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WJTN News Headlines for Apr. 30


City lawmakers have agreed to hire a Long Island law firm to represent Jamestown in it's appeal of the recent arbitration ruling in favor of the city policeman's union..... 

The City Council voted 8-to-1 last night in favor of hiring Bond, Shoenick, and King of Garden City to handle the appeal for a cost up to $25,000.  During his message to the council, Mayor Sam Teresi said he wanted to set the record straight, the city is not 'bound' to accepting the panel's split decision.  At the same time, he says the city is still willing to return to the negotiating table with the Kendall Club-PBA.

Teresi emphasized that this was "Compulsory Interest" -- not "Binding" Arbitration.  That means neither side was bound by the decision, whether it went against the city or not.  Last night's lone "no" vote was cast by Republican Councilman Andrew Liuzzo, who wanted to table the measure to give both sides another chance to come back to the negotiating table.  However, the proposal was not seconded, and the final vote was taken.

A new, local group has officially taken ownership of the Jamestown Jammers Summer collegiate baseball team and, the team will resume play in 2020.....  

The organization, called Jamestown Community Baseball, LLC, officially received the team from ROC Ventures of Milwaukee, Wisconsin during a press conference at Diethrick Park Monday afternoon.  The park's namesake -- Russell E. Diethrick, Junior -- who chairs the local ownership group,signed the agreement.

The situation is similar to something Diethrick did back in the 1960s, as city Parks and Recreation Director, when a local group took ownership of the former Jamestown Falcons when there was a threat that the franchise would be moved, or shut-down.  The group's Greg Peterson says it's the first of two actions that were being taken Monday.  He says the other took place last night with the city council voting to transfer the current lease from ROC Ventures to the new ownership group.


The new Jamestown Community Baseball group can now officially call Diethrick Park home to it's franchise for the next five years, starting next season....  

The City Council last night unanimously approved transferring the Jammers lease from ROC Ventures to the new, local ownership group.  Mayor Sam Teresi says the contract is good for next season, then again for the 2021-2025 playing seasons.  As had been discussed during the press conference at Diethrick Park, there will also be the five-year renewal option for the 2026 through 2030 seasons.   


With the legal and ownership hurdles cleared for the Jamestown Jammers, the issue of player development and managment also had to be looked at.... 

Jamestown Community Baseball decided to look to a local native, who has been involved in that area on the Major League level for several years.  Dr. George Carlo is currently involved in player development with the Boston Red Sox, and previously with the Detroit Tigers.  Carlo, who also heads up the Secrets of Champions Foundation, was at the press event.

In addition, Carlo noted that another Jamestown native, Jordan Basile, will manage the team when it returns to action in 2020.  Basile is currently head baseball coach at Patrick Henry Community College in Virginia.  In addition, Carlo says Basile will be in Jamestown hosting a Jammers Summer Camp for ball players at Diethrick Park.  Carlo says he founded Secrets of Campions Foundation last year in Jamestown to help "our young people be the best they can be in whatever they do."


Carelessly discarded smoking materials are being blamed for a fire that damaged a two-story home on Jamestown's westside late Sunday afternoon...  

City Fire Battalion Chief Andrew Finson says crews were called to the scene at 238 Hall Avenue shortly before 5 PM and, found some smoke and fire coming from one side of the structure.  Finson says everyone was out of the home, and one crew pulled one handline to get the blaze out, while another crew went to the upper floors.

Finson says it took about 20 minutes to bring the blaze under control.  No injuries were reported.  He says the cause was accidental.  Crews were at the scene about three hours and, the two families living in the home are now being helped by the local Red Cross.


The search is winding down for the next Principal at Jamestown High School.... 

Current principal Mike McElrath will be leaving the position to serve as head of the district's new Success Academy, which will open in September.  Jamestown District Superintendent Bret Apthorpe says he's excited Dr. McElrath has decided to lay the foundation for students at Rogers.

Apthorpe says the Rogers Success Academy is for grades 5-12 and, will open as an "intentional place of healing" for students. On the flip side, Apthorpe says the search for the new JHS Principal is going well.  It started with 16 applicants and, he says the field has been cut to two finalists.  He hopes to have a decision by May 21st, and the new principal beginning July 1st.  Apthope says the feedback received from an on-line survey for community members served as an important step for interviewers to create a profile of what kind of person that should be.


Jamestown police are still requesting the public's help and are providing more detail on the vehicle allegedly involved in a hit-and-run accident that occured earlier this month....  

City Police say the accident occured on Foote Avenue, in front of UPMC Chautauqua Hospital, on Tuesday, April 16th at 9:15 PM.  Investigators say a woman was struck in the cross-walk by a 2009 to 2012 model Toyota Rav-4 that was silver in color.  Police add that the suspect vehicle is missing a piece to its front drivers side bumper, a small black plastic insert where a fog light would be -- and will be noticeable.  Anyone with information on the wherabouts of this vehicle or who may have been driving it is asked to contact City Police at 483-7537 or anonymous tips can be left at 483-8477 or via the Tips 411 App.  Police say all calls will be kept confidential.


A Jamestown woman was arrested on several charges for allegedly leading police on pursuit with a child in the vehicle Sunday afternoon....  

Officers responded to 839 Lafayette Street just before 4 PM, where it was reported a female was trying to run over a man with her car.  On arrival, police saw the car vehicle traveling down the sidewalk, and back onto the roadway.  A traffic stop was attempted, but, 27 year-old Susan Walker fled the scene.   After a short chase, Walker got out on Cherry Street and, attempted to flee on foot before being taken into custody.  She was sent to the City Jail pending arraingment.