JAMESTOWN – Worldwide 2020 was a year that will likely be featured in history books, and our local area was not immune to the flood of news. The following is a look back at the year based on your viewership:
#12: Longtime Police Chief Retires
After 24 years of keeping ‘law and order’ in the City of Jamestown, longtime police chief Harry Snellings retired this year.
https://new.wnynewsnow.com/2020/06/09/jamestown-police-chief-to-retire-next-month/
#11: Resources For Those In Need
In an attempt to help those struggling with addiction, Chautauqua County leaders set up a new website to connect the community to recovery resources.
https://new.wnynewsnow.com/2020/09/30/chautauqua-county-launches-new-website-to-help-combat-addiction/
#10: Wild Weather
Weather in Western New York is usually on the top of minds of many, and this year was no different. From tornadic activity to wild winter weather, our area felt mother nature’s full force this year.
https://new.wnynewsnow.com/2020/07/17/weather-service-confirms-tornado-touchdown-in-chautauqua-county/
#9: Search For Youths Deemed A Hoax
A springtime search for two youths who reportedly fell into the Cattaraugus Creek in Gowanda was been deemed a hoax after first responders scoured the area for hours.
https://new.wnynewsnow.com/2020/04/09/search-for-youths-who-fell-into-cattaraugus-creek-deemed-a-hoax/
#8: Seven-Year-Old Girl Dies In Motor Vehicle Accident
A seven-year-old girl died following a multi-vehicle accident on Route 60 in February after her car was struck by a man allegedly under the influence of drugs.
https://new.wnynewsnow.com/2020/02/25/police-identify-seven-year-old-killed-in-route-60-crash/
#7: Change In County DA’s Office
In what was one of the biggest races in Chautauqua County on Election Night, Republican Jason Schmidt defeated incumbent Democrat DA Patrick Swanson to become the county’s next top prosecutor.
https://new.wnynewsnow.com/2020/11/03/schmidt-projected-winner-of-chautauqua-county-district-attorney-race/
#6: Businesses Close Because Of Pandemic
From local restaurants to area manufacturers, 2020 has been a tough year for business, even with federal help for one local plant staying in business was not a reality.
https://new.wnynewsnow.com/2020/01/10/falconer-truck-lite-plant-to-close/
#5: Fatal Stabbing
A Chautauqua County Grand Jury indicted a Jamestown man in connection with an August stabbing of a 23-year-old man.
https://new.wnynewsnow.com/2020/08/04/jamestown-man-indicted-in-connection-with-july-fatal-stabbing/
#4: Three Killed In Plane Crash
Three Northern Pennsylvania residents were killed in a plane crash near the Jamestown airport last month. No official cause has been released yet, although law enforcement says the plane likely crashed because of winter weather.
https://new.wnynewsnow.com/2020/11/02/sheriff-three-people-killed-in-plane-crash/
#3: Local Leaders Push Regional Re-Open
After a month’s long shutdown on “non-essential” businesses across New York State, local representatives got the ear of New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo who moved forward with their plan to reopen the state regionally.
https://new.wnynewsnow.com/2020/04/21/ny-gov-state-will-re-open-with-regioinal-approach-days-after-borrello-goodell-introduce-plan/
#2: Black Lives Matter
Demand for law enforcement reform led to dialog between police and protestors during a Black Lives Matter demonstration late May in Jamestown. Protests like this lead to change in policing policies around the nation, which will likely be felt throughout the coming year.
https://new.wnynewsnow.com/2020/05/31/black-lives-matter-protest-happening-in-jamestown/
#1: COVID-19’s Impact
In what isn’t a surprise to many, COVID-19’s impact was the most viewed story on WNY News Now this year. From the community-wide shutdowns, to first official cases, the area felt the pandemic’s pain both medically speaking and financially.
https://new.wnynewsnow.com/2020/03/23/officials-confirm-two-cases-of-novel-coronavirus-in-chautauqua-county/
Share your memories of the past year on social media with #YearInReview.
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