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.  


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WJTN News Headlines

The Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Department is investigating the death of a 64 year old female in Otto, New York. Authorities were called to a reported unattended death at 8861 Traffic Street on July 18th. The body of 64 year old Lee Wroblewski of the Traffic Street address was found in a pond.  An investigation is being conducted by the Cattaraugus County Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Cattaraugus County Coroner.

 

The body of a Frewsburg woman was found near Carlson's Landing on Route 63, just outside of Frewsburg about 5pm Thursday.  The Jamestown Post Journal reports that the 52 year old woman has been identified, but her name will not be released at this time. Family members were reportedly at the scene. There will be an investigation, but foul play is not suspected. 

 

The severe drought continues to expand across Western New York and it now includes parts of Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.  The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report, out today, now includes Northern Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties as being under severe drought conditions.  The Jamestown-area remains under a moderate drought.  Meteorologist Jeff Wood of the National Weather Service says there doesn't appear to be any change in sight. Portions of the region got rain overnight... but, not enough to alleviate the problem.  Due to the Drought conditions... many streams in Western New York are nearing record low flows.  Wood says in the Buffalo area, the rainfall deficit is around 6-and-a-half inches since March 1st.  In Chautauqua County... it ranges from 3 to 6 inches.

 

A Buffalo-area woman has been arrested for allegedly leading police on a high-speed chase in the town of Gerry late yesterday morning.  Sheriff's officers say deputies were running radar on Route 380 just after 10:30 AM when they saw 21 year-old Heather Gelencser of Angola drive past them northbound at a "very high" rate of speed.  Deputies add that Gelencser passed several cars recklessly before being pulled over in the town of Ellery.  In Gerry... she was charged with speeding, reckless driving, and failure to comply.  Gelencser also faces several charges in Ellery, including speeding... reckless driving... unsafe passing... and, criminal possession of a controlled substance.  She was arraigned in Ellery Town Court, and sent to the Chautauqua County Jail with bail to be set.

 

A Jamestown woman has been arrested following a foot chase with police through several backyards on the city's eastside.  Jamestown police say a patrol spotted 21 year-old Lorilynn Moriarty walking on East Sixth Street -- near Pine -- earlier this week.  Police say officers were aware that Moriarty was sought on Felony bench warrant out of city court.  Officers gave chase... and, finally caught her after the foot pursuit.  Moriarty was arrested for resisting arrest... and, was also being held on the Felony bench warrant.

 

Local Congressman Tom Reed says he's come away "very impressed" by the energy shown by the delegates at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.  Reed attended his first-ever RNC Convention, and says he's enjoyed catching up with old friends, and meeting new people from across the country.  The Corning Republican says the convention is setting the "tone" for the upcoming election... and, that the GOP is solidly behind "the individual" American. Reed says he believed it was "prudent" to be at the election to help be a "positive voice" for the Trump Campaign, and listen to others to help find common ground and unite the party.  However... Texas Senator Ted Cruz refused both Wednesday night... and, Thursday morning... to endorse Trump.  Reed says the former candidate's speech was more about himself than trying to rally the party.  Donald Trump's son, Donald, Junior... echoed those sentiments on CNN Thursday morning... saying the speech was more about Cruz positioning himself to run in four years if Hillary Clinton wins the presidency.

 

Communities in New York state still reeling from the housing crisis are getting some help.  New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman told the A--P Thursday that his office will set aside $13 million in grants to help local governments deal with the problem of abandoned and vacant properties known as ``zombie homes.''  Schneiderman says the properties can fall into neglect as the foreclosure process drags on, potentially damaging the homes and bringing down property values for entire neighborhoods.  The 100 communities with the worst zombie home problems can apply for the funds.  The money will support efforts to ensure banks and lenders maintain properties they're responsible for and programs to help homeowners avoid foreclosure.

 

Zombie properties have become a major problem in Jamestown... along with most other cities in the northeast... and, Mayor Sam Teresi says the Attorney General's program is "terrific news."  Teresi says the problem dates back to the start of the stock market crash in 2008.  He says the current owner of the home is in financial trouble... and, has been given notice that the foreclosure process is underway. However... Teresi says there are some misconceptions there... because until the property actually transfers to the bank, or financial institution... the owners have the right to stay there.  He adds they are also responsible for the upkeep of the property until it transfers.  Teresi says Schneiderman's legislation... passed earlier this year by the state legislature... includes a registry of Zombie properties for local communities to use to get banking firms to take care of the abandoned properties.  In addition to Jamestown... several other communities across Western New York have been impacted by the Zombie property issue.

 

New York state has repealed its tax on tampons and other feminine hygiene products, a move expected to save purchasers 10-million dollars a year.  Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the measure into law Thursday.  The measure passed in the state Legislature after female legislators complained the tax was sexist because personal products including condoms and bandages are tax-free.  The new law exempts tampons, sanitary napkins and panty liners from the 4 percent state sales tax and from local taxes that generally are about 5 percent.  It takes effect in the next sales tax quarter.  Republican Senator Sue Serino says the repeal is "long overdue."  Democratic Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal says New York's 10-million women of child-bearing age will no longer be burdened by a "regressive" tax every month.  Several other states have enacted or considered similar tax exemptions.

 

Titusville, Pennsylvania's Max Blair scored the biggest victory of his career last night... winning the 60-lap, 60th anniversary Super Late Model Feature at Stateline Speedway.  Blair took the lead on the fifth-lap to win the 10-thousand-60-dollar first prize.  But... he had to hold off his father, Rob, to earn the victory.  Waterford, Pennsylvania's Dave Hess, Junior was third.  Also on the special night... Kirk Bradley won the Outlaw E-Mod Feature... and Dave Shagla won the Street Stock Feature race