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WJTN News Headlines for Jan. 25, 3018

The Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency has approved a payment in lieu of tax agreement for one of the developers of several, large wind turbines in the north county...  
 
That doesn't sit well with a a few residents in the towns of Arkwright and Villanova, and the Cassadaga-area who voted their displeasure at last night's County Legislature meeting.  Fredonia's Mark Twitchell says it's time for lawmakers to take a stand like the Oswego County Legislature did.
 
County Executive George Borrello agreed with much of what the residents said and believes there is a way for the county to deal with limiting wind development in the county.  Right now, he says there is no local law to prevent developers from "going around the county" and to the state to get support.  He adds the Cuomo administration, right now, is providing heavy support to such projects. The four people who spoke--including Twitchell-- say the turbine projects are already driving down property values. 
 
 
 
The search is continuing for a new Chief Executive Officer of the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency.  County Executive George Borrello says he is currently looking for a replacement for Kevin Sanvidge who left the post at the end of December.  Borrello Wednesday updated us on the process...
 
Borrello says he is not in a rush to fill the position, but says he also realizes he must eventually make an appointment.  He says he hopes to have someone in place by March because there are a number of areas he wants to move forward on -- and needs an IDA director to do it.  Borrello, who began his duties on New Year's Day, is reaching out to the county's business community by attempting to visit 100 businesses in 100 days.  As of now, he has visited 27 businesses in the county so far.
 
 
 
Many strides have been made, but more work needs to be done to help the millions of Americans with Diabetes...  
 
Local Congressman Tom Reed was in Jamestown late Wednesday to hold a roundtable discussion with Type-1 and Type-2 Diabetics and their relatives, about their stuggles and successes with the disease.  Reed, whose 17 year-old son Will, has Diabetes, says the back-and-forth helped renew his fight against the disease.
 
Reed discussed improved health insurance coverage under the U-S Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for Omni-pod insulin pumps.  Reed co-chairs the Congressional Diabetes Caucus and believes there work has helped push down the cost of insulin.  He believes they were able to get prices to move downward just by asking questions about why the price for insulin was as high as it was.  Reed also talked about the Special Diabetes program, which is a $150-million research program at the National Institute of health focused on prevention, treatment, and finding a cure for Type-1 Diabetes.  Wednesday's program was held at UPMC Chautauqua WCA Hospital's Diabetes Treatment Center.
 
 
 
A Jamestown man was arrested for allegedly violating an order of protection and threatening a female victim with a knife an in upstairs apartment yesterday evening...
 
City police responded to the apartment at 222 Winsor Street shortly after 5 p.m. for a reported physical domestic dispute. Investigation revealed that 45 year-old Robert Barr threatened the victim with a knife and, additionally held her down by applying pressure to her neck while on top of her. Officers say it was additionally determined there was an order of protection for Barr to stay away from the residence. He is being held in city jail pending arraignment. 
 
 
 
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's chief of staff says the Democrat expressed surprise when a former top aide told him about his financial dealings after a 2016 law enforcement raid on the aide's home...  
 
Linda Lacewell testified Wednesday at Joseph Percoco's trial that Percoco spoke to Cuomo by phone.  She says Percoco was explaining some of his financial dealings when Cuomo asked, "What?"  Since Cuomo is unlikely to testify, Lacewell may be as close to Cuomo as witnesses will get at the trial.  Opening statements were Tuesday at the trial of Percoco and three businessmen accused of paying him over $300,000 in bribes to help them get what they needed from the state.  Percoco has pleaded not guilty and his lawyer says he did not commit a crime.
 
 
 
Jamestown School District Superintendent Bret Apthorpe addressed the "fairness" of Governor Andrew Cuomo's state aid distribution during Tuesday night's board meeting at Jefferson Middle School...  
 
During his Superintendent's Report, Apthorpe compared reading the "nuances" to reading the "fine print" in Cuomo's $168-billion budget address.  Apthorpe also expressed his disappointment in the governor's proposal in what he called "disappointingly below inflation."  Additionally, he neccessitated the "fair distribution of funds for quality education for all children."  While the proposal is not final, Apthorpe remains "hopeful" that state legislators will help as Cuomo's begins negotiations on a final budget.  He said board members will be connecting with local officials to advocated for their support. 
 
 
 
Gas prices in the Jamestown area are up four-cents this week to $2.75 for a gallon of regular, unleaded fuel... 
 
That from AAA's latest gas price report, which says the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region had a nearly 500,000 barrel draw on gasoline inventory. The 53-million barrels in total is typical for this time of year. Prices at the pump on average is $2.54-cents per gallon nationally, which is only a penny more than last week.