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.  


Weather Forecasts are available across our radio stations each day and also as your fingertips! 

Connect with The National Weather Service's Buffalo Office or with WGRZ-TV for accurate weather information!

 

 

 


 

WJTN News Headlines for Fri., Oct. 15, 2021

Weather Service announces slight risk of potentially severe weather later today...
You'll want to keep an eye on the sky later today since most of Western New York is under a slight risk of severe thunderstorms late this afternoon... and, into tonight.  The National Weather Service says the primary threat will be damaging wind gusts, but large hail and even an isolated tornado are also possible.  The Buffalo Office says the storms could come in two rounds, one between 3 to 10 p.m.  Another round is possible late tonight.


Whitaker says COVID cases on decline among JPS Population...
As seen over the past week in Chautauqua County... the Jamestown Public School system is also seeing a "nice" reduction in the number of COVID-19 cases and quarantines in the district.  That from School Superintendent Kevin Whitaker... who says he hopes the trend continues.  Dr. Whitaker says they've been seeing this trend over the past few weeks... and, he "hopes it continues."  Also, he says there's been a "nice decline" in the number of student cases.... and, he urges everyone to keep taking proper precautions to keep kids in school.  Chautauqua County reported Wednesday that there were 433 new COVID cases over the past week... down from 579 the previous week.  However... the most -- 130 -- were reported in the Jamestown 14701 zip code.


BPU officially awarded $3-Million Water Infrastructure grant to replace water mains...
The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities has been awarded a $3-million grant from New York state to help install new water mains for it's water customers.  Governor Kathy Hochul today says the grant is part of $44.2-million in Clean Water System and Drinking Water Infrastructure Projects being awarded statewide.  Hochul said Thursday that the funding was approved by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation... and, include grants, interest-free financing, and low-cost financings, approved by the EFC Board of Directors.  The funding for the BPU project comes specifically from the state's Water Infrastructure Improvement Act.  Four other projects across the state also received funding from the WIIA.


Gillibrand pleased to hear Canadian and Mexican borders will be opening soon...
U-S Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York says she's pleased to finally see movement on getting the United States' land borders with Canada and Mexico reopening... beginning next month.  The White House has told Congressional representatives from New York that the Canadian border will be opening in 'early November..." and the Mexican border will open as well.  The opening will occur in phases.... the first, in November, will allow fully vaccinated Canadians and Mexicans with proper travel documentation to cross U.S. land borders for non-essential reasons.  Gillibrand, a Democrat, says those are people who spend time, and money in New York state, and is "important for our recovery."  Gillibrand says having both border's open again is important to the nation's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.  Both she, and Senior New York Senator Charles Schumer both pushed the Biden administration and health officials to get those crossings open... because we had people coming in from the E-U, and Asia -- but not Canada.  Gillibrand said "that's absurd."  The administration says there will be no testing requirement for Canadians entering the U-S.  However... Canada does require vaccinated Americans to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of their arrival in Canada. 


Applications up for U.S. Nursing school...
Nurses around the United States are getting burned out by the COVID-19 crisis and quitting... yet, applications to nursing schools are rising, driven by what educators say are young people who see the global emergency as an opportunity and a challenge.   Nationally, enrollment in bachelor's, master's and doctoral nursing programs increased 5.6-percent in 2020 from the year before to just over 250-thousand students.  That from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing... which says the higher enrollment could help ease a nursing shortage that existed even before COVID-19.  But the increase, combined with the departure of too many experienced nurses whose job is to help train students, has left many nursing programs without the ability to expand. 


New dir. of Corporate Communcations names for Heritage Ministries...
Heritage Ministries has announced that it's Marketing manager for the past four-plus years has been promoted to Corporate Director of Communications for the organization.  Heritage President and Chief Executive Officer, Lisa Haglund, says Melissa Anderson of Frewsburg will serve as their "primary communications point of contact for the organization.  She will oversee and develop new strategies to evaluate and continually improve internal and external communications processes, public relations, and media management and relations throughout Heritage senior living communities, nationwide."  Melissa is also a former employee her at Media One Radio Group.  Haglund adds that with her experience... Anderson is "uniquely qualified to serve our staff, residents, and their families."


"I Love Lucy" turns 70 today, and Comedy Center is celebrating...
The National Comedy Center in Jamestown is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the beloved "I Love Lucy" Show today, and all this weekend.  Comedy Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson says the show first aired on Friday, Oct. 15, 1951 on CBS... and, soon after became a "cultural phenomenon -- and one of the most popular televisions shows of all time."  Gunderson says they'll have special episode screenings throughout the weekend, enhanced Lucy-Desi exhibits... and, new interactive experiences for fans of the beloved TV series.  The Lucy-Desi Museum will also have special activities and sales during the weekend.  For more information... go on-line to ComedyCenter.org.