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WJTN Headlines for Oct. 3, 2018

The chance of severe storms and tornadic activity stayed to our south and, a twister did hit one community just to the west of Warren County, Pennsylvania...  


Authorities say a tornado struck the Rolling Fields Elder Care Community in Conneauville in Crawford County, blowing a roof off one building and causing moderate to heavy damage.  No serious injuries were reported.  Rolling Fields was purchased earlier this year by Heritage Ministries of Chautauqua County.  Forecaster Mike Griffin of the National Weather Service office in Cleveland said the EF-2 twister packing winds up to 115 mph struck the nursing home about 2:40 p.m. Tuesday.  Rolling Fields said in a statement that all residents were being evacuated, and there were no serious injuries, although "two residents have been hospitalized for unrelated concerns."  Griffin said there have also been reports of trees down on houses and blocking roads.


A Cattaraugus County man has pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography more than two-years ago and, faces at least five years in prison...  

U-S Attorney James Kennedy, Junior announced Tuesday afternoon that 62 year-old Kevin James Fox of Limestone entered his plea before U-S District Court Judge Lawrence Vilardo.  Assistant U-S Attorney Aaron Mango says Fox was accused of persuading a woman to find a minor male on two occasions, the first in May of 2016 and, engage in sexual activity with them, and take pictures.  The first time was with a 16 year-old boy, then about a month later, she had sex with a 17 year-old.  The woman then texted photos to Fox.  Kennedy says Fox faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and, a quarter of a million dollar fine.


The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office Warning Ticket Program seems to be catching on across the state and it has now received the attention of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee...  

The committee has awarded a grant to study the traffic safety impact of the program.  That from local Sheriff Joe Gerace, who launched the program in 2013, in an attempt to correct driving behavior involving minor traffic offenses without subjecting motorists to fines and other expenses.

Gerace says the demonstration grant will determine how effective the program has been and, that will involve looking at previous year's data, and they will do some selective enforcement to determine who are repeat offenders.  The warning ticket program was first of its kind for a Sheriff's Office in New York State when it was launched five years ago.  It also received the "Outstanding Traffic Safety Program Award" from the state Sheriff's Association.  

 
It's been 100 years since the 1918 influenza epidemic...  

Since then, major progress has been made in treating and preventing the flu. However, for the 2017-18 season, the Centers for Disease Control reported record-breaking levels of flu illness and hospitalization rates throughout the country, with 180 flu-related pediatric deaths reported alone.  What's the best way to protect you and your family? CDC Flu Division Epidemiologist Alicia Budd says, get your flu shot as soon as you can.

Budd says anyone six-months and older should get vaccinated this month because you're likely to be more protected during peak months of flu season. She says this is especially important for those with increased complications, including being 65 years of age, or very young -- age 5 or under -- you should get a vaccination.  Budd adds that women who are pregnant, or people with chronic conditions should get one, too.  Budd says there are several options to receive a flu shot this year including the nasal spray for anyone 2-to-49 years old and, a vaccine specifically for those 65-years and older.  For additional information on keeping healthy during flu season, visit their website at CDC.gov/flu


A major milestone has been reached in the reconstruction of the South Main Street Bridge in downtown Jamestown...  

The Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities recently announced that the span's concrete relieving slab was poured on September 21 and, after a two-week curing period, the granite curbing and sidewalk placement can begin.  The county's new DPF Director, Brad Bentley says they are making "excellent progress on this bridge replacement so it is safe for our travelling public."  In addition, Bentley says new waterline and electrical services are substantially completed across the arches.  At this point... there is still some work on walls, and the bridge approaches and paving.  Unless there are weather delays, Bentley says the project will completed and, the bridge reopened by late November of this year.


Democratic challenger Tracy Mitrano says she has raised nearly one-million dollars in the past three months in her effort to unseat incumbant Republican Congressman Tom Reed.... 

Mitrano made the announcement during a press conference call with Southern Tier Media outlining her five point economic development plan.  The Penn Yan resident says her campaign has brought in $900,000 and, is about  $70,000 of a million dollars.  With that, Mitrano says she's starting a TV ad today.

For the most part, Mitrano says she's received smaller contributions from people all across the district, as she had criss-crossed the 11-county district.  She says she was in Chautauqua County last week and, will be back here for another event this weekend.  That will include some campaign stops, first in Seneca County Wednesday, and a Campaign concert Saturday with the local group, 10-Thousand Maniacs.  Mitrano says she had a good turn-out for a recent town hall in Central New York and, adds there were about 200 people on hand for an informal gathering in Silver Creek.  The cyber-security expert noted the biggest contribution she received was $5,000 from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's Political Action Committee after the Senator endorsed her campaign.


A Jamestown man faces unlawful possession of marijuana charges following a traffic stop in the town of Gerry last Sunday...  

State police in Jamestown say they stopped a vehicle on Route 60 for a violation, and smelled marijuana coming from inside.  Troopers searched the car and the occupants and, found 33 year-old Rashid Jabbar in possession of a bag containing marijuana.  Jabbar is to appear in court next month to answer the charge.