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WJTN News Headlines for Aug. 16, 2018

There are some important county and state-wide primaries coming up in less than a month, but this year's vote will be on a different date than usual...  
 
That from Chautauqua County Republican Elections Commissioner Brian Abram, who says New York's primaries are typically held on the second Tuesday -- following Labor Day.  However, this year -- that date falls on the anniversary of the "9/11" attacks.  The vote will take place on Thursday, September 13.  The biggest local race is between incumbant Sheriff Joe Gerace -- a Democrat -- and, Republican challenger James Quattrone, for the Conservative line on the November ballot.  Abram adds there are local races for one particular party---  an Independence Party Primary for Portland Town Justice between Democrats Tom DeJoe, and Michelle Patterson and, Republican Daniel Thompson.  There is also Conservative and Independence Party Primaries for Ripley Town Justice.
 
 
Plans have now been unveiled for the new playground to be built a week from this Saturday at Chadakoin Park on the city of Jamestown's northside...  
 
More than 20 years ago, the current playground was opened, but officials say it gets a lot of use, and needs to be replaced.  Community leaders including City Councilwoman Vickye James, decided to begin fund-raising for a new playground.  Now, James says the Ralph Wilson, Junior Foundation and national "KaBOOM!" organization will help develop the new facility.
 
Some northside area churches are also involved with the effort.  Pastor Shaloe Smith with Blackwell Chapel says the park is a "dream come true."  James says they need about 325 volunteers to help out with the 'one-day' effort on Saturday, August 25.  She says you can get more information and ,sign up at the city's website at JamestownNY.net.  James says the Wilson Foundation and KaBOOM! will provide up to $250,000 in grant funding for the new playground equipment.  Work on the new facility will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the park.
 
 
Four people have been arrested for allegedly trafficking Heroin in Dunkirk following a drug raid in the north county city Wednesday morning...  
 
Members of the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force say they, and other agency members executed a search warrant at 527 South Roberts Road shortly before 9:00.  Task Force agents say they arrested 38 year-olds Onix Lopez-Ortiz and Jann Montanez-Calderon and, 28 year-old Myra Cruz of the Roberts Road address and, 59 year-old Pedro Rivera of Glasgow Road in Fredonia.  They add the raid took place after a month-long investigation that included agents making several undercover drug buys.  Task Force members seized over a half an ounce of Heroin, Marihuana and a large quantity of cash during the raid and, all four suspects are charged with two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a Controlled Substance.  All are being held pending arraignement.  (**If you have any information on suspicious or narcotics-related activity, call the task force at 1-800-344-8702.)
 
 
The top law enforcement official in Fredonia says the investigation into the death of a 47-year-old man who was assaulted on Water Street last month is now being treated as a homicide...  
 
Police Chief Brad Meyers gave us an update on the investigation into the death of William Hall.  Meyers says Hall died from injuries stemming from an assault that occurred during the overnight hours of July 20 and 21.
 
Hall was found unconscious in the area of 36 Water Street.  Meyers says he is beign criticized for a delay in releasing details of the assault, but there are reasons why a news release was not issued until earlier this month.  He says -- often times -- not releasing a lot of information immediately allows them to catch the person who "committed this crime."  Meyers confirms there is a suspect in the case, but an arrest has not been made.   Fredonia Police are working with the Chautauqua County District Attorney's Office as the investigation continues.
 
 
The concord grapes in the Lake Erie Grape Belt will begin to turn purple over the weekend...  
 
Verasion, as it's called, is the first step in the final ripening of the crop.  Dr. Terry Bates, director of the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Labratory believes it'll be a good year, with most vineyards producing an average to above average crop.  The vines have received just enought rain, and are healthy.  The Lake Erie Regional Grape Program's Summer Grower Conference was held at the lab in Portland yesterday.  August 15 is the date for cash market prices to be announced in New York state.  Dr. Bates hadn't seen the list yet, but expects prices to be in the range of $220 to $240 per ton, about the same as last year.  The sweet grape market has struggled in recent years with over supply, and low prices.  Chautauqua County is the state's largest grape growing county, with concords making up most of the crop here.  
 
 
Jamestown Police arrested a man for damaging three vehicles during a pursuit in the city Sunday morning.... 
 
Officers say they attempted to stop a vehicle with Connecticut plates for failing to signal near Barrett Avenue just after 11:45. The driver allegedly took off and, went up and down the streets in the area. Identified as Pedro Millan, Officers report the 46 year-old struck a street sign and a parked car on Cowden Street before striking a marked patrol car as officers attempted to block him in. Millan also drove over the curb and back across Barrett Avenue before striking another vehicle on Myers Street. Police say he then took off on foot, but were able to take him into custody a short distance away. Millan is being held in city jail pending arraignment. 
 
 
Governor Andrew Cuomo recently told a story about grabbing a feather shed by an eagle after it swooped past his family's canoe during an outing on an Adirondack lake....  
 
The New York Democrat says he still has the feather on his fireplace.  According to federal law, that's a major no-no.  A 1940 law prohibits the possession of eagle feathers by non-Native Americans, and anyone convicted of violating the law could face a fine of up to $100,000 and a year in jail.  Most American's don't know about the law, and Cuomo apparently didn't either.  He'll either return it to the lake or give it to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife repository.