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.  


Weather Forecasts are available across our radio stations each day and also as your fingertips! 

Connect with The National Weather Service's Buffalo Office or with WGRZ-TV for accurate weather information!

 

 

 


 

News Headlines for Fri., Sept. 4, 2015

Cuomo says Common Core needs to "be fixed..."

Governor Andrew Cuomo says that the Common Core program in New York is not working and must be fixed.  The governor issued a statement late Thursday announcing a review of the standards, curriculum and tests.  Cuomo says he'll seek recommendations by January from a group that includes education experts, teachers, parents... Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia... and, state lawmakers.  Cuomo says he agrees with the goal of the standards, which are meant to better prepare students for college.  But... he repeated his criticism that the state Education Department's implementation of them has been flawed.  He says he sympathizes with the parents who had their children sit out of this year's Common Core-aligned math and English tests.  Twenty percent of eligible students skipped the tests in April.  The Education Department didn't immediately comment.


Mains says Cuomo "missing the boat" on Common Core; says main problem is with teacher evaluations tied to student performance on Common Core...

The governor is "missing the boat" when it comes to his recent evaluation of the state's Common Core program.  Those are the feelings of Jamestown School Superintendent Tim Mains... who says his concern lies with the new teacher evaluation system... which now calls for as much as 50-percent of that to be determined by testing on the new standards.  Mains says there will be a learning curve with any new curriculum... but, to expect high proficency now is unrealistic.  He says that's not just for the students, but, teachers as well.  Mains adds that the current evaluation system puts too much pressure on teachers... and, that doesn't promote a good learning environment.  He says the best learning occurs when an error occurs... but, there's not a high consequence for it.  Otherwise... Mains says he feels Common Core -- overall -- has been a step in the right direction.  He says that's because the world students are being prepared for is "more complex."  Mains says, the big problem he has right now, is he wishes they could get information, and do the testing quicker.


Mains pleased with how first-day at JPS went...

The first-day of school in the Jamestown City School district yesterday went "very smoothly."  Those are the feelings of School Superintendent Tim Mains... who says he went to several of the schools Thursday morning to see how the half-day went.  Mains says he went to all of the district's elementary schools... and, greeted many of the students at the beginning of the day at Lincoln Elementary.  That school's population has reached 700 this year with Kindergarten through second-graders coming there from Love School.  He says he greeted students getting off the bus... and, those entering buildings.  Mains adds that parents also seemed happy for the most part.  He also says he liked what he saw as he began checking out individual classrooms at Lincoln... and, elsewhere.  While it was just a half-day of class... Mains says he wanted to see students beginning the year learning.


Fire damages utilitly room in Winsor St. apartment house fire...

Fire damaged the utility room of a first-floor apartment early this morning on Jamestown's eastside.  City Fire Battlion Chief Matt Russo says crews were called to the scene at 414 Winsor St. shortly after 4 AM... and, found some flames showing on the southeast corner of the building.  Russo says firefighters quickly knocked the fire down... and, checked for extension.  He says everyone inside the building... including the owner...who lived in the second-floor apartment... got out safely.  An off-duty shift was called in to assist.  The family living on the first-floor are being helped by the local Red Cross.  The cause is under investigation.


Reed says movement to have Upstate sesseed from rest of NYS growing... 
Several groups across the Southern Tier of New York are pushing to have the upstate region secede from the rest of the state.  Local Congressman Tom Reed says he believes it should raise some red flags for state officials.  During a conference call earlier this week... Reed was asked about the sesession movement and whether it is growing.  He says over the past fews years... there's been a growing sense of frustration in the upstate region.  Reed he feels several state policies have led to the 'movement...' and, adds that state leaders should take another look at their policies and regulations.  More than a dozen groups recently met in Chenango County to show their support for a plan to split Upstate from New York City.  They expressed anger about such issues as the SAFE Act... the ban on fracking and Common Core.


Dunkirk supermarket sells TAKE 5 Winner in state Lottery...

The New York State Lottery is looking for the top-prize winner in it's September 1st TAKE 5 drawing... the winning ticket for which was sold in Dunkirk.  Lottery officials say the ticket was sold at the Tops Markets at 3955 Vineyard Dr., and, is worth $33,056.50.  The second prize ticket was sold on Long Island.  Lottery officials say the first prize is won by matching five out of the five numbers.  Meantime... 197 players each purchased winning tickets worth 503-dollars each by matching four out of five numbers for the drawing.  The winning numbers for the September 1st TAKE 5 drawing were 7... 13... 20... 26... and, 39.  The Lottery encourages everyone who bought a New York Lottery draw game ticket, to check their tickets again, as they could be holding a winner.