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WJTN News Headlines for Thurs., Oct. 21, 2021

City police continue investigation into fatal shooting on Water Street...
Jamestown police are continuing to investigate the fatal shooting of a 46 year-old man who died from a gun-shot wound during an incident on the city's eastside Monday night.  JPD Captain Bob Samuelson says officers were called to the scene at 60 Water St. shortly after 8:30 p.m., and, found the unresponsive man -- now identified as Angel Pacheco -- outside, on the front yard -- with a single gun-shot wound.  Pacheco was rushed to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital, where he later died.  Samuelson says investigators have spoken with potential witnesses.  However... he says the fact Water Street doesn't have much traffic on it has limited the amount of information they've been able to get.  Samuelson says he's hoping someone will come forward with information... and, adds they have no motive right now.  He adds that if you have any information on the incident, or may have heard something that could help the investigation, call JPD at 483-7537... or call their anonymous tips line at 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477. 


County records 200th COVID-related fatality over the past week...
The Chautauqua County Health Department is reporting the county has now reached 200 COVID-19-related deaths since the pandemic began in March of 2020.  Officials say there were 8 new deaths over the past week in their weekly COVID Dashboard report.  They add there were 236 total cases... which is the lowest number in several weeks.  That brings the county's total number of cases to 12,843... and 255 are currently active.  Officials say 25 people are hospitalized, and 12,388 have now recovered.  The seven-day infection rate is now 5.1-percent.


Gillibrand pushing for more Low-Income HEAP Funding for state residents...
New York's junior U-S Senator is calling for more help for the state's lower-income residents as colder weather is right around the corner.  Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand add that, with home heating prices expected to soar this Winter, a "robust" response is needed now.  Gillibrand has written to the director of the Department of Health and Human Services calling for more utilization of the state's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.  Gillibrand says, on average, New Yorkers will pay at least 21-percent more to heat this Fall and Winter.  She adds that more than a million households in New York collectively owe $1.5-billion in back payments.  Gillibrand also says the ongoing economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has put unprecedented financial burdens on low-income families, and seniors... and, rising heating costs will only add to this strain.  Gillibrand adds that "during long New York winters, LIHEAP is a critical lifeline for seniors and low-income workers in need of assistance to stay safe and warm."


Gillibrand backs idea of tapping nation's oil reserves to help stabilize, or lower gasoline prices...
There's been little change to gasoline prices from the middle of last week through today.  However... the price for regular, unleaded gas remains about $1.20 above last year at this time in the Jamestown-area to just under $3.56 a gallon.  That from AAA's East Central Gas Price Report... which showed that 10-cent jump about a week ago.  During that time... the national average increased by 5-cents a gallon to $3.32 a gallon.  Should strategic oil reserves be tapped as a short-term solution.  Senator Gillibrand says she would support that.  AAA says the primary driver of this surge remains the cost of crude oil, which is now closing daily above $80 a barrel.  In August... the price was in the low $60s per barrel.  The Energy Information Administration says last week's total domestic gasoline supply fell by 2 million barrels to 223.1 million barrels.  Gasoline demand also fell from 9.43 million barrels per day to 9.19 million barrels per day, but the agency calculates it is still some 610,000 barrels per day above last year. 


Council Finance Committee wants more information on Jamestown's ARPA proposals...
There's been no action taken yet on four resolutions regarding the city of Jamestown's American Rescue Plan Act funds as lawmakers seek more information on the city's plans.  The City Council's Finance Committee delayed action on the resolutions Monday night, and requested more information from Mayor Eddie Sundquist on what the funding will be used for.  Committee Chairwoman Kim Ecklund feels it's important to have the detail to keep use of the funding transparent.  Ecklund says the biggest frustration is the fact that some of the city's $28-million in ARPA funding is "co-mingled" with Sundquist's 2022 budget proposal.  Sundquist says he understands the desire for more detail... but, adds they need to get plans in place to make sure they can do the projects before the 2026 deadline for the money to be used. 


Gill speaks about Democracy in Germany, America, at Jackson Center...
The Nuremberg War Crimes Trials… 75 years ago… helped pave the way for a successful democracy in Germany.  Those are the thoughts of David Gill, the Consul General of Germany in New York.  Gill says German's learned about democracy from those trials, and the rule of law in "our daily lives."  He spoke to reporters yesterday at the Robert H. Jackson Center in advance of a major presentation Thursday.  Gill believes the U.S. helped teach Germany how to be ‘democratic’ and he’s saddened to see such deep divisions in America now... and, he hopes politicians can find a way to "talk to each other again."  Gill is one of a number of panelists in today’s program entitled ‘Cold War Secrets Revealed.’