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WJTN Headlines for Mon., Mar. 1, 2021

Gerry man arrested for alleged harassment, child endangerment...
A man from Gerry faces harassment and child endangerment charges following a weekend altercation at a home on Route 60 in the town of Gerry.  Sheriff's deputies say they were called to the scene on a report of a disorderly person just before Midnight Saturday.  Officers say they found that 19 year-old Drake Ottaway had struck a juvenile subject during the altercation.  Ottaway was arrested and charged with second-degree harassment, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.  He was sent to the County Jail for Centralized Arraignment.


Cuomo apologizes for any misunderstanding that may have been construed as harassment...
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has acknowledged for the first time that some of his behavior with women "may have been insensitive or too personal."  He said Sunday he would cooperate with a sexual harassment investigation led by the state's attorney general.  In a statement released amid mounting criticism from within his own party... the Democrat maintained that he had never inappropriately touched or propositioned anyone.  But he said he had teased people and made jokes about their personal lives in an attempt to be "playful."  He said he now understands that some of his interactions had been "insensitive or too personal."
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The acknowledgement comes after a second former aide has come forward with sexual harassment allegations against the governor.  Cuomo responded Saturday with a statement saying he never made advances toward her and never intended to be inappropriate.  Charlotte Bennett was a health policy adviser in the Democratic governor's administration until November.  She told The New York Times that Cuomo asked her inappropriate questions about her sex life, including whether she had ever had sex with older men. 


Gillibrand says allegations against Cuomo need to be investigated...
New York's junior U-S Senator reacted to the sexual harassment allegations a former aide of Andrew Cuomo has leveled against the Democratic governor.  Lindsey Boylan spelled out her accusations in an article on the website Medium.  Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, who played a role in setting a zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct in the Senate, says the accusations -- including the newest ones -- are serious and deeply concerning.  Gillbrand says the women in this matter need to be heard, and adds the governor should be, as well.  Gillibrand yesterday announced that she would support an investigation by state Attorney General Letitia James.  James later Sunday rejected a plan announced by an aide to Governor Cuomo to team up with the state's chief judge in choosing an independent lawyer to investigate claims of sexual harassment.  Cuomo's special counsel said his administration asked James and Janet DiFiore, chief judge of the Court of Appeals, to jointly select an independent lawyer to review the claims of sexual harassment.  But... James rejected the proposal and said the job should be hers alone.


Goodell says Republican state lawmakers will continue pushing for taking away some of Cuomo's executive powers in connection with nursing home scanda...
Efforts to take away at least some of Governor Andrew Cuomo's executive powers during the pandemic are continuing in Albany.  This past week... those efforts -- mainly by minority Republicans -- were blocked by majority Democrats in the state legislature.  That from local State Assemblyman Andy Goodell... who says bills that would have striped those powers were either not called up, or were "laid aside" on the floor.  However... Goodell says Democrats know that the only way such a measure can be passed is if at least a third of the Democrats side with the GOP.  He says that is a small number of Democrats at this point.  That means that, unless a majority in the Senate and Assembly Democratic Caucuses want a bill brought up... it won't be -- at least not yet.  Goodell says there are still a couple of possible ways to act on such a measure, and that's during the budget process.  However... he says that may trigger a budget battle.  Goodell says they may be concerned because a late budget suspends their pay. 


Reed proposes "Crush the Virus" proposal...
Local Congressman Tom Reed was in minority that voted against the $1.9-trillion, COVID-19 Rescue package approved by House Democrats.  In addition... the Corning Republican introduced his own $163-billion, "targeted" relief package he calls the "Crush the Virus" relief act.  Reed says the stand-alone bill would specifically prioritize the health and safety of the American people by providing direct funds to boost the number of vaccines produced, and distribution of them... as well as boost access to COVID-19 testing nationwide... and, support additional medical research into new emerging variants, among other public health initiatives.  


Four-H Drive-Thru Dinner held Friday is a big success...
Chautauqua County Four-H had a major fundraising event at Harley Davidson of Jamestown on Friday night... and, Four-H Educator Kate Ewer says it went well.  Ewer says they sold nearly 900 chicken and biscuit dinner that was hosted by Three C's Catering.  She told our Dennis Webster at the conclusion of the three-hour dinner that it raised between $4,500 and $5,000 for the local program.  Four-H is trying to stay solvent... despite the COVID related cancellation of this year’s ‘Green Tie Affair…' a highly successful sit-down dinner.  With the money raised Friday... and the proceeds from a Holiday letter campaign, Ewer thinks they’re going to make it in 2021.  Ewer said she is overwhelmed by the support that members, volunteers and the community give to Four-H, a program that benefits several hundred young people throughout the county.