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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WJTN News Headlines

 

It was an uneventful start to the New Year weather-wise... with slightly above normal temperatures.  However... our warm-up comes to an end by mid-week.  The National Weather Service has now issued a Lake Effect Snow Watch... starting Wednesday afternoon... with up to 15 inches predicted in some areas through Friday.  That from Forecaster Aaron Reynolds with the National Weather Service in Buffalo... who says we're currently under the influence of a weather system that's moved in from the south. Reynolds says the high temperatures by this Thursday and Friday will only be 15 to 20 degrees.  Reynolds says the Chautauqua Ridge -- and, traditional snow belt areas -- will probably see the most snow... between 8 and 15 inches.  He says we'll likely see those very cold temperatures for several days once they reach the area late Wednesday.  In fact... the projected high next Saturday and Sunday is only between 15 and 20-degrees.

 

A Jamstown man is accused of theatening a woman and her two small children with a knife during a domestic violence incident on the city's southside early yesterday morning.  City Police say they were called to the scene at 816 Newland Avenue around Midnight... and, found the three victims visibly upset and crying.  Officers say 39 year-old Nicholas Alianell also damaged a door during the incident.  He was arrested without further incident... and, he was found to have an active Order of Protection against him to stay away from the children.  Alianell was arraigned on two counts of aggravated family offense... and, second-degree criminal contempt... and, menacing.  He was then sent to the county jail without bail.

 

The Christmas and New Year's Holiday period is usually a big one for local ski resorts... and, this year has been a good one.  That from Holiday Valley Ski Resort Marketing Manager Jane Eshbaugh... who says the Ellicottville ski area has had a "wonderful" start to the 2016-17 season.  Eshbaugh says they had all but one slope open for Christmas... thanks to recent lake effect snow, and their ability to make snow. Eshbaugh adds that the only slope that hasn't opened yet is "The Wall..." which is their steepest slope at Holiday Valley... but, she says they hope to open that this weekend.  She says they've already received about 90 inches of snow in Ellicottville this Winter.  She says the skiing was terrific on New Year's... with a "great crowd" on hand.  Eshbaugh says they expect to keep the momentum going because it's "Canadian Friendship Week..." with all Canadian public schools closed this week.  Holiday Valley is open from 9 AM to 9 PM on Mondays and Tuesdays... 9 AM to 10 PM WednesdayS through Fridays... and, 8:30 AM to 10 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.

 

In addition to it's skiing... Holiday Valley is also know for it's special events and promotions.  Marketing Manager Jane Eshbaugh says they have a reduced rate for "Learn to Ski" Week this week.  Eshbaugh says they're cutting the usual lift pass price in half to encourage people to come out and give the sport a try. Eshbaugh also says Holiday Valley will try to set a new Guiness World's Record this Friday afternoon for the largest number of people taking a ski lesson at once.  She says they'll start at 1 PM... and, the best part is the lesson will be free.  Eshbaugh says they hoped to try to beat the record last year... but, the weather didn't cooperate.  For more information on Holiday Valley... call 699-2345... or go on-line to Holidayvalley-dot-COM.

 

About 200 state investigators and staffers are being assigned to spread the word about New York's recent minimum wage increase - and to make sure businesses comply.  Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the task force Monday in New York City.  The minimum wage was previously 9-dollars  an hour statewide until Saturday.  Now, it varies by location and size of business, from $9.70 an hour in much of the state to $11 an hour in New York City businesses with 11 or more workers.  The Democratic governor and the state Legislature agreed in March to raise minimum wage to $15 an hour statewide by 2021.  Cuomo says the task force initially will mainly inform employers and workers about the increase, but over time, the group will focus more on complaints and enforcement.

 

A Sears department store in the Hudson Valley is closing in the new year, putting nearly 100 people out of work.  The Middletown Times Herald-Record reports that 96 jobs in the department store and auto center located at Galleria at Crystal Run will be lost.  That's acording to a notice published on the state Department of Labor website... which says lay-offs will begin two weeks before the April 9th closing date.  The struggling retailer has continued to downsize in the face of declining revenue. Sears Holdings reported to the state labor department earlier in the week that four Sears department stores, three that have companion automotive centers, will close in New York.  Two are in Erie County.  None of the closings involve the West Ellicott K-Mart... or the Sears in the Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood.

 

A new state law coming to New York aims to ensure that consumers know what they're buying when they purchase fish labeled "white tuna."  The regulation taking effect in January requires any fish sold in a restaurant or market as "white tuna" to come from actual tuna.  It's intended to prevent fish from other species from being passed off as tuna, which can sell at higher prices.  The law is also targeting a fish known as escolar, which officials say is commonly sold as white tuna. Escolar has been known to cause digestive problems.  Lawmakers passed the legislation in June.  It was signed by Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo back in September.

 

As the nation fights a spiraling drug epidemic, a top federal prosecutor is speaking out about the death of his son from a heroin overdose.  Bruce Brandler is the new interim U.S. attorney for a region that covers the eastern half of Pennsylvania.  He has never before publicly discussed the 2007 overdose death of his 16-year-old son, Erik, but says he feels a responsibility that comes with his new, higher-profile job.  He tells The Associated Press he wants to "evaporate the myth that heroin addicts are just homeless derelicts," urging parents to "open their eyes" and talk to their kids.  Brandler's office has announced a strategy for combating overdose deaths from heroin and powerful prescription painkillers, part of a directive from the Justice Department to the nation's 93 U.S. attorneys.