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 Headlines for Sat., Aug. 18, 2018

Long-time Downtown Jamestown advocate and supporter Lee Harkness honored before Friday night Crusin'...
It was proclaimed as 'Lee Harkness Day' in Jamestown Friday night during the downtown Crusin' event.  Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce President, Todd Tranum, made the presentation to Harkness... who now heads up the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce.  Tranum says Harkness "brought leadership and energy back to the community."  Through his work with the Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation... and later the Chamber of Commerce... Harkness has been instrumental in establishing the Cruise-In, Holiday Parade and other downtown traditions.  And, he was a prime mover in the preservation of the Jamestown Train Station.  He says he was "completely suprised by the honor."  Lee says there are still things he'd like to see downtown... including passenger rail excursions to a rehabilitated engine house... the building just down the tracks from the train station.
-----
Despite threatening weather, Friday night's Jamestown Cruise-In was deemed a great success... with around a 110 cars, and throngs of people downtown.  The Cruise-In is organized by the Jamestown Area Community Chamber of Commerce, The Jamestown Savings Bank Arena, and Der Kobblers car club.
 
 
Young, with help of Goodell, secure's another $500,000 for Panama to pay penalty to state...
State Senator Cathy Young has secured half-a-million dollars to cover the cost of Panama Central School District's penalty payment to the state Department of Education.  The Olean Republican headed up the effort with local Assemblyman Andy Goodell... who pushed the bill in that Chamber.  Young says New York penalized the school district $4.9-million in 2012 for missing final cost reports for a 2005 capital improvement project.  She has now secured $3-million total since 2013 to help the district pay down the penalty... and, avoid passing the burden onto taxpayers in the rural school district.  The remaining penalty balance is now $1.9 million.  She says the funding "ensures that Panama Central School District taxpayers do not have to shoulder an undue tax burden caused by circumstances beyond their control." 
 
 
Dunkirk man arrested for robbery after lengthy investigation...
A Dunkirk man has now been arrested following a lengthy investigation into a robbery that occurred at convenience store in the city last November.  Dunkirk Police say they took 22-year-old Andre McQuiggan into custody late Thursday on a Chautauqua County Court warrant, charging him with Felony second-degree robbery.  Police Chief Dave Ortolano says the arrest stems from an incident that occurred last November 17.  McQuiggan allegedly held up a clerk and made off with an amount of money after brandishing what appeared to be a firearm.  Ortolano says he is happy with the outcome of the investigation... which involved several officers and members of their Detective Unit.  He says the investigation is still ongoing, and there may be additional arrests in this case.
 
 
Two Jamestown residents arrested for child endangerment after overdosign on drugs...
Two city residents have been charged after they allegedly overdosed in drugs while a child was persent with them inside an  apartment on Jamestown's southside.  City police say they were called to a home on South Main Street just before 9 a.m. last Thursday on a report of an unresponsive female.  When they arrived... police say they found 45 year-old Robin Smith and 76 year-old Jose Perez intoxicated to the point of being unresponsive.  Smith and Perez were also found with used syringes inside the apartment.  Both were taken to UMPC Chautauqua Hospital... where they were revived.  Once released... they were arrested for endangering the welfare of a child... and, jailed pending arraignment.
 
 
Outgoing County DPF Director, and new one, talk transition...
The retiring director of the county's Department of Public Facilities says he will remain on the job for two more week's to help make the new director's transition a smooth one.  George Spanos is wrapping up a 31-year career with the DPF... 16 as director.  Spanos says he's very happy with the selection of Bemus Point's Brad Bentley to replace him... and, says the transition began at the Falconer shop yesterday morning.  He says they will continue introductions Monday at the Sherman shop and then Wednesday, they'll be at the Sheridan shop in the north county.  Bentley says he's happy that Spanos will be on through the end of the month to help button-up the DPF's budget proposal for next year... and, getting Summer projects wrapped up.  He says it seems to be an ideal transition time for both of them.  County Executive George Borrello says the selection of the new public facilities director was made through the help of a bi-partisan search committee.  The five member group cut the field to three... and Borrello interviewed each before making a final selection.