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.  


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Connect with The National Weather Service's Buffalo Office or with WGRZ-TV for accurate weather information!

 

 

 


 

WJTN News Headlines

City police have made one arrest as officers continue to investigate a disturbance on Jamestown's northside which led to discovery of a Heroin overdose... and, quantities of illegal drugs.  City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says police were called to the scene at 21 Sturges Street just after 9:30 Wednesday night.  Samuelson says 29 year-old Richard Philbrick allegedly tried to keep police from investigating... but, they were able to finally get to the 22 year-old female overdose victim.  That person was revived using Narcan... and, was taken to WCA Hospital for treatment.  A search warrant was obtaining after police found Methamphetime inside the residence.  Police later found other alleged substances... which are being tested.  Officers arrested Philbrick for drug possession.

 

An Olean man has been indicted by a federal Grand Jury accusing him of trafficking Heroin and suboxone... and, Felony possession of a firearm.  U-S Attorney William Hochul, Junior announced that 23 year-old Giovanni Salomonson was taken into custody on the four-count indictment.  Prosecutors say Olean Police allegedly discovered Salmonson in possession of quantities of heroin and suboxone during an investigation back on New Year's Day.  They also accuse him of having a 22-caliber revolver in his possession.  Hochul adds he was previously convicted on state charges which prevent him from legally possessing a firearm.  He says the indictment is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Olean Police Department, under the direction of Chief and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The charges against Salmonson carry a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, a maximum of life... 250-thousand dollars... or both.


Several hundred people, many of them teachers, went to the Southwestern auditorium Thursday night for a forum on public education.  Ten different speakers talked about the successes and challenges in the schools today.  Many expressed concern over the governor's proposals for funding in the state budget now being negotiated.  Jamestown High School Business teacher, David Munella, asked "When did teachers become the enemy of the state?". Maureen Dohahue, the Superintendent at Southwestern talked about the millions of dollars her district has lost since the great recession forced the 'gap elimination adjustment' onto schools. A representative of Assemblyman Andy Goodell's office spoke at the beginning of the session, and encouraged those with a stake in school funding to continue to make their case in Albany. 

 

A Jamestown man escaped serious injury early yesterday morning when he was shot in the shoulder at close range during an incident on the city's southside.  Jamestown Police Captain Bob Samuelson says the shooting apparently occured about 5 AM on McKinley Avenue.  Samuelson adds city police were notified by the emergency room at WCA Hospital about the incident around 6 AM... and, officers have been investigating since then.
Samuelson says the unidentified male victim is expected to recover.  However... he says they have no motive for the shooting... and, no suspect.  Samuelson says they're looking for the public's help in the investigation because they have received conflicting information so far... but, adds there was at least a gunshot that would have been heard.  Samuelson says anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Jamestown police at 483-7537... or call their confidential tips-line at 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477.

 

Some have questioned if there is a need for a statewide weather system.  Governor Andrew Cuomo raised the issue last November when Western New York was digging out from a major lake effect snowstorm.  There are discussions underway involving the state... and, the National Weather Service.  That from Chautauqua County Emergency Services Director Julius Leone... who adds they are also looking at having a monitoring station in the county. Leone says such a statewide system would provide real-time weather information at available to the state and to public.  He says this would not only help the state... but, also local governments in making decisions on how to help the public be "more prepared "for that event."  No decisions have been made on where such a monitor would be located in the county, although the discussions will continue.  Cuomo has indicated that he would fund such a system by using some of the federal disaster funding the state has obtained for the recovery from Hurricane Sandy.

 

The excitement is building at Panama Central Schools as the Lady Panthers get ready to play in the New York State Class-D Basketball Championships for the first time ever.  In fact... Panama's appearance in the final four in Troy is the first time a Panther's team has made the finals.  With that... the community has planned a big send-off for the girl's this morning at the school.  Michelle Sperry is the mother of player Emily Sperry... and, she says it's a "very exciting" time for everyone. Sperry... who works in the school system... says she's very excited... and, she's been involved in planning the big send off at the school's parking lot at 8:15 this morning.  And... hopefully on the way to a state Championship.  Panama will play Heuvelton at 9 AM Saturday.  Meantime... Chautauqua Lake in Class-C will play Cooperstown in the semi-finals at 12:30 PM Saturday at Hudson Valley Community College.

 

Students in a western New York school district walked out of school and through the streets in protest of a decision to retire the Redskins nickname because it offends some Native Americans.  Lancaster school officials say about 300 high-and middle-school students participated in the Thursday morning demonstration, with most returning to class by mid-morning.  Among their signs: ``School board speak with forked tongue'' and ``Once a Redskin, always a Redskin.''  The suburban Buffalo district had been phasing out use of the mascot and nickname for the past few years.  The school board voted this week to retire it altogether after three nearby districts with sizeable numbers of Native American students canceled lacrosse matches.  A statement from Superintendent Michael Vallely said it's time to rethink traditions that are unintentionally hurtful.