Heating unit malfunction at County Emergency Operations Center triggers alarm, but, no fire...
A malfunctioning motor in a roofing heating unit is the apparent cause of a fire alarm as the Chautauqua County Emergency Operations Center in Mayville New Year's morning. However... Emergency Services officials say there was a quick response to the alarm... which was triggered about 9:30 a.m. at the 2 Academy St. location, and, there was no further damage reported. There were also no injuries reported. EMS officials say that emergency services operations were not impacted as a result of the incident, and all systems remain fully functional.
Jamestown man arrested for allegedly choking woman during a domestic incident...
A Jamestown man is accused of choking a woman during a domestic incident on the city's eastside early New Year's Day morning. Jamestown police were called to the scene about 12:15 a.m., and, learned that 24 year-old Dominick Harrison had grabbed the female victim by the neck during the incident. They found both parties had arrest warrants for endangering the welfare of a child. Both were taken into custody... and, Harrison was also charged with criminal obstruction of breathing. They were jailed pending arraignment.
Goodell says being on state legislature was "interesting and challenging" as he reflects on seven-terms in the Assembly...
The lawmaker who has represented Chautauqua County for the last 14 years in the New York State Legislature's lower chamber says he found that job to be "intellectually interesting and challenging." Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, who is retiring at the end of the year, says one of the things he will miss about most serving New York's 150th District is the staff and colleagues he has worked with. Goodell calls his staff "first class" when it comes to analyzing bills that are discussed on the Assembly floor. He says they had a "phenominal staff" to look over and analyze all legislation... and, adds they receive a full, briefing memo on each bill prior to the vote. Goodell has most recently been the GOP Floor Leader in the Assembly. The Jamestown-area Republican says he will also miss discussions about public policy. He noted that it's not unusual for the Democratic sponsor of a bill that makes it to the floor to look at the GOP briefing memo... he says that's because they want to deal with policy issues as much as possible. Goodell's successor will be Westfield Republican Andrew Molitor, who officially takes his oath of office this week.
Ferguson urges moving foward with study of consolidating police and fire departments with Dunkirk...
A study that would look into a possible consolidation of the police and fire departments in the city of Dunkirk and Village of Fredonia has caught the eye of Fredonia Mayor Mike Ferguson. During a recent, special Fredonia Village Board meeting... Ferguson asked trustees to consider pursuing that study, which he says would be based solely on potential financial savings for both communities. He has asked Village Treasurer Erlyssa LeBeau, and Dunkirk City Attorney Elliot Raimondo to write the proposal for the study, which would be done under New York State guidance. He says there are "tax benefits to the public" that do that in conjunction with the state. Ferguson says the study was highly suggested for both communities by Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel and Governor Kathy Hochul's Office.
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One of the major issues in the New Year in Chautauqua County will be a study of a possible merger of the city of Dunkirk, and village of Fredonia's police and fire departments. That from Executive P.J. Wendel... who says "it's the right time" for such a study to be done. Wendel adds the county began discussing a joint facility with both municipalities last February. He adds that both muncipalities have "closer" tax rates now.... since Dunkirk lawmakers approved a budget with an 84% tax increase. He says county Emergency Services Director Noel Guttman began talking with the two fire departments about possible consolidation two months ago.
City woman arrested following fight early New Year's morning...
A Jamestown woman has been arrested for allegedly getting into a fight early New Year's morning on the city's westside... and, violating an order of protection to stay away from her young child. Jamestown Police say they were called to the reported fight about 2 a.m., and, arrested 20 year-old Annika Coulter. Coulter was taken to the city jail pending arraignment on one count of first-degree criminal contempt.
WJTN celerates 100th anniversary -- officially - on New Year's Eve...
It was a special day Tuesday for all of us here at WJTN and the Media One Radio Group. It was 100 years ago that station founder, Archie Newton, did his first broadcast from the Grand Opening of the Hotel Jamestown building. The hotel recently celebrated it's centennial. Our Dennis Webster is doing a series of vignettes about our 100th anniversary. He says Newton was born in Jamestown in 1895... and was a Seregeant in the U-S Army's Radio Corps in World War-One. Newton brought that expertise back to Jamestown... and, began testing his radio operation in early 1924. Dennis says the "heart of the station" was located inside his home in the 800 block of North Main Street. Archie Newton received his permanent license on Dec. 27 of 1924. A few years later... he would sell the station... then with the call letters WOCL. The station's call letters were changed to WJTN in 1936.
