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!

 

 

 


 

WJTN News Headlines

The Lake Effect Snow Warning has been extended for Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties until 6pm Saturday.  Kirk Apfell from the National Weather Service in Buffalo says some areas will see a lot of snow, but the storm is shifting to the south across Chautauqua and the Western half of Cattaraugus County, right to the Pennsylvania line. Our Lake Effect Snow Warning has been extended to 6pm Saturday. The typical snow belt areas got the most snow by early last evening... including 17-inches in Perrysburg in Cattaraugus County.  There were also white-out conditions reported in and around Mayville... where snowfall rates were reportedly 2 to 3 inches an hour.  Local police reported several accidents and cars off the road yesterday due to wintry conditions.

 

State Police in Pennsylvania say a crash involving upwards of 70-vehicles has shut down a snowy section of Interstate 90 just south of Erie... and, and at least 15 people have been taken to hospitals with injuries.  Trooper Stephen Oler tells the Erie Times-News that emergency crews responded to the crash near Girard just before 1 PM Thursday.  Snow started accumulating in the area earlier in the day.  Injuries ranged from minor to severe.  At least five tractor-trailers... and multiple passenger vehicles were involved.  Those not taken to hospitals are taking shelter in a school bus. Keith Greiner of Buffalo tells the newspaper he and his wife were rear-ended and got out of the car.  He says that's when a number of tractor-trailers smashed into it.  He says his car is "buried" underneath the semitrailers.

 

A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly trafficking "crack" cocaine after police tried to run a street check on the man... and, he ran off from officers.  City police say officers spotted 20 year-old Maiker Anderson walking on Foote Avenue near Chandler Street when he fled to avoid being caught.  Officers say they found Anderson with three small packages of "crack" cocaine that were packaged for sale... along with a large quantity of cash.  They say Anderson was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, obstructing governmental administration.  Anderson was arraigned in city court... and, sent to the Chautauqua County Jail without bail.  Anyone who may have information on the illegal sales and trafficking of narcotics can leave an anonymous tip on the department's 4-1-1 Tips App or they can leave an anonymous phone tip at 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477.  Police say all calls and tips will be kept confidential.

 

More than 20 economic development and infrastructure projects in Chautauqua County have been awarded nearly 4.8-million dollars from the state's Regional Economic Development Council program.  That from County Executive Vince Horrigan... who says the funding is part of 62-million dollars awarded to 105 projects in the Western New York Region.  Horrigan says the biggest allocation... nearly 1.5-million dollars... is going to the city of Jamestown's Tracy Plaza Green Renovations project. Horrigan says the National Comedy Center is actually receiving two of the 23 awards... totaling 834-thousand dollars.  He says if you include the 10-million dollar Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant from earlier this year... the city did very well.  Horrigan says some projects did not get funded... but, adds they'll keep looking.  He says some of the wastewater and sewer applications around Chautauauqa Lake were not funded... but, Horrigan says they'll keep looking.  However... he says the county's Regional Water project in the town of Portland is getting 270-thousand dollars.

 

Several residents and business owners turned out for a meeting the State Department of Transportation held on Wednesday about a proposal to construct a roundabout at the intersection of Routes 20 and 60.  They expressed concerns about accidents, pedestrian safety, and the impact on local businesses.  David Christopher,  Regional Design Engineer, says public input is important. Attorney and Fredonia Resident Daryl Brautigam feels the proposed roundabout would hurt local businesses and would pose a safety threat... possibly making that intersection more dangerous.  If the DOT plans to move ahead with the proposed 3.35-million dollar project... it will go out to bid in 2017 and is slated for completion in 2018.

 

A Salamanca woman has been found guilty in the April 2015 death of her 1-year-old girl.  Officials say 26-year-old Leslie Finch was convicted Tuesday in Cattaraugus County Court on charges of manslaughter, reckless assault of a child and endangering the welfare of a child.  Prosecutors say Finch caused fatal injuries to her daughter, Mila Whipple, when she violently shook the baby on April 26th of 2015.  Authorities were called to Finch's home following reports that a child had stopped breathing.  Mila was rushed to Women and Children's Hospital in Buffalo, where she died.  The Salamanca woman was charged in the death in May 2015.  Finch was acquitted of second-degree murder and first-degree assault charges.  She faces up to 25 years behind bars.

 

The Red Kettle Campaign for the Salvation Army of Jamestown is well-underway... but, is slightly behind last year's total so far... due mainly to a later start.  That from Salvation Army Captian Kim Merchant... who says they were about one-thousand-500 to 2-thousand dollars behind last year's total earlier this week.  Merchant says they have nine kettles out in the Jamestown-area this year, and adds the need is great. "Liz" is Liz Lopez... who is Emergency Basic Needs Coordinator who helps run the food pantry... and, other basic need areas.  Lopez is helping to put together the organization's 600 Holiday Food Baskets for the needy individuals and families in the community.  She says they need food and other items for those... including soup... spaghetti sauce... and, instant mashed potatoes.  They also need personal hygiene items.  The Red Kettle Campaign runs through Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24th... and, the goal is 116-thousand dollars... which stays local to help people here.  For more information on giving, or ringing the bells... call 664-4108.