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WJTN News Headlines for June 29, 2020

Two people from Corry, Pennsylvania were arrested last Saturday after they were allegedly found in possession of drugs during a traffic stop in the town of Clymer.  Chautauqua County Sheriff's officers say they stopped a car, driven by 39 year-old Timothy Cressley, for a traffic violation on Route 76 about 5:30 PM... and, found Pressley in possession of a quantity of methamphetamine and marihuana.  They also accuse his passenger, 26 year-old Mystic Olinger, of being in possession of a controlled substance, marihuana, and drug paraphernalia.  Both were issued appearance tickets for Clymer Town Court at a later date.

A Kiantone man riding his motorcycle early last weekend escaped serious injury... but, had to be flown to a nearby hospital after he was struck by a car in the town of Kiantone.  Sheriff's deputies say 68 year-old James Magee was southbound on Kiantone Road about 7:30 PM Friday when a southbound car came up from behind.  However... officers say the driver of the vehicle, 34 year-old Amy Mahaffey of Russell, Pennsylvania... failed to slow and struck the motorcycle.  Magee crashed... and, was flown via medivac helicopter to a unnamed hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.  Officers say Mahaffey was also taken to a local hospital for treatment.  Mahaffey was issued a traffic ticket for following too closely.


New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has allowed some of the remaining $133.4-million in federal child care funding to be released.  However... the majority of that money remains in the state's hands.  That after some regional lawmakers -- including Congressman Tom Reed -- recently wrote the governor to release all that funding.  Reed was among those who wrote the governor after learning that only $30-million of the $163.4-million allocated to New York from the CARES Act had been released.  Reed says child care facilities desperately need that money, especially if schools can't open this Fall.

Reed recently visited "A Children's Place" child care facility in Jamestown to talk with local leaders about the issue.  He made these comments during his weekly conference call with regional media.  Child Care Council Director Beth Starks said they were concerned that half of the local facilities may not be able to continue if they don't get that money.


There was one new case of COVID-19 reported in Chautauqua County last weekend... bringing the total to 128.  That from County Executive P-J Wendel... who says a woman in her 20s was reported as the latest confirmed case Sunday.  Wendel adds that there are currently six active cases, and they continue to recover... while 115 people have now recovered.  Wendel says 134 cases are under quarantine or isolation orders... and, there have now been 14,021 negative test results to date.


Chautauqua County Clerk Larry Barmore says the county's three Department of Motor Vehicles offices will be closed all this week to put an on-line appointment system in place.  In a press release late last Friday... Barmore said the decision was not made lightly... but, he adds Governor Cuomo has ordered all DMVs to put an on-line system in place.  In order to do that... Barmore says they need to catch up on all back-logged work and get an online system for booking appointments in place.  He adds they will be doing that this week.  That also means they will not be accepting work via drop box for this week ONLY.  They ask that everyone keep an eye on our website for updated information. Its at chqgov.com/county-clerk/Department-of-Motor-Vehicles.


At Dow Park in Jamestown on Sunday,  The Jamestown Justice Coalition held its final June rally.  The coalition's coordinator, Justin Hubbard, thanked supporters for all the interest shown through the month, and encouraged them to 'get on with the work.'
That work includes attending City Council sessions and communicating with elected officials about social justice issues.
Mayor Eddie Sundquist told the crowd over 78 people have applied for 12 spots on the newly re-invigorated 'Human Rights Commision.'  Once in place, Sundquist says, he'll make sure the commision works 'hand in hand' with all parts of city government.  The mayor also promised community input in the selection of a new police chief.  In addition to addressing 'Black Lives Matter', other speakers touched on issues related to Native Americans and the LGBTQ community.  Around 150 masked supporters attended Sunday's rally.  
 

There has been no dialogue between Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas and the Common Council since the meeting on June 16th when Councilman-at-Large Paul VanDenVouver told the mayor to sign out of the meeting held by video conference.  VanDenVouver says he has not spoken with Rosas since the session...

[CLIP]  VanDenVouver-stands by his decision  "a council meeting...."

VanDenVouver was asked whether Rosas will be attending the next meeting scheduled for July 7th... he says they'll be reviewing that situation with their attorney, Dan Garde (guard).  As for the next meeting, VanDenVouver hopes to be able to hold the session in the courtroom, with department heads on hand.  He doesn't believe they will be able to have the public attend because of social distancing requirements and will continue to accept public comment by email.

 
Health officials are investigating whether someone returning to the New York City area from Florida spread the coronavirus at a high school graduation in suburban Westchester County.  Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the investigation on Saturday after New York, New Jersey and Connecticut enacted 14-day traveler quarantines to try to check the spread of the virus.  A message was left on Saturday seeking comment from school district officials.


Pennsylvania's health secretary is defending her agency's handling of the COVID-19 outbreak inside nursing homes and personal care facilities.  They account for almost 70-percent of the state's nearly 6,600 fatalities.  Criticism has focused on the state's policy that sent recovering patients back to nursing homes after being treated in hospitals.  Levine's agency has said it was following a March directive from the federal government that nursing homes admit anyone they normally would, including patients from hospitals where COVID-19 has been present.