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WJTN News Headlines for 10/9

he Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce has named National Comedy Center Executive Director, Journey Gunderson as its person of the year. Gunderson is responsible for executing the Board of Directors vision...  making Jamestown a national destination for comedy.  The National Comedy Center Board President also received an award at the chamber's annual ceremony.  That's local attorney, George Panebianco... who was given the Jamestown Community Chamber's service award. Panebianco has also been active with Babe Ruth baseball, The Italian American Golf Tournament and several other groups.  The county chamber's award for economic development was shared by the Northern Chautauqua, and Chautauqua Region Community Foundations.  Randy Sweeney is Executive Director of the Chautauqua Region Foundation. A number of other 'community chamber' awards were presented Thursday night during the event... held at SUNY Fredonia.  Winning for the Mayville Chautauqua Community Chamber was Ken Shearer. 

 

Local Congressman Tom Reed says he "respects" House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy's decision to withdraw his name from consideration to be next Speaker of the House.  Reed was part of yesterday's Majority Conference meeting where a vote was to be taken on the next speaker.  However... McCarthy announced he was no longer seeking the position.  After that... outgoing Speaker John Boehner adjourned the meeting.  Earlier this week... Reed said he wanted the caucus to take it's time making a decision. Two other Republican's have expressed interest in being speaker.  They are Jason Chaffetz of Utah, and Daniel Webster of Florida.  However... there was no vote on either man Thursday.  Reed says he's open to hearing more candidates who may be able to unite both the party, and Congress as a whole.  Another name that's been circulated is South Carolina's Trey Gowdy... who head's up the House Select Committee on Bengahzi.  There's been no word on when another meeting will be held.  Speaker Boehner will step down October 29th.

 

A Bradford, Pennsylvania man has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for being found in possession of child pornography at his former home in Olean.  U-S Attorney William Hochul, Junior also announced Thursday that 48 year-old Dale Foley received 10-years supervised release by Senior U.S. District Judge William Skretny.  Prosecutors say agents raided Foley's home on South Street in Olean back in November of 2011... and, found and found 146 video filed of child porn.  They add that Foley also admitted to being in possession of the material.  Officials say a forensic analysis of Foley’s computer recovered 685 image files... and, the video files... many of which depicted pre-pubescent children being subjected to violence.

 

A Jamestown teenager has been arrested for allegedly breaking into vehicles parked on Lakeview Avenue... then leading police on foot chase.  A police patrol on the northside spotted the 17 year-old boy allegedly checking vehicle doors... and, he allegedly got into one car to steal items inside.  Officers say they moved in... but, the teen spotted them... and, ran off.  Police say they chased the teen through several backyards before catching, and arresting him.  The 17 year-old is charged with attempted petty larceny... and, second-degree obstruction.  He was jailed pending arraignment.

 

A public meeting was held by Southwestern Central School district officials Wednesday night on a proposed 15.9-million dollar capital project that will go before the voters next week.  Superintendent Maureen Donahue says the planned work is mainly at the high school and surrounding grounds.  Donahue says it includes 'instructional renovation...' a complete overhaul of the auditorium, and a new gymnasium. The new gym would be added at the east end of Southwestern High School.  Donahue adds their current gym has been fundamentally untouched since it was built in 1952... and, is one of the smallest in any high school in the county.  Under the plan, the current gym space would be made into a wellness center and a large 'multi purpose' classroom.  New York state building aid would pay 81.3 cents for every dollar of the work.  As for the impact on the Southwestern budget over the 15 year pay-off, the taxpayer cost will be just about 30-cents per thousand assessed value.  Additional information on the Southwestern capital project is available on the school's website or by calling the district office.  The public vote on the project will be next Tuesday, October 13th at the high school.

 

Work has been further delayed... and, it will be next week before demolition begins on the collapsed portion of the Coburn Block Building in the city of Dunkirk.  Mayor A-J Dolce says a total of three structural engineers have now had a look at the situation.  One of the factors is the building's age... dating back to 1868. The extra time will also allow extra prep work that needs to be done to raze the building safely.  Kathy Peterson of Chautauqua County Rural Ministry, which owns the building, says a demolition firm from Buffalo has been hired to handle the work.  She says all three structural engineers have deemed the building on Central Avenue to be structurally sound.
 


Former New York Governor David Paterson is stepping down from his post as the leader of the state's Democrats.  Paterson had served as chairman of the state Democrat Committee since May of last year.  He announced his resignation late Wednesday.  There's no word on who will take over the party, which is largely controlled by Governor Andrew Cuomo.  Paterson thanked Cuomo and other Democratic leaders for their support Wednesday... and, said he will always feel fortunate to have led his party.  Aside from leading the Democrats in the 2014 elections, Paterson also emerged as a staunch Cuomo supporter, often taking aim at the governor's critics on his behalf.  In a statement... Cuomo praised Paterson's contributions as governor and said he was an ``outstanding'' chairman of the party.

 

Her appearance in Jamestown may be on of the few chances to see Comedian and T-V Talk Show host Joy Behar on the stage doing her stand-up routine.  Behar is preparing for her appearance this Saturday night in Jamestown as part of the third-annual Lucytown Half-Marathon Weekend.  But... the co-host of ABC-TV's "The View" almost didn't get into TV and Comedy.  Behar tells us she first got into teaching... but, then changed careers.  She says it enfluenced a "one-woman show" she does called "Me, My Mouth, and I...." Behar says she and her husband, Steve, will be driving to Jamestown from their home in New York City.  She says this will be one of just a few comedy shows she's been doing because she's again fully-engaged with "The View."  Behar adds that Lucille Ball is truly "The Queen of Comedy..." and, she "had it" like Charlie Caplin and other legends.  Behar takes the stage at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts this Saturday at 8 PM.  For ticket information... call the Lucy-Desi Center at 484-0800... or go on-line to Lucy--Desi-dot-COM.