Western NY News Now

JAMESTOWN – Jamestown’s Juneteenth festival kicked off Saturday morning with a special ceremony honoring the legacy of a late city councilwoman who had a hand in the yearly celebration.   Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist and Councilwoman Regena Brackman opened the weekend-long festival during a ceremony honoring late Jamestown Councilwoman Victoria James.  read more

FLUVANNA – One hundred years of history was recognized during a community-wide photo recreation in Fluvanna on Saturday morning.  The Fluvanna Community Historical Society invited members of the community to the town’s old meeting house to recreate a photo taken 100-years-ago.   read more

BEMUS POINT – Some things just go together. Peanut butter and jelly, cookies and milk, and, of course, Independence Day and fireworks. Now, a local business association is looking for community support to make a fireworks bonanza a reality. The Bemus Point Business Association is aiming to bring back their ... read more

App users, tap here to watch video JAMESTOWN – Another system will provide for a few showers and thunderstorms Saturday afternoon, we’ll dry it out on Sunday just in time for Father’s Day. The previously mentioned disturbance will drop through the area during the day on Saturday, with it a ... read more

App users, tap here to watch video report. JAMESTOWN – In an effort to help animals find their forever home, WNY News Now is partnering with the Chautauqua County Humane Society to showcase animals’ part of our pet of the week segment. Meet Pixie, a two-year-old black and white feline. ... read more

JAMESTOWN – A shoe drive is being held by REALiFE Church in collaboration with Funds2Org in an effort to raise money for missions. People are being asked to donate gently worn and new shoes at collection sites scattered across Jamestown. REALiFE Church will be given money by Funds2Org based on ... read more

App users, tap here to watch video JAMESTOWN – A few different systems will provide for showers and thunderstorms today and Saturday, some of which could become strong to severe this afternoon into the evening hours.  The NOAA storm Prediction Center continues to place Northwestern Pennsylvania and portions of far ... read more

App users, tap here to watch video report. NEW YORK STATE – Legislation connecting farms to food banks in New York is almost law, as supporters of the bill wait on Governor Andrew Cuomo’s signature.  Co-sponsored by State Senators George Borrello and Michelle Hinchey, alongside Queens Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz, the ... read more

JAMESTOWN – Jamestown High School’s graduation ceremony is returning with some normalcy next week. Jamestown Public School’s Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker announced Thursday that, thanks to updated guidance from the New York State Department of Health, the imposed capacity limits on the upcoming ceremony have been lifted. Whitaker, in a ... read more

ALBANY – A new study out this week found that Governor Andrew Cuomo’s executive order forcing nursing homes to re-admit COVID-19 positive patients last year contributed to increased death. The study was conducted by the New York State Bar Association based on a task force assignment. Cuomo’s executive order was ... read more

NEW YORK – A fundraiser to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s disease is happening across the nation this weekend. The effort titled ‘The Longest Day’ centers on and round June 20, the day with the longest duration of sunlight, otherwise known as the Summer Solstice. Executive Director of the ... read more

MAYVILLE – Regional officials convened Thursday afternoon in front of the Gerace Office Building to observe World Elder Abuse Day 2021, which was officially on Tuesday.  Nicole Parshall was one of the speakers at the gathering. Parshall serves as a supervising attorney for the Center for Elder Law and Justice, ... read more

JAMESTOWN – The City of Jamestown is celebrating 40-years of being recognized as a Tree City USA. The program, sponsored by National Arbor Day Foundation, recognizes the area’s connection to nature. In order to maintain the nationally known status, the city must meet four core standards. First, they must have ... read more

JAMESTOWN – Father’s Day is this Sunday, and a new report indicates it could be a record in terms of how much people spend on gifts and other items for dad. The National Retail Federation is predicting that consumers will shell out upwards of $20 billion. That would be the ... read more

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court, though increasingly conservative in makeup, rejected the latest major Republican-led effort to kill the national health care law known as “Obamacare” on Thursday, preserving insurance coverage for millions of Americans. The justices, by a 7-2 vote, left the entire Affordable Care Act intact in ruling that ... read more

