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WJTN Headlines for Thurs., July 9, 2020

BPU says it's ready for Summer peak load during heat advisory...
With Heat Advisories issued for most of Western New York -- including Chautauqua County -- air conditioners and fans will be working overtime today.  The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities reports... while there may be high-loads needed today and tomorrow... they should not have a problem providing enough electricity.  BPU Spokeswoman Becky Robbins says Summer-time heat is seldom a problem.  Robbins says leaders of both the electric and water divisions say there should be no problem.  She says the coldest parts of the Winter can be an issue... and, that's usually where their peaks are.  Tempertures are to get into the low 90s in the area... and, the heat index will be about 95.  A heat warning is in effect for northern parts of the region... which may reach a heat index of 105 today.


Barn extensively damaged in Westfield fire...
The fire was out by mid-morning... and, the investigation is underway into an early morning barn fire on Route 20 in the town of Westfield.  Chautauqua County fire dispatchers say Westield crews were called to the scene... between Pratt and McKinley Roads... just before 4:30 a.m.  Responders reported the barn was fully-engulfed in flames on arrival.  Dispatchers say Portland, Brocton, Sherman and Ripley firefighters were called in to assist.  The blaze was under control by about 6 a.m.  No injuries have been reported.  Route 20 in that area was closed for about two-hours.  The county's Fire Investigation Team is at the scene.


NW Pennsylvania man sought after vehicle chase...
New York and Pennsylvania authorities are looking for the person involved in a car chase that began in Pennsylvania Tuesday night... and, ended with the car crashing into a ditch in the town of Harmony.  Sheriff's officers say the chase began shortly before 7 p.m., and, crossed into New york near Kortwright and Niobe Roads... where the vehicle went into a ditch.  Chautauqua County Sheriff's officers say suspect... identified by Erie News Now as 35 year-old Daniel Heidler of Columbus, Pa.... was being pursued by Pennsylvania troopers after his vehicle was spotted in Freehold Township.  Heidler was wanted for falsely reporting an attempted homicide incident. 


Cuomo announces deadlines for state guidelines on school openings and when plans have to be submitted...
New York state will provide it's final guidance to local school districts next Monday on how... and when to reopen for in school classes in the Fall.  That from Governor Andrew Cuomo... who Wednesday announced three dates critical to getting schools back up and running.  Cuomo says state officials are finalizing that guidance... and he says districts will have until the end of July to get their individual plans submitted.  He says, school districts will submit their plans by july 31.  Cuomo says during the first week in August... the state will announce whether those schools reopen because the "facts are changing daily" on COVID-19.  Also... the governor announced that malls in any region that's in Phase-Four of reopening can reopen... if they have a "MERV-13" rated filter system for their air conditioning.  But he says 11 or 12 ratings are acceptable.  Malls were among the entities -- including gyms and movie theaters -- left hanging when the Western New York region moved into the fourth, and final phase of the reopening from the coronavirus shut-down. 


Wendel announces more COVID-19 cases, and adjustments...
There have been a couple of changes to Chautauqua County's number of confirmed coronavirus cases over the past day.  Interim County Executive P-J Wendel says there are five new cases... but, adds that two previous cases that should have been counted in another county have now been transferred to that county.  That means there are now 153 total confirmed cases in the county.  Wendel says the new cases include a woman in her 30s... and, man and woman in their 40s, a man in his 60s... and, a woman in her 80s.  He says 127 people have now recovered... while 259 cases are under quarantine or isolation orders, and are being monitored.  Wendel says there have been 17,411 negative test results to date.


Wendel says big confirmed case number Tuesday does not appear related to any "big event..."
Chautauqua County officials don't believe there was any "big event" led to Tuesday's spike in COVID-19 cases.  That from Interim County Executive PJ Wendel... who says county health officials have looked into the now 11 new cases that day.  Some have speculated that events surrounding the Fourth of July had an impact.  Wendel says it's too early for that to show up.  In another development... the executive says he has received a good response to his proposal to included additional phases to New York State's reopening, because some businesses -- including gyms -- had received no guidance. 


Four-H Meat Animal Sale next week to be completely on-line...
The first ever 'virtual' Four-H Meat Animal Sale is just a week away.  Chautauqua County Four-H Youth Educator, Kate Ewer, says the Peterson Auction Service in Frewsburg has helped them organize the event, to run for 24 hours, starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 16.  Ewer says all lots will be available for bid.  Pictures and videos for many of the animals are already available for viewing at petersonauction.com.  It was the cancellation of the Chautauqua County Fair that led to the creation of the 'on-line' meat animal sale.