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WJTN News Headlines

 

There is hope that the Teacher Strike in Warren could come to an end.  YourErie.com reports that The Warren School District and the Teachers union negotiated for ten hours Tuesday. The school district and teachers union negotiated until nearly 3 in the morning on Wednesday. Both sides say there has been significant movement. Union reps note that they've lowered their salary proposal and increased the amount they'd contribute for health insurance. They say that saves the district $1 million. School board president Donna Zariczny says she hopes both sides come to an agreement next week.  Zariczny says she fels the parties are close. The next negotiation session is set for next Wednesday at 5 pm. They are hoping that at that point in time a new tentative agreement will be reached and that the students could be back in class as soon as next Friday.

 

It's been a long-time coming... but, ground has been broken on the new Jamestown Honda dealership on Fairmount Avenue in Lakewood.  County and village officials were on hand yesterday afternoon for the start of the 5.2-million dollar project at 207 East Fairmount Avenue.  The president of the new dealership... Bill McFadden... says they've "very excited" to finally be breaking ground on the project... adding it's been six-years in the making. McFadden says... with the groundbreaking underway on the 25-thousand square foot facility... it should take about 8 to 10 months to complete construction.  That's great news for Zone Sales Manager for New England American Honda Motor Company, Gerard Herrington.  He says it's been a long-time since there's been a Honda dealership in the Jamestown-area... but, adds soon there will be because they have a lot of "loyal local customers."  McFadden says the new Jamestown Honda dealership will employ 45 people... and, be part of McFaddens other two dealerships to form an automotive campus.  Of the 45 people who'll be hired... 10 will be in sales... while another 15 will be managers. 

 

A Rochester man is accused of trafficking Heroin in the Jamestown-area following his arrest during a home visit to a parolee on the city's southside Tuesday night.  City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says officers were assisting Parole officers at 222 McKinley Avenue shortly before 8 PM when they found a man allegedly smoking marijuana inside the apartment.  Samuelson says 31 year-old Jemarr Smith allegedly gave police a false name, and he was arrested. Samuelson says the Smith was apparently trying to dispose of the 95 bags of Heroin.  He says the suspect was obviously in town to traffic the illegal drug.  Samuelson adds that he faces five total charges... including third-degree Felony criminal possession of a controlled substance, and tampering with physical evidence.  He says no gun was found during the detail... and, the parolee did not have any drugs in his possesion, either.  Anyone with information on illegal drug trafficking in Jamestown is asked to call the confidential tips line at 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477.

 

A Jamestown man has been charged with animal cruelty following a home visit to his apartment on the city's northside.  City police were assisting state Probation with the check on 38 year-old Jose Ortiz at 853 Prendergast Avenue.  Officers say they found a pit-bull during the visit... shortly before Noon Wednesday without water.  They add the dog was "visibly emaceated" and had not been properly taken care of.  Officers say Ortiz has been charged with an Agriculture and Markets charge of overdriving, injuring, and torturing animals... and, failure to provide sustenance.

 

Gas prices in the Jamestown-area are up nearly 5-cents a gallon this week -- to between 2-dollars-33 and 2-dollars-34 cents a gallon for regular, unleaded fuel.  The Triple-A's Fuel Gauge Report says... entering the new week... the local average was 2--33.6 a gallon.  Nationally... Triple-A says the price was up about 3-cents a gallon to just under 2-dollars-26 cents.  The Fuel Gauge says pump prices in the Great Lakes region saw significant increases over the past week.  Regional prices remain impacted by two factors - seasonal refinery work at key plants like BP’s Whiting refinery and replenishment of inventory lost last month, when product had to be moved from Ohio, Indiana and Illinois to assist states in the Southeast impacted by problems on the Colonial Pipeline. 

 

The north county woman who has headed up Chautauqua County's Finance Department for the past four-and-a-half years will be retiring early next year.  That from County Executive Vince Horrigan... who says Susan Marsh will be stepping down from her position as Director of Finance next January 31st.  Horrigan says Marsh was appointed as director in April of 2012 by former Executive Greg Edwards... and, has stayed on during his administration. Horrigan says Marsh has also been a member of the Chautauqua Tobacco Asset Securitization Corporation Board.  He says Marsh previously had a 30-year career in financial management in the Dunkirk area... last with Cott... a food processing company.  Horrigan says a bi-partisan search committee will now be formed to look for a successor.  He says they hope to name a replacement by the beginning of 2017.  Marsh says she's "enjoyed working for the county for the past 4-and-a-half years...." and, says "it's been a pleasure working with the past two County Executives and helping to move this county foward." 

 

A blaze that has destroyed a garage and damaged a portion of a nearby home on Mill Street during the early morning hours Monday in Brocton is under investigation.  Fire crews from Brocton responded to the fire at 19 Mill Street about 3:30 AM.  They received mutual aid from Westfield... Portland... Stockton... East Dunkirk and Rescue 71 from Fredonia.  There were no reports of any injuries.  Again... the cause is under investigation.

 

A group of students, parents and education advocates that set out on foot from New York City more than a week ago to draw attention to school funding problems arrived in Albany last Tuesday.  The 20 walkers joined supporters for a rally outside the Court of Appeals before walking to the state Capitol, the final destination in a 150-mile trek that took them from Manhattan through Poughkeepsie, Catskill, Schenectady and other places.  Organizers say the walk was meant to draw attention to the billions of dollars the state owes students in the wake of the 2006 Campaign for Fiscal Equity case that found New York was underfunding schools.  A group of bicyclists pedaled 350 miles from Buffalo to catch up with the walkers for the final leg of their journey.

 

Public health authorities say the number of people who reported getting sick after eating refried beans at a popular Buffalo, New York fast-food restaurant has topped 160.  WGRZ-TV reports that the Erie County Department of Health said that 140 people have reported getting ill after eating at a Mighty Taco restaurant between September 30th... and, October 6th.  Health department officials in neighboring Niagara County say an additional 27 people have reported getting sick.