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WJTN News Headlines for Thurs., Mar. 23, 2023

JPD investigating pair of stabbings on southside Wednesday...
Jamestown Police confirm they are investigating a pair of reported stabbings on the city's southside Wednesday afternoon and evening.  A desk sergeant says the first incident... in the area of Park and Linden Streets... occured about 2:30 p.m.  However... the victim did not suffer serious injuries... and, would not cooperate.  The second incident occured about 5 p.m. in the same area... and involved a male victim.  The JPD official says that person suffered multiple lacerations... and was flown to an out-of-town trauma center for treatment.  No arrests have yet been made.


Persons involving in State Thruway shooting incident identified...
A Florida man has been arrested on charges stemming from a shooting incident that occurred Tuesday evening on Interstate 90 in Pennsylvania.  New York State Police have announced that 34-year-old Ervin Stubbs of Ocala, Florida was charged with a Class C Felony count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.  He was also charged by Pennsylvania State Police as a fugitive from justice.  Troopers from New York State Police Troop 'T' in Dunkirk were called to Exit 59 at about 9 p.m. Tuesday... and met up with EMS and the victim, identified as a 42-year-old man from Detroit, Mich.  He was taken to the Erie County Medical center for treatment of a non-life threatening gunshot wound to the knee.  An investigation found that Stubbs was driving his truck when he allegedly shot the victim.  Stubbs was later located at a truck stop in Genesee County and was allegedly found to be in possession of a 9-mm handgun.


Wendel touts tax rate reductions, economic development and others during State of County Address to legislature...
Chautauqua County is in a "strong" position as 2023 begins.  Those are the feelings of County Executive P.J. Wendel... as he delivered his annual State of the County Address at last night's monthly meeting of the legislature.  The 18-minute speech touched on a number of areas... including the county's financial health.  Wendel says the county has been able to build a $19.4-million undesignated fund balance... which has allowed tax rate decreases the past three years.  He says the moves were purposeful because we're moving into "a time of high inflation, increasing interest rates, and a pending recession."  Wendel adds he wants to "hold the line during any economic crisis."  He touted a number of economic development successes the past year... and, is projecting optimism in the coming year.  In fact... he says the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency is partnering with others to create new, 150-acre, "shovel-ready" industrial park site in the west county area.  Wendel also touted county Health Department plans to start-up a new "mobile clinic" in 2023... and, the start of work on Phase-Two of the West Chautauqua Lake Sewer District.


COI awarded $125,000 HUD grant to do "Fair Housing Testing..."
A local organization that helps lower-income people deal with fair housing issues is getting a $125,000 federal grant from the $54-million being allocated nationwide by the federal government.  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the funding Wednesday for 182 organizations... including Chautauqua Opportunities, Incorporated.  HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge says the grant for COI will come from HUD's 'Education and Outreach Initiative Test Coordinator Training' program.  That will support COI being able to "conduct fair housing testing" in the community.  HUD says "fair housing testing refers to the use of testers who, like 'secret shoppers', pose as prospective renters or buyers to determine if people are complying with federal law.


Langworthy and MAST Director agree there should be no change in federal minimum wage right now...
With the current labor shortage... and, jobs going unfilled... there doesn't need to be an increase in the federal minimum wage.  Those are the feelings of local Congressman Nick Langworthy... and, manufacturing representatives during a recent gathering at Weber-Knapp Company in Jamestown.  While the minimum in Upstate New York went to $14.20 an hour Jan. 1... the federal minimum remains at $7.25 an hour.  Langworthy says... even though Pennsylvania's minimum wage remains $7.25... most places are paying far more than that.  He says it's a "very competitive labor market right now..." and, with that... most employers in Pennsylvania are likely paying much more than that.  Executive Dir. Todd Tranum with the Manufacturer's Association of the Southern Tier, says typically, MAST prefers to see any increase in the federal minimum to keep manufacturer's competitive.  But, he adds "we're in a different environment right now." 


City man charged after allegedly smashing phone at County Jail...
A Jamestown man being held at the Chautauqua County Jail in Mayville faces an additional charge after he intentionally smashed a facility phone inside his cell block.  Sheriff's officers say 38 year-old Bart Bartlett is accused of breaking the phone into "multiple pieces" during in incident at the jail Monday afternoon.  Deputies says Bartlett was jailed pending arraignment for fourth-degree criminal mischief.  


More from Medicaid rally in Jamestown...
Organizers of Tuesday's rally in Jamestown to increase Medicaid reimbursement have a short term goal... getting money in the new state budget to increase payments to long term care facilities by 20%.  But several speakers at the event, outside Christ First United Methodist Church, spoke to a longer term concern.  Director of the county's Office for Aging Services, Mary Ann Spanos, says Medicaid is very important to the aging community because most people enter long term care have $50,000 or less in assets... which she says will only last about two months in a nursing home.  At that point... she says people have to go onto Medicaid.