy Officer."  Plumb... who is now a Captain in the U-S Navy... says he's "honored" by the endorsement.  The Lakewood man says Lundine always "put the needs of our rural communities first, bringing people together to find solutions that benefited the entire region."

 

New York's Senate race this year pits an established incumbent in line to become the top Democrat in the Senate against a little-known lawyer who lost her last race in a landslide.  Republican Wendy Long has attracted scant attention and polls show her with little chance of defeating three-term Democrat Senator Charles Schumer.  As Schumer airs TV ads around the state promoting his work for New Yorkers, Long casts herself and Donald Trump as fellow warriors fighting the elite establishment.  Schumer hasn't faced a serious challenge in this heavily Democratic state since winning his Senate seat in 1998.  He's expected to succeed retiring Senator Harry Reid of Nevada as leader of Senate Democrats next year, meaning he would become majority leader if Democrats retake the Senate.

 

It'll be a night filled with fun and games when the city of Jamestown hosts it's 32nd annual Halloween Fun-Fest next week at the former Allen Park Ice Rink.  City Parks and Recreation Coordinator Julia Ciesla-Hanley says the event next Monday night runs from 6-to-8 PM... the same at trick-or-treat hours in the city.  Ciesla-Hanley says the free event is held as an "alternative" to trick-or-treating and is held indoors, and in a safe environment. Ciesla-Hanley says the one rule they have is children under the age of 6 must have an adult with them... and, if you're over the age of 12... you must have a child with you.  She says the music this year will be provided by "Take-2..." which has been a staple at the city's annual Labor Day Festival.  Ciesla-Hanley says they'll be performing age-appropriate Halloween music, and more.  In addition to the city... Ciesla-Hanley says the sponsors include Northwest Savings Bank... and, the Jamestown Cycle Shop... which is providing the two bicycles that'll be awarded as grand prizes for the costume contests.  The Media One Group... which is a media sponsor of the event.