Burham pleads guilty to kidnap and escape charges in Warren Co., Pa...
The Jamestown-area man accused of shooting and killing a city woman this past May has pleaded guilty two six criminal counts in Pennsylvania related to kidnapping and escape. The Warren County District Attorney's Office says 35 year-old Michael Burham entered the pleas in Warren County Court Thursday afternoon. Burham was charged in connection with the kidnapping of a couple from Sheffield after he allegedly shot and killed 34 year-old Kala Hodgkin... and, forced them to accompany him to South Carolina where he was later captured. He pled guilty to five charges in that case... including kidnapping, recklessly endangering another person... terrorist threats... theft and burglary. For last Summer's escape from the Warren County Jail... Burham pled guilty to one count of escape. Burham initially faced 35 charges... including more than a dozen felonies. The DA's office says a tentative sentencing date has been set for next Jan. 5.
Jamestown man indicted on drug-related federal charges...
A city man has been indicted on five federal charges for allegedly trafficking drugs... and, being in possession of firearms. U-S Attorney Trini Ross announced Wednesday that a federal grand jury returned the indictment against 45 year-old Zaid Mendoza -- also known as "Diamond" -- for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine... possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes... and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors say between October and December of 2022... Mendoza possessed fentanyl and methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it in the Jamestown area. That month... investigators raided his Jamestown home and recovered $1,800 cash, about 36 grams of fentanyl and a quantity of methamphetamine... along with a 9-millimeter semi-automatic pistol, drug packaging paraphernalia, and cell phones. Mendoza was also found with another 36 grams of fentanyl in his possession while being taken into custody. Ross says the charges carry a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, a maximum of life and a $1,000,000 fine.
Another city man also indicted in federal court on drug and weapons charges...
A Jamestown man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on drug and weapons charges for allegedly trafficking methamphetamine the past year. U.S. Attorney Trini Ross announced Wednesday that the panel returned the indictment against 39 year-old Steven Glover for being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of methamphetamine. Last December... prosecutors say a city police officer initially pulled Glover's car... and, he told the officer that he had a pipe. That pipe was later found to have meth residue on it. Glover was detained and a search of the vehicle recovered a digital scale with white crystal residue and a pistol. He was charged in court, and released on bail. This past February... Glover was seen in the passenger seat of another vehicle, and the policeman involved and was aware of his outstanding charges. The officer stopped the vehicle and saw drug paraphernalia... and, a plastic bag containing suspected meth... and, Glover was again taken into custody. In 2019, Glover was convicted of a felony in County Court and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. Ross says the charges carry a maximum of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Abram says Election Day went relatively smooth, but, is disappointed by low turn-out...
Election Day has come and gone... and, while there were some minor issues at Chautauqua County's polling sites, it was a "very good day" overall. Those are the feelings of County Republican Elections Commissioner Brian Abram, who says there were no major issues to report. For the most part... he said there were some paper ballot jams, and such, but, no "major issues." However, Abram adds that he was somewhat disappointed with the voter turnout, which is projected to be under 30%. He says they were hoping to see at least 35% to 37% turnout. Meanwhile... Abram says there are a few races that may be decided by absentee and affidavit ballots, including two in the Dunkirk area. Kate Wdowiasz holds a 57-vote lead over David Damico in the city's mayoral race, while Kevin Muldowney leads Marcus Buchanan by just 10 votes for Legislature District-One.
Gillibrand puts push on to get veteran's exposed to toxic burn pits, and other toxins to take advantage of PACT Act...
This Saturday is Veteran's Day... and, U-S Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is urging any veteran exposed to burn pits... Agent Orange... and other toxic substances during their service to apply for health benefits through the PACT Act. The New York Democrat hosted a video press conference Wednesday to announce that half-a-million veterans nationwide have signed up for the program. However... she adds an estimated 3-million more still have not. She says you can do so at the VA website at va.gov/pact... or call their helpline at 1-800-698-2411. Gillibrand was part of the effort to pass the PACT Act... which provides expanded health care and benefits to veterans suffering from illness caused by exposure to burn pits and other toxic substances while serving abroad. These burn pits-related medical conditions are presumptively service-connected, meaning that veterans no longer have to provide proof that their disease is service-related in order to receive benefits. So far... Gillibrand says more than 26,000 New York veteran's have filed claims... but, thousands more could be eligible for benefits.
