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

A man jailed for allegedly robbing the CVS Store in Brooklyn Square late Sunday night is now under arrest for two other robberties last August.  In Sunday's incident... Jamestown Police were called to the scene just minutes after the alleged robbery at 10:30 PM.  Police Lieutenant Paul Abbott says the suspect... now identified as 31 year-old Angel Vargas-Mendoza... Allegedly displayed the knife to the clerk... and, stole a smaller amount of money before fleeing.  Abbott says officers were greeted by a witness and the store manager... who told them the man fled towards the Chadakoin River. Abbott says Vargas-Mendoza had taken a small amount of cash from the store.  He says the bandit brandished the knife towards one of three employees inside the store.  Abbott says Vargas-Mendoza is charged with Robbery, Menacing, and Petty Larceny for Sunday night's robbery.  There were no injuries during the incident... and, the investigation is continuing.  JPD were assisted by New York State Police and The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department. Late yesterday... City Police Captain Bob Samuelson announced that Vargas-Mendoza now faces two more counts of first-degree robbery for hold-ups at two 7-11 stores last August.  The one at 340 Allen Street back occured on August 10th... and, the other happened August 20th at 10-11 East Second Street.  In both cases... the bandit also pulled a knife.  Samuelson says he's now awaiting arraignment on those charges.

 

The efforts of a West Ellicott motel owner helped Jamestown police track down the thieves who allegedly stole a 4-wheeler at his business last weekend.  City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says it also led police to two people who are also acccused of operating a "One-Pot" Meth Lab on the city's southside.  Samuelson says they and Ellicott Police were called by the owner of the Fairmount Avenue motel... who saw the all-terrain vehicle stolen about 11:30 AM Saturday.  He says the man called police... and, was able to follow the van involved for a while.
Samuelson says further investigation not only uncovered materials typically used in making Methamphetime.... but, after obtaining a warrant... police found more materials for making Meth.  He adds they also found a small amount of the drug that had been made there.  City police called in the State Police Contaminated Crime Scene Emergeny Response Team to help clean up the site... and, Samuelson says that was completed by Sunday afternoon.  Police have charged 43 year-old Joseph Casel... and, 34 year-old Kristen Nelson with Felony Manufacture of Methamphetime.  Two small children were also taken from the house... and, both were also charged with child endangerment.  Casel and Nelson were arraigned... and, sent to the County Jail without bail.

 

New York state lawmakers and advocates of medical marijuana are gathering in New York City to discuss the implementation of a new state law authorizing marijuana as a treatment for certain medical conditions.  Senator Diane Savino and Assemblyman Richard Gottfried addressed the Marijuana Regulatory Summit Sunday.  Other speakers included national advocates and representatives of the medical marijuana industry.  This Summer... New York became the 23rd state to authorize the drug for patients with conditions including AIDS, cancer and epilepsy.

 

An organization held a rally in Warren, Pennsylvania this morning to call attention to missing persons across the east coast.  The also urged hunters to be on the look-out for any suspicious findings in the woods during the hunting seasons.  Among those missing is Damien Sharp... who went missing more than a decade ago.  His mother, Janeane Shanahan, has been working with the organization "Community United Effort" to call attention to the missing at the Warren Municipal Building.  Another local missing person... Lori Ceci Bova... was also highlighted.  Again... today's focus was asking hunters to be on the look-out for any unusual, or suspicious findings in the woods.

 

The Democratic candidate running for the 150th State Assembly seat says he is working hard to get his message out about his candidacy... and, his stand on the issues.  Barry Yochim is challenging incumbent Republican Andy Goodell... and, while they agree on a number of issues, there are some differences.  Yochim -- like Goodell -- favors repealing the SAFE Act. However... Yochim believes there are some good aspects of the SAFE Act that should remain intact... such as protecting first-responders who arrive at the scene of a fire or other incident.  That part of the measure came out of the shooting and killing of two firefighters in the Rochester area a couple of years ago.  The Jamestown-area man also says he believes that having a local Democrat be part of the Assembly majority will benefit the area because the chamber is expected to remain predominantly Democrat in the future.  Yochim says he also believes that being an assembly member should be a full-time job.

 

Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is giving Rob Astorino some help in his bid to defeat incumbant Democrat Andrew Cuomo.  Romney wrote a recent fundraising appeal for Astorino in which the former Massachusetts governor calls Cuomo ``a typical corrupt New York politician.''  Romney also criticizes New York's high taxes and business climate... and, notes Astorino was twice elected county executive in heavily Democratic Westchester County.  Other prominent Republicans backing Astorino include Texas Governor Rick Perry.

 

A Falconer man has been arrested for allegedly shoving a woman down to the ground during a domestic incident in front of two young children.  Ellicott Town Police were called to South Albertus Street about 4:30 AM last Sunday on a report of a woman screaming.  Officers say their investigation showed that 29 year-old Christopher Marker has pushed the female victim down in view of the children.  Marker was arraigned on charges of second-degree harassment... and, endangering the welfare of a child.  He was held pending further court action.

 

A 14-year-old boy who died in a 200-foot fall into a gorge over the weekend has been identified as a Penfield High School ninth-grader.  State Parks Police say Matthew Rezsnyak was walking along a trail at the park with an adult when he ventured off a path near the Great Bend overlook at Letchworth State Park and fell into the gorge.