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WJTN News Headlines for Aug. 20, 2018

A Sherman man has been arrested for being found in possession of drugs after allegedly breaking into an apartment in Mayville late last week...  
 
Sheriff's officers say 31 year-old Brandon Newby was found inside the apartment at 40 Evans Street shortly after 2 p.m. last Thursday.  He was arrested on several counts, including second-degree burglary, petty larceny and, three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance.  Deputies say Newby was arraigned in Chautauqua Town Court, and sent to the County Jail without bail.
 
 
Addiction experts and recovery professionals from around New York state are gathering for their annual conference in Albany...  
 
They're hearing from Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, as health care professionals discuss best practices and challenges in the field of addiction treatment.  The two day event kicks off today, and will include remarks from Hochul and, several others.  Organizers of the event say an estimated two-million New Yorkers struggle with a substance abuse disorder.  They say the 2018 conference is dedicated to showing that recovery is possible.  At the event addiction treatment specialists and advocates will share best practices and discuss advancements in care as well as ongoing challenges in the field.
 
 
State Senator Cathy Young has secured half-a-million dollars to cover the cost of Panama Central School District's penalty payment to the state Department of Education...  
 
The Olean Republican headed up the effort with local Assemblyman Andy Goodell, who pushed the bill in that Chamber.  Young says New York penalized the school district $4.9-million in 2012 for missing final cost reports for a 2005 capital improvement project.  She has now secured $3-million since 2013 to help the district pay down the penalty and, avoid passing the burden onto taxpayers in the rural school district.  The remaining penalty balance is now $1.9 million.  She says the funding "ensures that Panama Central School District taxpayers do not have to shoulder an undue tax burden caused by circumstances beyond their control."  In addition to the strain on the district's budget, Young says the penalty payments also helped prevent a proposed merger between Panama and Clymer Central School District. 
 
 
In addition to the food, two of the major high-lights of the annual Labor Day Festival in Jamestown are the music and, fireworks that conclude the day's events...  
 
City officials are taking some additional steps this year to make sure the fireworks display is safer in the wake of last year's wind shift that forced them to stop the show 45-seconds into the program when shell debris started coming down in the viewing area, and trees.  Parks and Recreation Coordinator Julia Ciesla-Hanley says there's always a set back.
 
In addition, Ciesla-Hanley says they are beefing up their communcations with additional radios and cellphones to make a call at the last minute -- if need be.  One minor injury was reported from last year's display.  As for the music, Ciesla-Hanley says the main stage is seeing some changes, including the name of the group playing the first set at 12:30 PM.  She says the former "Bogarts" has gone through a line-up change and is now known as "Blackbird Express."  Ciesla-Hanley adds that this year, the headliner on the main stage will be the local band TPT after being Two for Flinching the past few years. 
 
 
This past Saturday-- Aug. 18-- was officially proclaimed as 'Lee Harkness Day' in Jamestown...  
 
Harkness was honored for his long-time commitment to downtown during the Cruise-In Friday night.  Through his work with the Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation and later the Chamber of Commerce, Harkness has been instrumental in establishing the Cruise-In, Holiday Parade and other traditions.  And, he was a prime mover in the preservation of the Jamestown Train Station.  Harkness called the honor a "complete surprise..." adding that he was "speechless."
 
 
Authorities have identified the man who died while kite surfing on Lake Erie in western New York earlier this week...  
 
Police in the Erie County town of Hamburg on Friday identified the man as 61-year-old Jeffrey Biehler, of Hamburg.  Officials say police responded to a town beach last Wednesday afternoon following reports of a kite surfer in distress.  Police and lifeguards tried to rescue Biehler but wind gusts pushed him farther from shore.  A town water rescue unit responded and recovered his body.  Police say it's unclear whether Biehler suffered a medical emergency or if his death was related to kite surfing.
 
 
Manhattan, Kansas' Chase Junghans held off defending race champion Brandon Sheppard to win last night's 50-lap World of Outlaws Late Model feature at Eriez Speedway...  
 
Junghans ended up beating the New Berlin, Illnois diver by half-a-car length to grab his first Outlaws win in three years.  Points leader Chris Madden of South Carolina was third.  The top local finisher was Boom Briggs of Bear Lake, Pennsylvania, who was fifth.