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WJTN News Headlines for Oct. 16, 2018

The Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood will be losing another anchor store with Monday's announcement that Sears Roebuck and Company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy...  

Four Sears stores in New York state -- including the mall store -- will close by the end of the year.  The Bon-Ton closed recently following a liquidation sale.  County Executive George Borrello acknowledges it's a blow to the shopping center and proof that on-line sales are hurting retail.

Sears, which has been inundated by debt and falling in-store sales, says it will begin liquidation sales shortly.  Borrello says his office has been working with the mall and, Ellicott officials -- regarding the Bon-Ton and former Sam's Club locations.  He says there is at least one entity showing interest in the Sam's Club location.  In a release from Sears, the K-Mart Store on Fairmount Avenue in West Ellicott will remain open.  The Sears store in the mall was one of it's original anchor stores when the shopping center opened in the 1970s.  We also have a call into Chautauqua Mall management for confirmation and comment.


The Emerald Ash Borer has claimed nearly all of Jamestown's remaining stock of Ash Trees along street right-of-ways in the city....  

That from City Arborist Dan Stone, who told the City Council last night that 176 of the remaining 196 trees will have to be taken down before bad weather arrives later in the year.  Stone says they were aware of the borer a decade ago when there were about 400 Ash trees.

Stone says they began cutting out Ash Trees after the borer began showing up in the region.  In fact, the first evidence of the Emerald Ash Borer in New York state was found in Randolph in nearby Cattaraugus County in 2009.  Stone says the invasive insect came here -- mostly on untreated wood pallets -- from China.  Stone says there are six streets where his parks crews will have to do the most work.  The largest number is on Prendergast Avenue, where 17 will have to be taken down.  He adds that eight to 10 trees have to be taken down on Euclid Avenue.  There are also several trees on Falconer Street, South Main Street, and, Springdale Avenue that have to come down.  More information is available on the city's website.


The Jamestown City Council started it's budget review last night with a look at the city's Public Works and, Parks and Recreation Departments....  

DPW Director Jeff Lehman noted the need for a designation for a part-time building manager at Tracy Plaza and, the need to replace several peaces of equipment.  No action was taken on any requests or concerns that were raised.  Mayor Sam Teresi proposed his 2019 spending plan back on October 9, noting that there were positive aspects, and challenges.  Perhaps the biggest positive, says Teresi, is the fact the city will begin 2019 with it's strongest fund-balance since the "Great Recession" of several years ago.  He says the general fund balance is $2.84-million and the majority -- just over $1.8-million -- is "available" funds.


There's just 22 days to go before Election Day and the campaigns for local, state and national office are heating up....  

Republicans from across southern Chautauqua County were on hand for the official opening of local Congressman Tom Reed's Jamestown Headquarters last night, which will also double as their general campaign headquarters.  County GOP Chairman Dave Wilfong says it's an exciting time, and the headquarters at 23 East Third Street gives them move visability to get each candidate's message out.

While yesterday was the opening on Congressman Reed's headquarters, he emphasized the need to elect local Republicans who are part of the effort to get the job done locally.  He says he often works with Goodell and State Senator Cathy Young on a variety of issues important to the district, and Chautauqua County.  While there has been a lot of good news with the economy, there are still issues that he wants to get addressed in Congress, namely workforce training so good jobs in the region can be filled. 


Local Congressman Tom Reed says the job is still not done and that's why he is seeking a fifth term in the House of Representatives....  

The Corning Republican spoke in Dunkirk earlier Monday about his run for re-election.  Reed told us that he is proud of his accomplishments since first being elected in 2010.  But, Reed says there is still a lot of work that must be done and he says one area is health care reform.  He says costs continue to go through the roof and, he's concerned that Democrats are trying to move America in the direction of Socialist health care, which he says is "not sustainable."  Among the other areas that need attention, says Reed, is aging infrastructure, immigration reform and the national debt crisis.  He is being challenged by Democrat Tracy Mitrano for the 23rd Congressional District.


Two people were arrested on drug posssession charges following a traffic stop in the Town of Randolph over the weekend...  

State Police say they stopped a vehicle on Route 394 operated by 27 year-old Christopher Hewes -- of Ashville -- and placed him under arrest after a license check revealed three suspensions.  A search of the vehicle was initated, and troopers allegedly found one-gram of heroin, four hypodermic needles, a partial suboxone strip, marijuana and a smoking device with pot residue.  His 30 year-old passenger -- Ashley Senko of Mayville-- was also taken into custody following the search.  Both were issued appearance tickets for Randolph Town Court.


U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer says there are glaring gaps in safety data about limousines because federal officials haven't done enough to investigate limo wrecks...  


The Senate's top Democrat says Saturday that the National Transportation Safety Board hasn't thoroughly investigated a single limousine crash since 2015.  His criticism comes about a week after a limousine crash in upstate New York that killed 20 people.  The NTSB agreed to investigate limo wrecks on a case-by-case basis after a 2015 crash that killed four women on New York's Long Island.  Crash data compiled by The Associated Press shows there were seven limousine crashes in 2015 and two in 2016.  Schumer wants the NTSB to issue immediate safety recommendations on stretch limousines.  NTSB spokesman Eric Weiss declined to comment on Saturday.