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., Mar. 11, 2022

State DOT to beging Washington St. redesign and reconfiguration project Monday...
A major project to reconfigure the four-lane portion of Washington Street from Fluvanna Avenue to Second Street in the city will begin next Monday... and, continue through the Summer.  City officials says motorists should expect delays while construction is underway.  Mayor Eddie Sundquist says New York State Department of Transporation project will change the four-lane areas into a three-lane highway to slow traffic, and develop new bike lanes  Sundquist says there will also be more parking, and pedestrian-friendly areas.  He says the project will also include putting in new crosswalks and pedestrian lights.  The New York state DOT says the new configuration would result in the creation of a two-way left-turn lane for the length of Washington Street, along with the 5-foot bike lanes with 2-foot buffer areas along both sides of Washington Street.  Sundquist says that -- in conjunction with the redesign -- a Board of Public Utilities' waterline replacement project will also be conducted on Washington Street, between 6th and 22nd streets.  He made his comments for this weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the six Media One Radio Group stations.


Reed touts spending on district projects in 23rd Congressional District in $1.5-Trill. Omnibus spending plan...
For the first time on some time... Congress has approved a bi-partisan, $1.5-trillion omnibus spending bill -- and averted a potential government shut-down.  The measure also includes about $14-billion in additional aid to Ukraine for it's fight against the Russian invasion.  Local Representative Tom Reed says he's glad to see the measure pass... and, adds it includes funding for a number of projects in the 23rd Congressional District... including water and sewer projects in the village of Mayville, and the town of Cherry Creek.  Reed says the spending bill also supports several projects for the U-S Army Corps of Engineers... including dredging of Barcelona and Dunkirk Harbors.  As for Ukraine... the Corning Republican says the aid will be mostly humanitarian.  Reed says there have been "horrific scenes of evil" seen on line and TV pushed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his military.  He says there is also aid for Ukraine to defend itself against the Russian invasion... which is moving into it's third-week. 


JPS Superintendent says district ready to help kids get through news on Russia-Ukraine conflict...
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has horrified and tugged at the hearts of people around the world... and, is something most of us are seeing daily.  That goes for our children as well.  War is no longer something in a far away land.  It's brought to us on cable television... and, our smart phones... and, we need to understand that.  That from Jamestown School Superintendent Kevin Whitaker, who says this is the first "Twitter -- or Tik-Tok War" where children can see everything in real time.  However... coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic... and, going into news about war in Ukraine can have it's psychological effects, as well.  Dr. Whitaker says, for older students, it can be a teaching moment of what's happening right now.  However... younger students may not fully understand what's taking place... and, he says they have people, namely school psychologists and others, who can help.  A number of experts have been saying it's important to take breaks from social media when the news seems to be overwhelming. 


Wendel explains reduction in COVID-19 case numbers...
With COVID-19 case numbers dropping and Chautauqua County's level of community transmission considered to be low... the county's Health Department will no longer be reporting weekly COVID case numbers.  County Executive P.J. Wendel adds that only a handful of people are hospitalized locally with the virus... and, with a shift in resources towards rapid testing, the case number is not as relevant now.  He adds there were only four people hospitalized this week.  However, Wendel says if there is an increase in new cases, the county will alert the public.  Meanwhile, the county also continues to report its seven-day average infection rate and hospitalization numbers on its COVID-19 dashboard.


Jamestown man arrested for menacing victim with a baseball bat...
A city man is accused of swinging a baseball bat at a teenager during a fight that took place following a car crash on Jamestown's southside late Wednesday night.  City Police were called to the area of West Virginia Boulevard, and East Newland Avenue about 11:30 p.m., and, learned that 34 year-old Michael Grissom had displayed the bat... and, threatened, and tried to hit the 18 year-old victim with it.  Officers arrested Grissom for second-degree menacing.  He was issued an appearance ticket for a future court appearance.


Colleges pulling students from study abroad programs in Russia...
Colleges across the United States -- including New York -- are pulling students from study abroad programs in Russia, ending research partnerships and cutting financial ties to condemn the invasion of Ukraine.  At the same time, colleges have promised to support Russian students on their campuses, opposing calls from some in Congress to remove them from the country.  The moves are mostly symbolic, and U.S. colleges have little power to sway Russia or squeeze its finances.  But... the suggestion that some or all Russian students should forfeit the opportunity to study here has drawn new attention to the role of universities in global disputes.