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WJTN News Headlines for May 24. 2018

 
More steps have been taken in sharing and consolidating services in Chautauqua County, after the legislature last night approved a plan allowing two north county governments to merge some services...  
 
Lawmakers voted unanimously to allow the town of Portland and village of Brocton to consolidate Vital Statistic Registrar Districts.  Legislature Chairman Paul Wendel says they hope to see more and more of this among local municipalities.  Wendel says they also unanimously approved a Sheriff's Department sub-station at Pine Valley Central School.  Could this happen at more schools?  Wendel says it depends on available space.
 
Wendel, who is also a teacher in the Falconer district, says that can be difficult to find at times.  He says Sheriff Joe Gerace began looking into the idea last year and, says they're pleased to be able to offer the service to the district and community.  He says having that presence would give residents some "peace of mind."  Lawmakers also approved new enhanced Sheriff's Department protection contracts for the village of Mayville, and town of Hanover during last night's monthly meeting.
 
 
The Jamestown Community College Board of Trustees has approved a new, $33.2-million budget for the 2018-19 academic year...  
 
It's also the final budget put together by now-retired JCC President, Cory Duckworth.  Vice-President of Enrollment Management, and Institutional Advancement, Kirk Young, says the "process of developing a budget has been long and at times challenging."  Young says they've been working hard at identifying cost savings, and new ways to bring in new students and generate revenue.  Full-time New York resident tuition will increase by $60.00 to $2,435 per semester.  The out-of-state tuition rate will be $4,870 per semester.
 
 
Local Congressman Tom Reed has introduced a bill that he says will encourage colleges and universities to lower their tuition costs, making higher education more affordable...  
 
The Corning Republican says he "dropped" the Reducing Excessive Debt and Unfair Costs of Education -- or REDUCE Act.  Reed says a key part of his plan would be increasing transparency in how colleges are spending their money -- including their endowments.
 
Reed says if colleges and universities agree to those moves, he says he would be willing to relieve them of the 1.4-percent tax on endowments that was part of last year's tax reform bill.  He says another key part of his proposal is a requirement for college's to put a cost containment plan in place, where they would be required to publicly show how they are going to hold down the cost to students.  Reed says he hasn't been able to gauge early support for the measure, but since it's now part of the tax code, he believes there wil be.  He made his comments for his weekly telephone conference call with Southern Tier Media.
 
 
New York Republicans have nominated Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro to run for governor...  
 
Delegates endorsed the 42-year-old Molinaro Wednesday at the GOP's state convention in Manhattan.  He had faced a challenge for the nomination from state Senator John DeFrancisco of Syracuse.  Molinaro is a former state lawmaker whose political career began when he was elected mayor of Tivoli at age 19.  In his acceptance speech, Molinaro vowed to take on corruption and deep-pocketed special interests if elected.  He said he wants to be the candidate for other "everyday New Yorkers" from all parties who want to change the status quo in Albany.  Republicans are scheduled to nominate their pick for attorney general on Thursday, the convention's final day.  Democrats are holding their nominating convention this week on Long Island.
 
 
The Government Accountability Office says Congress can take back money that has already been appropriated for the Children's Health Insurance Program...  
 
The Trump administration has proposed cutting federal spending by $15-billion, with almost half coming from CHIP.  Since the cuts would come from mandatory spending, the GAO first had to determine if it's allowable under congressional rules.  Family's USA Spokesman Shawn Gremminger says five-billion is from funds that states are not expected to spend.  But two-billion would come from CHIP's contingency fund, set aside in case states spend more than expected.
 
The administration claims that because CHIP isn't expected to spend those funds, the cuts would not affect the program's ability to function.  However, Gremminger say that the whole point of a contingency fund is to have it available if expenses exceed expectations.  He adds the cuts are being proposed as a way to soften the fiscal impact of the trillion-dollar tax cut passed in December that detractors claim mostly benefits corporations and the rich.  The House is expected to take up a rescission bill with the proposed cuts in early June.
 
 
A local businessman who is also a community activist and volunteer in Jamestown will be chairing the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County's 2018 Campaign...  
 
As a coach for both the Jamestown Area Midget Football League and Cal Ripken Baseball programs, Executive Director Amy Rohler says Kurt Eimiller brings "a lot of passion and commitment to our community."  Eimiller expressed his gratitude by saying "I am honored to chair this year's campaign and, proud to volunteer for an organization that takes an outcome-focused approach to its programs."  Eimiller is currently the President of Sloan-Melhuish Insurance in Jamestown.  The United Way's 2018 campaign officially kicks-off later this year in an effort to raise over $1.3-million for 39 programs in Chautauqua County.  For more information, visit their website at UWaysCC.org. 
 
 
The second day for Conservation Field Days will take place today at Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center...  
 
Kate Ewer, an educator from Cornell Cooperative Extension, organizes the event.  She says between the two days, one-thousand fifth-graders from all around the county will visit with a couple dozen experts. This year marks the 52nd year for Conservation Field Days.  (Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center is located between Maple Springs and Dewittville, along Rt. 430.)
 
 
On the heels of the LECOM Health Challenge at Peek'n Peak this July, an American Junior Golf Association tournament will come to the resort's upper course for the first time...  
 
Peak co-owner, Nick Scott, made the anouncement during this week's Media Day. The 'New Era Junior Championship' will run Tuesday, July 10 through Friday, the 13.  As for the space formerly occupied by Peek'n Peak's lower course, that property remains undeveloped. Nick Scott says they continue to work on plans, but the lower course has been closed since the end of the 2016 golf season.  
 
 
A Jamestown man was arrested for allegedly threatening a boy with a weapon during a fight late Monday evening...  
 
City Police were responded to the fight in the area of Thayer and Falconer Streets just after 10 p.m. and, found 19 year-old Scott Eddy had threatened to harm the unidentified victim during the altercation, while brandishing a knife.  Officers located Eddy a short distance away, and he was found with the knife.  He was taken to city jail until he could be arraigned for endangering the welfare of a child, second-degree menacing and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.