Community Matters

WRFA's Julia Ciesla-Hanley speaks with Everwild Land Trust Director of Conservation Twan Leenders and Communications Designer Kim Turner about how grant funding from New York State will help Everwild make wetland preserves accessible to all.

WRFA's Julia Ciesla-Hanley speaks with YWCA Jamestown Executive Director Amanda Gesing about renovations happening at the downtown Jamestown facility that will enable the YWCA to accept more children for childcare.

The Chautauqua County Legislature is still in deliberations over the 2027 budget, but we were able to get some insight into what they’re considering from Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel. We also talked with him about work at the Jamestown Airport, how the CHQ Transit Hub construction is coming along, and more.

The Robert H. Jackson Center will be holding a youth program called “Youth Confronting History” on Friday, October 30th. Center President Kristan McMahon gives us the update.

The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation has gone through a number of changes over the past few years, including one where people thought the organization had shut down. But, true to its name, it has revived and has a new director at its helm. We learn more about him and the organization here.

A county-wide campaign is underway in Chautauqua County. We meet with folks from the United Way of Chautauqua County to find out what this year’s goal is and how their efforts help thousands of people in our area.

We bring you the presentation by Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund of her 2027 Executive Budget that she delivered on October 8, 2026.

WRFA's Julia Ciesla-Hanley spoke with Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund two days before her proposed 2027 Executive Budget was released. While she wouldn’t get into specifics, we did learn about some of the challenges facing the City in 2027. We also discussed the proposed local law to abolish the Strategic Planning & Partnerships Commission along with a proposed Abandoned Shopping Cart ordinance.

Folks from the Chautauqua County Humane Society discussed how the shelter is handling an influx of cats and dogs as well as several upcoming events.

The New Neighbors Coalition and Jamestown Justice Coalition held a Community Conversation on Welcoming and Belonging in Jamestown at the Robert H. Jackson Center on September 16, 2026.

WRFA's Julia Ciesla-Hanley discusses the tentative 2027 County Budget with Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel.

The Robert H. Jackson Center will be wrapping up its programming on the 80th anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials in October. We’ll learn about what topics those will focus on as well as a new youth program scheduled for the end of next month.

WRFA's Julia Ciesla-Hanley talks with CHQ Hispanic Development Co-Founder Solimar Vazquez about the 5th Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival being held from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., Saturday, September 19, 2026 at Jackson-Taylor Park.

WRFA's Julia Ciesla-Hanley discusses climate resiliency and how that translates to work being done in the watersheds of Chautauqua County with Everwild Land Trust Director of Conservation Twan Leenders.

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel joins us to discuss the first case of measles in the county in 30 years as well as housing initiatives, economic development news, and more.

We talk with Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund about economic development initiatives in the city as well as the Chadakoin River Stormwater Channel Maintenance Project.

The Chautauqua County Humane Society shares successes they’ve had recently with adoptions.

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.