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WJTN News Headlines for Nov. 19, 2018

A pair of young hunters are safe now after they became lost in a wooded area of the town of Charlotte last Saturday afternoon on the first day of shotgun deer hunting season....  

Chautauqua County Sheriff's deputies and a K-9 unit were called to search an area off Boutwell Hill Road after receiving a call from the youths shortly before 2 PM.  Using GPS, dispatchers tried to guide the pair out of the woods, but lost their connection once the hunter's cell phone battery died.  The K-9 unit was called in and searched the area when the phone last pinged.  However, the two youths moved from that area and, more searchers -- including a state Forest Ranger -- were called in.  They soon after found the pair unharmed.


Four people are being helped by the local Red Cross after fire damaged their mobile home in the town of Portland last Saturday night....  

Chautauqua County Fire Investigation Team members were called to assist in finding the cause of the blaze at the New Horizons Mobile Home Park.  Following an investigation, investigators determined the fire originated on a water pipe which was layered with heat tape.  The fire spread throughout the underside of the home, but it was put out before it cause significant damage to the structure.  The four household members were not hurt, but have been displaced. 


Two north county police officials say they look forward to working with Chautauqua County's new sheriff when he takes office in January...  

Both Dunkirk Police Chief David Ortolano and Fredonia Police Chief Brad Meyers commended the work of Sheriff Joe Gerace, who has held the office since 1995.  The Democratic Sheriff lost to Republican challenger James Quattrone last Tuesday.  Meyers says they believe the Sheriff's Office needs to work more closely with local police agencies in the county and to share resources. Ortolano echoed Meyers comments, saying that resources are limited for all departments.  He says if they can work better "together" that will be the best for the taxpayers and residents.  Gerace indicated last week that he would work with Quattrone on a smooth transition. 


Jamestown High School senior Elyse Jones' piano solo, playing a Chopin ballade, helped propel her to first place in the annual Chautauqua Area Scholarship Program....

Elyse received an $8,000 scholarship, and won additional awards in the areas of talent and scholastic achievement.  She is the daughter of Michele and David Jones.  Surprised by the win, Elyse says being a part of the program has helped her appreciate the 'little things in life.'

Fourteen young women from several area schools participated in this year's event, which offered a total of $18,000 in scholarships.  Shannon Mc Kee of Chautauqua Lake Central School was named 'First Runner Up.'  The CASP program, formerly known as 'Junior Miss' and 'Distinguished Young Women' was held Saturday night in the newly renovated Southwestern Central School Auditorium.  (Media One announcer, Sofia Isabella, won two category awards-- for talent and personal growth.)


A Cassadaga man has pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography earlier this year and, faces up to 20 years in prison when he's sentenced next year...  

U-S Attorney James Kennedy, Junior said late Friday that 23 year-old Daniel Villafane-Lozada pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Buffalo to one count of possession of child pornography involving a pre-pubescent minor.  Prosecutors say this past April, law enforcement officers Raided Lozada's residence and seized a digital memory card which contained 30 videos and 22 images of child pornography.  Some of the images depicted pre-pubescent minors, or minors under 12 years old, the sexual abuse or exploitation of an infant or toddler, and depictions of violence.  As part of his plea, Lozada admitted that between 2014 and 2017, he engaged in sexual contact with two minor victims under the age of 18 years old.


Jamestown police continue to ask for the public's help in finding a man who allegedly got into an altercation with another person on the city's northside last Friday afternoon and, then turned and shot multiple rounds towards a house....  

City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says officers were called to the scene at West Eighth and Cherry Streets about 2 p.m. and, found that the two men had gotten into a fight, and then pulled out guns when the one suspect began shooting.  No one was hurt.  The suspect who fired the shots reportedly ran north on Cherry Street towards 9th Street.  However, Samuelson says neither the victim nor witnesses are cooperating.  If you know anything about the incident, you're asked to call the JPD Tips-line at 483-TIPS (8477).  You can also contact them through the Tips 411 app.  All tips will be kept confidential.


Two Jamestown residents have been indicted for conspiring to retaliate against a witness regarding information in a case involving a federal offense...  

U-S Attorney James Kennedy, Junior says a federal grand jury has indicted 26 year-old Bobby Hunt, Junior and, 29 year-old Amy Dean on charges of conspiracy to retaliate against witnesses, witness retaliation, and taking action harmful to a witness.  Prosecutors say that, according to the indictment, on or about last October 25, the defendants threatened to and caused bodily injury to a person in retaliation for information the victim gave to a law enforcement officer.  Hunt and Dean were arraigned in U-S District Court late Friday and, are being held pending a detention hearing on Tuesday.  Jamestown police were also involved in the investigation.  Kennedy says the charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.


In addition to Jamestown-area organizations -- like the St. Susan's Center -- a group in the north county will be hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for people who have made sacrifices for the community and country....  

"Partners in Kind of Chautauqua County" is holding an event called "Thanksgiving for Heroes" next Thursday, Thanksgiving Day in Fredonia.  Melissa Pietrkiewicz says the dinner is meant to honor people such as police, firefighters, and emergency personnel who often have to work on Thanksgiving. The location of the dinner will be given to those planning to attend.  It will be held from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. next Thursday.  If you would like to attend, you must let them know by tomorrow.  The number to call is 401-9218.


State Senator Cathy Young is making it known that she wants a major leadership role in the Republican Minority Conference during the coming year, in the wake of several "devastating losses" in this month's election....  

Young, who was re-elected without opposition, says the conference has been "reassessing its strengths and weaknesses and envisioning a path forward."  The Olean Republican says she is seeking a leadership post to be "a strong voice for upstate New York. The majority of our remaining members are from upstate."  She congratulated current Majority Leader John Flanagan of Long Island for being elected Minority Leader.  While not mentioning Democrats by name, she says that "New York City now controls all of state government and I will continue to stand up and fight against their destructive policies that hurt upstate.  I will be an unwavering advocate for our people, our economy and our way of life."