Community Spotlight, the area's longest running local public affairs radio program, airs on all six Media One Radio Group stations each weekend and is also available to hear in our Podcast Section.  Each week we sit down with a community leader or another special guest to talk about issues within our community.  


Weather Forecasts are available across our radio stations each day and also as your fingertips! 

Connect with The National Weather Service's Buffalo Office or with WGRZ-TV for accurate weather information!

 

 

 


 

WJTN News Headlines for Nov. 12, 2018

Jamestown police have found the man who is accused of robbing the 7-Eleven Store on the city's eastside last Friday afternoon...  

City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says investigators arrested 48 year-old Reinaldo Lugo Sunday afternoon for allegedly walking into the store at 1011 East Second Street shortly before 2 p.m., demanding cash.  No weapon was displayed.  Samuelson says police were able to identify Lugo through an outdoor surveillance camera after he covered his face, using the hooded sweatshirt he was wearing.  Police found the Chevy Cavalier that Lugo allegedly used to commit the robbery in Allen Park last Friday night.  That car was stolen earlier in the day Friday on Kipp Street.  Lugo is charged with third-degree robbery, and grand larceny and, is being held in the city jail pending arraignment.


A Conewango Valley man has pleaded guilty in federal court for allegedly running a fraudulent debt restructuring scheme two years ago...  

U-S Attorney James Kennedy, Junior, has announced that 25 year-old Mark Farnham pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud before U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Vilardo.  Prosecutors say between February and October of 2016, Farnham worked with two co-defendants at companies with various names such as "Corporate Restructure", and "Salamanca Payroll Services."  Farnham was a manager for Corporate Restructure, Inc., which operated out of Salamanca and Buffalo.  Kennedy says the three used a number of fraudulent companies to mail solicitations to small business owners which fraudulently informed the victims that one or more of those companies could assist them with restructuring debts they had with other lenders.  One of the other co-conspirators, Dustin Walker, has already been convicted.  Kennedy says Farnham faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a one-million dollar fine.  Sentencing is set for next March 19.


There were "mixed results" in last Tuesday's election, but there was a great turn-out in Jamestown, Chautauqua County and the entire nation....  

That from Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi, who says there were really no big surprises, although he was somewhat surprised that six-term incumbant Democratic Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace was defeated by Republican challenger Jim Quattrone.  He says Gerace has been an "outstanding public servant."  Teresi says for a mid-term election, turn-out was outstanding.

Teresi agreed that -- outside of Chautauqua County -- there was a "blue wave" for Democrats running for state-wide office.  Governor Andrew Cuomo handily won re-election to a third-term.  From an economic development stand-point, Teresi says that's good for Jamestown and Chautauqua County.  He says Cuomo has paid a lot of attention to Jamestown, between the city's financial struggles, and funding for projects like the new National Comedy Center.  However, he says Upstate New York leaders will now have to raise their voices louder than ever with Democrats winning a comfortable majority in the state Senate.  Teresi made his comments for this past weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the Media One Radio Group of stations.


In New York state government news, lawmakers are taking a look at voting problems from Tuesday's election...  

Malfunctioning ballot scanning machines and long lines caused big problems for many voters Tuesday.  Lawmakers will hold a hearing Thursday to review the complaints and discuss options for improvements.  One common proposal: Allow voters to cast a ballot early, something already allowed in most states.  Meanwhile, supporters of legislation intended to make it easier for molestation victims to sue their abusers are cheering Tuesday's results, predicting success now that Democrats have taken over the state Senate.  The bill would extend the statute of limitations going forward and create a one-year window to allow victims to sue over abuse claims now barred by the statute of limitations.  The Senate's Republican leaders had repeatedly blocked the bill.


The Cuomo administration says New York state is taking steps that could make it the first state to ban the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes...  

A spokesman for Governor Andrew Cuomo says Friday that the Democrat is concerned about the rise in e-cigarette among young people, calling it an "emerging public health issue.''  The New York Post first reported Thursday that the state Department of Health announced plans for regulations banning the sale or possession of flavored e-cigarettes.  The regulations could then be adopted after a 60-day period of public comment.  The administration's plans come as the federal government readies policies requiring strict limits on sales of vaping products increasingly popular among teenagers.  In September, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration deemed teenage use of e-cigarettes an "epidemic.''


New York state will invest $6.8-million in existing after-school programs in order to expand the number of children they can reach...  

The administration of Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the funding last week.  The money will go to 15 high-need school districts and community organizations around the state and will serve an estimated 4,250 additional students, for a total number of 89,000 students around the state.  In order to receive the funding, school districts and other organizations which run after-school programs must meet certain targets when it comes to student outcomes.  Officials say that good after-school programs can reduce student absenteeism, improve their academic performance and reduce the risk of them getting into trouble.  All told, the state awards $45 million in after-school program grants as part of the initiative.


A Western New York supermarket chain with a store in West Ellicott has been again ranked number-one on the list of Best Workplaces in Retail for 2018....  

"Great Place to Work" and FORTUNE Magazine have given the top-ranking to Wegmans, based in Rochester, for the third consecutive year.  The two companies say the ranking is based on anonymous surveys representing over 631,000 employees from Great Place to Work-Certified companies in the retail industry.  Wegman's Chief Executive Officer Colleen Wegman reacted to the news, saying "thank goodness for our employees.  They make Wegmans a happy place to work and shop.  Their work is both meaningful and fun, and that’s an unbeatable combination."


A rare military knapsack carried by a Connecticut soldier during the American Revolution went on display this weekend in honor of Veterans Day...  

Officials at Fort Ticonderoga in upstate New York say Benjamin Warner's knapsack was first exhibited Saturday.  Curators say the item was carried by Warner during his service in the Revolutionary War and is considered one of the rarest artifacts to survive America's war for independence.  Warner was from New Haven, Connecticut.  He served in militia units from his home state as well as the Continental Army.  His wartime service took him from Massachusetts to Quebec to New York to New Jersey.  After the war he settled in Ticonderoga and died there in 1846.  A note Warner wrote about the knapsack in 1837 will also be displayed.