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WJTN Headlines for Sat., Dec. 1, 2018

Jamestown celebrates start of Christmas Season with parade, tree lighting at Tracy Plaza...
Thousands of people lined Third Street from the bridge to City Hall in Jamestown for the annual Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration last night... but, 13 year-old Riley Kolstee started it all with a rousing rendition of the National Anthem.  Mayor Sam Teresi did the honors... and, was helped with this year's countdown by Audrey and Elijah Evans... to light the city's 40-foot tall Colorado Blue Spruce Tree.  Joining Teresi on the stage were Paul and Jennifer Liuzzo, who donated the huge tree that is anchored on Tracy Plaza through the Christmas and New Year's season.  The annual Christmas Parade was put on again this year by the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation with the help of The Resource Center, the Shults Auto Group and others.  Former St. Susan's Center Director Jeff Smith... who now heads up the Food Service Program at Jamestown Public Schools... was the grand marshall for the parade.


JPS Board accepts teachers resignation, reason not announced...
The resignation of a high school teacher in Jamestown has been accepted by the city school board after he alleged engaged in inappropriate behavior.  The board acted on the resignation of Scott Lumia at Friday's special meeting, after spending about 20-minutes in a closed-door executive session.  School Superintendent Bret Apthorpe declined to discuss specifics of the matter... but, adds the board acted in the interest of student safety... which he says is "very important" to himself and all members of the board.  School officials say Lumia has been on administrative leave since this past Monday.  The board also authorized Apthorpe to negotiate a separation agreement with Lumia.


Dunkirk area man arreste for stealing several guns in town of Portland...
A north county man was arrested for grand larceny for allegedly stealing seven firearms from a home in the town of Portland.  Sheriff's deputies say they received the intial report last October.... and, determined 39 year-old Jarrett Sikes was responsible for the theft.  Officers found a portion of the missing firearms at Sikes residence in the city of Dunkirk.  An arrest warrant was later issued for felony charges.  Sikes was arrested Tuesday and sent to the county jail without bail... pending a future court appearance in both the City of Dunkirk and the town of Portland.


Falconer man arrested in Gerry for resisting arrest...
State Police in Jamestown arrested a Falconer man for allegedly interfering with a traffic stop in the town of Gerry Thursday.  Troopers say 65 year-old Ronald Eddy was a passenger in a vehicle pulled over on Gerry-Levant Road... but, say he allegedly got out of the vehicle to prevent the trooper from speaking to the driver.  Officers say Eddy refuse instructions to stop.... and continued to act belligerent.  Troopers say he physically resisted being handcuffed, but was later taken into custody and arraigned in Ellicott Town Court.  The driver received a traffic ticket. 


City, Town of Ellicott, sign new 10 year Water and Sewer Agreement...
The final step has been taken to put a new, 10-year water and sewer agreement in place between the city of Jamestown and town of Ellicott to provide water and sewer services to parts of the town.  Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi and Ellicott Town Supervisor Pat McLaughlin were at the BPU Offices Friday afternoon to formally sign the new agreement... which increases the amount the city is paid, and in return... the city takes on maintenance and repair on those lines.  Teresi says this is what can happen when people work together... even if they don't agree on everything in their negotiations.  He adds there was "give and take" on both sides.  McLaughlin praised everyone involved in the negotiations... which lasted for many months.  He thanked city and BPU officials for keeping their many meetings friendly... and that's the way negotiations should go.  The BPU will charge Ellicott residents... includling those in the villages of Falconer and Celoron... 200-percent of the city rate.  That's similar to what all other out-of-city BPU customers pay.  


UPMC Chautauqua announces Betsy Wright's retirement...
The woman who has headed up UPMC Chautauqua Hospital... formerly WCA Hospital... for nearly the past 20 years is retiring at the end of the year.  The hospital formally announced Friday that current President and Chief Executive Officer Betsy Wright will step down on Dec. 31 of this year.  Hospital Board President Steve Kilburn says Wright will step down after more than 35 years in the health care industry... nearly 30 of those at the Jamestown-based hospital.  Kilburn says Wright has been "exceedingly instrumental" in maintaining high-levels of employee engagement... community support... and positive relationships with national, state and local officials.  In the interim... Kilburn says UPMC Northwest President, Brian Durniok, will serve as UPMC Chautauqua's interim president, until a replacement is selected.  Kilburn says all other management remains in place.