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WJTN News Headlines for July 24, 2020

There are two new confirmed cases of the COVID-19 Virus in Chautauqua County Thursday.  However... the number of active cases and those in local quarantine or isolation is dropping.  That from Interim County Executive P-J Wendel says the new cases are a young adult and a man in his 20s... and, they bring the total number to 217.  He adds there are now 19 active cases... while 190 have now recovered.  Wendel says 325 are under local quarantine or isolation orders, while 779 persons are under "domestic traveler quarantine" after arriving here from a state listed on the state's travel advisory.  There have now been 20,798 negative test results to date.


While most of the COVID numbers in New York continue to trend in the right direction... there is a new concern among young adults in the state.  Governor Andrew Cuomo Thursday says his administration is seeing an alarming uptick in the number of people ages 21-to-30 getting infected with the COVID-19 Virus.  During a briefing in New York City... Cuomo noted that young adults have seen a 4-percent jump the past week to 13.2-percent of all cases.  He says they're not invincable.

Cuomo says while young people feel they "have a right to party..." they also need to be smart.  To drive home the message to the 21 to 30 year-old age group... he unveiled a new ad campaign that will begin airing soon.  Cuomo adds that it's also up to local law enforcement to make sure the state rules and guidelines are followed.  He recently signed a new order that bars and restaurants cannot serve just alcohol.  Patrons must also have food as part of their order.


A Lakewood man faces charges in a domestic violence incident after suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound and allegedly dragging a woman around a yard on the village's westside in June.  Lakewood-Busti Police were called to the area of West Fairmount Avenue and Spruce Street shortly after 8 PM on June 15th... and on arrival, came into contact with Christopher Butts, who was holding a pistol.  Officers say they told the 55 year-old Butts to drop the gun, but he reportedly fired one shot into the driveway before turning the gun on himself.  He was rushed by ambulance to the Firemen's Grounds... and, flown to UPMC Hamot Medical Center in Erie for treatment.  In a printed release... Lakewood-Busti Police say the investigation revealed Butts was telling the victim he was going to kill her while dragging her by the hair.  Officers issued an arrest warrant and Butts turned himself in yesterday.  He was issued an appearance ticket for two felony-counts of menacing a police officer and first-degree reckless endangerment... in addition to charges including third-degree menacing.


A city man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend earlier in the month... and, then breaking into her house and refusing to leave early Wednesday morning.  Jamestown Police say the victim came to JPD headquarters just after 11 AM Wednesday, stating that Julio Echevarria-Cosme had returned after he had assaulted her earlier in the month.  The woman told investigators that she ended her relationship with Echevarria-Cosme at that time.  However... he returned to the location at 194 Fairmount Avenue about 1 AM Wednesday... and, refused to leave.  A relative took her to see police.  Officers later arrested Echevarria-Cosme on charges including criminal trespass, third-degree assault, and second-degree unlawful imprisonment... and, he was held pending arraignment.


The Chautauqua County Humane Society has found 75 cats living in a condemned apartment in the city of Dunkirk.  Humane Society officials say they've been dealing with the matter since July 8th, after a neighbor contacted the Dunkirk Dog Control Officer, Denise Zentz, who later reached out to CCHS.  Humane Society Community Relations Director Brian Papalia says the cats were left behind when their owner was hospitalized.

Papalia says the Humane Society is getting help from two other groups -- the Lakeshore Humane Society in Dunkirk and the Erie County SPCA.  He says Lakeshore -- in particular -- has helped them track the cats over a two-week period.  Brian says some of the cats are now available for adoption, while others need more time and care.  He says they range from litters of very young kittens to adults.


Three students are raising concerns about the SUNY College at Fredonia's reopening plans and have put together an open letter to the SUNY Administration and Governor Andrew Cuomo.  Ava Knapp says their main concern is the lack of COVID-19 testing, something that is in direct opposition to the Recommended Best Practice from the New York State Reopening Higher Education Guidelines.  Knapp says the decision also opposes guidelines from the United University Professions, the union which represents faculty members.

The Administration at the university released a statement saying that Fredonia is following current guidelines to make returning to Fredonia as safe as possible.  Officials say "current CDC guidelines state "testing of all students, faculty and staff for COVID-19 before allowing campus entry (entry testing) has not been systematically studied.... Also, a SUNY task force composed of medical experts from four of SUNY's medical campuses also advised against testing all returning students, faculty, and staff."

A Buffalo man faces drug possession and unlawful dealing with fireworks charges following a narcotics investigation in the town of Ellicott Tuesday night.  Sheriff's deputies say Southern Tier Regional and Jamestown Metro Task Force agents were called to assist a State Police K-9 Unit with a traffic stop on Route 60.  Officers say 23 year-old Dante Fryer was allegedly found in possession of various illegal drugs and fireworks.  All items were seized...  and, Fryer was issued appearance tickets for Ellicott Town Court at a later date.