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 Headlines

Jamestown police are warning about a social media and telephone scam that has resulted in hundreds of dollars being stolen from local residents. 

 

City police say they've received multiple complaints about the scams over the past weekend.  City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says several people have reported that they were advised via Facebook, other social media, or e-mail that they were winners in a lottery. 

 

They were then told they would have to text a phone number to claim their cash prize and send Western Union funds or to electronically transfer Apple I-Tunes cards or prepaid Visa Cards totaling $550 or more to handle the processing fees. 

 

However Samuelson says, in each case, once the transfer was made, the victims were never contacted again and, were out the money they sent Captain Samuelson also says they are also seeing a renewal of the IRS Scam in which someone calls a person saying that the victim is being sued by the IRS because they owe back taxes. 

 

The suspect on the phone then tells the victim that they will go to jail if they don't pay.  That person then tells the victim that they should wire the funds, or electronically send pre-paid cards for the payments. 

 

Samuelson says citizens are urged to ignore such posts or phone calls and, never give any personal information to anyone over the phone if you cannot confirm who they are.


The crackdown continues against impaired and distracted driving in New York state and Chautauqua County during the Fourth of July holiday. 

 

Sheriff Joe Gerace says the New York State STOP-DWI crackdown and continues through 6 a.m. Wednesday.  Gerace says the Sheriff's Office, all local law enforcement and the State Police will continue to enforce laws related to driving while impaired.  He says drive defensively and wear your seat belt. 

 

Gerace also says put the hand-held devices away so your full attention is given to the road ahead.  He says the problem of distracted driving is getting so bad, you have to watch it even if you are walking or running along the highway.  He says a lot of people aren't paying attention to their driving but, "doing other things." 

 

There were 70 vehicle stops, arrests and summonses during the last STOP-DWI enforcement held on the Memorial Day weekend.


A city has been arrested on multiple charges including unlawful imprisonment and assault for allegedly holding a woman against her will and choking her last weekend. 

 

Jamestown Police were called to the scene at 164 Chandler St. shortly after 4 p.m. last Saturday and, arrested 40 year-old Joseph Thayer.  Officers say their investigation determined that Thayer choked the woman from behind then tackled her to the ground, and wouldn't allow her to get up. 

 

He was arrested for second-degree unlawful imprisonment criminal obstruction of breathing and third-degree assault and menacing.  Thayer was taken into custody without further incident, and sent to the county jail with bail to be set.


A Frewsburg man has been arrested following a fight in the town of Carroll that involved two people. 

 

Sheriff's officers were called to the scene on Maple Street in Frewsburg just befoe 2:30 p.m. Sunday and, investigated the alleged altercation.  Deputies later arrested 35 year-old Jaron Dallas on several charges including second-degree assault and strangulation and, fourth-degree criminal mischief.  Dallas was arraigned, and sent to the County Jail with bail to be set.


New and modern technology has muddied the waters and, is challenging what paleoentologists previously knew about the origins and development of man. 

 

That from Monday's featured lecturer at Chautauqua Institution.  National Geographic Magazine Explorer-in-Residence Lee Berger led off the Week-Two theme of "The Human Journey: Origin, Exploration, and Preservation." 

 

Berger says they know know that at least part of European and Asian origins include Neanderthal man who came from Africa.  He says they'll have .5 to 3 to 4% Neanderthal DNA meaning some of our genes come from them.  Berger says paleoentologists had discovered a new species scientists orginally thought existed about 2 to 3-million years ago. 

 

However... he says they have now determined that "Homo-noleti" was here about 250,000 years ago.  Berger says they've made incredible strides through the use of robotics, drones and other new technology.  But he says just a few years ago, it took about six-weeks to get a correspondence from a colleague elsewhere in the world. 

 

Now, it's instantaneous with discoveries shared while they're happening.  Berger is originally from Georgia but, moved to South Africa in 1989 to be closer to where his reseach takes him.  He is the author of the new book, "Almost Human" which came out back in May.


The majority of local fireworks displays and, Fourth of July celebrations around the Jamestown-area are today. 

 

The day begins in Lakewood where the annual Firecracker 10-K run and 2-mile walks will be held at 9 a.m.  There will also be food, vendors and music on Chautauqua Avenue and Hartley Park. 

 

Local band Two for Flinching will play from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and ,the day concludes with fireworks at 10 p.m. 

 

In Mayville the annual Fourth of July Parade kicks off at 10 AM from the intersection of Routes 430 and 394, and will conclude at Lakeside Park.  The day's activities at Lakeside Park with food, and other events and activities through the day.  There will also be music. 

 

Fireworks will begin at 10 PM The Bemus Bay Pops is celebrating the Fourth of July with a Journey Tribute band tonight.  The show begins at 8 PM and fireworks will follow the performance.  For more information go on-line to www.bemusbaypops.com.