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WJTN News Headlines

Three people -- two from Pennsylvania -- were hurt in a two-car crash on Route 83 at Balcom Corners in the town of Villanova.  Sheriff's officers say 31 year-old Guochang Wang of Duncansville was traveling on Route 83 just before 9 AM yesterday when he allegedly ran a stop sign.  Deputies say Wang's car then struck the other car... which was traveling on Route 322... driven by 66 year-old Walter Boldt of Java Center.  Officers say Wang and his passenger, 51 year-old Chunxie He -- also of Duncansvile, were taken to Brooks Memorial Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening.  Boldt was taken to Lakeshore Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, as well.  Wang was ticketed for Failing to Stop at a Stop Sign in Villenova Town Court.

 

A Jamestown man is free on 20-thousand dollars bail following an alleged hostage situation on Jamestown's Southside last Friday night, and early Saturday morning.  City police say 25 year-old Darin Buvoltz locked himself in a room with his 8-month old child at 136 Park Street shortly before 9 PM last Friday.  Officers say he was also allegedly in possession of a shotgun at the time.  Some homes in the immediate area of the stand-off were evacuated for resident's safety.  Following several hours of negotiations... Buvoltz surrendured himself without incident to officers, and members of the JPD SWAT Team.  City police were also assisted by the Jamestown Police Crisis Negotiation Team... Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office SWAT team, and state Police.  Buvholtz was arraigned on charges of Endangering the Welfare of a Child... criminal possession of a weapon... and, fourth-degree criminal mischief.

 

The higher education she received... first at Jamestown Community College... is what helped Jessica Goodell find meaning in life after she returned from the war in Iraq.  The 2007 JCC graduate spoke this past weekend to some 780 graduates of the college's Jamestown and Olean Campuses.  Goodell says she had trouble reconnecting with American society after returning from Iraq in the mid-2000s as one of the first two women to be part of the U-S Marine's new Mortuary Affairs Unit. Goodell says she didn't seek help for some time... and, later was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disoder... Major Depression... and, an Anxiety Disorder... to name a few.  She began getting help for that... and, taking classes at JCC.  Goodell says JCC gave her a "clearer understanding of how a goal -- large than the self -- must contain a concept of the common good."  Goodell has since received her Bachelor's Degree from the SUNY College at Fredonia... and, is now pursuing her doctorate's Degree in counseling psychology at the University at Buffalo.  She was one of three people to receive Distinguished Alumni Awards during the graduation at Jamestown.  JCC President Dr. Cory Duckworth delivered the president's address.  He says 60-percent of JCC's 2016 graduates are female... and, 30-percent are the first people from their family to graduate from college.

 

Vice President Joe Biden says that greater diversity in the military, including more women and openly gay soldiers, will strengthen the country's armed forces.  Biden made the remarks at the graduation ceremony last Saturday for the U.S. Military Academy's class of 2016.  More than 950 cadets are receiving their degrees and commissions as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.

 

Two more of the men involved in a major drug trafficking ring in the city of Dunkirk have now pleaded guilty to possessing and selling cocaine.  U-S Attorney William Hochul, Junior says Rafael Burgos, Junior pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 5-kilograms or more of cocaine.  He says that's punishable by a mandatory minimum 10 of ten yeas to life in prison... and, a 10-million dollar fine.  In addition... Hochul says the other man... Alvin Torres, Junior... pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, cocaine.  He says that carries a maximum of 20 years in prison... and a one-million dollar fine.  Between 2013 and mid-2015... local, state and federal authorities investigated the trafficking organization... led by Burgos, and David Jesus Pagan.  Two members of the ring... Samuel Hernandez-the-third, and Javier Pagan, Junior... have already been convicted and are awaiting sentencing.

 

Dunkirk city officials are looking into the availability of federal funding to help with economic development efforts should the NRG plant close on a permanent basis.  That from Mayor Willie Rosas, who met late last week with representatives of the Appalachian Regional Commission... including Co-Chair Earl Gohl.  Rosas says there is grant funding that's available to communities such as Dunkirk with coal fired power plants that are closing across the nation. While the city of Dunkirk is in line for transition aid from Albany, the funding is only available on a short-term basis.  Rosas says the federal funding would help the city diversify its economy.  He says the city would have to apply for federal assistance... which he says is competitive.  The Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board is assisting with the process among others.  Rosas is also asking for any other groups that would like to help out to contact his office at City Hall. In another development... Mayor Rosas confirms that he had a brief meeting with the Village of Fredonia on the concept of a combined police.  A representative of the New York Department of State attended the session and discussed the possibility of study.  Fredonia officials say they want more information on the study first.

 

An antiques dealer from Cattaraugus County, convicted of trafficking in elephant tusks and other prohibited wildlife, has been fined 30-thousand dollars in federal court.  The U.S. attorney's office says 78-year-old Ferdinand Krizan of Franklinville was sentenced Thursday in Buffalo for illegally buying and selling tusks.  The owner of Fred's Antiques bought two elephant tusks from a Canadian auction house in 2013... and, illegally brought them into the U.S. via the Rainbow Bridge at Niagara Falls.  Prosecutors say he later sold the tusks and four others to a buyer in Massachusetts for 50-thousand dollars.  In all... Krizan bought and sold tusks and ivory carvings worth nearly 142-thousand dollars.  Officials say as part of Krizan's plea he'll also abandon about 100 pieces of elephant ivory carvings.

 

New York state is making a new investment in helping first responders train for oil fires.  The state will use 500-thousand dollars in federal funds to purchase a ``live fire'' training prop to help fire fighters and other emergency personnel learn how to respond to crude oil fires.  It is part of a broader effort to prepare for possible accidents involving oil shipping by rail or boat.  The money will go to the New York State Academy of Fire Science, which trains more than 6,000 first responders each year.  Governor Andrew Cuomo's office announced the funding decision on Friday.  The administration says other efforts to address the risk of oil trains include regular inspections of rail cars and track and joint preparedness planning by state, local and federal officials.