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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News Headlines for Sat., Oct. 1, 2016

Victim in fatal Dunkirk Train-Pedestrian accident identified...
Dunkirk police have now identified the person killed in this past Wednesday's fatal train-pedestrian accident near the CSX rail line west of Middle Road.  Dunkirk Police Chief David Ortolano says they have also concluded their investigation into the incident.  Ortolano says the victim -- 37 year-old Athena Dipirro -- was walking along the tracks with her dog.  He says the dog had run into the area of the trucks, and she went to save her dog.  Both Dipirro and the dog died in the accident.  Ortolano says they couldn't determined why Dipirro was in the area of the tracks... adding that she lived on Middle Road... just few blocks from the scene.  He says she may have been walking home at the time.  There have been a number of fatalities over the years along the tracks that traverse the city of Dunkirk.  Ortolano warns area residents to stay away from the tracks, saying that you can't always see or hear a train until it's often too late. 
 
 
Ludlow, PA man died in pick-up truck accident...
A McKean County, Pennsylvania man was killed late Thursday afternoon after his truck went off the road and crashed about a mile from the Warren County line.  State Police in Warren say 38 year-old Raymond Eckstrom, Junior of Ludlow was westbound on State Route 6 shortly before 5 p.m. when his Ford pick-up went off the northside of the road.  It finally came to rest about 500 feet from the highway.  Troopers say Eckstrom was taken to Warren General Hospital... where he later died.
 
 
September of 2016 will go down as sixth-warmest ever in WNY...
The month of September will go down as one of the warmest September's ever on record in western New York.  While it's been rainy and cool in recent days... Forecaster Steve Welch with the National Weather Service in Buffalo says the average temperature was 67.2-degrees.  It will be the sixth warmest September on record.  As for our rainy as we wrap-up the month... he says it's helped our drought situation... through the north county remains under a moderate drought.  Welch says having a warm September in recent years has not been unusual.  The September of 2015 was the fifth warmest on record since they were kept starting in 1871.  
 
 
NYS to spend $2.5-million to help farms cut Carbon emissions...
New York state is spending $2.5-million dollars on efforts to help local farmers reduce their carbon emissions.  The funding announced this week can also be spent on local initiatives to help prepare farms for droughts and other effects of climate change.  The money will be awarded to local soil and water conservation districts.  Governor Andrew Cuomo, whose office announced the funds, says climate change is a "new reality" and that helping farms reduce their greenhouse gas emissions is one way to reduce the impact.  State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball says droughts and floods are becoming more common. 
 
 
Goodell says he's proposed Ethics reforms, other measures to try and deal with Albany corruption...
Chautauqua County's current state Assemblyman says he... and, other members of the chamber's minority party... will continue to push hard for ethics reform in Albany.  Bemus Point-area Republican Andy Goodell says he's especially been pushing to eliminate what's commonly called "Pay to Play."  On this weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the five Media One Group stations... Goodell says he's drafted legislation to end it.  Right now, the ability to donate to lawmakers dealing with legislation that directly impacts the donor is allowed.  Goodell adds that he's also proposed legislation for pension forfeiture... which has been an issue in the most recent, major corruption cases.  Those involve former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos... both of whom can still receive their pensions.  As for allowing lawmakers to received outside pay while serving as a part-time lawmaker... Goodell doesn't see it as a problem.  In fact... he feels having legislators with other backgrounds are a benefit.  However.. his opponent this year's election... Brocton-native Jason Perdue... feels lawmakers should be full-time.  At the same time... Perdue says they not receive more pay.
 
 
County's Office for Aging to hold three Medicare Open Enrollment Forums...
Medicare Open Enrollment begins Oct. 15... and, the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging will be holding three public forums on enrolling, or changing plans next week.  Office for the Aging Director Mary Ann Spanos says the first forum will be held at the Findley Lake Community Center next Tuesday, Oct. 4 from 1 to 3 p.m.  Spanos says these forums are for people currently on Medicare... or who are about to turn 65... and, want to know their options... and, insurance companies will be able to announce their program changes from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.  Spanos says Traditional Medicare... or Part-A... usual has few -- if any -- changes.  She says there will be a presentation at each forum from their Certified Medicare Counselor... and, all the insurance providers involved will be represented.  Spanos says there are usually changes to Medicare Advantage Plans... and, Medicare Part-D.  She adds the forums are also geared to help caregivers, and veterans.  The second forum will be held next Wednesday, Oct. 5 at Harvest Chapel in Fredonia from 1 to 3 p.m.  The third one will be at Heritage Ministries in the Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood on Thursday the 6th.  That'll also run from 1 to 3 p.m.  For more information... call 753-4471.