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!

 

 

 


 

News Headlines for Mon., March 11, 2013

Jack Keeney, Celoron Mayor, former Panama Football Coach, dies after short battle with Cancer...

Celoron Mayor Jack Keeney has passed away following a battle with cancer at the age of 72.  Following a long career at the Panama Central Schools... Keeney ran for... and, was elected Celoron Mayor in 2009.  Keeney was known for his efforts to expand Senior and youth programming in the village... and, promoting it's ties to the late Lucille Ball.  In one of his last public acts as mayor... Keeney... who was visably weakened by Cancer Treatment... offered his support to organizers of the first-ever Lucy Town Half-Marathon.  Keeney noted that Celoron was the childhood home of Lucy, and they were "very proud to be part of a Half-Marathon that included Celoron."  The press conference was held early last month in Jamestown... which is where the half-marathon will start and finish.  Keeney was also known for his efforts to move waterfront development along in the village.  He was a physical education teacher for 34 years and also served as Athletic Director for 30 years at Panama.  Keeney coached a number of the schools sports teams -- most notibly football -- throughout his tenure.  The Lind Funeral Home says a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in Sacred Heart Catholic Church.  The Lind Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.


Gun shops, shootring ranges and County Clerk's offices see major increase in business since state legislature approved sweeping gun laws last December...

Gun shops, shooting ranges and county clerks' offices have seen an upsurge in business since the state Legislature rushed through Gov. Andrew Cuomo's sweeping set of gun laws in December.  Dennis Deasy, owner of Niagara Gun Range in North Tonawanda, tells The Buffalo News that pistol permit classes are booked through May. He says his store can hardly keep up with demand for guns that hold 10-round magazines ahead of the April 15 ban on them.  The FBI reports there were 76,000 firearm purchase background checks for New Yorkers in January and February of 2013.  That compares to about 51,000 for the same months last year.  Some county clerks say they're overwhelmed with new paperwork resulting from a new provision allowing permit holders to keep their permit status private.


State School Boards Association focus on school safety at weekend conference...

Law enforcement officials joined school counselors and board members from across the state at a conference in downtown Albany last weekend to focus on ways to prevent violence in New York's schools.  The state School Boards Association says Saturday's ``Safe Schools, Safe Students'' conference at the Hotel Albany featured experts from across the nation participating in panel discussions on school safety issues from both a law enforcement and mental health perspective.  The New York State Police, FBI and U.S. Secret Service were among the law enforcement agencies that will be represented at the conference.


Edwards says he has no problem with new proposal to look at selling Jamestown Airport...

Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards says he has no problem looking at not only selling the Dunkirk Airport... but, the Jamestown Airport as well.  However... Edwards believes there is more upside to holding onto the commerical airport in the town of Ellicott -- just outside of Jamestown.  The Busti Republican is responding to recent comments by County Legislator John Runkle... who says lawmakers should be not only entertain offers for the Dunkirk facility... but, the Jamestown one, also.  Runkle says he will soon introduce a resolution to that effect... and, Edwards says it "makes sense" to do that.  However... he cautions that the Dunkirk Airport is different... and, he sees more growth potential at the at the Dunkirk Airport -- provided it were in private hands.  He sees the north county "General Aviation" facility becoming the hub of a "Fly-in Community."  Edwards says they have such airports in Florida that provide easy access to golf courses, and other recreational opportunities.  During his recent State of the County Address... Edwards brought up the possible sale of the Dunkirk Airport.  He made his comments during this past weekend's "Community Spotlight" program.


Randolph man arrested for alleged sexual abuse in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties...

A Randolph man has been arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a boy during several incidents last last year in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties.  Chautauqua County Sheriff's Deputies say their counterparts in Cattaraugus County received a report of the alleged incidents... which took place between Randolph and Asvhille in September and October.  Officers say 66 year-old John Hitchcock was arrested... and, charged with seven counts of first-degree sexual abuse... and, one count of endangering the welfare of a child.  Deputies were assisted by the Child Advocacy Center in Cattaraugus County... and, the Child Advocacy Program in Chautauqua County.  Hitchcock was arrested on a warrant... arraigned, and sent to the county lock-up without bail.


Erie, PA man faces DWI charge after Carroll Car accident...

An Erie, PA man escaped serious injury... but, is charged with drunk driving after his car sped through a town of Carroll intersection last weekend... and, crashed.  Sheriff's officers say 44 year-old William Swagler was southbound on Route 62 shortly before 2:30 a.m. Saturday at a "very high" rate of speed.  Deputies say Swagler did not slow down for the intersection with Ivory Road... and, his car crashed through the guard rail.  Officers say Swagler refused medical treatment... but, Frewsburg Fire rescuers were called due to the severity of the crash... and, because the victim had a visable larceration.  Following an investigation... Deputies charged Swagler with Driving while intoxicated... Speed not reasonable and prudent... and disobeying a stop sign.  He was issued tickets for Carroll Town Court... and, later released to a third party.


Dozens of students on hand for WCA Career Day last Friday afternoon...

Dozens of Jamestown area public school and college students got the chance to learn about job opportunities in the growing health care field at WCA Hospital Friday afternoon.  The hospital hosted a Career Day at it's auditorium as part of it's "grass-roots" initiative designed to give students a first-hand, interactive and educational glimpse into the workings of a health care facility.  WCA's Interim Human Resources Director Jana O'Camb says it's a great chance for the students to learn what kind of careers are available.  O'Camb says they decided to hold it because there are so many different careers available in health care aside from being a doctor or nurse.  O'Camb says they have people from speech and recreational therapy... and emergency medical services... to name a few.  From the EMS side... Starflight and Alstar Ambulance's Ron Hasson was on hand to talk about what he termed the "exciting side" side of health care.  Hasson says they gave tours of the Starflight Helicopter and the Helipad.  The students taking part ranged from Kindergarteners to students at Jamestown Community College... as well as students at the Hewes Educational Center-BOCES in Ashville.  Several home-schooled students were also on hand.