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WJTN Headlines for Sat., Sept. 22, 2018

Strong storms roar through Chautauqua County Friday night, tornado warnings issued to the east...
Several trees were reported down in the central part of Chautauqua County... but, no serious damage nor injuries were reported when a line of severe thunderstorms swept through the region.  The worst of the weather was reported in eastern Cattaraugus and much of Allegany Counties early last evening.  Tornado Warnings were issued when radar picked up possible "rotation" inside a cloud near Olean.  The immediate Jamestown-area was under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for a short time... about 6 p.m.  Trees were reported down in the Bemus Point... Maple Springs... Ellery Center... Gerry... and, Ellington.  Channel 7 in Buffalo reported a tree down on a cottage near Bemus Point... and, the report was confirmed by Sheriff's Department dispatchers.
 
 
Busti woman accused of vehicular manslaughter in death of man in Randolph...
State police say they've charged a 73-year-old woman in connection with the hit-and-run death of a man whose body was found along a rural road in western New York last spring.  Troopers say they arrested Marylou Johnson of Busti Friday, five months to the day that a passing ATV rider spotted a man's body on a road in the Cattaraugus County town of Randolph.  Police later identified the man as 48-year-old Wilfredo Rodriguez-Colon of Busti.  An investigation revealed he had been hit by a vehicle.  Police say more interviews led to the arrest of Johnson.  The charges against her include manslaughter, driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an incident without reporting it.  Johnson's public defender wasn't available to comment on the charges.
 
 
Young and Goodell say Percoco sentencing shows "zero tolerance" for Albany corruption...
The six-year sentence given to a former top aide to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo should send a message to public officials that fraud and bribery won't be accepted in Albany.  Those are the feelings of State Senator Cathy Young and Assemblyman Andy Goodell on the term handed down to Joseph Percoco in a federal court in New York City Thursday.  Young says there needs to be "zero tolerance" for such illegal dealings, and she says it sends a "clear message" that elected and appointed officials are supposed to be working for the people.  U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni said she hoped that Percoco's sentence would be heard in the state capital.  He was convicted in March of accepting more than $300,000 from companies that wanted influence with the Cuomo administration.  Gov. Cuomo wasn't charged in the case and denied any knowledge of Percoco's influence peddling.  However, trial testimony presented an unflattering picture of the inner workings of his office.  
 
 
Ribbon cut on new traffic light near Falconer Middle-High School...
It was a "complete community effort" that led to installation of a new traffic light in Falconer that will help protect students walking to the middle and high school.  Local Assemblyman Andy Goodell says it "signals what can happen when everyone works together."  Goodell used the play on words as the ribbon was cut on the four-way stop light at the corner of Route 394 and East Avenue Friday morning.  State Senator Cathy Young was also instrumental in getting the state Department of Transportation to take another look at the need for a light after two students were struck by a car there in April of 2016.  Young says there was a new urgency to get something done, and people were quickly mobilized to again push for a light after an initial attempt in 2012 fell short.  The DOT did an initial study, but, at that time, officials said a light wasn't needed.  School Superintendent Steve Penhollow was grateful to everyone from the local and state governments that worked hard to get the light put in to better insure student safety.  Also on hand for the ribbon cutting in Falconer were Falconer Mayor Jim Rensel... Ellicott Town Supervisor Pat McLaughlin... and Ellicott Police Chief William Ohnmeiss.
 
 
Frewsburg man arrested for alleged threat to Cattaraugus County school district...
A Frewsburg man was arrested for allegedly sending a threatening message to a Hinsdale Central School student Thursday morning. The State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation out of Olean say administrators put the facility on a "lock-out" after a 17 year-old student reportedly received a text message suggesting that the suspect would harm others with a gun and that the school should be "locked". Officers took 20 year-old Nicholas McChesney into custody for sending the text. He acknowledged that he was having mental health difficulties and agreed to be evaluated at a local hospital. Troopers say McChesney had no access to firearms. He was arraigned and sent to the Cattaraugus County jail on $5,000 bail. 
 
 
New York dispatching more students to help with Puerto Rican relief efforts...
New York is dispatching more college students to help rebuild homes in Puerto Rico.  Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo said late this week that another 500 students from public schools around the state will head to the island territory this school year.  Cuomo also says a memorial to the victims of Hurricane Maria is being planned.  He signed an executive order Thursday creating a 10-member commission to approve a design and location for the monument.  New York state has contributed food, water and first-aid supplies and dispatched utility workers, nurses and other skilled professionals to Puerto Rico since the island was devastated by the hurricane a year ago this week.