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WJTN News Headlines for Apr. 22, 2019

A Stockton man has been arrested on illegal drug and weapons charges following a suspicious vehicle call in the town of Pomfet early yesterday morning....  

Sheriff's Deputies say they were called to the State Land Boat Launch off Dale Drive about 2:30 AM and, found 25 year-old Quentin Lawton with the vehicle.  Officers say they found a small amount of marijuana, and metal knuckles in plain view on the driver's side of the vehicle.  Deputies say a license check also found that Lawton's driving privileges were suspended.  He was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation and unlawful possession of marijuana.  Lawton was issued appearance tickets for Pomfret Town Court.


A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly pepper spraying three people during an incident on the city's southside last Friday morning....  

City police were called to 320 Newland Avenue about 10 AM on a report of a fight.  Officers say they found that 38 year-old Laverne Riley had pepper sprayed a 5-year-old victim, along with two others.  Riley was found a short distance away and, after a brief struggle with officers, was taken into custody.  He is jailed on charges inclduing two counts of second-degree assault and one count each of second-degree reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child.  Riley was arraigned and sent to the county jail without bail.


All five divisions of the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities are performing "as expected" through the first-quarter of 2019.....  

That from BPU General Manager Dave Leathers, who says the public utility had a "strong 2018."  Leathers says they are awaiting final figures for March, but, says they expect good numbers.

Leathers says the Electric Division was performing well... and, adds it does not appear they will be seeking a small, or moderate rate increase until sometime late next year, at the earliest.  Late last year, the BPU wrapped up it's two-year, $5.7-million boiler dismantling project.  Two boilers were taken off line. and, he says the project went so well, the board was able to complete it slightly under budget.  At last week's City Council work session, Comptroller Joe Bellitto said some of the BPU's payments in lieu of taxes were ahead of last year at this time.  Bellitto says that indicated strong performance.  Leathers made his comments for this past weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the six Media One Group stations.


Former State Senator Cathy Young defines the role of the 'Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture' she now leads as that of a 'sherpa'... helping people up the mountain.....  

For agriculture, that means helping farmers be more productive and profitable and helping agri-businesses get off the ground. The Center of Excellence is part of Cornell Agri-Tech in Geneva, NY.  Cathy Young abruptly left the Senate on March 10th, after Democrats took control in January and her subsequent bid to become leader of the Republican minority was unsuccessful.  Personally she says she's 'fine'... and that she took the new job so she could continue to have an effective, positive impact on her district.  The former Senator would not rule out a return to politics, saying, "Right now, I'm just focused on doing the best job that I can at Cornell."  Young spoke on Media One's 'Farm Bureau Radio Show' over the weekend.


Local Congressman Tom Reed says he's hopeful that this week's acquisition of Fieldbrook Foods in Dunkirk by Iowa-based Wells Enterprises will eventually lead to additional investment in the Dunkirk facility....  

Reed was asked about the acquisition during his weekly conference call with regional media…and, he says hopefully it leads to good things. Reed says he's glad to see that Fieldbrook was acquired by an American company and, he's confident there will be a "strong relationship" between the two U-S firms.


Charter Communications will expand broadband internet access upstate under a tentative deal with New York regulators......  

Under the proposed agreement announced Friday, Charter will roll out broadband service to 145,000 upstate customers before October 2021 - a move projected to cost more than $600 million.  In addition, Charter agrees to pay $12 million for expanded service in especially underserved rural areas.  Once formally approved by regulators, the agreement will resolve a dispute between the state and Stamford, Connecticut-based Charter over upstate broadband access.  In a statement, Charter says the settlement prevents the possibility of a costly legal battle.  Charter, which does business as Spectrum, merged with Time Warner Cable in 2016.  Last year... Charter agreed to give customers refunds and free services to settle allegations that Time Warner failed to deliver promised internet speeds.


Three children from Jamestown and one from Frewsburg were the big winners in last Saturday's 72nd annual Easter Egg Hunt at the former Allen Park Ice Rink.....

City Parks and Recreation Coordinator Julia Ciesla-Hanley says the 5 to 8 year-old Gold Egg prize winner was Jamestown's Kolton Marucci, while the Gold egg was found by Jamestown's Jesse Sprague for the 9-to-12 year-old group.  Ciesla-Hanley says they win the two bicycles, donated by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.  The Silver egg in the 5-to-8 catagory was found by Alex Rosenow of Frewsburg, while the winner in the 9-to-12 group was Jamestown's Caryleigh DeJesus.  Ciesla-Hanley says the each win 50-dollar gift cards, donated by Roberta Hess in Memory of Mark Hess.


Employees of the state Department of Transportation will be picking up trash along roads across New York today to mark Earth Day......  

April 22nd is celebrated as Earth Day... and, DOT officials say the agency's workers from every region of New York will be volunteering their time to collect and dispose of litter along roads, highways and other locations.  The so-called Earth Day "Trash Blitz" resulted in more than 9,200 bags of garbage collected by DOT employees a year ago.  DOT workers will be out collecting trash Monday from New York City to the Buffalo area.  On Tuesday, DOT workers in the Mohawk Valley will be pickup up garbage along Interstate 790 in Utica.  The DOT is reminding drivers to slow down when driving through work zones.