Dead python leads to charges for Gerry man

March 25, 2026

GERRY --- A town resident is facing animal cruelty charges after Chautauqua County sheriff's deputies found a dead ball python in his residence. On March 19 at about 06:30 p.m. deputies were dispatched to a Route 380 address. After an investigation, it was found that Austin Billick, 23, neglected to care for the reptile, which was found deceased inside its enclosure with no food, water or heat source that is required for a ball python’s survival. Billick was charged with overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance and will answer charges later ...

Dunkirk man pleads guilty to theft of COVID funds

March 25, 2026

A Dunkirk man has pleaded to the theft of government funds. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jesus Ramos, aka Manny, 42, entered the plea to U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra Jr. It carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who is handling the case, stated that during the COVID-19 pandemic, co-defendant Lamont Brown recruited others to apply for unemployment assistance compensation through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program for which they were not entitled. In July 2020, Ramos ...

Possible bus strike may impact students next week

March 25, 2026

A looming strike could possibly impact local school districts in the coming days. On Wednesday, Teamsters school bus workers at First Student yards across the country voted by an 88% margin to authorize a strike should the company fail to negotiate a fair contract. With an expiration date of Tuesday, the National Master Agreement covers more than 17,000 members represented by 96 Teamsters locals. “The Teamsters Union has been consistently raising the standards within the school bus industry for decades, and this contract will be no different,” said Matt Taibi, Director of the ...

UPDATE: Dunkirk man charged after gunshot hits officer in vest

March 24, 2026

A Dunkirk man is facing charges after gunshots were fired while a search warrant was being executed before sunrise Tuesday with one of those shots striking a Dunkirk police officer in the vest during the incident. Dunkirk police reported Tuesday night that Christopher M. Marcinkowski, 39, ...

Villenova man charged in arson of camper

March 23, 2026

FORESTVILLE --- A Villenova man is facing arson charges after a fire last week. On Thursday morning, deputies were dispatched to an address in the hamlet for a report of a larceny of a camper. After investigation, it was found the defendant, Ethan Guest, 25, allegedly started the missing camper on fire, causing the camper to be a total loss without the knowledge or consent of the owner of the camper. On Monday, a warrant was signed for the arrest of Guest on third-degree arson and third-degree criminal mischief. Ethan Guest was charged and transported to the Chautauqua County Jail ...

Clymer comeback falls short in state semifinals

March 21, 2026

BINGHAMTON — In its 11th sectional title winning season, Clymer finally reached the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Final Four. On the other side of the floor Clymer’s opponent Sackets Harbor of Section III was making its third straight trip to the Class D ...