Community Spotlight, the area's longest running local public affairs radio program, airs on all six Media One Radio Group stations each weekend and is also available to hear in our Podcast Section.  Each week we sit down with a community leader or another special guest to talk about issues within our community.  


Weather Forecasts are available across our radio stations each day and also as your fingertips! 

Connect with The National Weather Service's Buffalo Office or with WGRZ-TV for accurate weather information!

 

 

 


 

News Headlines for Tues., June 11, 2019

City man arrested on several rape, and sexual abuse-related charges...         
A Jamestown man has been arrested on multiple rape and sexual assault charges in connection with incidents in the towns of Ellery and Sheridan the past month.  Sheriff's officers say they received a "suspicious situation" report back on May 9th... and, began investigating the matter.  Details were not released... but, deputies arrested 33 year-old Richard Lefrance of Forest AVenue late yesterday on two counts of second-degree rape... three counts of second-degree criminal sexual act... and, first-degree sexual abuse.  Lafrance was arraigned, and sent to the County Jail without bail.


Swanson says sentence for Waggoner "fair..."
A city man will spend at least the next 20 years in state prison for shooting another Jamestown man to death during an argument on the city's westside last year.  Chautauqua County District Attorney Patrick Swanson says the sentence handed down by County Court Judge David Foley to 54 year-old David Waggoner Monday was fair.  Swanson says the family of 30 year-old William Michishima is also happy with the sentence.  He says Waggoner will have to serve 20 years under the indeterminate sentence, and after that will have to go before a parole board.  Waggoner was convicted earlier this year of second-degree murder in the death of Michishima in July of 2018.  While Waggoner's defense tried to paint Michishima as the aggressor... Swanson says the incident was "avoidable" and didn't have to end the way it did.  The shooting reportedly took place during an argument over a motorcycle on Livington Avenue on the city's westside.  William Michishima later died from a wound to the head at UPMC Hamot Medical Center in Erie.


Nationally-known Washington Post reporter, author, Bob Woodward to be in Jamestown this August...
The Robert H. Jackson Center is bringing reporter and author Bob Woodward to Jamestown on Sun., Aug. 11 at 5 p.m. for a speech at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts.  Robert H. Jackson Center President Kristan McMahon made the announcement at Noon Monday.  She says Woodward will speak on the topic "Have We Forgotten the Lessons of Watergate?"  Woodward has won two Pulitzer prizes, one of them for his coverage of the Watergate scandal in the Nixon administration.  His most recent book is "Fear: Trump in the White House."  McMahon sees Woodward's appearance as a 'natural off-spring' of Justice Jackson's work... which ran a broad spectrum from social justice to presidential power.  Tickets to see Bob Woodward go on sale at the Reg Lenna Box Office on Tuesday at noon.  Prices start at $35.  For $150 patrons can get a ticket to meet Wooward and get a signed copy of his book about President Trump.  Woodward's appearance is made possible by the Fund for Downtown Programming... part of the city's Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding, and the Alan Y. Cole endownment fund.


Apthorpe calls sudden death of Washington Middle School teacher a "very sad event..."
The Jamestown public school community is both saddened and shocked this week with the sudden passing of a well-known and popular teacher at Washington Middle School.  Superintendent Bret Apthorpe calls the death of English Language Arts Teacher, Jason Williams, a "very sad event."  Williams... who was also well-known in the local theater community... passed away unexpectedly last weekend at the age of 40.  Apthorpe says -- quote -- "we are all profoundly saddened by the loss of a beloved teacher, friend and Jamestown Public School family member.  We extend our deepest sympathies to Mr. Williams’ family and friends during this very difficult time."  Apthorpe says Williams was a staff member at Washington Middle School for 14 years... and, was very involved in many extracurricular activities and school committees while at Washington.


County Jail inmate accused of bringing Meth into the jail...
A Chautauqua County Jail inmate has been arraigned on charges after he was reportedly found in possession of methamphetamine earlier this month.  Jail Corrections Officers conducted the June 2 search just after 9 p.m., and, reportedly found 20 year-old Bracken Warren in possession of the drug both in his cell and on his person.  As a result... Warren was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second-degree promoting prison contraband.  He was committed back into the custody of the county jail. 


Bill that would legalize prostitution not likely to be acted on by NYS legislature before end of session...
New York state would legalize the buying and selling of sex under a proposal introduced in the state Legislature that would lift criminal penalties for sex work.  The bill was announced Monday and isn't expected to get a vote before the Democrat-led Senate and Assembly plan to adjourn for the year next week.  Supporters say criminal penalties for prostitution haven't worked, and that legalization would improve sex worker safety while reducing trafficking and exploitation.  Speaking at a press conference Monday, former and current sex workers talked about being forced into the industry as minors.