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WJTN News Headlines for May 21, 2019

BREAKING: Durkirk City Police have confirmed that the victim of last Wednesday's stabbing on Lincoln Avenue has died from her injuries, but few other details are being released.... 

Police Chief David Ortolano in a statement Monday afternoon indicated that the investigation by officers and the Chautauqua County District Attorney's Office is ongoing.  Late last week, Ortolano said they had a person of interest in the case. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Dunkirk Police at 366-2266.


A Jamestown man will spend 10 years in federal prison for trafficking significant amounts of heroin in the area from early 2016 though 2017....  

U-S Attorney James Kennedy, Junior announced late Monday that 40 year-old Alex Mercado was sentenced by U-S District Court Judge Richard Arcara to the term for conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.  Federal prosecutors say in early 2016, Mercado was considered a primary "mid-level" Heroin distributor for the Sigfredo Martinez drug organization.  They say Mercado admitted that he was responsible for the “night shift” transactions, and that his co-defendant, Bryan Ferrer-Vazquez, distributed during the “day shift.”  Mercado admitted that he received about 200 bundles of heroin from Martinez every few days and was tasked with distributing it to smaller dealers and users.  Mercado said he would then turn over the proceeds to Martinez, and take his payment.  He was arrested in April of 2017 after the U-S Drug Enforcement Administration conducted four "controlled purchases" from him.  Ferrer-Vazquez was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.  Charges remain pending against Sigfredo Martinez. 


Chautauqua County Fire Investigators were called to determine the cause of a house fire in the Town of Ashville yesterday evening....

Sheriff's deputies say investigators reported to the residence on Cedar Avenue shortly before 8 PM and determined the blaze originated in the kitchen due to a burner on the stove being on without the owner's knowledge. No injuries were reported. 


City lawmakers have accepted the latest Urban Design Plan for downtown Jamestown, which is expected to build on the success of the first one nearly a dozen years ago.  The City Council approved "UDP 2.0" during last night's voting session, 8-to-1 with At-Large member Andy Liuzzo voting no.....

During discussion about the proposal, Liuzzo was not satisifed that business owners in the area proposed for the possible expansion of the "medical corridor" had been heard.  However, Teresi says there were a number of public and stakeholder meetings where public comment was solicited and, offered.  At the same time, Teresi noted that nothing in the plan was set in stone, and changes would be made if necessary.  However, both he and Council President Marie Carrubba praised everyone involved in the first plan, most of which was carried out with the help of a consulting firm from the Boston-area.


A man from Frewsburg is accused of stealing two cars and, crashing one of them, during an incident in the town of Carroll last Saturday night.....  

Sheriff's deputies were called to the Carroll Rod and Gun Club about 10:30 PM and, found that 56 year-old Craig Zinger had taken the first car, and tried to leave.  However, while trying to drive off, the vehicle stuck another car.  Zinger then stole another member's vehicle and drove off.  He was later caught, and, issued appearance tickets for Carroll Town Court on charges charges including third-degree unauthorized use of a Motor Vehicle and, leaving the scene of a property damage motor vehicle accident.


Voters in the Jamestown School District will not only decide on a $90.7-million spending plan, but also a proposition to purchase new school buses today.... 

District Superintendent Bret Apthorpe says voting will take place on Tuesday from Noon to 9 PM at Lincoln Elementary, and Washington and Jefferson Middle Schools.  Apthorpe says exercising the right to vote means more than just deciding on a spending plan. He's encouraging voters to come out today and support their schools and give feedback to the board and superintendent. 

Apthorpe says there is also no tax levy increase in the 2019-2020 budget.  Additionally, two school board members are seeking a seat to serve a three-year terms beginning on July 1st, which will also be voted on in the poll.  More information is available on the district's website JPSNY.org.

Voters in the Southwestern Central School District will decide on a $29.2-million  budget and, two other proposition when they head to the polls today....  

School Superintendent Maureen Donahue says voting runs in two blocks: 7 to 9 AM... and, from 2 to 8 PM.  Donahue says the spending plan for the 2019-2020 school year is about 1.8-percent higher than the current year's spending plan, and, the tax levy is up 1.5-percent.  She adds the other big item is a $496,000 transporation proposition.

Donahue says there is a third proposition to create a Capital Improvement Reserve Fund.  She says the district has had something similar in the past two year to help offset the cost of future projects.  Donahue adds that one person is running for one seat on the Southwestern School Board.  Voting at Southwestern runs from 7 to 9 AM and 2 to 8 PM today.


The long-time chairman of New York state's Republican Party is stepping down in July to raise money for President Trump's re-election campaign and, a Chautauqua County native is poised to replace him....  

Trump's campaign has announced that Ed Cox will begin working on the president's re-election effort this Summer.  It's believed that he'll be replaced by current Erie County GOP Chairman, Nick Langworthy.  Langworthy is a 1999 graduate of Pine Valley Central School and, has been campaigning for the state position for the past few months.  Some Republicans blamed Cox for the party's recent election loses, including the loss of the GOP majority in the state Senate.  Monday's announcement came after several local party chairmen -- including Chautauqua County's Dave Wilfong -- announced their support for Langworthy's challenge.