Community Matters

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.