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WJTN News Headlines for May 20, 2019

A Jamestown man sought on multiple-warrants was arrested last weekend after allegedly leading city police on a foot chase through the downtown area.... 

City police say officers spotted 47 year-old Christopher Howie getting into a parked car in a lot at the corner of Sixth Street and Prendergast Avenue shortly before 3 PM Saturday.  Officers pulled into the parking lot, and got out.  But, Howie saw them, and fled from the vhicle, and led police on the pursuit, which ended at 50 West Eighth Street.  Officers say Howie tried to destroy evidence during the chase and, they arrested him on charges including tampering with physical evidence, resisting arrest, and criminal possession of a controlled substance.  He was jailed pending arraignment.


A Ripley man has been arrested for allegedly being in possession of a quantity of marijuana and drug paraphernalia during a raid this past week in the village....  

Sheriff's officers say they, SWAT Team members and, agents with the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force raided a home at 5 Goodrich Street and, arrested 26 year-old Johnathan Ballew.  During a search, task force members say they found the pot, and drug paraphernalia.  Deputies say Ballew was charged with unlawful possession of Marihuana and, second-degree Criminally using drug Paraphernalia.  He was issued appearance tickets for Ripley Town Court at a later date.  The task force urges residents to contact them if they have any information on illegal drug activity at 664-2420.


The New York State Conference of Mayor's is again pushing for the state to adequately compensate them for the cost of maintaining New York's roads within their borders....  

That from Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi, who says that was one of the key legislative focuses of the recent state NYCOM annual meeting in Cooperstown.  Teresi says the state has paid local governments 70-cents per square yard to take care of those roadways for the past 32 years.

Teresi says NYCOM has determined that if the Consumer Price Index were applied to the state reimbursement, it would increase from 70-cents to $1.70-cents per square yard.  He says that would increase the city's reimbursement from $203,000 a year to about half-a-million dollars.  Teresi says the other item in the state budget mayors would like to see addressed is reinstatement of the "Extreme Winter Aid" for local streets and roadways.  That program was instituted after the Winter of 2014-15 that was extremely hard on local road. 


The state comptroller says the New York State Common Retirement Fund has topped $210-billion after an estimated 5.2-percent return on investments....  

Democrat Thomas DiNapoli said late last week that the fund closed the state fiscal year that ended March 31st with an estimated value of $210.2-billion, an amount that could change when returns are fully audited.  The pension fund's value at the end of the state's 2018 fiscal year was $207.4 billion.  DiNapoli says the fund increased despite what he calls "a tumultuous year" in the financial markets, with investments rebounding earlier this year after last December's Wall Street downturn.  The fund provides pensions to more than one-million active New York state and local government employees, retirees and their beneficiaries.


There's been a lot of attention focused on the flooding along the Lake Ontario shoreline, but water levels are rising on all five of the Great Lakes -- including Lake Erie.....  

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports that Lake Erie is 6 inches higher than last year, reaching 574.34-feet.  Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello says there haven't been any problems so far along the county's shoreline, but adds they are monitoring the situation.

While there is some concern about the current situation, Borrello says there is also a positive side to having higher lake levels.  He says it provides more accessibility, namely in areas where lower levels have seen a build up of silt and sediments.  The Army Corps of Engineer's latest weekly report indicates that after the next 30 days, the lake is forecast to be within an inch of current levels.


The head of the Chautauqua County Republican Committee has endorsed the chairman of the Erie County GOP to become the state's next Republican Chairman.....  

Local GOP Dave Wilfong late last week endorsed Nick Langworthy of the Buffalo area in his effort to unseat current chairman Ed Cox.  Wilfong says "New York Republicans need a leader that can inspire young people to get involved in our Party.  Nick Langworthy is a proven winner and will get our Party back on track as our NYGOP Chairman.  We are proud to endorse him."  Langworthy has served as Chairman of the Erie County Republican Committee for nine years and was the youngest person elected Chairman of any Party in Erie County history at the age of 29.  Langworthy, who is also a native of the Jamestown-area, thanked Wilfong for his support.


More than 1,000 lifeguards are being sought by New York's parks agency to staff its beaches and pools this summer....  

State park lifeguards must meet eligibility requirements including successful completion of a qualifying test that includes demonstration of swimming, lifesaving and CPR skills.  Information about qualifications, test dates and job application is available on the New York State Parks website.  The state office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, golf courses, boat launches and trails.


The New York state Department of Environmental Conservation is launching its annual birdwatching challenge, with versions for beginners and experts alike....  

The "I Bird NY" beginner's challenge is open to anyone 16 years old or younger.  Participants must identify 10 common bird species listed on the challenge form available online.  In the experienced birder challenge , participants must identify at least 10 of 50 species and enter sighting information on the challenge form.  All will get a certificate, a bracelet and a chance to win birding accessories.  The challenge is open through September 16th.  Details are posted on DEC's website.