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WJTN News Headlines for Oct. 18, 2018

A federal grand jury has indicted 14 people with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine in the Jamestown-area since March of last year...  

U-S Attorney James Kennedy, Junior says the 14 residents face 42 counts in the indictment and, nine are being detained.  Kennedy says they include Danny Michael, III; Destiny Hare; Andrew Bennett, Searcy Fields, Michael Davis, Stacie Yancer, Ramael Fields, Jamell Trapp, and Zackiel Fields Jr.  He adds that Marcus Bowman, Ernest Cauley Jr., Jacob Motherwell, Alexis Hall and, Stephanie Harrison were released on conditions.  Kennedy says some also face other charges including possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, methamphetamine; using and maintaining a drug-involved premises; possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking; and being a Felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.  During the execution of search warrants, officers say they recovered 10 firearms and multiple rounds of ammunition, over 20 cellphones, drug paraphernalia, and cash.  All 14 face a minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10-million fine if convicted on the conspiracy charge.


A grass-roots effort by some local Democrats has led to the scheduling of a "Get out the Vote" rally this weekend at the Allen Park Bandshell...  

Two of the people involved in organizing the rally, Paul Leone and Shelly Walsh... say the event Saturday will begin with the first of several speakers at 1 PM.  Leone says -- in general -- the enthusiam level is "high" among local Democrats and, they expect a good turn-out Saturday.  The rally should run about two-hours. Leone says they are hoping for a good turn-out Saturday.  He says, because it may be rainy, they advise people attending to wear boots and have rain-gear with them. 

 

A well-known radio newscaster from the 1980's in Jamestown has died.  Tim Johnson was 59 when he succumbed to multiple myeloma on Sunday...  

Tim was hired at WKSN radio by Dan Fischer, who was news director at that time.  Fischer says Tim Johnson was "quiet, reserved and brillilant". After working as a radio reporter for several years, Tim moved on to Washington, DC and a career as a Congressional aide.  Dan Fischer, who now owns a radio station in Batavia,  recalls Johnson as a man who loved the political process.Calling hours and a funeral service for Tim Johnson are scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the Migliore Funeral Home in Jamesotwn.  


New York state is seeking bids for redeveloping the more than two dozen service areas along the 570-mile Thruway system...  

The Thruway Authority on Tuesday announced that has issued a request for proposals to make improvements at 27 travel plazas through public-private partnerships.  One of those is located in Angola, between Dunkirk and Buffalo.  The agency says the plan calls for offering a more diverse selection of food and beverage options, with upgrades made to interior and exterior designs as well as the restrooms.  Thruway officials say the improvements will also include energy-efficient systems, electric vehicle charging stations and expanded parking for commercial drivers.  Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo said while releasing his 2018 agenda in early January that the service plazas are in ``dire need'' of improvements.  The last major remodeling of the facilities occurred in the early 1990s.


Both candidates for the 23rd Congressional District seat say they support manufacturing and are blasting their opponent's record on the issue...  

Democratic challenger Tracy Mitrano says incumbant Republican Tom Reed is making "untrue, slanderous and ridiculous" statements about her position.  During this week's media conference calls, Reed cited a Democratic forum last Spring before the primary, where Mitrano would not take a pledge to oppose outsourcing of jobs from the region.

Mitrano says her support of labor has been shown by her endorsement by the AFL-CIO.  During that forum last Spring, she notes that she also said that she wanted to read the pledge before signing it.  In addition, Mitrano says she visited with some Independent voters who worked at Dresser-Rand, and who complained that Reed has "done nothing" to help them.  Reed says that he "fights for manufacturing everyday..." especially through his position as Co-Chair of the Congressional Manufacturing Caucus.  Mitrano says she supports efforts to create a better trained workforce in the Southern Tier Region.


Former Southern Tier Congressman Amo Houghton has announced that he is endorsing Tom Reed for re-election...  

Houghton, who was local Congressman for several years in the 1990s, and early 2000s, says he's watched Reed "grow" and serve upstate New York "effectively in Congress on the Committee on Ways and Means."  Houghton adds that Reed "has become a champion for bi-partisan government and I appreciate the support he has received from Republicans and Democrats alike.  Most importantly, he cares."  Reed says he is "honored" by the endorsement, saying that Houghton is revered as "someone who sacrificed to be a true public servant whose leadership was marked by unifying people." 


A former energy company executive has been sentenced to 14-months in prison after he admitted giving the spouse of one of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's top aides a low-show job...  

Peter Galbraith Kelly Jr. was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni.  Caproni says she hopes those working in public affairs realize they must play by the rules even when political operatives and consultants urge them to cheat.  The judge, citing the sentencing earlier this year of others who took advantage of the power of state government, said few crimes are more serious than public corruption.  Kelly pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge in May after a jury deadlocked at trial. Kelly admitted hiring Joseph Percoco's wife.  Percoco was sentenced this year to six years in prison.