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WJTN News Headlines for Thurs., Mar. 24, 2022

Man found dead inside mobile home in Gerry destroyed by fire...
An overnight fire in a trailer home in the town of Gerry has left one person dead... and, the mobile home destroyed.  Chautauqua County fire investigators say Gerry firefighters were called to the scene at 4200 Rt. 380 shortly before 3 a.m., and, found heavy fire when they arrived.  Mutual aid was called in from Fluvanna, Falconer, Maple Springs, Ellery Center and Sinclairville.  Officials say a portion of Rt. 380 was closed due to the blaze.  County fire investigators were called in... and, during that time... found the body of a deceased man who lived there.  The man was pronounced dead at the scene.  The investigation into the fire is continuing.


National Grid reports 12,000 outages in Chautauqua County after power is cut during high winds...
An outage believed to be caused by gusty winds early last evening cut power to some 12,000 National Grid customers in Chautauqua County... with most of those in the Dunkirk-Fredonia area.  National Grid's outage map showed the outages... which also impacted parts of the Jamestown area.  There was an outage in the Lakewood-Busti area... that affected us here at the Media One Group studios in West Ellicott.  The outage affected our phones, internet, and other internal systems.


Five people arrested in Jamestown during Tuesday afternoon drug bust...
Five Jamestown residents have been arrested... and the home they were living in condemned... following a drug raid on the city's westside Tuesday afternoon.  City police say members of the Jamestown Metro, and Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Forces executed a search warrant at 307 Monroe St. shortly before 1:30 p.m., and, located the five people inside.  They also found quantities of methamphetamine, scales, and packaging materials.  Police says they arrested 33 year-old Kimberly Phanco... 34 year-old Shawn Sobczak... Joseph Angelo and Christina Heiler -- both 49... and, 51 year-old Brian Heller.  All five are charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell.... and, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia.  They were all jailed pending arraignment in city court.  If you have any information on illegal drug activity... call the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force's tipline at 483-TIPS... or 8477... or the Southern Tier Task Force at 1-800-344-8702.  


Postal worker from Dunkirk arrested for trying to produce child pornography...
A Dunkirk man is accused of trying to produce child pornography with the daughters of a former female acquaintance in the Buffalo-area.  U.S. Attorney Trini Ross says 36 year-old Michael Fratini was arrested Wednesday on one count of conspiracy to produce child pornography.  Prosecutors say that last Feb. 14... the FBI received a criminal complaint from the Erie County Sheriff's Office saying Fratini had used his cell phone to solicit nude pictures and videos of the women's young daughters.  He reportedly met the woman in October of 2021 through a dating application.  After meeting in person... the unidentified woman didn't hear from Fratini again until recently when they spoke on the phone.  At that time... he told the woman that he had a mother -- daughter fantasy... and, he then sent a follow-up text message asking for videos and/or pictures of her daughters to fulfill his fantasies.  After receiving the text message... the woman filed a complaint with the Sheriff’s Office.  They told her to continue the text messaging... and, she and Fratini set up a meeting at an Amherst hotel.  When he arrived... agents arrested him.  Fratini faces a manditory minimum of 15 years in federal prison if convicted.


County lawmakers approve receipt of wastewater monitoring grant...
After much discussion and an amendment... the Chautauqua County Legislature approved a resolution to create a fund to pay for a wastewater sureillance mentorship pilot program.  The final measure was adopted at last night's meeting by a 16-2 vote.  The measure establishes an account to accept an $11,000 grant for the program.  Two Dunkirk area legislators supported the final plan.  Republican lawmaker Kevin Muldowney earlier said lawmakers have received some comments against the program... which he believes was caused in part because the word "surveillance" is in it.  Democratic Legislator Bob Bankoski says the monitoring involves the wastewater treatment plants in the north and south county cities... but, there will be no way to know where it came from.


Borrello says Democrats disagreeing on the size and scope of a new, state budget...
State lawmakers in Albany continue to negotiate a new, 2022-23 budget...  but, one of Chautauqua County's elected officials says there are significant differences among Democrats when it comes to spending issues and policy items... like bail reform.  State Senator George Borrello says Governor Kathy Hochul is questioning the numbers outlined in the "one-house" bill crafted by the Senate's Democratic majority... as well as policy items -- such as bail reform."  Meanwhile, Borrello believes Hochul's proposed bail reform changes won't be enough for Senate or Assembly approval.  The changes, which are part of a 10-point public safety plan that was leaked on Monday, includes making more crimes eligible for cash bail... and, allowing judges to use their discretion and consider public safety in sentencing.  The Sunset Bay Republican says Senate Republicans want a full repeal... but, adds legislature Democrats don't even want what Hochul is calling for.