WASHINGTON (AP) — Black Americans rejoiced Thursday after President Joe Biden made Juneteenth a federal holiday, but some said that, while they appreciated the recognition at a time of racial reckoning in America, more is needed to change policies that disadvantage too many of their brethren. “It’s great, but it’s not enough,” ... read more

JAMESTOWN – An executed search warrant at 44 Vega St. Thursday morning resulted in the seizure of 26.7 grams of fentanyl, 38.4 grams of methamphetamine, scales, packaging materials and money. JPD Image ... read more

App users, tap here to watch video JAMESTOWN – High pressure will provide for another sunny day on Thursday, the potential for strong to severe storms arrives on Friday. The NOAA storm Prediction Center has placed Northwestern Pennsylvania and portions of Western New York  under a Slight Risk for severe ... read more

CHAUTAUQUA LAKE – The push to secure cooperation in clean up efforts on Chautauqua Lake is nearing completion.  The Chautauqua Lake Memorandum of Understanding was introduced last month by County Executive PJ Wendel to get local municipalities and other stakeholders around the lake to work together.  Specifically, Wendel is focused ... read more

JAMESTOWN – A Jamestown middle school’s comfort dog will soon be learning new tricks. Jefferson Middle School students raised $600 through their annual Penny Wars campaign, with funding allocated to train their comfort dog Coco. The student council then donated another $100, to make the training possible. Co-Presidents of the ... read more

NEW YORK – A family member of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo reportedly helped raise money to pay legal fees of a former close aide of the governor, who was convicted of accepting bribes. The New York Times reported Tuesday, the governor’s sister Madeline Cuomo sent an email in February 2020 ... read more

ALBANY — Education leaders across New York are working to shape how exactly learning will look when students return to school in the fall. New York State School Boards Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel Jay Worona says whether to keep remote options for some students in the fall should ... read more

MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County Legislature’s Public Safety Committee approved the acceptance of the 2021-22 aid to prosecution grant during a meeting Wednesday afternoon, a grant geared towards prosecuting violent felonies.  According to the meeting agenda, the District Attorney’s Office has been awarded a grant in the amount of $54,460 ... read more

RANDOLPH – A 35-year-old Conewango Valley man is facing felony charges after police allege they found a modified firearm in his vehicle during a traffic stop. New York State Police report that Daniel Visker was pulled over on I-86 in Randolph Monday for a traffic violation. During the stop, troopers ... read more

FALCONER – A 28-year-old woman is accused of back-to-back thefts in the Falconer area this week. Town of Ellicott Police allege Angelea Luszack stole property from an unidentified business, and then days later, merchandise from the West Main Street Kwik Fill in Falconer. Luszack was charged with fifth-degree criminal possession ... read more

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States will soon have a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery. The House voted 415-14 Wednesday to make Juneteenth, or June 19th, the 12th federal holiday. The bill now goes to President Joe Biden’s desk, and he is expected to sign it into ... read more

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s first overseas trip put his diplomatic and negotiating philosophy on display, as he rallied traditional U.S. democratic allies to confront new and old challenges and offered an often rosy take on the possibilities of cooperation with Russian President Vladimir Putin after a one-on-one summit. ... read more

LITTLE VALLEY – A 31-year-old man is facing manslaughter and homicide charges connected to a death at the Cattaraugus County Jail last month. The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office says Daniel Klein was arrested on Tuesday. He is charged with second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide connected to a May death ... read more

App users, tap here to watch video JAMESTOWN – If you enjoyed the weather on Wednesday then you will love Thursday as the sunshine continues but a threat for strong to severe storms arrives for the end of the workweek. The NOAA storm Prediction Center has placed portions of Northwestern Pennsylvania under a standard Slight Risk, ... read more

JAMESTOWN – As most COVID-19 government mandates are lifted in New York State, Chautauqua County’s Executive says the next hurdle the area faces is getting people back to work.  With the state reaching its goal of 70 percent vaccinations, and local COVID-19 cases limited to just 7 active cases, Chautauqua ... read more