Dunkirk man gets 30 years in federal prison for forced labor and transporting a minor...
A Dunkirk man will spend 30 years in federal prison... and lifetime supervised release after being sentenced late last week in U.S. District Court in Buffalo. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced that 34 year-old Augusto Mateo Francisco... who was convicted of two counts of forced labor, and one count of transportation of a minor... was sentenced last Friday. Francisco was also ordered to pay restitution and register as a sex offender. Prosecutors say the Guatemalan native, and a Legal Resident here, facilitated the illegal entry of Guatemalan migrants into U.S. and helped transport them to the Dunkirk area... where he provided housing and work at area farms. Francisco charged the migrants for their housing, rides to work, and other items. He also took a cut of their wages. Francisco threatened two of the victims by telling them that if they stopped working for him or if they did not pay back the money they purportedly owed to him, he would harm their families... or call immigration authorities and have them deported. Francisco also pursued a sexual relationship with a 16 year-old Guatemalan migrant who had come to the U.S. with her mother. He repeatedly raped the girl and threatened to harm her family if she told anyone about it. He also kidnapped her twice... once after police rescued her from a trailer in Ripley,... where she was held for nearly two weeks.
County, village of Fredonia lift boil water order...
After two days of treatment and testing... the boil water order for the village of Fredonia's water system has been lifted. The Chautauqua County Health Department... and, the village... made the announcement Sunday of the move for all customers... including those in the town of Pomfret. Officials say two consecutive days of testing indicate that the water in the distribution system is safe for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, and, making coffee. However... they do say that all plumbing lines that have not been used regularly since the boil water order went into effect should be flushed before water from that line is consumed. This includes ice makers and refrigerator water dispensers. If you did not receive regular updates and alerts regarding the boil water order... the health department encourages people to sign up for the NY Alert system at "alert.ny.gov/sign-ny-alert-0"... and make sure you register a phone number or email address that you use regularly. For more information... call the village at 679-2307... or the county Health Department at 753-4481.
CHQ Chamber's annual awards banquet to be held on Oct. 2 in Fredonia...
The CHQ Chamber is gearing up for one of its biggest events of the year. Tickets are available for the chamber's annual Awards Banquet, which will take place on Thursday, October 2nd at the Williams Center on the SUNY at Fredonia campus. Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Heitzenrater says it's an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the local business community. Heitzenrater says the objective is to building "vital connections" with the community and it's businesses. Seven organizations will be presented business awards during the banquet, including the Bemus Point Golf Club & Tap House as the Business of the Year. Heitzenrater says the Chamber will also recognize several organizations for milestone service... including 5 years to 125 years this year. The awards banquet begins with a social hour at 6 p.m. Tickets are $65 per person and $470 for a full table of eight and can be purchased at the Chamber's website at chqchamber.org.
Sinclairville man arrested for assault following altercation in village...
A man from Sinclairville has been arrested for allegedly injuring another person during a fight in the village late last week. Sheriff's officers were called to the unidentifed location shortly before Noon Friday for a reported assault. Deputies say they spoke with both subjects... and, determined that 42 year-old Eric Morrison struck the victim... injuring his face, and damaging the other man's property. Morrison was arrested for third-degree assault... and fourth-degree criminal mischief... and, taken to the county jail pending centralized arraignment.
Horrigan receives John D. Hamilton Service Award from foundation...
A former Chautauqua County Executive and legislator... who's been involved with several community boards and organizations... has received the John D. Hamilton Community Service Award. Bemus Point's Vince Horrigan was presented with the award during a reception hosted by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown last Friday night. The United Way of Chautauqua County says Horrigan has served on their board... and, "also played a key role on the recent merger task force that helped guide the unification of the United Ways of Northern and Southern Chautauqua County." The Foundation has presented the Hamilton Award for 31 years in recognition of outstanding dedication, leadership, and community spirit.
City man arrested for shoplifting in Jamestown...
An accused shoplifter has been arrested after allegedly returning to the scene of the crime on Jamestown's southside last Friday night. City police say they were called to the business about 4 p.m., and, checked video surveillance footage... and identified the suspect as 41 year-old Anthony Camarata. Officers later got a report that Camarata had returned to the scene... and, about 8:30 p.m., they arrived and took him into custody. Police charged Camarata with petty larceny... and, on multiple outstanding warrants out of City Court. He was held pending arraignment.
