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WJTN News Headlines

Three people escaped serious injury when the CARTS bus they were riding in struck a boat trailer being hauled by a truck in the town of Busti yesterday morning.  Lakewood-Busti Police say the accident occured shortly after 7 AM at the intersection of Kortwright and Wellman Roads.  Officers say the driver of the truck... 56 year-old Edward Fike of Tidioute, Pennsylvania... was northbound on Wellman Road when he apparently failed to stop for the stop sign at Kortwright Road.  Police say the CARTS bus... driven by 65 year-old Robert Greene of Bemus Point... struck the trailer... sending it into a utility pole.  The county bus ended up in a ditch.  The three people in the bus were taken to WCA Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.  Fike was charged with failure to stop at a stop sign.


The man who has represented Jamestown's third-ward the past seven-plus years has decided he won't be running for a fifth term in office.  Democrat Michael Taylor says he actually decided that he may forego a fifth term after winning a fourth, 2-year term.  Taylor says -- at that time -- he decided that if he wasn't making inroads in his career... that he would not run again to devote more time to that.  He said Thursday that he wants to get his Masters in teaching.  Taylor says finding a full-time teaching position is important to him... and, his family. Taylor says he's enjoyed his time on council... and, working with his constituents in Ward-Three.  However... he's held down a number of different jobs to support himself.  He's also had some legal issues surrounding a domestic incident... and, another at a local bar in which a window was broken out.  However... he says those are being resolved, and were only minor factors in his decision.  Taylor has a bachelor's degree in History... but, says he's been advised by educators that he needs his Master's to be able to teach.  Taylor adds city Democrats have found a replacement for him... and, an announcement is forthcoming.


State lawmakers have been putting in late nights as they race to the finish line... and, the end of the current legislative session.  Chautauqua County Assemblyman Andy Goodell said late Thursday that they have completed work on a bill that extends the county's 7-and-a-half percent sales tax. State lawmakers were expected to have another late night last night... and, hope to wrap up work by sometime today.  Goodell says they will likely take up a measure that would establish tax free zones near public and private universities around the state.We have learned that the legislation negotiated by the governor and legislative leaders will include business incubators such as the SUNY College at Fredonia Technology Incubator... which is located in downtown Dunkirk away from the campus.


As New York's Legislature prepares to pass late-session deals with Governor  Andrew Cuomo into law, two of the biggest measures are being questioned.  Cuomo says he'll create a panel under the state's powerful Moreland Act to investigate lawmakers because of the latest string of corruption cases.  But... the state Attorney General's Office and academic Richard Brodsky said Thursday the law doesn't allow the executive branch to directly investigate another branch.  Cuomo says he can avoid that prohibition by investigating through the Board of Elections.  In addition... two think tanks say a binding arbitration measure meant to help financially strapped cities dropped strong language to protect taxpayers to favor powerful unions.  Cuomo has rejected those arguments.  Both are expected to pass into law by Friday when the 2013 session ends.


A graduating class that enjoyed a lot of success in... and, outside of the classroom holds it's commencement tonight at Chautauqua Institution's Amphitheater.  Nearly 300 members of the Jamestown High School Class of 2013 will receive diplomas during tonight's program... which begins at 7 PM.  JHS Principal Mike McElrath says the Amphitheater is a "great venue" for graduation... which will put a cap the student's high school careers. In fact... McElrath says the Class of 2013 includes members of championship sports teams... and JHS's outstanding Winter Guard program.  The group was number-one in the nation before finishing second at the nationals.  McElrath says this group of students also selected former Jamestown School Superintendent Ray Fashano to be their main speaker.  He says Fashano is a great choice because he is a JHS graduate... and, was an "integral part" of the district for many years.  This year's JHS Valedictorian is Zack Ecklum... while the Salutatorian is Annie Dyatel.


A Kennedy man is jailed on 25-thousand dollars bail for allegedly stabbing a Jamestown-area woman... and, punching a man during a domestic incident in the town of Poland.  State Police in Jamestown say they were called to the scene on Waterboro Hill Road shortly after Noon Wednesday.  Troopers say 52 year-old Melvyn Jackson allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend in the hand... and, punched a man who was at that location in the face.  State Police say Jackson fled the scene before police arrived.  Chautauqua County Sheriff's deputies... along with K-9 Drago... were able to track Jackson and take him into custody.  He was arraigned in Ellicott Town Court on charges of second-degree assault, and menacing... and, harassment... and, was sent to the county lock-up.  State Police say the unidentified female victim was treated at WCA Hospital for her injuries.  However... the male subject refused medical treatment.