Jamestown man facing sex crimes with children charges

January 24, 2026

An 18-year-old Jamestown man is facing numerous charges for multiple sex crimes with children. On Friday, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation stationed at the State Police at Jamestown charged Benjamin A. Christ with felony predatory sexual assault against a child, felony first-degree rape, felony first-degree sex abuse, felony promoting a sexual performance by a child, felony possessing a sexual performance by a child and endangering the welfare of a child. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation at Jamestown with the assistance from the Troop A Computer Crimes Unit, conducted an ...

WOODS CHARGED IN CORRUPTION WITH CITY FUNDS

January 23, 2026

A man city voters put in charge of enormous amounts of Dunkirk’s finances for more than two decades has been charged in the theft of more than $120,000. On Friday afternoon, state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt dropped the bombshell of ...

Storms, cold bring State of Emergency order

January 23, 2026

A State of Emergency has been issued by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul regarding the coming extreme cold and hazardous winter weather conditions. Extreme cold moves in Friday night, with statewide feels-like temperatures in the negatives Friday and Saturday night. Sunday morning, a large winter ...

Victim’s name released in city train, pickup accident

January 21, 2026

A 77-year-old man died in the accident involving a train and motor vehicle on Tuesday on Middle Road. The Dunkirk Police Department said the victim has been identified as Adolf E. Herdzik Jr. The cause of the accident remains under investigation by the Dunkirk Police Department in coordination with CSX Railroad officials. Due to the nature of the investigation, police said it may take some time before it is completed. "The Dunkirk Police Department extends its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones during this difficult time," the department noted.

UPDATE: One dead in car-train accident; Thruway mishaps reported as weather deteriorates

January 20, 2026

Within the afternoon hours, it became dangerous to be a motorist in northern Chautauqua County. Around 1:30 p.m., the Dunkirk Police Department, Dunkirk Fire Department, and Alstar Ambulance responded to a report of a pickup struck by a train at the Middle Road and the CSX railroad crossing. ...

Opera House cancels ‘Springsteen’ screening tonight

January 20, 2026

Due to the continued inclement weather forecast, and the travel advisory currently in effect, tonight’s Cinema Series screening of “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere” at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House has been canceled. It will not be rescheduled. “We apologize for any ...