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 Wed., May 11, 2022

Falconer woman identified as person killed in fatal truck-pedestrian accident...
A Falconer woman has now been identified as the person killed when they were struck by a pick-up truck on West Main Street at North Phetteplace Street Tuesday afternoon.  Ellicott Town Police were called to the scene around 2:30 p.m., and, say 66 year-old Louise Chiazzese was pronounced dead at the scene.  Officers say the driver of the truck, 39 year-old Stephen Fiorella of Celoron, was turning west onto West Main when the vehicle struck the woman.  Ellicott Police issued Fiorella an appearance ticket for town court for failure to yield to a pedestrian.


Reed announces sudden resignation from Congress...
It wasn't an easy decision... but, local Congressman Tom Reed has announced his resignation from office... effective immediately.  Media One was able to get hold of Reed late Tuesday afternoon... after saying in a printed release that he'll be joining Charlie Black at the Prime Policy Group in  Washington, D.C.  Prime Policy is a public relations and public policy group that lobbys lawmakers to work on policy in a bi-partisan manner.  Reed says that's where he wanted to be when he was done with Congress in seven months.  However... he says Black offered the opportunity sooner... and, he was eager to go onto his next chapter.  He adds there was little left on Congress' plate, and it was time to move on.  Reed was into his sixth and final term in office last year when he announced that he would not be running for re-election.  The move came shortly after the Corning Republican was accused of sexual misconduct involving a junior lobbyist in 2017.  He acknowledged that at the time... he had a problem with alcohol... but, had been sober since that time.  In his resignation letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi... Reed said he'll miss working for residents of the 23rd District... but, says the time was right to move on.


Reed's vacant seat to trigger likely Special Election...
Tom Reed's sudden resignation adds another layer of confusion to an already choatic situation for New York's congressional districts.  A story in Wednesday's Buffalo News reports that recent state legislation mandates a special election when a House member resigns.  So, voters in the soon to disappear 23rd Congressional District will go to the polls, probably this summer, to elect someone to serve through December.  The news says two Republicans have expressed interest in running.  One is a longtime associate of Tom Reed's.. Joe Sempolinski of Canisteo in Steuben County.  The other Republican is George Borello, State Senator from Sunset Bay.  Max Della Pia, Democrat from Tioga County, would be the presumed candidate from that party.  All of this occurs  as the districts for the November general election are still not known.  Those lines are being drawn by a court appointed special master, and won't be known until later this month.   


Hochul announces $35-million to support women's reproductive rights in NYS...
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that New York will make $35-million available to help abortion providers boost services and security if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the landmark Roe v. Wade decision.  The 1972 decision legalized abortion nationwide.  Hochul, a Democrat, says the state has to get ready for a potential influx of out-of-state patients seeking abortions from states that ban the procedure.  She says that's the reason why they're taking quick action.  Hochul said she'll use emergency health and human services funding to provide grants and reimbursements to abortion providers, including $25 million for increasing access to services.  She says that the other $10 million will be used for security upgrades.  She was joined via Zoom with pro-choice advocates from around the state to make the announcement because she's still isolating after testing positive for COVID-19 last weekend.


Damage to historic Frewsburg home in fatal fire may not allow a cause to be determined...
Chautauqua County fire investigators say they have been unable to determine the cause of Monday's major, fatal fire at an historic apartment house in Frewburg... and, may never find one.  In a printed release Tuesday... members of the Fire Investigation Team say finding the exact cause of the blaze at 83 West Main Street may be impossible due to "the amount of damage the building sustained."  They add that because the medical examiner at the Erie County Medical Center is continuing their investigation... the name of the one victim is not being released.  While unable to determine the cause... investigators say their probe has determined that the cause was not suspicious.  The home was originally that of late former New York Gov. Reuben Fenton.


UPMC Chautauqua Hospital receives "A" rating from third-party watchdog group...
A national watchdog group has given UPMC Chautauqua Hospital in Jamestown an "A" safety rating for protecting patients from preventable harm and error.  Hospital President Brian Durniok announced Tuesday morning that the hospital had received the rating from :The Leapfrog Group..." and, that it was one of just two given out in all of Western New York.  Durniok says their rating just a few years ago was not one they were happy about... and, a concerted effort was made by everyone at the hospital to change outcomes in 30 different areas regarding things like infections and falls.  Durniok adds they also made a couple of key personnel hires... including a full-time pulminologist in their ICU... and, full-time pharmacy technician in the Emergency Department.  UPMC Chautauqua is one of 17 hospitals in the UPMC system that received the "A" rating for the Spring of 2022.