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WJTN News Headlines

Local Congressman Tom Reed says Sunday's massacre at an Orlando, Florida nightclub where 49 were killed... and, 53 others were wounded was a "horrific loss" to that community and the nation.  During his weekly conference call with regional media Monday... Reed said "our throughts and prayers go out to the families, and parents" of the young people killed. Reed also says it's time to call mass shootings... like the one's in Orlando, and San Bernadino what they are... "Radial Islamic Terrorism."  The Corning Republican says it's also time for those who deny that we are at war with that ideology to treat it as such.  Reed add's that it's to look also into possible failures at the FBI that allowed Omar Mateen to remain free.  He says Mateen had been interviewed three times some time back... but, had been cleared and apparently had fallen "off the agency's radar."  Reed says adds that Mateen was also apparently on a Terror Watchlist.  He says he wants answers to those questions as he returned to Washington, D-C Monday.

 

Some people -- including elected officials -- have already called for more gun control... or, an all-out ban on assault weapons in the wake of Sunday's mass shootings in Orlando, Florida.  However... local Congressman Tom Reed is not among them.  Reed says he's going to remain on the side of freedom-loving Americans who support the second-amendment. Reed says there are also reports that Mateen's "spriritual advisor" was recently released from prison early... and, was apparently behind his radicalization.  He says that radicalization... in this case within the U-S... should be more of the focus of the investigation.  Reed is also again pushing to deal with the mental health issues surrounding mass shootings.  He believes there may be some common ground found to deal with the assault rifle issue.  However... he has concenrs over due process rights for people who end up on Terrorist Watch lists.  He also says it's time for the Obama administration to call these attackers what they are - "Radical Islamic Terrorists."

 

Rainbow colors will shine from the Peace Bridge between the United States and Canada in remembrance of the victims of the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.  Public Bridge Authority officials say Monday it's one of several landmarks worldwide being illuminated in the colors symbolizing gay pride.  One World Trade Center in New York City and the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia also are illuminated in honor of the victims.  A gunman with an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the club early Sunday, leaving at least 49 people dead in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history.  The Peace Bridge links Buffalo to Fort Erie, Ontario.

 

An electrical problem is believed to have triggered a house fire on the city of Dunkirk's eastside Sunday morning.  Fire Chief Mike Edwards says crews responded to the call at 148 East 2nd Street about 10:40 AM.  Edwards says there was heavy smoke coming from the attic space of the home. Tenants told firefighters they discovered smoke coming from around an exhaust fan on the second floor and evacuated the structure.  Edwards says that's apparently where the electrical fire started.  No injuries were reported.  The local Red Cross is assisting two adults and three children who lived in the home.  Fredonia fire crews stood by with an engine at City Fire Headquarters.  Alstar ambulance also assisted at the scene.

 

A Republican from Allegany County has announced that he intends to run a primary challenge against incumbant State Senator Cathy Young.  Thomas Randolph of Cuba said Monday that he has "nothing against" Young... but, says he's had enough of the dysfunction in Albany.  Randolph says he and his wife experienced that first-hand when they pushed for "Brittany's Law..." which would require those convicted of domestic violence incidents be listed on a registry.  He says that happened to his own daughter, Shannon Pepper, in 2013.  She was viciously beaten by her boyfriend... but, she didn't know he had been convicted of assault. "Brittany's Law is named for the victim of another domestic incident in 2009.  The Senate has approved the Domestic Violence Prevention Act a number of times.  But, it has always stalled in the Assembly.  Randolph says he's announcing now because he has a very 'narrow' window in which to get one-thousand signatures from 57th District Republicans to force a primary vote.  Randolph says the system is pretty much rigged to favor the incumbant in any race.

 

State Senator Cathy Young says the people of her 57th Senate District know "how hard" she works for them... and, says she has gotten "a lot done."  Young made the comments in response to comments by Cuba Republican Thomas Randolph... who is working to force a GOP Primary.  She says she'll put her record up against anyone running for office. Young also says she was able to help get 26-million dollars in additional funding for WCA Hospital in Jamestown.  While Randolph feels there needs to be a "clean-sweep" in Albany... the Olean Republican says matters pertaining to public safety often get blocked in the Democrat-led Assembly.  Young says that was the case with Brittany's Law.  She says "I only have control over how I vote in the Senate."  However... she adds the Senate has approved Brittany's Law six times.  Young has yet to formally announce her intentions to run for office.  Since the legislature is still in session... she says her focus is legislative matters.  She says she'll shift to the campaign once the session concludes.

 

New York is poised to expand access to breast cancer screening under an agreement reached by top state lawmakers and Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo.  Cuomo made combating the cancer a priority after the successful cancer treatment of his girlfriend, Food Network star Sandra Lee.  Under the deal, the state will order 210 hospitals to expand hours when mammograms are offered and require insurance companies to eliminate deductibles and co-pays for the screening and some other diagnostic tests.  The proposal is expected to be formally approved by lawmakers this week.  Cuomo says the idea is to allow more women to get screened because early detection saves lives.  Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in New York, with some 15,000 across the state diagnosed each year.

 

A balloon handler has died following an accident in Western New York.  State police say 34-year-old Ryan Almeter was holding onto the basket allowing passengers to get off when wind caused the balloon to take flight about 9 PM last Friday.  The balloon climbed to approximately 100 feet above Letchworth State Park when Almeter let go of the basket and fell to his death.  The balloon was participating in a festival called Balloons Over Letchworth in Livingston County.  A telephone recording for festival organizers said weather conditions on Saturday and Sunday would not allow the festival to continue.  The message said no further information would be available until eastly this week Monday.  The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have been contacted about the accident.