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. 7, 2018

Two people from Sherman have been arrested following a traffic stop in Panama early last weekend and Sheriff's deputies found illegal drugs in their possession.... 
 
Officers say they pulled over the car, driven by 22 year-old Darian Leech, on East Main Street, last Friday night.  Upon further investigation, they found that that Leech and her passenger, 19 year-old Benjamin Troyer, were in possession of about two-grams of methamphetamine, marihuana, drug packaging material, and several scales.  Both Leech and Troyer were taken into custody and charged with fifth and seventh-degree Criminal Possession of controlled substance, Criminally using drug paraphernalia... endangering the welfare of a child 2nd, and unlawful possession of marihuana.  Both ere arraigned, and sent to the county jail without bail.


Proposals to legalize recreational marijuana, authorize sports betting and impose new tolls on drivers in Manhattan are just some of the top issues facing New York lawmakers as they return to Albany for their 2019 session....  

The work gets underway Wednesday when lawmakers convene at the state Capitol.  For the first time in a decade, Democrats will control the Assembly, Senate and governor's office.  And for the first time, the Senate will be led by a woman -- Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins of Yonkers.  While marijuana is likely to loom large on the agenda, lawmakers will also take up proposals to overhaul voting rules, codify abortion rights and give molestation victims more time to sue their abusers.


The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts started the new year in a big way, with the first movie sellout in the modern history of the theater....  

Len Barry, Marketing Director for the Reg, said over 1,100 people filled the theater Saturday night for the movie 'Bohemian Rhapsody' -- the story of Freddie Mercury and the band Queen.  Barry says showing the popular movie early in the year while people are still home for the holidays was the right combination.  'Bohemian Rhapsody' took a couple of major Golden Globe awards Sunday night. The next movie at the Reg will be 'Boy Erased' this Wednesday.  The first major 'live' event of 2019 will be 'Avner the Eccentric: Exceptions to Gravity' on January 26th.  The public is invited to see all the recent renovations at the Reg during Doors Open Jamestown on January 19th.  


Jamestown Community College is adding a new dimension to its USA scholarship program.... 

'Unified Student Assistance' has traditionally offered free tuition to students on an academic track, looking to transfer for a four year school.  JCC's new President, Dr. Daniel DeMarte says they are adding a 'workforce readiness' component for students who are headed directly into the job market.  Students seeking the 'Workforce Readiness Scholarship' will need a recommendation from BOCES or a tech high school... and a reference from a member of the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier.  Winners of the 'Workforce Readiness' awards will be allowed broader use of the funds to keep them in school, including for textbooks, transportation and child care.  Dr. DeMarte has just finished his first semester as President of JCC and says they are taking a full look at the school's academic and athletic offerings and want to go from 30 international students to 100 in the next three years.  


If you haven't had a chance to vote on the "Best New Attraction" in a poll by USA Today, you have just a few hours left to vote for the National Comedy Center in Jamestown.... 

Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson says the Comedy Center topped the rankings before they went "dark" a few days ago.  Gunderson says it's important for local residents to be involved because it's usually the locals who help decide these kinds of contests.

Gunderson says the Comedy Center is one of 10 new attractions in the running for this year's title.  She says the rankings appear to have gone dark to avoid influencing the final standings.  Gunderson says winning the competition would be a great boost to them, their 38 employees -- and the western New York region.  She says having such publicity in early 2019 is critical, because this is the time of year that people begin making their travel plans for Spring and Summer vacations.  Voting runs through Noon today and, you can go on-line at ComedyCenter-dot-ORG to cast your vote. 


A veteran of the New York State Police has been named the new superintendent of the organization....  

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced early last weekend that he has nominated Keith Corlett to lead the department.  Corlett had been a deputy superintendent with the State Police and has more than 30 years of experience at the agency.  He has worked in patrol and investigative divisions in addition to executive management.  He replaces current Superintendent George Beach, who is retiring.  Cuomo announced several other personnel changes on Friday, including the nomination of former Cuomo Chief of Staff Linda Lacewell as the new superintendent of the state Department of Financial Services.  The nominations require Senate confirmation.


The state's Department of Taxation and Finance is getting out the word about changes in the School Tax Relief -- or STAR Program for 2019...  

The agency is reminding property owners age 65 and over who are applying or reapplying to receive the Enhanced STAR exemption in 2019 that they must now enroll in the Income Verification Program.  Clerk of the Board of Assessors in Dunkirk, Tom Mleczko, says the change will help streamline the system.

Mleczko says you will still have to come into the office to enroll in the program, but once you do so, it will become automatic.  He says there are a couple of forms that have to be filled out.  In the first year of enrollment, the assessor will verify eligibility based on the income information provided by the homeowner.  In subsequent years, the State Tax Department will automatically verify eligibility.  Dunkirk city property owners age 65 and over have until May 1st to enroll in IVP.   Other towns in the area have until March 1st.


Farm tractors and other slow-moving vehicles will be allowed to travel a little faster on New York roads under a new law...  

Governor Andrew Cuomo recently signed legislation that raises the speed at which slow-moving vehicles can travel from 25 miles per hour to 35 mph.  Farm vehicles and construction equipment must have orange triangular signs indicating that they are slow-moving vehicles.  The measure was sponsored by state Senator Pam Helming, a Republican from Canandaigua in Ontario County, and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, a Democrat from Round Lake in Saratoga County.  The lawmakers say the new legislation was needed because construction equipment and farm tractors are being designed to travel at speeds higher than 25 mph.  The New York Farm Bureau endorsed the measure, which goes into effect in the spring.