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WJTN News Headlines for Apr. 12, 2019

The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a 28 year old male inmate at the Chautauqua County Jail....  

At this time, Deputies say there is no suspicion of foul play.  The New York State Commission of Corrections has been notified and the investigation is continuing.  Next of kin have been notified.


Two people had to be rescued when a structure fire broke out at a two-family home in the City of Jamestown....  

Fire Battalion Chief Don Mowry says crews were called to 34 Regent Street just before 9 AM Thursday morning and, found fire venting out a window.  He says a neighbor alerted the tenants to the flames and one person was able to get out from the first-floor.  Mowry says Good Samaritans pulled a woman and child on the second floor to safety. The cause remains under investigation. 


The value of agricultural products produced has remained stable at $161 million, but Chautauqua County has lost about one-fifth of its farms over five years....  

Farm Business Educator, Katelyn Walley-Stoll at Cornell Cooperative Extension reports the 2017 Census of Agriculture... out  Thursday... shows the county with 1,228 farms... down 19 percent from 2012.  The whole of New York state lost farms over the five year period, but only at a 6 percent rate.  Walley-Stoll says the drop in the number of farms is more than statistics.  Each farm lost represents a family and history for the land, as well.  Dairy remains the largest sector of agriculture here, producing $75 million in 2017.  Fruits... mostly grapes... come in second at $42.5 million.  In raw numbers, both sectors lost 20 percent of their farms from 2012 to 2017.  One area of agriculture saw dramatic growth in the new census... direct marketing... up 63 percent.  Walley-Stoll believes that growth came primarily in vegetable stands and 'freezer sale meats.'


It was not a very springlike day, but that didn't keep Dunkirk officials from holding a ground-breaking ceremony for the $1.5 million city pier improvements project....  

Mayor Wilfred Rosas is pleased to see work getting underway on the project.  He says it's part of his vision of improving the city's waterfront area.
 
Once completed by late summer, the project will feature a new gateway structure, pedestrian enhanced area, new lighting, and 30 parking spaces. 


Chautauqua County's top-elected official says he's hopeful that development of a Barley and Hops Cooperative in Chautauqua County will help jump start an industry that has struggled some in the county..... 

County Executive George Borrello was able to get the county legislature last month to approved $20,000 to help fund a feasibilty study that'll be mainly backed by entreprenuer Chris Lacarata.  He says the decision came after meeting with Lacarata... who agreed to fund 50-percent of the study.

Borrello says there are some Hops Farmers in the county now... and, some of them have been successful.  However, he says they also want to help those who are struggling.  He says while Lacarata is picking up $60,000 of the cost, and the county is chipping in $20,000 some local foundations will help with the remaining $40,000 .  Borrello made his comments for last weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the six Media One Radio Group stations.


A low cost, one-stop pet wellness event is slated to start this weekend in Jamestown! 

The Chautauqua County Humane Society will host a healthy pet clinic at Saint Luke's Episocopal Church this Saturday. CCHS Clinic Coordinator Allie Russell says the event runs from 12 PM to 3 PM and will offer preventative care for pets. The treatments include a wellness check, flea medications and vaccines. 

Executive Director Kellie Roberts says they were able to see nearly 500 pets in 2018 and hold nine clinics in our community. She say their 2019 goal is to host 14 healthy pet clinics, however they are in need of more veterinary support in order to do so.  A small co-pay will be requested at the time of service, although receiving care is not based on one’s ability to pay.  More information is available online at SPCAPets.com.


The Robert H Jackson Center in Jamestown named Kristan Mc Mahon as its new President....  

Intermin President, Tom Schmidt, says Mc Mahon is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University, and has been a practicing attorney for 20 years.  She is currently 'principal' at Vetted Solutions... a DC based company that helps non-profits and associations find new leaders.  Schmidt says she rose to the top in an extensive search that took place through the winter.  He adds, Mc Mahnon believes Justice Jackson's values and guidance are just as relevant today as they were in his own time. Among the new initiatives Mc Mahon will take on is the expansion of Jackson Center programming beyond the immediate Jamestown area, first to Washington, DC and possibly other places as well. Kristan Mc Mahon is expected to begin her work in Jamestown later this month.  The Jackson Center has operated under interim leadership since Susan Murphy left the organization in July of 2018.


The 2020 Census Day is April 1st of next year, but opportunities are opening up now to help ensure the count is a success.... 

The Census Bureau is charged with counting every person living in the United States once each decade. According to Tim Olson, with the U-S Census Bureau, they'll soon start hiring more than a half-million workers nationwide to help the count go smoothly. Applications are being accepted now and for the first time and, people can apply online at 2020census.gov/jobs.

In another first, when the count begins next year, the 2020 Census will also allow the public to fill out their census forms online.  The Trump administration wants the census to ask respondents if they are U-S citizens, which many believe would discourage non-citizens from participating. That question is being challenged in the courts, but Olsen says either way, no one should feel intimidated.  The U-S Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case challenging the citizenship question later this month.