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WJTN News Headlines

Chautauqua County's representative in the state Assembly says the 12 year-sentence handed down to former Speaker Sheldon Silver is "fair and reasonable."  Those are the feelings of Republican lawmaker Andy Goodell... who says his Democratic colleagues feel the term handed down in U-S District Court in Manhattan was too stiff.  But... at the same time... Goodell says most everyone knew that Silver was up to no-good. Goodell says Albany insiders basically knew that Silver was receiving kick-backs for his influence that added up to "hundreds of thousands of dollars" over a long time period.  Given that fact... Goodell feels the sentence is just.  At the same time... he says Silver should have to forfeit his full-New York state pension... which he is still receiving.  That's because both the Assembly and state Senate have not approved the same bill to take those away.  Goodell says, last year, each passed a pension-forfeiture bill.  However... the language was not exactly the same in each one... so they had to be reconcilled... but, that never happened.

 

New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman says computer data breaches are "an escalating threat" to personal security.  Schneiderman's office reports receiving 40 percent more notifications of data breaches involving New Yorkers so far this year compared to the same period last year.  The office has received 459 data breach notices from the first of the year through May 2nd... compared with 327 before.  State law requires companies notify the office and consumers or breaches in computer systems that can expose their personal information.  Schneiderman has proposed legislation to would broaden the scope of information that companies are responsible for protecting, along with stronger technical and physical security measures.  A 2014 report from his office showed breaches more than tripled between 2006 and 2013... exposing 22.8 million personal records in 5,000 incidents.

 

The Robert H. Jackson Center was honored in a unique way this week, at a ceremony in Krakow, Poland.  The center's Director of Development, Marion Beckerink, says the International March for the Living presented a shofar to co-founder Greg Peterson.  The Showfar is a significant ram's horn that is used to signify major high holy days in the Jewish faith. Speakers at the Wednesday event in Poland spoke about the continuing relevance of Robert H. Jackson's work at the Nuremberg War Crimes trials 70 years ago. 

 

A Buffalo-area woman has now been ticketed in connection with a two-vehicle crash on North Main Street Extention in the town of Ellicott... which sent one car into the foundation of a home near Palm Road.  Ellicott Town Police say the crash occured about 3 PM Wednesday... when a northbound vehicle slowed to make a left hand turn into a driveway.  Officers say the driver of the second vehicle... 57 year-old Maureen Weir of Tonawanda... apparently didn't see the front car slowing until it was too late.  Police say the impact pushed the first vehicle into the house at 31-40 Route 60.  Police say both drivers signed of on medical care at the scene.  No other injuries were reported.  Weir was charged with Speed not reasonable and prudent.

 

All 18 school districts in Chautauqua County will be using the county Board of Elections' optical scan voting machines for this year's school district elections a week from next Tuesday.  That from County Elections Commissioner Norm Green, who adds that Randolph, in Cattaraugus County, will also be using the optical scan machines on May 17th. Green says the Board of Elections has designed and printed ballots for all 19 districts and will program and service the voting machines.  He says the school district clerk remains the chief election officer for all school elections. Sample ballots for all districts can be seen at Votechautauqua-dot-COM.

 

Children are the fastest growing group of new people coming in record numbers to the city of Jamestown's largest soup kitchen.  That from St. Susan's Center Executive Director Jeff Smith... who says they've seen just over 52-hundred more people come through the doors at their Water Street location the first four months of this year... compared to last.  Smith says St. Susan's provided record of just over 119-thousand meals in 2015... and, he says they're on pace to serve 125-thousand this year. That's because school will be out... and, that's typically where a lot of children in the Jamestown School District can take advantage of the district's Free Breakfast and Lunch programs.  Smith says with their record numbers... they can always use new volunteers at St. Susan's.  He says just call their volunteer coordinator... Katie Murdoch... at 664-2253.  The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities and St. Susan's kicked-off the annual "Cents for St. Susan's" campaign earlier this week.  The fund-raiser runs through July 5th.

 

The federal government is handing out over 3-million dollars to help Lake Erie.  The money from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will go toward projects that include tracking invasive species and controlling farm runoff that feeds toxic algae.  Federal officials say the $3.3 million in grants are critical to protect the lake's future.  Local Congressman Tom Reed voted for the funding as part of the recently approved Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.  Close to half of the money will go toward helping farmers lessen the runoff that plays a big role in the rising number of algae blooms in the lake.  Over $1 million is targeted for fighting invasive plants and fish.

 

A unique Sherman business is celebrating a century of service this Friday and Saturday.  Farmer's Mill was begun as an agricultural co-op in 1916, and still operates that way. That's Ron Meeder, the manager of Farmer's Mill.  He says the co-op was first organized as a way to market milk for farmers around Sherman, and then evolved into a farm supply business.  Meeder says they'll make it special for their customers this weekend with 10 percent off farm supplies in the store, certificates and cake and ice cream! The business has been in the same place for the last 100 years... Kendrick Street in Sherman.

 

Jamestown-area residents will have the chance to sample dozens of types of wine at the second-annual "Taste of the Trail" event at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena.  The Media One Group and Lake Erie Wine Country are putting on the program this Saturday afternoon.  Speaking with our Lee John... Lake Erie Wine Country Executive Director Julie Ellis says it's also a chance for their wineries to show off their product in a fun atmosphere.Ellis says... while the Lake Erie Region -- which is the largest east of the Mississippi River -- is known mostly for it's sweet wines... they'll also have plenty of good "dry" wines on hand as well.  She says the "Taste of the Trail" event runs from 1 to 5 PM at the arena... and, they'll have 11 local wineries on hand... along with food and other refreshments.  Ellis says the local wineries involved in the program Saturday include the first Winery in Pennsylvania... the Penn Shore Vineyards.  From Chautauqua County there will be 21Brix... and, Merritt Estate, among others.  There are still tickets left for the event... and, for more information... call 484-2624.