Man accused of shooting and killing Jamestown mother of three pleads guilty to first-degree murder...
The Chautauqua County man accused of shooting and killing a Jamestown mother of three has pled guilty to a first-degree murder charge a week before his case was to go to trial. District Attorney Jason Schmidt says 37 year-old Michael Burham entered the plea in county court Tuesday... and, now faces 25 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on Mar. 2. Burham is accused of shooting and killing Kala Hodgkin in her home in the early morning hours of May 11, 2023. Schmidt adds that Burham had already been accused of forcibly raping Hodgkin two weeks prior to the shooting. Burham fled the area... but, was later found. However... he escaped from the Warren County Jail and was captured in Warren County a few days later. Schmidt says -- quote "whether by trial or plea, Mr. Burham’s judgment day was coming and we now look forward to sending him off to state prison where I hope he spends the rest of his life reliving what he did... murdering an innocent young mother, destroying a local family, and traumatizing Kala’s surviving children. Our thoughts and prayers have been and remain with the children, including Mr. Burham’s daughter who was sleeping upstairs when he broke into Hodgkin's home... and, committed this "shockingly evil crime." Schmidt says his office's "iron-clad" case against Burham is what led directly to the plea agreement. He thanked several local and regional agencies... including Jamestown police... the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department and it's Forensic Investigation Team... and police in Warren, Pa. for their work on the case.
City man arrested in West Ellicott for alleged cocaine trafficking...
A man from Jamestown has been arrested for allegedly being found in possession of nearly 300-grams of cocaine during a raid in West Ellicott earlier this week. Sheriff's officers says investigators looked into alleged drug sales from 44 Glidden Ave. after seizing a quantity of cocaine. Deputies say their Narcotics investigators... along with those from the Jamestown and Ellicott police departments... executed a search warrant at the residence last Monday afternoon. Officers arrested 35 year-old Matthew Bindics for first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. They also seized 295.5-grams of cocaine, scales and packaging materials... and, $4,555 in cash. Bindics was held pending arraignment. If you have any information on suspicious or drug-related activity in your area... call the Sheriff's Office Narcotics Investigators Tip line at 1-800-344-8702 or 664-2420. For the JPD Tip line call 483-TIPS.. that's 483-8477.
Wendel reflects on 2025 in year end comments...
There were a number of challenges in 2025... but, it was also a year of accomplishment for Chautauqua County government. Those are the feelings of County Executive P.J. Wendel... who says it was another year of reduced taxes... and, further efforts to bring more businesses and people back to the area. Wendel says -- for the fifth-year in a row -- his administration has been able to cut the property tax rate... and, begin addressing the county's loss of population with a marketing and branding effort that includes "LiveCHQ and "ChooseCHQ" to draw new businesses and people to the county. Wendel says the challenges remain having a state that's not business-friendly. However... he says the county is continuing to work to improve the quality of life here. One of the major quality of life drivers is Chautauqua Lake... and the Lakewood Republican says he's optimistic with some changes in late 2025. He says there will be a new lake alliance group, and an emphasis on dealing with weeds sooner. A change in leadership at the Chautauqua Lake Association... led to a strong push late last Summer to clear weeds in the south basin of the lake. Wendel made his comments for a recent Community Spotlight program.
State Legislature begins 2026 session in Albany...
State lawmakers are in Albany for the start of this year's legislative session Wednesday. Chautauqua County's two state legislators spoke about their priorities for 2026 prior to leaving for Albany. State Assemblyman Andrew Molitor says he would like to see lawmakers be more efficient and make the state more affordable for its residents... including lessening the tax burden, and more common sense energy policies for residents. Affordability is also on the mind of Senator George Borrello. Among the items high on his list is a repeal of the All-Electric Buildings Act... which had been suspended in the wake of a court battle over the legislation. Borrello says he'll be pushing for a full repeal. Borrello says he will also push for a repeal of a mandate for electrification of school buses.
Jamestown man arrested following pair of domestic incidents on city's southside...
A city man has been arrested following a pair of domestic incidents... including an earlier robbery... at a home on Jamestown's southside. City police say they were first called to the unidentified location Tuesday morning... but, add 23 year-old Darius Thomas had left the scene after taking property... and, allegedly choking the victim. Officers say Thomas returned to the scene about Midnight... and, he jumped out a second-story window to try and elude police. However... he was quickly taken into custody on charges of third-degree robbery, fourth-degree Grand Larceny, third-degree criminal mischief... and, criminal obstruction of breathing. He was held pending arraignment.
