Search for homicide suspect takes investigation to South Carolina...
The search for the local man accused of killing Jamestown mother Kala Hodgkin has led from Pennsylvania to South Carolina. City police overnight released a flyer from the North Charleston, South Carolina Police Department with three pictures of 34 year-old Michael Burham... who is now believed to have kidnapped two people in his efforts to flee New York and Pennsylvania in the wake of the murder of the 34 year-old Hodgkin May 11. North Charleston Police were called to a Rivers Avenue address on a report of two kidnapping victims... who were taken from their home -- we have now learned -- in Sheffield, Pennsylvania and were driven to South Carolina. Few details have been release on that incident... but, police say Burham was last seen wearing a dark baseball cap... blue jeans and a light-colored T-shirt. He may no long have facial hair, and changed his hair style.
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Earlier in the day Sunday... police said that last Friday night's streaming of the national program "On Patrol: Live" highlighted the manhunt for Burham... and, it produced numerous tips. Investigators say he apparently went to Warren, Pennsylvania... rented a car... and drove the the area of Hodgkin's home in the early morning hours of May 11. After killing her... he then drove the rental car to Fulton Street... where he set it on fire. He then got a ride to Warren the morning after the homicide. Based on information received... police believe that Burham was then picked up, and driven out of the area. They add that someone, who may not have known about the murder, apparently drove him back to Warren... and, police would like to speak with them. If you have any information on the case... call JPD at 483-7537... or the Tips line at 483-8477.
Jamestown man arrested in connection with recent burglaries in the city of copper and tools...
A city man is accused of being involved in breaking-into a pair of westside businesses the past several days... and, stealing about $5,700 worth of tools and other items. Jamestown police last weekend announced the arrest of 43 year-old Larry Whitehill, Jr., who is accused of breaking into the first location on Saturday, May 13... and another on Wednesday, May 17 where copper had been stolen. Officers say they got a description of the vehicle... and, knew it had been involved in some previous burglaries. They later located the vehicle, parked, and Whitehill was inside. He tried to flee into a nearby house... and an altercation with police ensued. However... Whitehill was arrested on two counts of third-degree burglary... third-degree grand larceny... petty larceny... obstruction... and resisting arrest. He was jailed pending arraignment.
Sundquist outlines bonding proposal for city facility projects...
The city of Jamestown is looking at a preliminary plan to borrow $6.4-million for approximately eight projects involving facility upgrades. The majority of the money... though... is being looked to replace two roofs -- the one at City Hall, and the other on the Fenton History Center. That from Mayor Eddie Sundquist... who presented a first draft of the proposal to the City Council last week. Sundquist says there are still some leaks after a recent repair job on the City Hall roof. Sundquist says officials had hoped that recent patch work would have held. Sundquist says that project will cost $1.8-million. He adds that they are also looking at security upgrades for the building... along with replacing at least 17 windows. He they also need to do about $600,000 in upgrades for HVAC units... for a City Hall total of just over $3.1-million. Replacing the Fenton is projected to be about $2-million... but, the mayor says the city is in line for some grant funding for that. Other projects include roof work on DPW building roof at 145 Steele St., a new water line at Bergman Park... and, gap funding for the new Fleet Maintenance Building on Washington Street.
Lily Dale man arrested for receiving large amount of narcotics from U.K....
A Lily Dale man has been arrested for allegedly trafficking a significant amount of narcotics between Great Britan and Chautauqua County. Sheriff's officers say their Narcotics Investigation Team conducted a month-long investigation of 23 year-old Nicholas Loomis of Cottage Row where he allegedly used FedEx to receive packages containing 3-kilos of codine from Great Britan. The local department worked with Customs and Border Protection... and, the Department of Homeland Security on the case. Police took Loomis into custody without incident late last week on one count of first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was take to the county jail for centralized arraignment... then jailed without bail pending further court action. If you're aware of any suspicious drug-related activity... you're asked to call the Sheriff's Office Narcotics Investigators Tip line call either 800-344-8702 or 716-664-2420.
Ribbon cut held Saturday at Carlberg Farm's new produce stand...
It was a rain drenched ribbon cutting Saturday morning at the Carlberg Farm Produce stand on Peck Settlement Road south of Jamestown. One of the owners, Ginny Carlberg, says while the farm has been in the family for over a century, they’ve only done produce for four years... and, that aspect of the business has grown quickly. The Carlbergs’ NEW stand is actually a very OLD building… a refurbished grainery dating back almost 200 years. Cooperative Extension used the occasion at the Carlberg Farm to remind residents of its recently reinvigorated service called 'Chautauqua Grown.' For more information... go on-line to chautauqua.cce.cornell.edu.
