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WJTN News Headlines for Thurs., Aug. 18, 2022

Matar formally indicted by Grand Jury, pleads not guilty in Rushdie stabbing...
The man accused of stabbing famed author Salman Rushdie as he was preparing to give a lecture at Chautauqua Institution has now been formally arraigned on an attempted murder charge.  We've had it confirmed that 24 year-old Hadi Matar of Fairview, New Jersey pled not guilty to a charge of second-degree attempted murder in county court... after an indictment was handed up by the county Grand jury.  The A-P is also reporting that Judge David Foley denied bail for Matar... who was arrested after he rushed the stage at the institution last Friday morning.  He then stabbed Rushdie several times in front of a horrified crowd.  Rushdie is 75 and is getting treatment at an Erie, Pennsylvania hospital for severe wounds.  During the court hearing, public defender Nathaniel Barone asked the judge to do something to stop reporters from trying to contact Matar at the jail.  The move comes after Matar was quoted in the New York Post yesterday that he was "surprised" that Rushdie survived the attack.  Barone said the jail had received ``several hundred phone calls.''  Judge David Foley denied bail for the defendant.


Abram says more than 700 had voted by Tuesday night...
More than 700 people have voted through the first four-days of early voting for the special election... and, Republican Primary for the 23rd Congressional District.  The special election... between Republican Joe Sempolinski and Democrat Max Della Pia... is to fill out the remainder of former Congressman Tom Reed's final term.  The winner of the Republican Primary... between state GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy and Buffalo-area developer Carl Paladino... will face Della Pia in the general election in November.  But... even with two contests to vote on, county Republican Elections Commissioner Brian Abram says far more Democrats have voted so far.  In fact, he said the numbers were about 2-to-1 Democrat so far.  Abram emphasizes that you must be a registered Republican to be able to vote in both contests.  If you are not a Republican... you will just get one ballot.  Early voting resumes later today at the Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood... the Jackson Center in Jamestown... the County Fairgrounds in Dunkirk... and, the county Board of Elections Office in Mayville.  You can early vote now through Sunday.  Next Tuesday is Primary and Special Election Day... with voting beginning at 6 a.m..  For more information... go to VoteChautauqua.com.


Two arrested for burglazing home in town of Harmony...         
Two people have been arrested for allegedly breaking into a home in the town of Harmony early this past Monday morning.  Sheriff's officers say they were called to the scene on the Blockville-Watts Flats Rd. just after 4 a.m., for a "burglary in progress."  When they arrived... they saw the two suspects running from the scene into a nearby creek.  Deputies were soon after able to find 23 year-old Cora Waddington of Frewsburg, and 26 year-old Devin Fuller of Jamestown, hiding nearby and took them into custody.  Both are accused of entering the home and starting to remove items from inside.  The homeowner who was not home at the time... was contacted and able to recover the property that was being removed.  Waddington and Fuller are both charged with third-degree burglary... third-degree Grand Larceny... and, second-degree obstruction.  Both were taken to the county jail pending arraignment.


Late afternoon thunderstorm Wednesday leads to flash flooding, some damage as well...
A sudden, heavy thunderstorm in the immediate Jamestown area late Wednesday afternoon produced strong downpours, lightning... and, even hail.  Observers say the storm struck shortly after 4 p.m., and, knocked down a power pole, and lines on Chandler Street in Jamestown.  City police say the Board of Public Utilities responded to make repairs.  There was also some flooding reported on Second Street... and other parts of the downtown area.  The hail was seen in downtown Jamestown.  No other issues were reported.  However... the storm did knock WJTN-AM radio off the air for several hours.


City man arrested for illegal gun possession...
A Jamestown man has been arrested for illegally possessing a loaded firearm following a traffic stop on the city's northside.  Jamestown police say a patrolman stopped 21 year-old Wilfredo Rivera-Vazquez in the area of Spring and Crossman Streets just before 4 a.m. Wednesday... and, conducted a search.  Officers say the loaded gun was found soon after... and, Rivera-Vazquez was arrested without incident.  Police say he was taken to the city jail on charges of second-and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon... and, second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, along with other traffic violations.


Six-year-old girl found stuck in brush after going missing...
A multi-agency search last night in the southwestern portion of Chautauqua County resulting in them locating a 6-year-old girl who had gone missing earlier in the evening.  The Sheriff's Department dispatch center says the girl -- who was not identified -- was reported missing shortly before 8 p.m. in the area of Route 430 in the town of Mina.  She was found about an hour later, struck in some thick brush, but, unhurt about an hour later.