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WJTN News Headlines

The couple that was tied up and robbed at gun-point last weekend on Jamestown's southside were apparently targeted by the two suspects allegedly involved.  That from City Police Captain Bob Samuelson... who says they've had a couple of breaks over the past day in the case.  Samuelson says that involves discovery of a vehicle that might have taken the two men involved to the 555 South Main Street address... and, helped in their get-away. Samuelson says the suspects were able to get the occupants to answer the door.  The two men then pulled a gun... and, tied up the occupants before fleeing with money and property.  Samuelson says the men were apparently looking for a "large quantity of cash..." but, didn't find it.  He says tips from the public helped police find a blue-color Chrysler Pacifica they believe may have served as a getaway vehicle for last Sunday morning's robbery.  The car has been impounded.  One robber is described as a 6-foot-3 inch tall black male... while the other was a 5-foot-7 inch Hispanic male with a stocky build.  The woman driver of the car is described only as a white female.  Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call JPD at 483-7537... or 483-8477.

 

Police in western New York say a Cassadaga woman was killed after her car hit a horse... and, crashed.  The Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office says the accident occured Tuesday night in the Town of Leon (Lee-in).  Deputies say 43 year-old Lerlene Rumsey of Route 60 hit the animal as it was being walked across Mosher Hollow Road around 9 PM... and, was thrown from her car as it went into a ditch... and, rolled over three times.  Rumsey was pronounced dead at the scene by Cattaraugus County Coroner Howard VanRennselaer.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Protecting drivers from those who are impaired, distracted or like to speed, is a primary reason for a statewide crackdown that began yesterday... and, continues through the Thanksgiving weekend.  That from Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace... who leads the STOP-DWI campaign in the county.  Gerace says it’s important to get intoxicated drivers off the highway. Gerace says most police agencies in the county will be participating in the crackdown which continues through early Monday morning.  Over 48-hundred tickets were issued across the state during last year's campaign.

 

New York State Police say they will be stepping up road patrols over the holiday weekend.  State police say they will join with local agencies Wednesday through Sunday to crack down on impaired, distracted and speeding drivers.  Troopers say they will supplement regular patrols statewide and set up sobriety checkpoints. They also will use unmarked vehicles.  The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is typically one of the busiest travel times of the year.  State troopers last year report arresting 172 drivers for DWI over the weekend... and, also issuing 4-thousand-237 speeding tickets and 565 tickets for distracted driving.

 

Lower gasoline prices and the convenience of driving are the reasons why a huge number of American's are traveling this Thanksgiving Day Weekend.  That from Triple-A East Central Public Affairs Director Chelsea Pompeani... who says well over 40-million of the people traveling this weekend will be going over the road.  Pompeani says they haven't seen numbers like this since 2007. Pompeani says with the number of cars way up this year... Triple-A in the region is expecting they'll have to "rescue" close to 360-thousand motorists on the road.  She says those break-downs are due mainly to dead batteries... or flat tires.  Pompeani also urges motorists to avoid drinking and driving -- especially last night and Friday night -- which are two of the biggest bar nights of the year.  In addition... she urges people who will be taking long trips during the weekend to make sure they get their rest.  She says drowsy and distracted driver can be as dangerous as one who is drunk.
 


Several retailers in the Jamestown area will again take advantage of what's become known as "Grey Thursday..." where stores open before Black Friday to draw in shoppers.  The Chautauqua Mall will open at 6 o'clock tonight and be open for about seven hours -- with several stores offering special deals.  However... Mall Marketing Director Cynde Breneman says while most stores will close until 6 AM Friday... a few will be open all night.
Breneman says their three anchor stores all have different hours to take advantage of the early openings.  She says J-C Pennys will open at 3 this afternoon... and, stay open all the way through 9 PM Friday.  Breneman says the Bon-Ton opens at 5 PM... and, they'll be open until 10 PM Friday.  The third anchor... Sears... will open today at 6 PM and close at about 2 AM Friday.  Breneman says they'll then re-stock for a few hours... and, re-open at 5 AM Friday.  Sears will also stay open until 10 PM Friday.

 

Deliberations will resume next Monday at the federal corruption trial of former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.  Jurors worked through the morning on Wednesday before adjourning for the long holiday weekend.  U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni had urged the Manhattan jurors to try to reach a verdict.  On Tuesday... one of the jurors claimed in a note that she was being bullied by other jurors.  The judge also denied a request by the complaining juror to meet with her privately.  Prosecutors accuse Silver of collecting millions of dollars in kickbacks for favors provided to a cancer researcher and real estate developers.  The defense countered that the once-powerful Democrat did not commit a crime.  The 71-year-old lawyer resigned his leadership post after his January arrest but held onto his Assembly seat.

 

Jamestown's largest soup kitchen will be open this afternoon serving a mid-day, traditional thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings.  The St. Susan's Center on Water Street will be open from 12:30 to 2 PM for those looking for a place to come and have a sit-down meal.  That from St. Susan's Director Jeff Smith... who says they're teamming up with the Conduit Church for this year's program.  Smith adds they're set for volunteers... but, adds they can always use them during the course of the year. As for food donations... Smith says they're also in good shape.  In fact... he tells me (us) that they have plenty of green beans... turkey, corn... and, other dishes.  Smith says that's thanks to a "very generous community."  If you would like to help out as a volunteer... or make a donation... you can call the St. Susan's Center at 664-2253.  They also take monitary donations so they can buy food through the Food Bank of Western New York.

 

A terminally ill former New York state senator will serve six months of house arrest after being convicted of lying to the FBI about arranging a high-paying job for his son.  Binghampton area lawmaker Tom Libous must also pay a $50,000 fine following his sentencing in federal court Tuesday.  U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara's office did not seek prison time for the sixty-two-year-old Binghamton Republican because he has cancer.  Libous lost his seat as the Senate's deputy majority leader after being convicted in July. Prosecutors say he lied to agents asking how Libous' son Matthew got a 150-thousand dollar-a-year job with a White Plains law firm.  Two other former legislative leaders -- Republican Sen. Dean Skelos of Long Island and Democratic Assemblyman Sheldon Silver of Manhattan -- are on trial for unrelated corruption charges.

 

The sudden collapse of the largest nonprofit health insurance cooperative created by President Barack Obama's health care law is causing headaches New York.  Doctors, hospitals and other medical providers are facing the likelihood that they won't get paid for care they provided this fall to patients enrolled in Health Republic Insurance of New York.  The plan has 200-thousand policyholders.  Regulators ordered the company to shut down at the end of the month because of financial problems.  Hospitals alone say they are owed at least 150-million dollars by the failed plan.