Community Matters

Street construction work has begun for the season around the City of Jamestown. We’ll talk about projects with Jamestown Acting Department of Public Works Director Mark Roetzer.

The Jamestown Planning Commission heard a presentation at their May 19, 2026 meeting from Acting Department of Public Works Director Mark Roetzer about a project that aims to clean up the channels leading into the Chadakoin River.

The Jamestown School Board held a public hearing May 12 on the proposed 2026-27 School Budget. We’ll hear that presentation by District Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations Brittnay Spry as well as a presentation by James Prendergast Library Executive Director Tress Williams on the library’s proposed tax increase that also will be on the May 19 ballot.

Jamestown Area Community Orchestra Conductor John Cross talks about the upcoming performance for the orchestra at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, May 24, 2026.

Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union CEO John Felton discusses the new credit union going into the former Rite-Aid Building on North Main Street in Jamestown.

Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund discusses the closing of Bush Industries, NYS' Lead Rental Registry, the BPU solar project, and Safe Streets 4 All initiative.

Chautauqua County Humane Society's Brian Papalia and Amanda Sublett visit WRFA to talk about upcoming events and future updates to the shelter.

The public will vote on school district budgets across New York State on Tuesday, May 19. Jamestown Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker stopped by our studios to provide information about what’s in the district’s proposed budget as well as some other updates.

The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities will hold their 5th annual ReTool'26 Conference on Tuesday, June 9. BPU Business Development Coordinator Ellen Ditonto gives us the details.

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel recently presented his 2026 State of the County to the CHQ Chamber. We get into some details of that address as well as discuss how the County’s Government Reduction Initiative is going.

National Comedy Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson tells us about the headliners coming to this summer's Lucille Ball Comedy Festival.

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel delivered his 2026 State of the County address before the CHQ Chamber on April 21, 2026. The address was followed by a question and answer session led by CHQ Chamber President & CEO Dan Heitzenrater.

Voters across New York State go to the polls Tuesday, May 19, 2026 to vote on school district budgets. We bring you the presentation to the Jamestown School Board on the proposed 2026-27 Jamestown Public Schools budget by Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations Brittnay Spry.

The Jamestown Public Schools District opened the Innovation Center at the former Rogers Elementary School in 2023. Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker gave a presentation to the Jamestown School Board on the direction they’d like the Center to take in the future.

Jamestown has a new Police Chief and Fire Chief. Mayor Kim Ecklund tells us more about that and we talk about properties being taken over by the city as well as roadwork.

Jamestown Public Schools Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and School Improvement Tina Sandstrom and Coordinator of Literacy Dr. Jennifer Aaron recently provided a mid-year update to the Jamestown School Board on the Kindergarten through 8 grade literacy program.

We talk with City of Jamestown Principal Planner Jason Kulaszewski about the city's Safe Streets For All Initiative and how citizens can get involved in that process as well as give input on the City's overhaul of its Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code.

We hear about the success of St. Pawtrick's month promotion and about other animals looking for their "fur-ever" home from Chautauqua County Humane Society's Brian Papalia and Amanda Sublett.

We talk with Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel about discussions underway to merge several north county municipalities, as well as updates on the CHQ Transit Hub being built in downtown Jamestown, and Chautauqua Lake news.

The Chautauqua County Community Health Assessment for 2025-2030 has been released. We spoke with members of the Chautauqua County Health Department about the findings of the assessment and the improvement plan.

WRFA spoke with Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund about her State of the City address, the possible increase in temporary aid from New York State, updates on lead rehabilitation efforts, and more.

The Jefferson Project gave their annual presentation on research on Chautauqua Lake to the Chautauqua County Legislature on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

A special furry guest makes a surprise interview appearance to help with St. Pawtricks promotions at the Chautauqua County Humane Society this month.

We sit down with the new Jamestown Board of Public Utilities General Manager Kris Sellstrom to learn more about him and what’s in store for the municipal utility.

The Jamestown Justice Coalition held a discussion on February 4, 2026 with some local businesses owners about how they got started in Jamestown as well as the challenges and successes they’ve had along the way.

State Senator George Borrello shares his thoughts on Governor Kathy Hochul's proposed 2026-27 State Budget.

State Assemblyman Andrew Molitor shares his views on the proposed 2026-27 State Budget and his goals for this legislative session.

We talk with Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund about the Police Chief retiring as well as a list of priorities presented to the administration and City Council by the Jamestown Justice Coalition.

The Chautauqua County Humane Society has couples and love on the mind with their Furever Valentine and Dynamic Duo promotions.

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel discusses the announced closing of the Heritage Village Nursing Home, the City of Dunkirk’s finances, what’s happening at the Jamestown Airport, and his goals for his new term.

WRFA's Julia Ciesla-Hanley talks with retiring Jamestown Board of Public Utilities General Manager David Leathers about his time at the utility.

Governor Kathy Hochul presented her proposed State Budget on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

The Jamestown Farmers Market has moved indoors for the winter. We get the details from Food Access Manager and Market Director Nick Weith.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul presented her annual State of the State address on January 13, 2026.

2026 has so far brought with it a new Jamestown City Council and a revived Jamestown Renaissance Corporation for Mayor Kim Ecklund. We talk about that and her goals for the year.

The Trump Administration announced this week that they have frozen $10 billion in child care subsidies and services in five Democratic controlled states, including New York. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand held a press conference to discuss the issue and answer questions about what can be done.

The Chautauqua County Humane Society has a family movie night planned this month and something special in February for Valentine’s Day. Director of Fundraising & Communication Brian Papalia fills us in.

The Robert H. Jackson Center is recognizing the 80th anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials as well as the Center’s own 25th anniversary. President Kristan McMahon tells us more.

Jamestown City Council learned what rates are going up as well as new fees in 2026 during a presentation from the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities. BPU General Manager David Leathers led off the discussion.

Drescher & Malecki Partner Carl Widmer presented the results of the 2024 audit to Jamestown City Council members on December 15, 2025.

The Jamestown School Board heard a presentation at its December 16, 2025 meeting from JPS’ Human Resource department about how HR is working to communicate more effectively with JPS staff.

The Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame recently announced the eight individuals will be inducted in February. We sat down with Hall of Fame President Randy Anderson to talk about each of the honorees.

The 101st Annual A Capella Vespers will be performed on December 14 and 21, 2025 at First Lutheran Church in Jamestown. The JHS Madrigals, as conducted by Lauren Scharf, gave a preview of the concert to the Jamestown School Board on December 2, 2025.

Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund talks about the 2026 City budget, a reimbursement from New York State, and the City’s application to the state to try to win another $10 million in funding from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

St. Luke's Episcopal Church has a variety of events and celebrations planned during the month of December leading up to Christmas.

The Chautauqua County Humane Society is hoping you'll consider adopting this holiday season.

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel discusses his plans for his next term in office, including discussions on municipal mergers.

The Empty Bowl event returns Saturday, December 6th to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Jamestown Farmers Market’s Nick Weith and Pearl City Clay House’s Deb Eck tell us more.

Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) held a virtual press conference on Tuesday, November 11 to talk about the soon-to-be-ended federal shutdown. Reporters also had the opportunity to ask him about other topics.

While the refugee program is essentially on hold in the United States, a new agreement has been struck between the New Neighbors Coalition and Journey’s End of Buffalo. We bring you that discussion on providing long-term integration services to refugees and immigrants in Jamestown here.