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WJTN News Headlines for OCT 23, 2020


The Jamestown Police Department is investigating a hit-and-run accident involving a young child Thursday evening. City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says officers were called to the area of 336 East 5th Street at 9:30 PM and learned that a two-year-old was hit as they were walking along the side of the road with their family. Samuelson says the operator of the vehicle didn't stop initially and continued into a parking lot at East Fourth and East Second Street. He says a group of individuals who witnessed the accident allegedly approached the vehicle and broke out the driver's window. Samuelson says the unidentified 27 year-old male driver was reportedly in fear of harm to himself and drove away again. He was found by JPD Officers in a parking lot on Franklin Street. The toddler was transported to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Charges are pending against the driver. Samuelson says more information is expected to be released later today.

New York State Police say they are investigating the death of a young child in the Town of Dunkirk last Saturday, October 10th.  Investigators say they are not releasing any details at this time, saying it remains an open case.  

 Interim Chautauqua County Executive P-J Wendel is encouraging county residents to get tested at one of two sites where free COVID-19 rapid testing is taking place next week.  After a meeting earlier this week with Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul... Wendel says that anyone can now get tested -- even if you are not sick.  Wendel believes it could help lower the county's infection rate, which has been on the rise lately.
The drive-thru testing clinics will be held from 10 AM to 6 PM next Monday, October 26th through Friday, October 30th at the Taylor Fire Training Center in Jamestown... and, the Murphy Training Center in Dunkirk.  Officials say, though, that appointments are required... and, walk-in testing is not available.  They say the quickest way to get an appointment is to visit the state Health Department on line... or you can call 1-866-604-6789 for scheduling help.


There are a dozen new cases of the COVID-19 Virus in Chautauqua County reported today... but, the number of active cases is down by 27.  That from the county's Health Department... which reports there are now 924 cases... and, 128 of those are currently active.  Officials say that 5 of the new cases are in Dunkirk... and, there are two in Clymer.  There are now 10 active cases among employees of Tanglewood Manor... and, 44 among residents there.  Health officials say 783 cases have recovered.


More than half the members of the bi-partisan, Congressional Problem Solvers Caucus are pushing for House leadership and the Trump Administration to continue talks to get a new COVID Stimulus bill in place.  However... little more has been reported on talks between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin since Tuesday night.  Local Congressman Tom Reed, who co-chairs the Problem Solver's Caucus, says 26 members have signed a letter urging an agreement be struck for the American people.

Reed says he's also pleased to hear that Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has promised a vote on the bill... once one is worked out.  The Corning Republican says much of what he wants to see in a relief package is in the one being negotiated... and that includes new stimulus checks... and, expanded unemployment.  Both were features of the initial, $2.2-trillion CARES Act, approved earlier this year.  Reed made his comments during his weekly telephone conference call with Western New York media.


The head of the Jamestown Public School district is reminding residents to remain vigilant in preventing the spread of COVID-19.  In an interview today (Thursday) with our Dennis Webster... Superintendent Kevin Whitaker says school staff, parents and students have been a big help in keeping each other safe in school buildings, including cleaning and wearing facial coverings. However, Dr. Whitaker says as we approach the holiday season, he is concerned that community spread may affect in-person schooling.  He says the effects have been seen clearly in the Tanglewood Manor and Memory Garden situation in West Ellicott. More information is available at JPSNY.org. 


The appointment of a Dunkirk woman to be Chautauqua County's next Democratic Elections Commissioner has taken another step forward.  The legislature's Administrative Services Committee approved a resolution this week approving Luz Torres... who'll be the first Hispanic woman to serve as a commissioner.  Torres, who is currently a deputy commissioner, says her top priority will be serving the voters.

Torres addressed the committee during a Zoom meeting on Monday... noting that she's worked in a variety of capacities at the Board of Elections for the past seven years.  The full legislature is expected to vote on her appointment at next week's voting session.


The October meeting of the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities will be held via Facebook Live next Monday afternoon, October 26th, at 4 PM.  BPU Communications Coordinator Becky Robbins says members of the public may watch the meeting at Facebook.COM/jamestownbpu/live.  Robbins says any public comments to be read or questions to be asked during the public comment period of the agenda must be received in writing by 12 Noon Monday via USPS mail or by email to the Secretary of the Board at sjlake@jamestownbpu.com.