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WJTN News Headlines

The state's Republican-led Senate has passed a series of bills to curb heroin use.  That late Monday night from State Senator Cathy Young.  The majority coalition, a faction of Republicans and breakaway Democrats, approved 23 of the 25 bills introduced last month following a series of forums around the state.  All 18 focused on heroin and opioid use... with the final one held last week on the Seneca Nation of Indians Cattaraugus Reservation.

 


The Sheriff's Department is urging county residents to be aware of a scam that's resurfaced in which the caller says you've won one-million dollars... but, adds you have to pay a large amount to get the winnings.  Deputies say the caller will sound "very convincing" about you winning... but, they ask people not to fall for the scam.  They say a person in the town of Chautauqua received such a call yesterday... and, alerted the Sheriff's Office.  Deputies say the people involved are usually from overseas... and, have been doing these types of scams for many years.  If you receive such a call... you're encouraged to NOT give out any information, and hang up.

 

Dunkirk Police are investigating two cases of suspicious activity Monday where a stranger has approached a young girl in the north county city.  Police Chief David Ortolano says the first incident was in the area East 7th and Columbus Avenue around 9:30 AM. The second incident occurred in the area of Swan and West Third Street where a white or Hispanic male in his late 20's with a close shaven "Chinstrap" beard operating an older model light gold/tan Chevy Sports Utility Vehicle with Pennsylvania plates.  Dunkirk Police are asking that if any incidents of this nature occur, to contact police immediately or call 911. 

 

Bringing up Jamestown Community College's enrollment numbers... and, keeping them steady will be the job of JCC's new Vice-President of Enrollment, Marketing, and Communications.  That from college President Cory Duckworth... who says the JCC Board of Trustees agreed to the new position in the wake of area population losses... and, the fact the current population is aging.  Duckworth says ever since he came to JCC... he's wanted to address those enrollment challenges. Duckworth says he encouraged Utah Valley University administrator Kirk Young... who he got to know very well there... to apply for the position.  However... he says Young had to apply like anyone else during their national search.  Duckworth says Young has a "great wealth of experience" in recrutiment and marketing.  He says Young is also fluent in Spanish... which is an "underserved" population in the area.  Duckworth says Young will begin his new duties in early August.

 

The hiring of Kirk Young means some adjustment to the administrative staff at JCC.  Long-time staffer Nelson Garifi has been the college's director of Marketing and Academic Initiatives.  Duckworth says Garifi will remain involved with Academic Initiatives... but, will no longer deal with the Marketing area.  He says Garifi will continue to work with Vice-President and Dean of Academic Affairs Marilyn Zagora on fine-tuning program offerings at the college.  

 

Last week's special meeting of the Jamestown School Board was the final one for the district's long-time Assistant Superintendent of Administration.  While welcoming a new director of Financial and Business Affairs... board members also honored Dale Weatherlow... who is retiring after 20 years with the district.  Weatherlow first came to the district with retired Superintendent Ray Fashano as Business Director in 1994.  Current Superintendent Tim Mains made the special presentations to Weatherlow at the end of the meeting. Mains also unveiled Weatherlow's portrait, which will be placed in the administrative building... which is adjacent to Jefferson Middle School on Martin Road.  He says Weatherlow's service to the district "steps to that level of recognition."  Weatherlow thanked Mains, and, current and past board members for their support... and, says he's had some good and bad times with the district.  Board President Joe DiMaio presented Weatherlow with a new wrist watch as a "token" of their appreciation.  Weatherlow's last official day with the district will be June 30th.

 

The Jamestown Jammers season opens this Friday night at Russell E. Diethrick Jr. Park.  Jammer's General Manager Matt Drayer says he doesn't know exactly who Pittsburgh will send to play here this year... but, adds he's anxious to get started. The Jamestown Jammers play in the New York Penn League, and is part of the Short Season 'A' level of professional baseball.  There are 38 home games beginning with a four-game home stand against Mahoning Valley, Ohio.  One of the new promotions this season will be this Saturday beginning at 4:30 PM, and Drayer says, it should be very appealing to children.  He says they've teamed up with the Jamestown Chamber of Commerce to sponsor a "Touch at Truck" event.  They'll be getting a large variety of trucks and vehicles for the program... along with a kids carnival and dunk tank.  Saturday's 'Touch a Truck' event will go right up to game time at 7:05 PM.  Most all Jammers games start at that time... but, Sunday home games will begin at 4:05.  Ticket prices have not increased.  For more information... go on-line to the Jammers website... or, call them at 664-0915. 

 

In a pre-season interview with Media One News... Jammer's G-M Matt Drayer addressed concerns that Jamestown could lose its professional baseball team to another city. Drayer says the Jammers are negotiating with the Pittsburgh Pirates to extend the two-year 'player development' agreement that ends after this season.  But he cautions, it's not up to the Pirates to decide if there's team in Jamestown.  That decision rests with the franchise owner, Rich Baseball of Buffalo... and, Drayer is confident based on the 21 solid years they've had here.  He says the rest is rumors and speculation.  Matt Drayer says the best thing people can do to keep baseball in Jamestown is simply... go to the games.  

 

Governor Andrew Cuomo says he will sign medical marijuana legislation into law as long as the measure ``makes sense.''  While the Senate considers medical marijuana legislation... the Democrat on Monday says he'll sign the measure if it includes proper regulation of the drug.