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WJTN News Headlines

Two more Buffalo men have been indicted by the Chautauqua County Grand Jury in connection with the home invasion-robbery on Jamestown's eastside earlier this month.  That home invasion ended with a police-involved shooting at 188 Falconer Street.  City Police Captain Bob Samuelson late Monday announced the 22-count indictments against 26 year-old Levelle Jones... and, 26 year-old Jacon Hicks.  Samuelson says both were in custody previously for parole violations.  He says both face charges including four counts of first-degree burglary... six counts of first-degree robbery... and, one count of first-degree criminal sex act.  Samuelson says both were arraigned in City Court... and, sent to the county jail on one-million dollars cash bail each.  More arrests are expected... and, if you have any information on the July 1st incident... you're asked to call City Police at 483-7537... or their anonymous tip-line at 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477.

 

He has no problem being the underdog in a political race... in fact... he almost seems to relish it.  Republican Gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino brought his underfunded... yet, energetic campaign to Chautauqua County Monday... and, addressed fellow Republicans last night at the County GOP's Annual Dinner in Lakewood.  Astorino trails in the latest Siena College Poll by 37-percentage points.  The Westchester County Executive was a big underdog five-years ago in a battle against incumbant Democrat Andrew Spano... and, wound up winning. That's what Astorino is banking on this time as he faces his biggest political test yet.  Incumbant Democrat Andrew Cuomo has outspent Astorino so far... and, has a better than 15-to-1 advantage in campaign cash available.   However... if you look further than the polls... the opportunity is there.  Astorino contends few are happy with Cuomo... and, he adds he got a great reception at Sunday's Pulaski Day Parade in the Buffalo suburb of Cheektowaga.  Astorino adds, though, that the onus is on him to get out his message of cutting taxes... and New York state government bureaucracy and red tape.

 

That new poll of likely New York voters discussed with Astorino shows Democrat Andrew Cuomo continuing his lead over the Republican challenger.  The Siena College poll finds 60 percent would vote now for Cuomo and 23 percent for Astorino.  The poll shows 61 percent have a favorable view of Cuomo, while 61 percent have no opinion of Astorino, down from 69 percent a month ago.  The telephone poll last week of 774 likely New York registered voters has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.

 

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino was joined during his visits to Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties by Congressman Tom Reed -- among others.  Reed is in his own battle with Tompkins County Legislator Martha Robertson.  The Corning Republican says he likes Astorino's message of empowering people... and, providing them with the opportunity to make a better life for themselves.  Reed says when you "carry and believe" in that message... it's easy to do.  His 23rd Congressional District race is considered as one of the "top 20" to keep an eye on in 2014.  However... he says the differences between he and Robertson couldn't be more clear.  Reed says the Ithaca Democrat comes from a portion of the district that's "all in" when it comes to bigger government.  In addition to Reed and Astorino... State Senator Cathy Young... Assembly Andy Goodell... and County Sheriff candidate Russ Payne were on hand for last night's dinner.

 

With a perfect, blue sky as a backdrop... the 134th edition of the Chautauqua County Fair opened Monday morning at the fairgounds on Central Avenue (in Dunkirk), with the traditional firing of a civil war era canon. Moments before... County Executive Vince Horrigan caught the spirit of the day, he as spoke about what the fair represents.
First Vice President of the Fair Board of Directors... Jim Tytka (TIGHT-Kuh), Junior... says agriculture is first and foremost at the fair.  Tytka says they look forward to seeing what the farmers have to bring... along with the 4-H kids... each year.  He adds it wouldn't be the fair without demolition derbies.  The first one will be at the grandstand TONIGHT at 7 PM... and, another's scheduled Sunday at 4 PM.  The pay one price admission to the county fair is $10 for adults.

 

The Chautauqua County Fair Board is not only concerned about this year's Fair... they are looking at the future of the Fair.  Fair Board of Directors member Dan King says a major capital campaign is being organized.  King says they hope to raise enough money through individuals and businesses in the area.  Fair Director Dave Wilson says there are some major projects that will be tackled -- if enough funds are raised.  One of them is a major, approximately 350-thousand dollar upgrade of the drainage system. Wilson says the Fair Board is also looking to upgrade the Fairground's electrical system.  The current system is having more difficulty handling the more modern motor homes.  The public will be able to get more information about the capital campaign when they attend the 132st annual Chautauqua County Fair in Dunkirk.

 

New York ranks among the top five states for children's health, according to the 25th edition of the Kids Count Data Book released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The report released Tuesday looks at data from 1990 that show the major trends in child well-being, and recent trends that compare data from 2005 to 2012. New York showed improvement in all eight categories of health and education for children. The number of children who didn't graduate from high school in four years decreased from 33 percent in 1990 to 22 percent in 2012. The number of teen births decreased, and the number of children in high-poverty areas remained stable at 17 percent. The number of children in single parent families increased by 24 percent from 1990 to 2012.

 

The conditions in Bemus were perfect for "Glee Night" at SE93 Chautauqua Lake Voices on Monday Night.  The Top 10 contestants of the show, now in it's 11th summer, performed songs that appeared on the Popular TV show - and they didn't disappoint those in attendance.  Ashley Reefer's performance of "Don't Rain On My Parade" was the fan favorite in the SlickText.com "Coolest Performer" audience voting contest.  In the end Karina Simmons and Kristina Bullock were eliminated by the panel of judges.  The final 8 are back at the Floating Stage next Monday where they will perform Phil Collins or Genesis songs.  For more information you can find SE93 Chautauqua Lake Voices on Facebook or visit ChautauquaLakeVoices.com