Community Matters

The number of people unhoused in Chautauqua County rose dramatically following the end of the eviction moratorium that was in place in New York State as part of COVID-19 relief. Chautauqua County’s Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services Commissioner Carmelo Hernandez discusses what the county is hoping to do with another local organization to provide permanent housing for the unhoused.

St. Susan Center has been raising funds for a new freezer system for their kitchen that serves between 150 and 200 people a day. To help make that effort fun, the Center is bringing back a cooking contest and is calling it “The Battle of the Badges.” Executive Director Cherie Rowland and volunteer Missy Paterniti tell us more.

The Robert H. Jackson Center will be hosting a discussion on a special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine in September. Center President Kristan McMahon tells us about that and other events coming up soon.

The CHQ Chamber hosted Republican Congressman Nick Langworthy for a “State of the District” event on August 5, 2026 that was only open to Chamber members. We bring you his remarks here.

Democratic Candidate for the 23rd Congressional District Aaron Gies held an open town hall on August 6, 2026 to give his version of a “State of the District” report. More than 125 people attended the event at the Prendergast Library.

Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund shares thoughts on the passing of City Council member Tony Dolce while also giving us an update on the Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

We bring you the forum hosted by State Senator George Borrello on nuclear energy that discusses the benefits of that form of energy as well as why the City of Dunkirk could be a good location to place a nuclear energy power plant. The forum was held at SUNY Fredonia on June 30, 2026.

The monthly interviews with the Chautauqua County Humane Society have become much anticipated now that furry friends are joining humans in our WRFA studios. You can learn who the special guest is this month as well as all the August activities in our conversation here.

WRFA's Julia Ciesla-Hanley speaks with National Comedy Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson about all the events and activities happening as part of the Lucille Ball Comedy Fest taking place in Jamestown, NY the week of August 6 through 9, 2026.

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel shares his thoughts on the passing of Jamestown City Council member Tony Dolce and discusses the newly passed lease agreement for the County to move County Departments in the South County into the former Lynn Building in Jamestown.

Robert H. Jackson Center President Kristan McMahon discusses activities planned at the Center and at Chautauqua Institution over the next week.

The Fenton History Center is applying for a grant to help replace the deteriorating roof on the historic mansion. Center Executive Director Joni Blackman gives more details and tells us about Vision 2030.

Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund joins us to talk about the second round of Downtown Revitalization funding the city is receiving, how the newly approved Comprehensive Plan will affect how that funding is spent, as well as how the plan informs how the Zoning Code is updated.

The Jamestown Justice Coalition held a community discussion on June 18, 2026 at the Robert H. Jackson Center about the LGBTQ+ community and issues faced locally. We bring you that discussion here.

If you’ve been considering adopting a cat, this month will be the perfect time as the Chautauqua County Humane Society will soon have more than 80 cats and kittens available. Chautauqua County Humane Society’s Brian Papalia and Amanda Sublett tells us more.

State Senator George Borrello shares his thoughts on the New York State Budget and more.

We hear from State Assemblyman Andrew Molitor regarding his thoughts on the 2026-27 State budget and get into some policy discussion.

Jamestown Juneteenth organizer and City Council President Regina Brackman shares all the activities taking place for the 2026 Juneteenth celebration.

Jamestown Justice Coalition Board Member Kate Ebersole talks about the Community Conversation that will focus on the LGBTQ community in Jamestown

Access to dental care is an issue for many in Chautauqua County, especially those on Medicaid. We speak with two area dentists who are part of a group trying to alleviate that issue.

The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy recently rebranded itself as the Everwild Land Trust. We learn more about why and how that change came about as well as upcoming programs.

The Robert H. Jackson Center's President Kristan McMahon joins us to talk about programs coming up as part of the Center’s 25th anniversary and the 80th Anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials.

Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund shares some information about how the recently passed State Budget will affect the city.

The Jamestown Farmers Market opens for the season on June 6, 2026. Food Access Director Nick Weith tells about the market's new location, the mobile market program, and more.

The Chautauqua County Humane Society brought a very special guest to the WRFA studios for their monthly interview.

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel discusses some recent economic development challenges.

Members of Jamestown Pride tell us about annual Pride events that will take place in Jamestown during the month of June.

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.