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WJTN News Headlines for Apr. 9, 2019

Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi says the city is ready to now launch an "enhanced version" of it's Rental Property Registration Program, allowing them to better track where code enforcement action is needed.....

Teresi discussed the program, which was initially launched in 2010 after a task force developed the program, and method for registration.  By next year, he says rental property owners will be able to register -- on line -- after they receive their tax bill at the end of the year.

Teresi says Development Director Vince DeJoy has been working on the new database, using the city's "MyGov" on-line platform.  DeJoy says any property with at least one rental will have to register and they will have to register on an annual basis.  Teresi says there are three ways code enforcement can check on a property but, he says 85 to 90-percent of those are generated by complaints from neighbors, and others. 


With no warning nor announcement, a popular restaurant in downtown Jamestown has closed....  

Friendly's Restaurant in Brooklyn Square was shut down Monday morning with no prior notice.  The move is apparently part of a series of about two-dozen store closings across upstate New York and, it caught many people off guard.  One of them was Mayor Sam Teresi, who was having a breakfast meeting just up the street at Lisciandro's Restaurant today when he learned about the closing.

Teresi also confirmed reports to us that the closing is not related to the number of customers at the Jamestown location.  In fact, officials had noted that the Brooklyn Square location was one of the chain's best.  Teresi says it'll be a loss to patrons who frequented the restaurant and enjoyed it's food options and, it's well-known ice cream creations.   WJTN's Saturday Breakfast Party has broadcast from Friendly's every Saturday since early 2002.  Broadcasts of that show will be temporarily suspended until a new location can be secured.   


The National Comedy Center has announced that a second show has now been added for the other headliner at the annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival this coming August.....  

Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson says the second show for John Mulany will be held at 9:30 PM on Friday, August 9th, shortly after his first show at 7 PM at the Northwest Arena that night.  Gunderson says they are pleased to add a second show for the man called "one of the best stand-up comics alive" by Entertainment Weekly.  Earlier this year, the Comedy Center added a second show for fellow headliner Sebastian Maniscalco on Saturday, August 10th.  Gunderson says tickets for Mulany's 9:30 PM performance will go on pre-sale for National Comedy Center members only starting Wednesday, May 1st at Noon eastern time.. and, to the general public on Friday, May 3rd at Noon at ComedyCenter.org.  

A Jamestown woman was arrested after becoming physically violent with children at Liilian Dickson Park early Sunday evening.....  

City Police responded to the Falconer Street playground just before 7 PM and, learned 25 year-old Denise Livingston and another female began to argue over children playing in the park.  Police were reportedly told that Livingston punched a 13 year-old girl in the face and, slapped a 5-year-old girl after a verbal argument.  Livingston was taken into custody a short distance away was charged two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.  She's being held in the Jamestown City Jail pending arraignment. 


A Forestville woman faces drunk-driving charges after striking a Chautauqua County Sheriff's Deputy's patrol car early last Saturday morning....  

Officers say the Deputy was stopped with their emergency lights activated on West Main Street in the Village of Fredonia  -- and shortly before 1 AM --  a passing vehicle struck the patrol unit causing damage.  Police say 34 year-old Jessica Tenamore fled the scene, but was stopped a short distance away.  Tenamore was taken into custody and, released with appearance tickets for Frednia Village Court.


A Dunkirk resident has come up with an alternative plan to moving Brooks Memorial Hospital from its current site to a location in the village of Fredonia.....  

But, there is no indication whether the plan would have the backing of state officials or those with Brooks itself.  Frank Beach consulted with an architect for Indiana Universities Health/Clarion Healthcare to develop the proposal that would keep the hospital at its current location on Central Avenue.  Key parts of the proposal include construction of a new facility on the current north parking lot providing up to 65,000 square feet of space.  The project would also add three floors vertically to the newer section of the current hospital.

The proposal would also involve the construction of a city-owned parking garage at the corner of 6th Street and Eagle Street. That's where the Middle School Soccer field is located.  Beach says the plan would also provide for the repurposing of the current facility over time.  He insists it would be "bigger and better" than what's there now.  Beach did not include any cost figures but, believes it's an opportunity for the Brooks Board to meet its "fiduciary responsibility" to the hospital, it's employees and the community. 


A renewed push across the United States to issue driver's licenses to immigrants in the country illegally resonates with rural workers who say driving is an absolute necessity....  

Immigrants feel frustrated because supermarkets and job sites are too far away to walk, but they risk alerting authorities if they get behind the wheel.  Thirty-four-year-old dairy farm worker Luis Jiménez in upstate New York gambles daily by driving to work and for family errands.  He says driving is a necessity in farm country.  Twelve states including California and Illinois already allow residents here illegally to get licenses, accepting such documents as tax returns for identification.  New York is among a half-dozen states where immigrants and their advocates believe a friendlier political map gives such a measure a fighting chance.