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WJTN News Headlines for Thurs., Feb. 16, 2023

UPMC Chautauqua receiving nearly $30-million in state funding for new surgical services...
UPMC Chautauqua Hospital in Jamestown is receiving nearly $30-million in funding from New York state to Make capital improvements... and, expand and consolidate surgical services.  Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that the hospital is receiving just over $29.8-million of the $658-million being allocated through the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program.  A total of 127 projects and initiatives are being funded through the program... with UPMC's the largest one.  The program is administered by the State Department of Health and the Dormitory Authority of New York.


Fire Department says fire at The Bullfrog Hotel on eastside accidental in nature...
Jamestown Fire investigators say the apartment fire that damaged a decades-old three-story business on the city's eastside was accidental.  City Fire Battlion Chief Ryan Rousch says the blaze... which was mostly confined to a second-floor dwelling in The Bullfrog Hotel... resulted from carelessly discarded smoking materials.  Rousch adds the department has also received no update on the condition of the lone person taken to the hospital with burns.  He says that person was later transferred to the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo for further treatment.  City firefighters were called to the East Second Street location shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday... and, found light smoke coming from the second-floor area.


Ecklund announces run for Mayor in Jamestown...
The Jamestown City Council's current finance committee chairwoman says she's running for mayor this November.  Republican Kim Ecklund has also been unanimously endorced by the city GOP Committee.  That from City GOP Chairman, and Councilman Brent Sheldon.  Ecklund was first elected to the city council in 2004... and, has served as an at-large councilperson since.  Ecklund says "It's an honor to serve the residents of Jamestown in my capacity as a Council member at-Large... and, being chosen by the City of Jamestown Republican Committee to run for Mayor."  Ecklund adds that financial concerns over the city led her to decide to run.  She has worked at eSolutions Furniture/Bush Industries since 1989... serving in many different positions in finance, including: cost estimator, senior data management and costing analyst, as well as cost accounting supervisor. 


Rosas announces he won't run again for Dunkirk mayor...
Two-term Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas has decided not to seek a third term.  Reached for comment early Wednesday... Rosas, who became the first Hispanic mayor in New York State in 2016... said it was a difficult decision to make.  He says term limits were a factor.  Rosas says he's enjoyed the job, but it involves a lot work, including meetings in surrounding communities, and trips to Albany.  The decision by Rosas comes just weeks after a visit by Governor Kathy Hochul... who announced the state was awarding $10-million to the city in Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding.  Rosas feels it was a major accomplishment for his administration.


UPMC Chautauqua receiving nearly $30-million in state funding...
UPMC Chautauqua Hospital in Jamestown is receiving nearly $30-million in funding from New York state to UPMC make capital improvements... and, expand and consolidate surgical services.  Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that the hospital is receiving just over $29.8-million of the $658-million being allocated through the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program.  A total of 127 projects and initiatives are being funded through the program... with UPMC's the largest one.  The program is administered by the State Department of Health and the Dormitory Authority of New York... and, is used to improve patient care by supporting high-quality facilities serving the inpatient, primary care, mental health, substance use disorder and long-term care needs of communities throughout the state.  


Langworthy visits Barcelona Harbor to see need for dredging...
Windy conditions greeted local Congressman Nick Langworthy Thursday when he visited Barcelona Harbor to see first-hand the impact that erosion is having on the harbor's viability.  Langworthy says he's working with County Executive P.J. Wendel and town officials to address their concerns.  The Erie County Republican says the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers needs to not only address the "crisis" that's affecting the harbor, but also develop a long-term plan.  A contractor is expected to begin dredging work in July, but local officials would like to see begin earlier.  Wendel says the erosion problem has worsened in recent years... after a major storm in 2019.  Westfield Town Supervisor Martha Bills says the historic harbor is important to the local community... and, it need attention.  


Mayville Winter Festival, sans ice castle, to be held President's Day Weekend...
There hasn't been much Winter weather... but, there will be a Winter Festival in Mayville this weekend.  It's put on by the Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber of Commerce.  Chamber Coordinator, Shannon Biekarck, says there'll be a substitute 'centerpiece' this time around... which a wooded replica of the castle being installed.  She says it's disappointing not to have an ice structure, but, the weather didn't cooperate this year.  The castle lighting is set for 6 p.m. on Friday at Lakeside Park in Mayville.  And while many of the snow related events can't go on this year... Biekarck believes there are some positives because the weather will be "more enjoyable."  The Noon Saturday 'polar plunge' will still go on, with a chili cook-off and pet parade later that day.  On Sunday at 8:30 a.m., Biekarck says they'll have their first ever volleyball tournament... outdoors near the basketball courts.  A full schedule is available at chautauquachamber.org, under the 'community chambers' tab.