Additional charges placed against Burham during initial court appearance in Warren Co., Pa...
A man who was the subject of a massive manhunt in two states last month after his escape from the Warren County Jail is facing more charges in both the escape... and, in the original case alleging he kidnapped a couple and forced them to accompany him on his effort to evade authorities. 34 year-old Michael Burham is also the primary suspect in the shooting death of Jamestown's Kala Hodgkin back on May 11 before fleeing the area to Pennsylvania. District Court Judge Raymond Zydonik in Warren County ruled during Monday's preliminary hearings there was enough evidence to forward both cases against Burham to the Court of Common Pleas. He's accused of abducting the couple in Pennsylvania while trying to escape capture in Chautauqua County... where he was wanted in a rape case and for questioning in Hodgkin's murder. A 68-year-old Mead Township woman testified that she and her 89-year-old husband were driven 18 hours to South Carolina before they were dropped off in a cemetery.
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Burham was first arrested on May 24 in South Carolina... and charged with kidnapping, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, assault, terroristic threats, theft, and many other counts. Warren County District Attorney Rob Greene brought additional charges Monday in that case -- including four more kidnapping counts. Burham also faces more charges stemming from the July 6 escape from the Warren County lock-up... which officials said Burham fled by climbing onto exercise equipment, going through a window and scaling down a rope fashioned from jail bedding. He was recaptured July 15 just outside Warren after a barking dog alerted a couple that he was on their property.
City man arrested for illegal possession of several firearms, and drugs...
A Jamestown man faces several felony charges following a raid on a southside home late last week that resulted in the seizure of numermous firearms and drugs. City police say they executed a search warrant at 76 Victoria Ave. about 6:40 p.m. last Thursday with the help of the JPD SWAT Team. Officers say they found a convicted Felon... 43 year-old Michael Hitchcock... who was taken into custody. Police say they also found two handguns, eight rifles, two shotguns, one muzzleloader, and an AR-15 rifle... along with ammunition. Officers say Hitchcock faces three counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon... two counts third-degree criminal possession of a weapon... and, 11 counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Police also found methamphetamine ready for sale... and, Hitchock was also charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. Sheriff's officers assisted with the raid. Hitchcock was jailed pending arraignment.
City lawmakers begin review of $2.7-million in non-profit ARPA funding with $1.5-million left...
Some difficult decisions will have to be made in the coming weeks on how to use the remaining $1.5-million from the city of Jamestown's American Rescue Plan Act allocation. During last night's City Council work session... lawmakers began discussing requests from nine different non-profit organizations vying for some of that funding. Grants Manager Tim O'Dell with the Department of Development says some of the city's $28-million dollar ARPA award can be used to support such projects coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic for underserved communities. Funding requests for those nine projects total $2.7-million. The largest... says O'Dell... is $1-million for construction of a YMCA facility. He says they've already raised $4-million towards their goal... and, need the ARPA funds to begin construction next year. O'Dell says the requests include $500,000 towards the new "Kids Zone" at the Northwest Arena... and, $350,000 for the Robert H. Jackson Center. There's also $200,000 each for the National Comedy Center, and St. Lukes Episcopal Church... $181,000 for Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc., $145,000 for the YWCA. Collaborative Children's Solutions... and, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute are requesting less than $100,000 each.
Jamestown man arrested for allegedly setting fire to vacant house...
A city man has been indicted by the Chautauqua County Grand Jury for allegedly setting a fire that destroyed a vacant house on Jamestown's southside early last month. City police say Jamestown firefighters were called to the scene at 231 Barrows St. shortly after 1 a.m. last July 6. Investigators later determined the blaze was caused by arson... and that resulted in the indictment of 34 year-old Joshua Whalen for third-degree arson, and third-degree burglary. Police add that Whalen is currently on New York State Parole for a previous arson conviction... and, he was remanded to the Chautauqua County Jail on $50,000 cash bail... $100,000 property bond. City police say the investigation into this fire... and, other arson incidents are ongoing. They add that additional charges are possible. Anyone with additional information on this or other arsons is asked to call City Police at 483-7537... or the confidential tip line at 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477.
Borrello pleased with anti wind turbine protest at Sunset Bay...
A rally opposing wind turbines in Lake Erie drew more than 200 people to Sunset Bay over the weekend. State Senator George Borrello, who was one of elected officials who spoke out against a proposal installing the turbines, was pleased with the turnout at the rally held on Saturday, which also included Buffalo-area lawmakers. The rally was one of many events that have been held in recent years by Citizens Against Wind Turbines in Lake Erie.
