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News Headlines for Mon., Dec. 26, 2016

Church on Jamestown's eastside destroyed by overnight fire...
An overnight fire has destroyed a church on Jamestown's eastside.  City Fire Battalion Chief Sam Salemme says fire crews were called to the scene at the First Church of God at 291 Falconer St. about 2 this morning... and, found heavy fire at the back of the structure.  Salemme says there was heavy smoke and fire at the back of the building.  Salemme says firefighters were unable to get inside the structure due to the intense heat... and, the roof had collapsed.  He says it took about an hour-and-a-half to get the flames under control.  Crews were at the scene for several hours.  An off-duty shift was called in.  No one was inside when the blaze broke out... and, no firefighters were hurt.  The cause is under investigation.
 
 
City police chief discusses crime issues on northside with proposed development...
While it appears to be a good project... some Jamestown residents are concerned over whether a proposed housing development on the northside may end up attracting more crime to that area.  Some of the residents on had for the City Council's year-end voting session expressed such concerns for the people who would be living in the Jackson-Spring development.  City Police Chief Harry Snellings says the four most recent shooting incidents are related to the one in which a Buffalo man was killed on Thanksgiving morning.  Snellings called them a "very unique situation..." adding that all of those shootings were "targeted."  He adds they were completely unrelated to the Keith Robbins murder case in which Robbins was charged with murder in the shooting death of his estranged wife, Sheri, in early November.  Snellings says with one of the "targeted" shootings on Prendergast Avenue... it remains a "high-crime" corridor area that also includes Spring Street.   But... Snellings says Spring Street -- specifically -- is not a high-crime area.  City police are still looking for the suspect or suspects involved with the Thanksgiving morning incident at 129 South Main St.
 
 
Officials with UMPC-Hamot, and UPMC Chautauqua WCA discuss WCA-UPMC merger...
WCA Hospital's recent merger with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center was a logical progression from the five-year strategic partnership the two has previously.  That from the president and Chief Executive Officer of the new, UPMC Chautauqua-WCA Hospital, Betsy Wright.  Wright says their initial affiliation began nearly 5 years ago.. and, she says the partnership and merger has already provided a lot of help with recruiting new doctors.  She says that led to obtaining the services of ENT Doctor Mark Steele.  On this past weekend's "Community Spotlight" program... we also spoke with UPMC Hamot President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Fiorenzo about what to expect with the new agreement.  Hamot went throught it's merger in 2011.  Fiorenzo says there have been many benefits... including expanded resources.  He says new programs and services -- such as new Cancer treatments -- are another plus they have seen at UPMC Hamot.  WCA Hospital first signed it's Strategic Affiliation Agreement with UPMC in August of 2012. 
 
 
It's looking less likely there will be a Special State Legislative session...
Talk of a special holiday session focused on a possible pay hike for state legislature members has sputtered in recent days.  State Senate Leader John Flanagan said late Friday night that talks between lawmakers and Governor Andrew Cuomo have not "borne fruit."  Many lawmakers had hoped to return this month to increase their $79,000 dollar salary.   They must do so by December 31st, for the raise to take effect in 2017.  Lawmakers were also expected to consider funding for hate crimes investigations, government ethics reforms and a proposal to allow Uber to expand upstate. 
 
 
Reed looks back on 2016, an health bill to help with Opioid Crisis...
The County's Congressman says he is proud of the work he and his staff were able to complete in 2016 and he's looking forward to 2017.  Tom Reed spent some time reflecting on the past year during a conference call with area media this past week.  Among the highlights... Reed says they were able to leverage a lot of money to deal with the opioid addiction problem in the latest "continuing resolution" to fund the government.  He says some $500-million dollars to help people in dealing with the opioid crisis.  Locally... Reed says he is pleased that the NRG repowering project is moving in the right direction.  He says there were a number of "ups and downs..." but, he says he will remain a "strong voice" in the new year to make sure the project stays on track now.  Entergy Corporation recently withdrew it's lawsuit against the state that put the project in limbo.