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 Tues. Feb. 16, 2021

Warmer temperatures prevent big snowfall from storm in Chautauqua County; colder temperatures and more snow forecast through end of week...
While we didn't see the amount of snow predicted overnight... we're not done with snow today, and for this week.  That from the National Weather Service in Buffalo... which reports we ended up on the warmer side of the system that moved into the region... and, we got less snow, and more sleet and some freezing rain.  Temperatures hovered around the freezing mark this morning... but, have been dropping as the day goes on.  Weather Service Meteorologist Tony Ansuini says we'll see that as we head through the afternoon... as colder air moves in.  Ansuini says that will also bring about 2 to 4 inches of lake effect snow.  The Weather Service said there was more snow as you headed north this morning... with about 9-inches of the white stuff in parts of Niagara County.


Two Olean men arrested on drug and other charges stemming from "suspicious vehicle" investigation in Brocton...         
Two men from Cattaraugus County -- one wanted by police -- were arrested early Monday on several drug charges after a suspicious vehicle was spotted in the village of Brocton.  Sheriff's officers they spotted the car on Fay Street just after 1 a.m., and, found 38 year-old Arthur Link, and 26 year-old Raymond Provorse -- both of Olean -- inside.  Deputies say they found Provorse was wanted on a warrant out of Erie County, NY and he was arrested.  While searching him... he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine.  While searching the vehicle... officers found more meth... leading to the arrest of Link for seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.  He was issued an appearance ticket and released.  Provorse was also ticketed, and turned over to the Erie County Sheriff's Department. 


Man from Cassadaga faces numerous drug related charges following traffic stop...
A Cassadaga man faces multiple Felony charges following a traffic stop late last week.  State Police in Jamestown say they pulled over 42 year-old Mark Lemay late last Friday... and, found him in possession of illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and a weapon.  Troopers charged him with three counts of third-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance... two counts of fifth-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance... and one count of seventh-degree possession.  Lemay also faces two counts of criminally using Drug Paraphernalia... fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon... and, driving while ability impaired by drugs.


Cuomo admits delay in reporting nursing home deaths, but, says all deaths in homes and hospitals were fully reported...
Under fire over his management of the coronavirus' lethal path through New York's nursing homes... Governor Andrew Cuomo is insisting the state didn't cover up deaths.  However... he acknowledged Monday afternoon that officials should have moved faster to release some information sought by lawmakers, the public and the press.  The Democrat said at a virtual news conference that his administration had to initially respond to a pair of requests for information by the US Department of Justice... and, not the state legislature.  Cuomo says they were also dealing with a number of individual, and press requests for information, as well.  The governor says that left a "void" that produced a lot of misinformation and "conspiracy theories" about what was happening in both public and private nursing homes.  He said deaths in nursing homes and hospitals were always "fully, publicly and accurately reported."  He also said that COVID patients who were well enough to leave the hospital were returned to 365 homes across the state.  However... Cuomo says in 98-percent of those cases... COVID-19 was already present in the home.  Cuomo says he'll propose nursing home and hospital reforms in the upcoming state budget.  


Heritage clinical officer explains nursing home COVID-19 reporting...
One of the key people involved in the reporting of COVID-19 information from nursing homes in Chautauqua County says it's can be a complicated process.  Chief Clinical Officer Jeremy Rutter with Heritage Ministries says they report daily numbers to the state Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.  Rutter says while the numbers remain the same... there may be a lag if there's a death involved that may happen a week later, or three-months later.  Rutter adds their reporting guidance has not changed since last Summer.  He adds it's not just a matter of the nursing home reporting who got COVID... then who died if they wind up in the hospital.  Rutter says if the patient has what's called a "bed hold" the nursing home would report the death.  If not, the hospital would then report it as one of their patients.  Rutter says the reason the count of nursing home deaths are handled that way is so the same person isn't counted twice.


First Five CHQ COVID-19 Heroes recognized...
Five individuals or organizations have been recognized by Chautauqua County's COVID-19 Response team as it's first "COVID-19 Heros."  County Executive PJ Wendel says they were recognized over the past week... and, include Chautauqua County Emergency Services paramedics and EMTs... Roberta Pratt and Karen Samuelson... and, Tammy McCool and the staff at the Chautauqua Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.  Wendel says this gives them community recognition... and, adds that much of this started with local businesses changing product lines to make personal protective gear... or help feed frontline workers and emergency responders.  He says they have already received a number of nominations on-line at chqgov.come/form/COVID-Heroes.  Wendel says you can go there for the nominating form itself.