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WJTN News Headlines

Wednesday afternoon's downpour's caught some people off-guard because most of the rain was expected later in the day.  However... it began raining here at the Media One Group studios shortly after 5 PM... and, continued for about an hour.  There was flash flooding in a number of locations... including part of the Chautauqua Mall parking lot... near the creek.  A Flash Flood Warning issued by the National Weather Service expired at 8:30 last night.  There was also flash flooding in lower parts of Jamestown, and a number of basements were flooded.  There was also a power pole reported down on Fairmount Avenue in West Ellicott... leading to some isolated outages in that area.  There were still a hand-full of outages being taken care of by National Grid just south of Jamestown late last night.

 

The Jamestown-area got some showers and thunderstorms early Wednesday morning... and, late Wednesday afternoon.  A few inches of rain were reported in some places.  However... fire officials are still concerned about the drought conditions and the potential for brush fires.  Chautauqua County Emergency Services Director Julius Leone says while we have received some rainfall, people should still refrain from open burning. Leone says it doesn't take much to get a brush fire going... and, he says once they start, they become a major challenge for firefighters.  On Tuesday afternoon... several fire departments in the North County dealt with at least two such fires in the towns of Pomfret and Portland.  No injuries were reported. 

 

Jamestown Police are investigating a shooting that occured early last evening in the 600-block of Spring Street.  City Police say they received a report of shots fired shortly after 8 PM... and, found the victim had been shot in the hand.  JPD Captain Bob Samuelson says the unidentified victim was initially taken to WCA Hospital... then transferred to UPMC Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania.  Samuelson says investigators report an Hispanic man... and, a black male approached the victim... who was on his bike... in the area of East Sixth Street at Spring.  One of the suspects allegedly fired 4 to 5 shots at the man near 614 Spring.  Investigators believe this is NOT a random act... and, that the victim was targeted.  If you have any information on the incident... call city police... or their tips line at 483-TIPS... or 483-8477.

 

A Mayville woman has been arrested for allegedly extensively damaging another person's vehicle as it was parked in the driveway of another person's residence.  City Police say 21 year-old Ebony Elam had a valid order of protection against her to stay away from the home at 46 Wescott Street.  Officers were called to the scene shortly after 11 PM Tuesday night.  Police say they found the damaged vehicle on arrival... and, found Elam a short distance away.  She was arrested without incident on charges of second-degree criminal contempt... and, third-degree criminal mischief.  Elam was arraigned and sent to the county jail on 10-thousand dollars cash bail.

 

The National Comedy Center in Jamestown has received a 1.7-million dollar federal grant to help fund new initiatives at the site on the city's westside.  Local Congressman Tom Reed announced the grant late yesterday... saying it will be used to fund new attractions, and the related construction during the expansion process at the location... which is currently under construction.  It's being awarded under the Public Works Program at the U.S. Department of Commerce.  Reed says "this is a great step in the right direction which will allow the project to continue to move forward.  It’s only right that we continue to work with local leaders and continue to advocate for the resources that this site needs to be completed.  Comedy Center Board Chairman Tom Benson says they are "thrilled" to be receiving the award.  Benson says "the federal government has sent a clear signal that it recognizes and endorses the National Comedy Center as a world class attraction and the massive catalytic economic impact that it will have on Jamestown and the entire region."

 

Southern Tier Congressman Tom Reed joined a number of elected officials and community leaders in participating in the annual "VIP Fishing Day" on Lake Erie near Dunkirk.  The Corning Republican says that the trip was not only an opportunity to do some fishing... but, adds he was also able to discuss a number of issues relating to the lake.
County Executive Vince Horrigan and Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas were also among the officials who took part in the trip.  Horrigan says he introduced Dunkirk's new marina operator, Charle Pringle, to Reed and other officials.  He says they discussed the "breakwall" situation there.  Rosas says this is the second year he has participated in the Fishing Day event and he says it's a great opportunity to "showcase" the city... and, the great fishing on Lake Erie.  The Annual "VIP Fishing Day" was organized by the fish advisory boards from both Chautauqua and Erie counties.

 

The retired veteran who has headed up the Chautauqua County Veteran's Service Agency since December of 2013 has announced that he is retiring next November 11th.  With that... County Executive Vince Horrigan has begun the process of finding a replacement for Gary Chilcott.  Horrigan says Chilcott was already a veteran of 28-years in the U-S Air Force... and 15 years in public education when he was hired. Horrigan says Chilcott "has been an incredible leader and a strong advocate for Chautauqua County Veterans."  They and their familes total about 11-thousand in all.  Horrigan says he's already put a search committee in place... made up of local military, and elected officials... to find a replacement.  Horrigan says that most local veterans are seniors are 65 years of age... or older.  He says that means cross-overs into Medicare and Medicaid... and, the county's Office for the Aging.  With that... Horrigan says it becomes a collaborative effort to provide the services they need.  He made his comments recently on "Community Spotlight."

 

New York auditors say the state's Medicaid system made up to 12.1-million dollars in inappropriate payments last year, including 2.3-million in managed care payments for dead patients.   Auditors say other payments went for recipients dropped from long-term care coverage.  About $2.1 million was recovered during the auditors' field work.
 The state health department says it's pursuing other overpayments.  Medicaid spending for more than 6 million low-income New Yorkers this year is expected to exceed 63-billion dollars... half of it federally funded.  The audit report says claims are processed and paid weekly, averaging about 7-million claims and more than $1 billion in payments to providers.  Auditors say they identified 119 dead people enrolled in Medicaid and 1,177 enrollees who died and weren't automatically removed.