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WJTN News Headlines for Dec. 17, 2019

BREAKING.... Arson arrest in Mayville Diner Fire... 

The owner of the Mayville Diner was arrested on felony charges stemming from a fire that destroyed the building last Monday. The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office says 40 year-old Michael Ellis was taken into custody today following their joint-investigation with Chautauqua County Fire Investigators into the cause and origin of the blaze.  Deputies say Ellis was arraigned on a charge of felony Third-Degree Arson and released due to the new bail reform laws of New York State.  He is to appear in Town of Chautauqua Court at a later date. 


Two people from Pennsylvania were killed in a motor vehicle accident in Warren County after their Sports Utility Vehicle collided with a Semi Truck Sunday afternoon. 

 State Police in Warren say the accident occurred just after 4:30 PM when the westbound SUV went out of control near Mead Boulevard, in snow-covered, slick conditions. Troopers say the vehicle, operated by 39 year-old Charles Rothrauff of Tiona, began to spin, and slid into the path of the tractor-trailer.  The SUV was struck on the driver's side and, continued to spin before coming to rest against a guardrail.  Police say Rothrauff and his front-seat passenger -- 32 year-old Jessica Camp -- also of Tiona -- were pronounced dead at the scene.  A 15 year-old back-seat passenger was ejected from the vehicle.  She was flown to a Pittsburgh Hospital with suspected serious injuries.  The operator of the Semi, 47 year-old Bryan Crabtree, of Oil City, reportedly sufferred minor injuries.  Troopers blame snow-slicked roads for the accident.


It won't be until the beginning of next year that Chautauqua County lawmakers will act on appointing current Legislature Chairman P.J. Wendel as interim County Executive.  

Wendel was recommended for the post by the County's Republican Committee during a meeting earlier this month.  County Legislator Kevin Muldowney says lawmakers will likely wait until their January 2nd re-organizational meeting.

Initially, it was believed that the legislature might act at this Wednesday night's regular monthly meeting.  However, that won't be taking place.  In the meantime, County Attorney Stephen Abdella will continue to serve as Acting County Executive until action is taken on January 2nd.  Wendel will succeed George Borrello who was recently seated in the State Senate.

 
An investigation into the sale and distribution of narcotics in the city of Dunkirk has led to the arrest of a city woman last Friday evening.  

Dunkirk Police Chief David Ortolano says their probe, along with that by the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, resulted in Chautauqua County Grand Jury indictment warrants being issued for 26-year-old Nathasha Feliciano.

Police located Feliciano on Lake Shore Drive West around 8 PM last Friday and took her into custody without incident.  She was transported to the County Jail pending arraignment on two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree.

 
The final part of major renovations at the new Veteran's Memorial Park on Jamestown's westside has been completed.  

The ribbon was cut Monday afternoon on the park's new pavillion.  City officials and members of the city's Veterans Committee were on hand for the event, which Mayor Sam Teresi says was mainly funded through a $100,000 grant from retired State Senator Cathy Young a few years ago.

The ribbon was cut by Committee member, and former City Councilman George Spitale, who praised Teresi for keeping his word, and completing the project.  Spitale thanked Teresi for all his efforts to get the memorial, new parking area, and pavillion finished.  Current Jamestown Veteran's Committee Chairman Chuck Telford was also on hand.  Teresi says, aside from some final landscaping that'll be done in the Spring of next year, Veteran's Park is now complete.

A Jamestown native has been appointed to be interim organist at Chautauqua Institution for the 2020 season.  

The institution today says that Joshua Stafford will serve in that capacity for the nine-week Summer Season.  Chautauqua Spokesman Jordan Steves says Stafford, an internationally renowned and award-winning organist, will succeed his mentor and teacher, the late Jared Jacobsen, as the principal performer on the Institution’s historic Massey Memorial Organ.  Vice-President of Religion and Senior Pastor the Reverend V. Gene Robinson says they are "fortunate to have someone of Josh’s talent and stature ready to step into this vital position."


It took some extra effort at the end, but this year's 'Holiday Haul' for the St. Susan's Center collected 4.5-tons of food and supplies, and $13,000.  

Host Keith Martin thanked the community for it's contributions and, for recognizing the services Jamestown's largest soup kitchen provides.  Martin says the money will help St. Susan's purchase for important food items from the Food Bank of Western New York.  Despite the weather, Martin says they had a good turn-out, but he is anticipating the number of donations to grow as the Christmas holiday closes in.  He adds, the seventh-annual Holiday Haul contributions will be able to get Saint Susan's through the first part of 2020, as they're on pace to serve 115,000 meals this year alone.  Martin, who is the Executive Director of Northwest Arena, spent three days in front of the Jamestown Cycle Shop, collecting non-perishable items and cash for St. Susan's.