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WJTN Headlines for Tues., June 8, 2021

Gerry Rodeo is a "go" for this August!...
The Gerry Rodeo is a definitely on for this August.  Rodeo spokesman, Paul Cooley, made the announcement this morning following a meeting of the Gerry Fire Department last night.  Cooley says the membership overwhelmingly voted to go ahead on the Rodeo Committee's recommendation.  Last year's rodeo was 'postponed' because of virus restrictions.  Cooley says they hope this year's show will be the best ever, even though they don't know exactly what COVID rules will be in place during the run... set for August 4-7.  By that point, he says they're hoping that all restrictions are lifted, but, he says they are making some contingency plans.  A new event will be added this year, 'Cowgirl Breakaway Roping.'  It's a lot like the tie-down roping done by the male competitors, without dismounting from the horse.  Cooley says breakaway roping is the fastest growing event in the sport of rodeo today.  For more information... go on-line to www.gerryrodeo.org.


Jamestown Fire Dept. unveils two new Pumper Trucks...
Two new Jamestown Fire Department pumper trucks were officially dedicated before being put into service this afternoon.  The new Engine-3 and Engine-4 were unveiled during a brief ceremony on West Second Street in front of the National Comedy Center Monday afternoon.  Deputy Fire Chief Matt Coon says the two 2020 Spartan Trucks cost just over one-million dollars... and, adds they feature new "clean cab" technology... which includes removable seat covers that help with clean-up, and new safety features.  Coon says the trucks also have shorter wheelbases to allow them to fit into any of the department's fire stations.  He adds each truck has a new Cummins Engine under the hood.  Mayor Eddie Sundquist was also on hand for the dedication... and, noted this is the first time in many years the city has introduced two, new pumper trucks.  He expressed his appreciation to the department and it's employees for the work they've done to get the new trucks.  A handful of fire department members served on the committee that advanced and worked on the proposal... including Battalion Chiefs Cris Dahlgren and Roger Sigular.  The fire truck purchases were approved by the City Council two years ago when lawmakers approved the city's SMART Cities Infrastructure program.


City Council discusses issued with illegal fireworks, speeding, and riding lawn mowers on the streets...
The Fourth of July is nearly four-weeks away... but, illegal fireworks have already become a problem in many parts of the city of Jamestown.  The City Council discussed the matter during last night's work session.  Councilman Jeff Russell brought up the matter during the Public Safety Committee meeting... noting that city police have received a number of complaints.  Russell says it's time to look at putting more teeth into the City Code.  He says an arrest could be made for "habitual" problems, and the person could be jailed and made to post bail.  However... with bail reform, that can't be done... and, Russell would like to see stiffer fines or other penalties looked at.  Russell says shooting off large and loud fireworks bothers residents with PTSD... those who sleep at different hours... and pets.  In addition... people speeding, and some using riding lawnmowers as a "mode of transportation" to travel from one place to another on a city street.  Russell says there's certainly no problem going to a neighbor's to help cut their lawn.  As for speeders... one city officer told him about stopping two motorcyclists in the city for going 70 miles and hour in a 30 mph zone.  He says... in addition to speeding... such actions should also garner a reckless endangerment charge.   


City man gets year in County Jail for promoting prison contraband...
A Jamestown man has been sentenced to a year in the Chautauqua County Jail for attempting to promote prison contraband and petty larceny last year.  District Attorney Jason Schmidt says 22 year-old Bracken Warren received the sentence after pleading guilty to first-degree attempted promotion of prison contraband in County Court.  The incident occured in late May of 2020.


Cuomo clarifies mask policy in and outside of schools...
Governor Andrew Cuomo tried Monday to clarify New York state's position regarding masking wearing in public schools... saying they wanted more confirmity with recently announced Summer camp guidance.  That guidance says campers don't have to wear masks.  However... Cuomo says students in New York schools had to wear a mask all the time.  He says that's why Health Commissioner Howard Zucker wrote the CDC asking for guidance... and, whether mask wearing outside could be made optional for schools.  An A-P story last weekend noted the state was requesting the ability to make mask-wearing optional all the time.  Jamestown School Superindent Kevin Whitaker said -- as of Monday morning -- there had been no changes. 
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In addition... the governor says New York will lift more COVID-19 rules once 70-percent of adults have had at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine.  That's a target Cuomo said Monday he hoped his state could reach in days.  Federal data shows about 68.7-percent of New York adults have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. 


Eight new case of COVID-19 confirmed in county last weekend...
There were just eight new confirmed cases of COVID-19 over the past weekend in Chautauqua County... and the local infection rate is down to half-a-percent.  The county's Health Department reports the eight cases bring the total since the start of the pandemic to 9,269... and, 21 are currently active.  Officials add that four people are hospitalized.  There were no new deaths.  Officials say 9,093 cases have now recovered.