Community Spotlight, the area's longest running local public affairs radio program, airs on all six Media One Radio Group stations each weekend and is also available to hear in our Podcast Section.  Each week we sit down with a community leader or another special guest to talk about issues within our community.  


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WJTN Headlines for Sat., Dec. 14, 2019

**Quick snow flurry slicks up roads around Chautauqua County...

The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office is urging extreme driving caution this afternoon as the area receives some lake effect snow.  Dispatchers say roads are slick, and there's diminished visability in a number of places... especially on Interstate 86 west of the Chautauqua Lake Bridge.  The National Weather Service says there may be a mix of rain and show a short time this afternoon, but, it will be all snow after 3 p.m.  Forecasters say there could be 1 to 3 inches of snow in the more persistant lake snow areas by tonight.

 

City woman arrested for allegedly living in deplorable conditions with her four children...
A Jamestown woman faces child endangerment charges after one of her young children was found wandering on the city's eastside early Friday morning.  City police were called to the area of Winsor and East Second Streets about 4:30 a.m., and found a 4-year-old boy wandering in the street.  Officers say the child was unable to tell them much... but, he did walk them to his house.  They initially found no one inside... but, found the inside covered with dog feces, urine and garbage.  Police also the kitchen had little to no food, and the house did not have a working bathroom.  Further investigation led to the arrest of 30 year-old Rickie Ecker, who was found next door with her three other children.  All the children were turned over to a responsible party... and, Ecker was charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a child.


Barmore joins 26 other County Clerks to call for delay in start of Green Light Law...
Unless it's held up by the courts, New York's Green Light Law will take effect on Monday for all Department of Motor Vehicle offices across the state.  Chautauqua County Clerk Larry Barmore is among a group of county clerks that continues to voice concerns about the new law.  Barmore believes it may open the door to voter fraud, and raises other issues, including the verification of foreign documents.  He says New York state now says if the document says it's a "certified translation" of the document they're supposed to take it.  The elected official says the state has provided new machines at DMV offices to help with authenticating documents in card form, but Barmore questions their effectiveness.  He says he put his enhanced driver's license in the machine, and it could not identify it as an "authentic document."  Barmore also points out that the state has provided updated instructions about the law, but the update didn't come out until late last week.  Those who support the Green Light Law believe the measure will make roads safer across New York and will help the agriculture industry which depends on migrant workers.


Barmore releases actual letter from the 27 clerks asking for delay...
County Clerk Larry Barmore is one of 27 clerks in New York State with DMV responsibilities that are now calling on Governor Cuomo and State DMV Commissioner Mark Schroeder to halt implementation of the Driver License Access-and-Privacy Act immediately.  Barmore says they're doing this "for the safety and security of all New Yorkers..." and add that after two hastily delivered webinars and a conference call, County Clerks agree that the state DMV failed to provide regulations that would ensure the integrity of the identification process for Standard Driver License applicants.  Due to the lax regulations... they say "implementation of the State law at this time would create unacceptable security risks as the loopholes allow for nefarious people to obtain a New York State Standard Driver Licenses and use it to commit bank fraud, identity theft, credit card fraud, human trafficking, and other criminal activities."


Two Western New York men arrested for allegedly stealing items, and damaging Silver Creek Nativity Scene...
Two Western New York men were arrested for allegedly damaging and stealing part of a Nativity Scene in the Town of Hanover early Wednesday morning.  Sheriff's Officers responded to the report shortly after 1 a.m., and, deputies on patrol in Fredonia found the suspect's vehicle.  Officers identified the two occupants as 25 year-old Matthew Valliere -- of Irving -- and 27 year-old Brian Ward -- of Buffalo.  Further investigation found the pair in possession of stolen parts of the Nativity Scene.... however, Valliere allegedly tried to flee on foot.  Deputies say he was taken into custody a short distance away.  He and Ward are both charged with petty larceny... and, criminal possession of stolen property.  Both also face other indivdual charges.


"Green Light Law" weathers second court challenge...
The law that will allow New Yorkers to get driver's licenses without having to prove they are in the country legally has weathered a second court challenge.  A federal district court judge ruled Friday against Rensselaer County Clerk Frank Merola, saying he lacked the legal capacity to bring the lawsuit.  Starting Monday, license applicants without a valid Social Security number will be able to submit multiple alternative forms of ID that include valid passports and driver's licenses issued in other countries


DiNapoli says New York needs larger "Rainy Day" fund...
New York's top financial officer is calling for the state to set more money aside in case of a financial downturn.  Democratic Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says in a report being released today that New York should fully fund its rainy day reserves within five years.  He says elected officials should also allow the state to set aside up to 10% of general fund revenues - up from 7% currently.  The comptroller is also pressing New York to require the state to regularly deposit money in rainy day funds.  The economy is booming, but the comptroller says New York must be better prepared for an economic downturn.