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WJTN News Headlines for Oct. 22, 2018

Firefighters were at the scene of a "working house fire" in the Village of Sinclairville early this morning... 

County dispatchers say crews from Ellington, Gerry and Sinclairville were called to the structure fire just before 6 a.m. at 30830 Old Chautauqua Road.  Dispatchers report one person was burned and was taken to a separate location, while Starflight was called in to assist. Additional man-power from the Fluvanna Fire Department was called in just before 7:00. No road closures have been announced. 

 

A Northeast, Pennsylvania man was arrested following a high-speed chase and, one-car accident when his car crashed into a house in the town of Mina...  

Sheriff's officers say they were alerted to a vehicle pursuit from Erie County, Pennsylvania, crossing into New York state about 1 a.m. Sunday.  Pennsylvania State Police tried to stop the vehicle, operated by 29 year-old Robert Thiem.  However, Thiem fled at a high-rate of speed onto Route 430 in Chautauqua County.  They say the pursuit was ended when the suspect vehicle tried to ram a State Police car and, the car hit a house on Route 430.  No one in the house was hurt.  State Police took Thiem into custody.  Police say further investigation found Thiem had a Felony arrest warrant out of Pennsylvania, in addition to possessing a quantity of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.  Thiem was also allegedly found to be operating while impaired by drugs and, had a previous DUI conviction making this arrest a felony charge.  He faces several charges in both states... and, was arraigned as a Fugitive from Justice.  He was taken to the Chautauqua County Jail without bail.


A north county man has been sentenced to one-and-a-half years in federal prison for allgedly possessing and trafficking 500 or more grams of cocaine in the Dunkirk area....  

U-S Attorney James Kennedy, Junior has announced that 27 year-old Michael Pacheco, also known as Michael Dominguez, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of cocaine received the sentence late last week from Chief U.S. District Court Judge Frank Geraci, Junior in Buffalo.  The prosecutor involved in the case says that Pacheco and co-defendant Fred Santiago trafficked "kilogram quantities" of the drug between July of 2016 and May 2nd of 2017.  The U-S Attorney's Office says Pacheco obtained cocaine from Santiago for sale and distribution to others.  During the time of the conspiracy, they say Pacheco made at least two undercover drug sales to law enforcement officers twice in April of 2017 and, he was arrested on May 2 of that year with cocaine in his possession, which was intended for sale. 


Jamestown city officials are now reviewing the two-year arbitration award issued to the Kendall Club-Police Benevolent Association for contract year's 2016 and 2017....  


City Corporation Counsel Marilyn Fiore-Lehman said -- in a printed statement last weekend -- that they are also "calculating the anticipated costs and the potential impact on past, current and future budget years."  She adds that the city is also reviewing all legal options.  On last weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the Media One Group of stations, Mayor Sam Teresi further cautioned about not adding spending in 2019 budget because the city may need to pay more for new contracts, or settlements.

For 2019, Teresi says the contingency account has $300,000 in it, while the undesignated fund balance has just over $1.8-million. In addition, Teresi says they have no contracts in place with any bargaining unit right now because his negotiating team is "slugging away for the taxpayers."  The arbitration panel voted 2-to-1 in favor of two-percent pay hikes for unionized police officers for both 2016 and 2017.


The Chautauqua Area Regional Transit System is pleased to announce that effective today, the new location for its bus hub in the city of Jamestown will be at 215 East Third Street...  

County Executive George Borrello says the hub, which was temporarily stationed at Pine Street, will provide a central location for CARTS customers in Jamestown.  He says renovations to the site in the coming months will include a heated indoor waiting area, and accessible bathroom facilities.  The county's Director of Public Facilities Brad Bentley, says "there are many benefits to our new hub location.  First and foremost, the new hub will provide location certainty to our customers.  CARTS will be able to maintain this hub year-round without having to temporarily move its operations for city functions.  In addition, with CARTS’ buses parking on site, it will free up street parking for area businesses."  The site for the new hub is owned by George Patti, III, who is active in downtown development.  The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation has also been involved in the move.


A skilled workforce and location are two of the most critical items that businesses look for when they move, or are starting up a new operation....  

That from Manufacturer's Association of the Southern Tier Director Todd Tranum during this past week's Teacher Development Day at the MTI at Jamestown Community College.  The program was part of National Manufacturing Month and, drew more than 40 teachers from across the county.  Tranum also told the teachers that while manufacturing in early days was dirty, dark and dangerous, it's much different today.

Tranum also says that the MTI offers a number of opportunities for local students, including their "AMP" program, which includes a scholarship, and internship opportunity that's all paid for.  He says it would result in certification to move into a local manufacturing position right away.  Tranum adds there are 260 job opportunities, right now, in the area.


In New York state government news... 

Local district attorneys are challenging a new law creating a commission on prosecutorial misconduct.  The District Attorneys' Association of the State of New York filed the lawsuit last week, arguing that the commission is unconstitutional because it interferes with the independence of elected prosecutors.  Supporters of the law say the commission is needed to protect the public from prosecutors who abuse their power.  Chautauqua County D-A Patrick Swanson supports the local D-A lawsuit.  Meantime, in the Governor's race, independent candidate Stephanie Miner wants Republican Marc Molinaro to clarify his opinion of Donald Trump.  Molinaro has said he didn't vote for the president and disagrees with some of his policies.  Meanwhile, Libertarian Larry Sharpe has a novel plan to raise revenue for infrastructure: sell the naming rights to bridges and subway stations.


New York state lawmakers want to review the current state of physical education, mental health and health instruction in the state's schools...  

The Assembly's Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing Tuesday in Albany to review the current programs in place related to student health and fitness.  Under a new state law that took effect this year... schools are required to teach mental health in traditional physical education and health classes.  The mandate is intended to help students understand more about emotional and mental wellness, and help them understand when to seek help for themselves or others.  Tuesday's hearing comes two months before lawmakers return to Albany for the 2019 legislative session.