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WJTN News Headlines for Feb. 6, 2018

A city man is in custody on Felony arson charges after turning himself into Jamestown Police Monday morning.  That from City Police Captain Bob Samuelson, who says 31 year-old David Wright faces two counts each of second-degree arson and second-degree criminal mischief...
 
Samuelson says the charges come after Jamestown Police and Fire Departments' arson investigators determined the cause of two separate fires -- the first at 12 Mount Vernon Place in November 2017-- and, the second at 24 Philips Street on January 19.  He says the joint investigation showed both were intentionally set.. and, that Wright set them.  Wright reportedly lived at both residences at the time of the fires.  He was being arraigned late yesterday morning and, will be sent to the county jail pending further court action.
 
 
 
A Westfield woman is accused of prostitution in her home for several months late last year...  
 
Sheriff's Deputies say they arrested 35 year-old Amy Figueroa of Nichols Avenue after they looked into "ongoing suspicious activity" from last September through December.  Officers say they arrested her without incident just before Noon Monday.  Deputies say Figueroa was issued an appearance ticket for Westfield Village Court for prostitution and will appear in court at a later date and time.
 
 
 
The city of Jamestown now has a state-approved program in place that allows local residents to buy vacant or condemned properties to fix up and live in and save on property taxes...  
 
City Development Director Vince DeJoy told City Council members last night that the city's 11-year Property Tax Abatement Program is now up and running, and people can apply on-line, or in person.  DeJoy says the person buying the home must also live in it.  He says the on-line, or hard copy form will ask the homeowner a series of questions about their plans for the property.
 
During the first year of home ownership, DeJoy says there would be no taxes paid to the city or chautauqua County.  After that, the taxes paid will steadily increase through the 11th year.  Mayor Sam Teresi says realistically, they're hoping that they may have two or three such projects undertaken each year to help get properties back on the tax roles and lessen the city's cost for demolitions.  He adds, though, that not all vacant and condemned properties in the city are going to be "candidates" for this program.
 
 
  
Chautauqua County's top-elected official says he feels optimistic that New York state may take some action to allow institutions of higher learning to taylor their training programs for local industry...  
 
County Executive George Borrello says, in talking with local industrial leaders during his business visits in the county, he's learned that workforce training is the biggest issue they face right now.  Borrello adds that he brought that up to a member of Governor Andrew Cuomo's administration; he says they are looking into that.
 
Borrello says he met earlier with officials at both Jamestown Community College and the SUNY College at Fredonia about tayloring their programs and found their hands are tied by requirements of the state's Board of Regents.  He says it got their attention, especially when he noted that SKF officials said it happens in other states where they do business.  Borrello has now visited 30 businesses in the first 30 days of his administration.  He made his comments for this past weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the five Media One Group stations.
 
 
 
The Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce presented its annual 'Salute to the Finest' awards Monday night...  
 
The 'Pride of Jamestown Award' went to the Babe Ruth World Series Committee.  the group has brought 16 World Series events to Jamestown since 1980, with another one set for August of this year.   Accepting the award was Vice-President and Public Relations Director Kim Eklund.  The 'Community Service Award' went to John Williams, the City of Jamestown's Parks Manager; he's had a twenty year career with the city.
 
The James Prendergast Library was given the 'Service to Humanity Award.'  Director Tina Scott was particularly grateful, as the library has faced some difficult times.  Crown Street Roasting was named New Business of the Year.  Justin Hanft of the Education Coalition was named Young Business Leader of the Year.  Forte' received the Restaurant of the Year Award.  Anderson Precision Tool, a 125 year old business in Jamestown, was recognized as Manufacturer of the Year.  Honest John's Pizza and Wings was named Business of the Year.  The awards were presented at Shawbucks Restaurant.  
 
 
 
Bon-Ton Stores has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection...  
 
The department store chain filed Sunday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Delaware.  Several dozen retailers including Toys R Us, and Payless ShoeSource, have filed for reorganization over the past year as shoppers abandon traditional stores.  Bon-Ton has been hurt by shoppers' changing behavior, and its $1-billion in debt gives it less flexibility to invest in stores and online.  The company, which operates 260 stores -- including one in Lakewood -- saw holiday sales at established stores fall 2.9%.  However, the company says its stores, e-commerce and mobile platforms will operate as usual during the restructuring.
 
 
 
The comments continue to go back-and-fourth about the proposed roundabout at the intersection of Routes 20 and 60 in the north county town of Pomfret.  Fredonia Mayor Athanasia Landis says there have been a high number of crashes at that busy intersection and the data backs the need for a change....
 
Dr. Landis says engineers with the state Department of Transportation indicate that the use of raised medians along with the roundabout would eliminate the need for left-hand turns, which she says is the main cause of the crashes.  Landis says data shows left-turns-- not speed-- is at issue with vehicles going to and leaving businesses.  Not everyone is on board with use of a roundabout, including some of the businesses at the intersection.  A trustee, Doug Essek, launched an online petition drive opposing the roundabout.  The State DOT announced in late January the released of a report on the project and a public comment period that will last about two weeks.
 
 
 
A woman living at a farm in the Cattaraugus County town of Ashford that was the scene of an animal seizure earlier this year has been arrested for animal cruelty...
 
Sheriff's deputies in Little Valley say 60 year-old Connie Lipka faces five counts of cruelty to animals -- an unclassified misdemeanor and five more cruelty counts that are Class "A" misdemeanors.  Deputies say an investigation by the Sheriff's office and Cattaraugus County SPCA found that Lipka failed to provide sufficient food, clean water, and shelter for her five goats.  The animals were surrendered, and taken for evaluation and medical treatment.  Officers say the arrest occured late last week after a nearly month-long investigation.  Others animals were seized from the property last month.