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 News Headlines for Jan. 17, 2018

The regional air carrier that's been providing commercial air service at the Chautauqua County Airport near Jamestown has packed up and left the airport after it's federal subsidy was pulled...  
 
Local Congressman Tom Reed confirmed the news yesterday afternoon during a conference call with Southern Tier Media.  The county and Southern Airways Express were as part of an announcement about two weeks ago that the U.S. Department of Transportation was terminating funding for its Essential Air Service program.  While the situation improved in recent weeks, Reed says Southern never achieved the required average of 10 passengers a day.
 
We were unable to reach County Executive George Borrello Tuesday afternoon.  Local officials have been working with Reed and, the state's two U.S. Senators on the matter.  At last count, Reed says Southern had just under two passengers a day.  The county was receiving about $2.1-million annually that allowed Southern Airways to provide flights from Jamestown to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Reed is confident another carrier will be found.
 
 
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has unveiled a $168-billion state budget plan that eliminates a $4.4-billion deficit while increasing spending on public education and New York City subways... 
 
Cuomo, a Democrat, says he also will recommend changes to the state tax code to soften the blow of the new federal GOP tax overhaul.  The major change is a shift to a payroll tax where employers would withhold $5.00 in wages out of $100 in wages that the employer can deduct.
 
At the same time, Cuomo says the state would retain an income tax for other means of income, such as dividends, and what's called "passive" income.  However, he says the capping of the state and local property tax deduction at $10,000 is a larger problem and he urged lawmakers to work with him on finding solutions.  He is proposing $1-billion in new revenues to help cover the projected deificit.  Cuomo is also recommending a new surcharge on opioid prescriptions to fund the fight against addiction.
 
 
As Governor Andrew Cuomo gets ready to deliver his budget message in Albany today, a former candidate for governor has announced he is launching a new campaign to help homeowners fight for fair property taxes...  
 
Philanthropist and businessman Tom Golisano calls it, "Tax My Property Fairly".  In announcing the campaign on Facebook Tuesday morning, Golisano also indicated that he plans to launch a class action lawsuit on behalf of upstate taxpayers.
 
Golisano says the campaign features a new web site, TaxMyPropertyFairly.com.  Golisano unsuccessfully ran for governor three-times as an independent candidate.  He is no longer a state resident, having moved to Florida in 2009.  Golisano still owns two homes in New York, having successfully challenged the assessment of the properties.  He is also the former owner of the Buffalo Sabres.
 
 
 
So far, no final cause has been determined in last Sunday's massive fire that destroyed a multi-story mixed use building in downtown Falconer. However, Chautauqua County Fire investigators say it's not believed to be suspicious...  
 
The county's Fire Investigation Team released results of it's investigation late Tuesday morning.  Team members interviewed several people, including tenants, and looked at parts of the third-floor that had not yet collapsed.  They determined that the fire started in the attic area of the building.  In addition, they say during the course of the investigation, it was learned three cats were in an apartment on the second floor of the building that didn't suffer much fire damage.  Using a ladder truck, they were able to break out a window and safely rescue the three cats inside.
 
 
 
For only the second-time in it's history, the Jamestown City Council will be led by a woman... 
 
Marie Carrubba says she looks forward to serving in the coming year.  Carrubba was elected as head of the nine-member council at last week's re-organizational meeting.  The Democrat says, given the work over the past year, 2018 is shaping up as another busy year.
 
Carrubba says working to expand the city's declining tax base will be a priority in the coming year and will include trying to get dilapitated homes and properties back onto the tax rolls.  However, she says that can't be the sole focus.  Carrubba says she'll also talk with department heads to look for more cost savings.  Among the people congratulating Carrubba after the meeting was the council's first female president, Dr. Lillian Ney.  Ney served as City Council President for two years, 2004 and 2005.
 
 
A city man is jailed after allegedly threatening another man with a kitchen knife last Sunday night on Jamestown's eastside...  
 
City police were called to the 600-block of Spring Street shortly before 8 p.m. on a report of a person with a weapon.  Officers say they were told on arrival that a fight broke out between 42 year-old Ismael Rivera-Pena and another man at the scene.  Police say Rivera-Pena allegedly armed himself with the knife, and assumed a fighting stance with the other man.  Rivera-Pena was arrested for second-degree menacing, and was being held in the city jail pending arraignment.
 
 
A Jamestown woman faces several charges including three counts of endagering the welfare of a child following a domestic incident yesterday evening... 
 
City police responded to 124 Anderson Street and, found that 46 year-old Joy Ryen allegedly held the victim down while attempting to cover their mouth. Officers say her actions occurred in front of three small children. She was additionally charged with second-degree unlawful imprisonment and criminal obstruction of breathing.