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WJTN News Headlines

A Russell, Pennsylvania man faces a 168-count indictment for allegedly sexually abusing a girl from the time she was 11 until she was 18 years-old.  State Police in Warren say they concluded a lengthy investigation into the eight-year case with the arrest of 62 year-old Daniel Lynn Brecht of Priest Hollow Road.  Investigators say the incidents occured from 2003 to early 2010.  Among the charges... say Troopers... are 39 counts of Corruption of Minors... and, 37 of Indecent Assault.  Brecht also faces 14 counts each of Felony Rape... and, and Sexual Assault.  He also faces six similar counts for allegedly assaulting another victim between the ages of 10 and 12 during the same time span.  State Police say Brecht was arraigned in District Court... and, sent to the Warren County Jail on 100-thousand dollars bail.

 

The Jamestown School District has been given a "clean-bill" of financial health from it's third-party auditor for the past fiscal year.  That from Dave DiTanna with the B-W-B Group... a local accounting firm... which performed the city district's audit for the second-year in a row.  DiTanna commended Assistant Superintendent Dale Weatherlow and his staff for doing a fine job overseeing the district's finances.  DiTanna did note the district ran a 1.2-million dollar shortfall... but, that wasn't bad news.  Officials actually budgeted for a 3.5-million dollar loss.  Weatherlow says that means they didn't have to use as much "undesignated fund" balance to offset taxes. DiTanna says one interesting aspect of the audit was it showed revenues were up for the district's food service program.  Weatherlow that's mainly because the district was again eligible to be part of the federal "Free or Reduced" Lunch program.  With that... he says they receive an increase in federal revenues.  Eligibility is determined by the poverty rate in individuals... and, schools in the district.  DiTanna says one note of concern for the next year is that the district's state pension contribution will increase from 12 to 16-percent.

 

The ribbon was cut... and, a train horn blew to signify the opening Tuesday of the fourth-phase of the Greater Jamestown Riverwalk Project. Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi presided over the opening of the approximately one-thousand feet that's been added to the Riverwalk from Blackstone Ney-Ultrasonics... west along the north shore of the Chadakoin River.  It ends in an area just across the river from Panzarella Island at the Board of Public Utilities.  Teresi says it's a testimony to the great collaboration involved in completing the 319-thousand dollar section. Teresi says the city received a 150-thousand dollar New York state Environmental Protection Fund Grant that it had to match for the project.  Assemblyman Andy Goodell was among the state represetatives on hand... and, says the riverwalk casts Jamestown in a "different light."  The other 19-thousand dollars used to tie all aspects of the project together was provided by the Gebbie Foundation... which also bought ALL the property behind Blackstone-Ney Ultrasonics.

 

Following the ribbon cutting... the local, state and other officials on hand were bused to the Clifton Avenue end of the trail off Fluvanna Avenue to break-ground on the Riverwalk's fifth-phase.  Mayor Teresi says... once that part of the project is completed... it will open up a major section of the area between the Chadakoin River and the old railroad tracks in that part of town. Teresi says Phase-5 of the Riverwalk project will be funded... primarily by another 262-thousand dollars from the state Environmental Protection Fund... that are also being matched by the city of Jamestown.  No timetable was given during the Phase-4 ribbon cutting on when that part of the project would be completed.

 

Many opposing a November 5th referendum to expand the number of casinos in New York have taken a sledge hammer to a slot machine outside the Capitol.  They say they're striking a blow against problem gambling.  Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature say the one-billion dollars in revenue can be used for schools and to cut taxes.

 

The Lakewood Village Board has tabled action on a proposal to build a new oil change and car wash service center across from the LUV Toyota Dealership on Fairmount Avenue.  Mayor David Wordelmann says the board held a public hearing Monday night on the proposal by LUV Toyota owner Bill McFadden... who is looking to put the business up on commercially-zoned land across from the dealership on the north side of Fairmount.  Wordelmann says they were waiting for a short-form environmental assessment form to be completed by McFadden on the project. Wordelmann says the board received McFadden's EAS before Monday night's meeting... and, adds there are some issues that need to be addressed before the panel votes on a special use permit... including water run-off and landscaping.  He says the special permit is mainly needed because of the oil change operation.  The proposal will be reviewed by the village, and county planning boards before it is returned to the village board for action on October 28th.