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WJTN News Headlines

The Jamestown School Board has accepted the resignation of it's previous director of Finance and Business Affairs... and, approved hiring a new one.  The board last night okayed the appointment of former Rochester City School District Business Director Vernon Connors... who brings 20 years of school business administration experience with him.  Connors also worked with Jamestown School Superintendent Tim Mains about 10 years when Mains was an administrator in Rochester.  Mains says he likes Connors "bredth of experience...."
Mains says Connors officially begins his new position on August 17th.  However... he says unofficially... Connors has already begun working in the district so he can be brought up-to-speed with his new position before school starts in September.  That will include work with former Assistant Superintendent for Administration Dale Weatherlow.  Mains says Connors was also the Business Administrator in the Lansing School District... Business Manager for Bishop Kearney High School... and, was District Treasurer in the Brockport School District.  He replaces Kevin Ziemba... who recently resigned from the district to pursue other opportunities.

 

The man who has headed-up activities at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena for the past year-and-a-half is out as general manager of the facility.  However... arena operators say that Brian Cersosimo will stay on as the General Manager for the Southern Tier Xpress.  The Xpress just finished up it's first-season in the North American Hockey League's Tier-3 Junior program.  In a printed statement Tuesday afternoon... operators said they had parted ways with Cersosimo... but, say they "appreciate" the work he did with there.  They especially said they liked working with him on the strategic plan for the arena.  They add that one of Cersosimo's assistants... Craig Hinderlighter... will now be Interm Arena General Manager. 

 

Final preparations are underway for what will be a record-smashing 71st annual Gerry Rodeo... which begins it's four-day run at the Rodeo Grounds tonight.  That from Rodeo Spokesman Paul Cooley... who says the event went over 200 entries for the first-time ever about a week ago.  However... Cooley says those numbers have continued to grow because of a record purse the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association cowboys and cowgirls will compete for. Cooley says an "anonymous donor..." and, other money raised has allowed them to exceed 45-thousand dollars in prize money for the rodeo.  He says it's especially allowed them to boost their numbers for the "rougher" events... including bareback riding... the saddleback bronc... and, bullriding events.  Cooley says they also have quality coming.  One of the big names in rodeo is expected to be here Saturday.  That's Cody Ohl... who's made the national finals 15 times... and, world champion six times.  Cooley says there'll be four performances... one each night beginning at 8 PM... and, the Gerry Fire Department will be serving their famous Beef Barbecue dinners beginning at 5 PM each day... Wednesday through Saturday.  For more information... call the Rodeo Office at 985-4847... or go on-line to Gerryrodeo-dot-ORG.

 

A Central New York couple face drug-related charges after their vehicle was pulled over for allegedly having an unregistered trailer in the town of Ellicott.  State Police in Jamestown say they arrested 37 year-old Jamey Dowd, and 30 year-old Cassondra Morse last Friday during a traffic stop on Interstate 86.  Troopers say... while interviewing Dowd... they smelled a strong odor of marijauana.. and, with the assistance of K-9 Kubi... Dowd and Morse were found to be in possession of both pot and cocaine.  Police add they also found three mortar-style fireworks inside the trailer.  Troopers took Dowd and Morse into custory... and, they were issued appearance tickets for criminal possession of a Controlled Substance... Unlawful Possession of Marihuana... Unlawful Possession of Fireworks... and, for having an unregistered trailer.  Both were released on bail... pending a future court appearance.

 

A unified effort to fight crime in Jamestown's neighborhoods was celebrated last night during the annual "National Night Out" against crime.  It was the 32nd annual "Night Out..." which has been recognized in the city for the past several years.  Jamestown Police Chief and Public Safety Director Harry Snellings says... locally... it's been a partnership between law enforcment... public safety... and, the city's neighborhoods. Snellings says there are now 27 Neighborhood Watch groups in the city... which have varying degrees of activity... but, are all geared towards providing extra "eyes and ears" in the community.  Snellings says that has been critical to his department in fighting the on-going drug epidemic... and, other crimes.  He says they "can't be everywhere."  Snellings says they especially appreciate the many tips they've received on their tip-line in fighting drug trafficking in the city.  That number again is 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477.  He says the Neighborhood Watch Coaltion held two block parties last night on Harris Avenue... and, Forest Avenue.  If your neighborhood is interested in forming a Neighborhood Watch Group... call Snellings' Administrative Assistant at 483-7530. 

 

No one was hurt in a house fire reported in the Ashville area late Monday night.  Chautauqua County Sheriff's dispatchers say Ashville fire crews were called to the scene on Hogg Road shortly before 11 PM.  Officials say firefighters were at the scene about an hour-and-a-half.  The residents were reportedly not at home at the time... and, no injuries were reported.  Sherman and Lakewood firefighters joined Ashville at the scene.  There was no word on damage done to the structure.

 

Gasoline prices in the Jamestown-area have seen their biggest drop in several weeks... falling 5-cents a gallon this week for regular, unleaded fuel.  That from the Triple-A's Fuel Gauge Report... which says the price has dropped from 2-dollars-92 cents a gallon to 2--87.  The Fuel Gauge reports the average price locally is based on reports from 19 service stations in the area.  At this time last year... the average price was just over 3-dollars-86 cents a gallon.  Triple-A says the national average price is now 2-dollars-65 cents.  The resolution of localized refinery issues... and, lower prices for crude oil has kept downward pressure on the national average price at the pump.  It's now fallen for 19 consecutive days.  Drivers are paying the lowest averages for this date since 2009... and, today’s national average represents a savings of 85 cents per gallon compared to this same date last year.  The national average is now 15 cents per gallon lower than the 2015 peak price of 2-dollars-80 cents back on June 15th.  The national average is expected to keep moving lower leading up to the Labor Day holiday, barring any unexpected spikes in the price of global crude oil or unexpected disruptions to domestic production.

 

Candidates from each of the major parties have emerged to campaign for a state Senate seat representing New York's Southern Tier after its previous occupant was convicted of lying to the FBI.  Republican Fred Akshar announced his candidacy late Monday.  Akshar is now the undersheriff in Broome County, the number-2 position in the sheriff's office.  He is supported by top Republican leaders from Broome, Tioga, Chenango and Delaware counties.  On the Democrat side... former state Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Barbara Fiala announced her campaign last week.  Fiala is a former Broome County executive.  The winner will succeed Thomas Libous of Binghamton, who had been the Senate's number-2 ranking Republican until his conviction last month. The special election is expected in November.