Michael Burham receives 25 years to life with possible parole in killing of Kala Hodgkin...
The man who's pleaded guilty to murder in the death of Jamestown mother of three Kala Hodgkin has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison with the possbility of parole.  Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt says 37 year-old Michael Burham... who's already serving 25 to 50 years in Pennsylvania for kidnapping and escape... received the sentence Monday from County Court Judge David Foley.  Schmidt says a statement made by Hodgkin's eldest child, Colin, played a key role because of it's emotion, and describing trying to protect his siblings while Burham shot and killed his mother.  He also spoke about he and his siblings being split up with other family because of her death... which has added to their trauma.  After killing Hodgkin... Burham fled to Warren County, Pa., where he kidnapped an elderly couple, and, forced them to take him to South Carolina.  He was later found there after a massive manhunt... and, returned to Warren County.  He then escaped... and, was on the run about a week before being recaptured.  Under terms of the plea agreement... Schmidt says Burham will first serve his Pennsylania term -- concurrently with the New York one.  After that... he'll be returned to New York state to the custody of the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision for a hearing to determine if he stays in prison.  Schmidt says his office will strongly recommend no parole.

City woman arrested in town of Ellicott for allegedly trying to kidnap an 8 year-old...
A woman from Jamestown is accused of trying to kidnap an 8-year-old child in the town of Ellicott last weekend.  Town police were called to the unidentified location last Saturday on a report of the woman allegedly approaching the child... and, then grabbing the juvenile's coat and draging the child down an alleyway... away from her home.  Officers say another juvenile witnessed the incident... and, ran into another house to get an adult.  Police say the 8 year-old was able to get away from 33 year-old Angelea Luszcak... and, an adult came out to help the child.  Officers arrived... and, found Luszcak nearby after she had tried to run off.  She was arrested for second-degree attempted kidnapping... second-degree harassment... and, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.  Luszcak was taken to the county jail pending arraignment, and will appear in Ellicott Town Court at a later date.

Jamestown man arrested for drug possession following a traffic stop...
A city man has been arrested for allegedly being found in possession of cocaine with the intent to sell following an early morning traffic stop on Jamestown's southside.  City police say they saw a vehicle commit a traffic infraction at the corner of Charles and Superior Streets about 3:30 a.m. Monday... and, stopped the vehicle.  Officers say they recovered a quantity of cocaine from the driver, 54 year-old Saron Leeper, that was packaged and ready for sale.  Leeper was arrested for third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, held pending arraignment.

Escalating costs of construction, and upgrading new facility led St. Susan's Center officials to decided to remain at Gateway Center...
A sharp increase in construction, and projected operating costs... has led officials with the Jamestown area's largest soup kitchen to decide to stay in the Gateway Center for the foreseeable future.  St. Susan's Center Executive Director Cherie Rowland says the center's Board of directors voted during a recent strategy meeting to remain at 31 Water St.  Rowland says they found their construction and moving costs alone to the former Jamestown Business College were nearly tripling from $1-million to $3-million dollars... and, says they "have to be good stewards" to the people who support them, and donate to their cause.  In addition... Rowland says they were going to have to replace some of their old equipment with new products... and, with the new location, they were going to be required to build an "all electric" kitchen facility.  She says that would increase their electric costs from between $50,000 to $60,000, to about $280,000.  Rowland says they are "incredibly grateful to the Conklin family for their extraordinary generosity" in offered the former JBC facility on Jamestown's westside.  The new Gateway Loft's project, proposed for the Gateway Center, is being led by Southern Tier Environments for Living.  STEL Executive Director, Tom Whitney, says they are "pleased" that the center has decided to remain in that building.

Karlstrom appointed as new Westfield Police Chief...
The village of Westfield has appointed a new police chief who has more than a decade of experience as an officer... and, a Sheriff's deputies.  Village officials and the police department Monday announced the appointment of Erik Karlstrom to replace Greg Wozniak... who recently retired from the post.  Officials say Chief Karlstrom brings a proven record of military and law enforcement leadership to the position.  He's been a village resident since returning from a combat deployment in 2013... and, was a member of the U.S. Army National Guard for 11 years.  Following his military service... Karlstrom pursued a career in law enforcement, graduating from the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Academy 2015.  He previously served as a part-time officer with the Westfield Dept. from 2015 to 2017.... and, 2023 to present.