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WJTN News Headlines for Wed., Apr. 27, 2022

Two homes damaged by fire that destroyed garage in Dunkirk...
The cause of a fire that destroyed a garage and damaged two nearby homes in the city of Dunkirk remains under investigation.  Firefighters in the north county city responded to a report of a garage fire at 927 Central Ave. around 2:30 a.m.  They found the garage fully involved in flames, and the fire had spread to single family homes at 925 and 927 Central.  The fire destroyed the garage and a car parked inside it.  Damage was extensive to the attic area of 927 Central and there was moderate damage primarily to the exterior of 925 Central.  There were no injuries reported.


Two killed in Mercy Flight helicopter crash in Genesee County...
A medical helicopter pilot and flight instructor have been killed in a crash during a training flight in western New York.  State police said the Mercy Flight helicopter went down at around 1 p.m. Tuesday near the Genesee County town of Elba, located about halfway between Buffalo and Rochester.  Authorities said no patients were on board.  Mercy Flight said the cause of the accident had not been determined, and called it an "unspeakable tragedy."  Buffalo-based Mercy Flight identified the pilot as James Sauer, a retired New York state police pilot.  The identity of the flight instructor who worked for the helicopter manufacturer was not released.


One person killed in motorcycle accident in eastern Warren Co., Pa...
One person was killed in an early afternoon motorcycle crash in eastern Warren County, Pennsylvania Monday.  Police officials say the accident occured just after Noon in Mead Township.  The Warren Times-Observer reports it occured on Kinzua Road... near the Kinzua Point Information Center.  Warren County Coroner Melissa Zydonik was called to the scene... and says the person killed was from outside the area.  


Wendel unsure about GOP support for capping gas tax in county...
Chautauqua County Legislature Democrats are pushing to cap the county's share of the gas tax at $3 per gallon. But... County Executive P.J. Wendel is not sure whether there will be enough support to pass a pre-filed resolution calling for the reduction during tonight's monthly meeting.  Wendel says there needs to be further review... because he understands dropping the tax would help local motorists.  However, he remains concerned over the possibility of a deficit in the budget, and having to impose a property tax increase.  Wendel says there is also concern that there is no guarantee that motorists will see the actual reduction in the local share of the gas tax if its approved by the County Legislature.  That's because wholesalers could still raise their prices.  County lawmakers are also facing a time limit,  since any action would have to be taken this evening in order to have the reduction take effect on June 1.  That's when New York State's reduction of the gas tax by 16 cents per gallon takes effect through Dec. 31.


Gas prices in Jamestown area up about 5-cents a gallon this week...
The price for a gallon of gasoline in the Jamestown-area is up about 5-cents this week... following the national trend.  The AAA's Gas Price Report says the cost has risen from just over $4.14 to about $4.19 a gallon for regular, unleaded fuel.  AAA says... despite several weeks of declining prices, the national average for a gallon of regular gas has risen 4 cents over the past week to $4.12 a gallon.  Concerns that less Russian oil will enter the global market combined with fears of a COVID-induced economic slowdown in China are causing oil prices to hover around $100 a barrel.  This week’s national average is still 12-cents less than a month ago... but, $1.24 more than a year ago.


Wendel says county is monitoring "high" number of COVID cases in neighboring Erie County...
Chautauqua County officials are keeping an eye on the situation in Erie County, which has been listed as a "high" COVID-19 community level by the Centers for Disease Control.  The CDC says the county's Covid-19 community level remains "low."  Executive Wendel says they continue to monitor the numbers, but sees no reason for concern because the numbers aren't where Erie County's are, and the number of hospitalizations remain low.  Wendel says if people are feeling sick, they should stay home and get tested.  He adds that COVID-19 test kits are available everywhere.


Appellate Court hears arguments over NYS redistricting...
Judges on New York's high court peppered attorneys with sharp questions as they considered whether to throw out new congressional district maps that Republicans charge are unconstitutionally gerrymandered.  Court of Appeals judges heard arguments in a lawsuit brought by a group of Republican voters challenging the legality of the new district maps.  The court's decision could play a crucial role in the battle for control of the U.S. House, where Democrats now enjoy a thin majority.  Judges repeatedly asked the Democrats' attorneys about what should happen next if the high court decides to strike down the maps.  But... they also seemed wary about overstepping their authority.


City Council okays "Community Cats" program...
The Jamestown City Council has approved establishing a "Community Cats" Program with the Chautauqua County Humane Society.  Lawmakers Monday night also approved a new ordinace creating a "Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return" -- or TNVR Program.  Council President Tony Dolce says the "Community Cats" Program will provide the Humane Society with $5,000 to have stray or ferel cats taken to a Buffalo-area clinic to have those services performed.  Dolce says the problem has become a major issue in some parts of the city in recent years.