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WJTN Headlines for Monday Oct. 23 2017

A Fredonia man is accused of driving the wrong way on Interstate 86 and, driving drunk with a person under the age of 16 inside the vehicle last weekend. 
 
Sheriff's deputies received a complaint about the vehicle, driven by 47 year-old James Murphy shortly after 10 p.m. last Saturday.  Officers say the car had exited I-86 at Stow and, was westbound on Route 394, traveling towards Mayville. 
 
Deputies say the alleged vehicle was later found parked on a sidewalk on South Erie Street and, the driver was identified as Murphy, who was also found to have a previous DWI accident within the past 10 years. 
 
Officers say further investigation found the child was also inside the car, leading to a Leandra's Law violation charge.  Murphy was sent to the county jail pending arraignment.
 
 
A major water leak in the Castel Heights area of the village of Fredonia has led Chautauqua County Health and Human Services officials to issue a "Boil and Conserve" water order for the village and town of Pomfret. 
 
County Health and Human Services Director Christine Schuyler says the water filtration plant operator noted high water usage and decreasing water levels and capacity about 7:30 last Saturday morning.  With that, crews were assembled and work is being done to fix the water main breaks. 
 
However, customers of the Fredonia Village Public Water System are being urged to boil their tap water for one minute and, cool before using.  Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and preparing food and infant formula until further notice. 
 
In addition, Water system officials are urging watering of lawns, shrubs, and plants, as well as no vehicle washing.  They also urge residents not to use their dishwashers until further notice.
 
 
A Tompkins County businessman has won a western Southern Tier Congressional "Straw Poll" of Democrats vying to run in next year's General Election. 
 
Chautauqua County Democratic Committee Chairman Norm Green says Ian Golden won the poll among eight announced candidates with 30% of the vote.  
 
Green says nearly 200 area Democrats participated in the straw poll, which is non-binding last Saturday.  He says Jamestown attorney Eddie Sundquist was second with 26-percent of the vote and, College Administrator Tracy Mitano of Yates County, was third with 24%.  Green says Air Force retiree Max Dellapia was next with 14%. 
 
However, he says the rest, including Corning area teacher Rick Gallant, failed to get at least 10% of the vote.  Golden says he's "thankful" that the Democratic chairpersons of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties put together the event.  He called it a "great opportunity to connect with all of the capable and committed candidates and weigh in on not just the candidate, but the team most capable of uniting us in forward progress."
 
 
The fire that destroyed the old Masonic Building in Dunkirk seven-years ago displaced a number of businesses and county agencies in the downtown area. 
 
One County Executive candidate says many have returned, or never left.  However, ther other feels the county still needs to return more of those vital services.  That from Democratic candidate Mike Ferguson, who says it's "time to bring those back....".
 
During an hour-long debate in Dunkirk late last week, the candidates also discussed such topics as the county airports and wind power.  The winner on November 7th will succeed Vince Horrigan, who is leaving the office to retire after serving one term.
 
 
In state government news Uber spent more on lobbying than any other group in New York during the first half of 2017 as it worked to convince lawmakers to allow it to expand upstate. 
 
Uber reported nearly $1.8 million in lobbying expenses from January through June.  Lawmakers voted this spring to allow ride-hailing services like Uber to expand outside of New York City into cities including Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse. 
 
Meanwhile, Democratic Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie is skeptical about holding a special fall legislative session.  Heastie said he's not sure a special session is needed, unless Washington cuts more funding for the state. 
 
Governor Andrew Cuomo pitched the idea of a special session focused on federal cuts and flood relief for residents along Lake Ontario.
 
 
The numbers seem to be increasing of those coming to Chautauqua County from Puerto Rico because of the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria. 
 
That's the word from Chautauqua County Rural Ministry in Dunkirk where they have seen an influx of people.  Director of Programs, Bridget Majka, says about 20 people have walked through the doors looking for assistance.
 
Majka says the numbers don't include the total number of family members who need assistance.  Executive Director Kathleen Peterson says they will provide as much help as possible for the displaced people as possible, including food and shelter. 
 
Peterson says they are also encouraging the newcomers to utilize other Rural Ministry services including the Friendly Kitchen.  Both Peterson and Majka both expect the numbers to increase, since much of the island remains with out power.   
 
 
New York health officials are warning state residents that disease-carrying ticks might still be active this fall. 
 
Ticks can remain active until temperatures drop below about 40 degrees.  So officials say it's important to take precautions and perform tick checks after being outdoors even as the weather cools down.  Lyme disease-causing bacteria are spread by blacklegged ticks, which are common around the state. 
 
More recently, the state has confirmed several cases of Powassan virus, a tick-borne illness.  There has been one confirmed case in Dutchess County and three cases in Saratoga County.  A 74-year-old man died this year in Saratoga County after contracting Powassan virus.