Winter Storm moves out of WNY, but, not before dropping 10 to 12 inches of snow...
The snow from the major Winter Storm that's impacted the Jamestown-area the past day or so is winding down... but, not before most of the region gets about a foot of snow.  The National Weather Service in Buffalo is continuing a Winter Storm Warning through mid-morning... and, Forecaster John Hitchcock says conditions will improve through the morning.  Hitchcock says the snow pretty much wound down after 7 a.m. and there may be another 1 to 2 inches of snow during the day today.  The snow intensified during the late night and overnight night hours... with 4 to 8 inches expected.  There was also some wind... but, Hitchcock says that should fall off this morning also.  He says north winds of 10 to 20 m.p.h. could impact open areas in particular.

Wendel urges motorists to be careful, and respectful of those plowing roads, and parking lots...
With this general snowstorm producing up to a foot of new snow... it's another challenging time for local snowplow crews to stay on top of, and catch up with the weather.  Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel says the Department of Public Facilities is ready... and, up to the challenge.  Most of all... he urges drivers to be respectful of the plow drivers as they do their jobs.  Wendel says it was a long event, but, adds be patient and respectful.  Wendel says the DPF has to coordinate it's plowing work with local, and state crews... but, adds they're ready.

Jamestown Professional Firefighters "very disappointed" in Council rejection of new contract...
The union representing Jamestown firefighters is "very disappointed" by the city council's rejection of a new, four-year contact that would add four firefighters to help staff a new ambulance.  Jamestown Professional Firefighters Local #137 President Ben McLaughlin says in a printed release that they "continue to respond" to an alarming number of EMS calls.  McLaughlin says those calls have gone from 116 in 2011... to 1,130 last year... which is a more than 1,000-percent increase.  He adds that the overall number of emergency calls are up by 78%.  McLaughlin says they "are committed to providing our residents with high quality Fire and Rescue services, but the resources we have available are not enough to meet the growing needs of our community and this trend is not sustainable."  He says the city has been "taking advantage of surrounding volunteer departments, and abuse the mutual aid agreements."  McLaughlin says they understand lawmaker's concerns over possible lay-offs in the future... but, urge further discussions to get a new agreement in place.

Falconer woman arrested on child porn-related charges...
A woman from Falconer faces several charges for allegedly having sex with a man and a 16 year-old girl in a Snapchat video she sold to someone else last June.  U.S. Attorney Trini Ross says 20 year-old Lily Brandow was taken into federal custody on charges of conspiracy to produce child pornography... conspiracy to commit witness tampering... distribution of child pornography... and, destruction of records.  Prosecutors say Brandow sold the video showing her and co-defendant Yusef Myrick having sex with the teen.  Brandow is also accused of deleting Myrick’s email and social media accounts at his instruction.  She also set up a three-way call between herself, Myrick and a victim... and, during the call, Myrick threatened the victim not to speak to investigators.  Myrick was arrested last December for allegedly engaging in both online and sexual relationships with numerous minor females.  Brandow faces up to 30 years in prison... and a $250,000 fine. 

Igoe details First Amendment issues with Kershnar case at SUNY Fredonia... 
A SUNY College at Fredonia professor who recently posted controversial videos about pedophilia has gotten him into trouble with the university.  Fredonia President Dr. Stephen Kolison said in a statement that the views expressed by Dr. Stephen Kershnar in the videos are "reprehensible and do not represent the values of SUNY Fredonia in any way, shape or form."  Associate Professor Mike Igoe, who teaches communications law at SUNY Fredonia, says the story has prompted a lot of questions about freedom of speech.  Igoe says there are instances where the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of schools restricting it.  While he would not discuss specifics about Dr. Kershnar's case... Igoe says the Supreme Court in more recent times has ruled that schools can take action that "promotes order, value, discipline and safety."  Late Thursday... President Kolison tweeted a message announcing disciplinary actions against Kershnar... "effective immediately and until further notice, the professor is being assigned to duties that do not include his physical presence on campus and will not have contact with students while the investigation is ongoing.”

Reed says new Congressional District Maps "100% gerrymandered" by state legislature...
Local Congressman Tom Reed is blasting the Democrat-led New York state legislature for passing new congressional district maps that will expand Democrats' influence in New York politics for years to come.  Reed... who is not running for re-election... says the maps are "100-percent" gerrymandered to give Democrats an advantage in 22 of the state's 26 congressional districts.  There are currently 27... but, New York is losing a seat due to loss of population.  If there is a "good thing" to come out of redistricting... it's the fact the current 23rd District the Corning Republican represents remains pretty much intact.  Reed says he expects the race to be competitive... depending on how the final lines are drawn.  Two names being thrown around are current GOP Representatives Chris Jacobs and Claudia Tenney.  However... Reed's currently supporting his former district director, Joe Simplilinski.