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WJTN News Headlines

A Jamestown man faces numerous criminal and traffic charges after he allegedly led police on a high-speed pursuit from the city's westside to northside yesterday morning.  City police say they tried to stop the vehicle... being driven by 26 year-old Nicholas Brown... on Fairmount Avenue -- near Hall Avenue... shortly before 9 AM.  Officers say Brown allegedly sped off... and, led police on a chase that ended at Sturges Street -- near Crossman.  They say the suspect then led them on a short foot chace before they were able to catch... and, arrest him.  Brown faces two counts of obstructing governmental administration... and, one count each of resisting arrest... reckless driving... and, third-degree unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle.  He faces nearly a dozen others.  He was jailed pending arraignment.

 

American's see a lot of the "surface noise" going on in the Middle East... mainly in Syria and Libya to name a couple.  However... there are "tectonic shifts" taking place in society there that are being driven by a divide between the younger populations... and, the goverments of those countries.  That from Wednesday's featured lecturer's at Chautauqua Institution.  Michelle Dunne is involved with the Carnegie Endowment's Middle East Program... which is a "think-tank...." Kareem Ibrahim is an architect who is the project leader for Inner City Development with the group TADAMUN.  Ibrahim says there were success stories after the 2011 "Arab Spring..." but, he adds in places where it worked... there are still issues.  In big cities like Cairo... he says there are issues such as access to good water.  Michelle Dunne and Kareem Ibrahim gave the Middle Eastern perspective for "The Future of Cities" Week at Chautauqua Institution.  Both spoke earlier with our Dennis Webster on our "Chautauqua Today" program.

 

New York lawmakers are criticizing Goveronr Andrew Cuomo's big economic development programs after reports that show lackluster results... and, failures in oversight.  The Assembly's Committee on Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry held a hearing on the Democratic governor's initiatives Wednesday in Albany.  Cuomo's top economic development official was grilled by lawmakers... who called for big changes.  Some others have also called for the programs should be scrapped.  A state report quietly released last month found that the Start-Up NY job creation program generated only 408 new jobs in its first two years.

 

There are still tickets available... but, they are going fast for the three headliners performing at this week's 25th anniversary Lucille Ball Comedy Festival in Jamestown.  The more than 50 events and programs began last niight with a gala... and, get into full gear today.  Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Comedy Center Director Journey Gunderson says they're ready to welcome stand-up comics Lewis Black... Trevor Noah... and, Brian Regan to Jamestown.  Regan will do the big show at 8:30 PM Saturday at the Jamestown Saving Bank Arena. Political satirist Lewis Black will perform at 7:30 tonight at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts... while Trevor Noah... who now hosts "The Daily Show" on Comedy Center... will be on stage at the Reg beginning at 8:30 PM Friday.  Also this weekend... Gunderson says there will be two National Comedy Center "dialogues..." which will include the daughters of the late Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, and Richard Pryor.  The event coincides with the 50th anniversary of the passing of Lenny Bruce... and, begins at 6PM Friday at the Reg Lenna.  There will also be late night comedy... and, other events.  For more information... go to LucyComedyFest-dot-COM... or call 484-0800.

 

Two Jamestown firefighters have become the first duo in more than three-decades to receive one of the area's most prestigeous community service awards to labor.  International Association of Firefighters Localk-1772 members Shawn Tibbitts... and, Kyle Sholl were presented the Joseph Mason Award during the annual Salute to Labor Dinner last night in Mayville.  It's presented by the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County... and, Director Tori Irgang says the pair launched a fund-raiser last year to help families battling childhood cancer.
Tibbetts says he and Sholl began the "Chautauqua Project" while they were kayaking down the Conewango River one day last year... and, they decided to kayak around Chautauqua Lake to raise the money.  He adds they also decided to do it for charity.   Sholl says... thanks to several sponsors and donors... they were able to raise 15-hundred dollars for the effort.  Local companies... and, individuals supported the effort.  He says it took about eight-hours to complete the trip.  Irgang says both are also heavily involved in other charity work as well.

 

New York's state attorney general is targeting companies advertising ineffective insect repellents to cash in on concerns over the Zika virus.  Attorney General Eric Schneiderman says his office has sent letters to seven companies, telling them to stop marketing products as ``Zika-preventive'' or ``Zika-protective.''  The tropical mosquito that carries Zika is not common in New York. The virus can affect pregnant women, causing birth defects.
 People in Zika-affected areas are advised to wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts and use insect repellent.  The state has confirmed 537 cases, all apparently connected to travel to affected areas.  Five cases were sexually transmitted.  The Centers for Disease Control Prevention says repellents typically providing long-lasting protection contain DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535.  It lists brand names on its website.

 

New York state has confirmed 537 cases of Zika so far _ though officials say all appear to be connected to travel to affected areas and there's no evidence the virus is spreading through local mosquitoes.  Governor Andrew Cuomo and state health Commissioner Howard Zucker delivered the update Tuesday.  While the specific mosquito species known to spread Zika is not native to New York... a related species is present in downstate areas.   Officials say residents can reduce the risk by eliminating standing water and using larvicide to kill young mosquitoes.  They also encourage people to wear repellent and long sleeves when outside, particularly during the day.  Cuomo adds the state is also providing testing to pregnant women at risk of exposure to the virus, which has been linked to birth defects.

 

The funding was included in the state budget that was passed back in April, but Dunkirk city officials haven't received any word on the status of transition aid because of the moth-balling of the NRG plant. Mayor Willie Rosas says the city, the county and the City School District are working together to make their case. He says without transition aid, the city is facing a major budget shortfall for 2017. Rosas is meeting with County Executive Vince Horrigan Thursday to discuss the issue of transition aid.  The mayor says the city has prepared a letter of cessation to assist the efforts.  Even with the transition aid, the city will face about a half-million dollar shortfall heading into 2017.

 

Musician Erik Lundquist of Jamestown will be joining the 'top brass' of the U.S. Air Force. Erik was selected from a pool of 40 applicants, 19 of whom auditioned in Washington earlier this week.  He was back home Wednesday to play in the Jamestown Municipal Band. Lundquist is 2009 graduate of Jamestown High School and holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of North Texas.  He says he's been wanting to play in a military band since first hearing them at Chautauqua Institution in his youth.  He'll now be performing for a lot of important events. Those events include next year's Presdential inauguration.  Erik is the son of Rick and Patti Lundquist.  He leaves for Basic Training in October.