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WJTN News Headlines

A Long Island nursing home owner and operator -- who is majority owner of three homes in the Buffalo-area -- has made a purchase offer on the Chautauqua County Home.  That from County Executive Greg Edwards... who calls it "great news" that Richard Platschek is offering 16.5-million dollars for the home... which is the same amount as was offered by an Illinois-based company late last year.  During a press conference in Mayville yesterday afternoon... Edwards adds the fact that Platshek had a major hand in operating three nursing homes in Western New York is a plus. In fact... Edwards says Platschek bought the three homes... one in Buffalo... another in Tonawanda and the third in Williamsville... were all struggling financially.  He says all three have turned the corner... and, have higher ratings than the county home.  Edwards says he found Platschek with the help of the national real estate group he hired... Marcus and Millichap.  He says he's "thrilled" with the offer... and, adds it's telling that Platschek's company involved in the purchase is called "108-36 Temple Realty, LLC."  108-36 Temple Road is the county home's address.

 

County Executive Edwards emphasized that Platsheck's offer is only good until the end of September.  With that... he says it's important for the County Legislature to begin reviewing the proposal... and, make a decision as soon as possible.  He says he's sent copies of the proposal to ALL county lawmakers... and, has talked with Chairman Jay Gould about presenting the offer to committees later this month. Edwards says he only spoke with Gould within the past day... and, that it was mainly about the logistics of getting the proposal on the agenda for the necessary committees.  He says they also discussed having a special meeting with the full legislature on the day those committees meet.

 

New York state education officials warned early on not to expect great results on the first English and math tests given statewide to elementary students under tougher new learning standards... and they're right.  The Education Department late Wednesday morning said test results show that 31-percent of students in third through eighth-grades scored proficient in English... with the same percentage meeting or exceeding the standard in math.  That compares to last year's results of 55 percent in English and about two out of every three students meeting or exceeding the math standard.  Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch and Education Commissioner John King say the scores should be seen as a new baseline, rather than a decrease in student performance.

 

The Jamestown School District's new superintendent has been on the job since August 1st... but, was officially sworn-in at Tuesday night's school board meeting.  Tim Mains was selected to replace the retiring Deke Kathman in early June... and, has been busy meeting people who work in the district... and, in the community during the transition period.  The first day of school is September 4th... and, Mains says he's now working to "set the tone and direction" for how they launch the new school year. Kathman retired July 31st after five years as Jamestown superintendent.   Mains began his 42 year career in education as a social studies teacher in 1971 in the Greece school district in the Rochester area.  Mains was also a K-through-12th grade Social Studies director... and, principal of a larger school in the Rochester district.  Outside of education... he was also a member of the Rochester City Council for about two decades... and, ran for mayor at one time.

 

The New York state comptroller says a special education provider overbilled school districts by more than 600-thousand dollars.  Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says more than 500-thousand dollars of the unwarranted charges were for employee bonuses.  DiNapoli recommended that the state Education Department disallow the charges, which were found during an audit of three years of billing totaling 27.3-million dollars.

 

Firefighters from several departments from both sides of the state line battled a blaze that destroyed a barn... and, extensively damaged a house in the town of Ripley.  Ripley fire crews were called to the scene at 10-244 Route 20 about 5:30 AM Wednesday.  Ripley was assisted at the scene by Sherman, Westfield and both Fuller and Cresent Hose companies from North East, Pennsylvania.  Ripley Fire Chief Mark Smith helped direct the attack. Smith says there were no injuries.  He adds the 3 to 4 occupants of the house were able to make it out safely.  The Chautauqua County Fire Investigation Team has been called to the scene to determine a cause.

 

A retired member of the Jamestown Police Department who has been involved with many community organizations is this year's recipient of the Joseph H. Mason Community Service Award.  The United Way of Southern Chautauqua County presented this year's award during last night's 20th annual "Salute to Labor" event at the Jamestown Elk's Lodge.  United Way Executive Director Tory Irgang says they were pleased to present this year's plaque to Robert Servis... for his work in organizing the region Patriot Guard Riders. In addition to the Jamestown Police Department Kendall Club-PBA... Servis is also a member of the local Musician's Union.  In fact... in accepting the award... he talked about music being one of his early loves.  The past few years, though, Servis has become deeply involved with the Patriot Guard... which he says was initially started to protect soldier's families from protestors.  But... he says they now ride to honor our men and women in uniform.  In addition to supporting families of fallen soldiers... Servis says they also take part in soldier send offs... and, welcome homes.   He's the Ride Captain for Region 1 of the Patriot Guard.  For more information on the Patriot Guard... go on-line to PGRNY-dot-ORG... and, click on the "contract" tab.