News

Brant couple pleads guilty in cruelty case involving 200+ animals

Area police June 9, 2026

A Brant couple who own a farm and had more than 200 of their animals seized have pleaded guilty after being arrested late last year on neglect charges. According to Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane, Bonnie L. George, 75, and Donald L. George, 77, pleaded guilty Monday night before Evans Town Court Justice Dennis P. Glascott. Each entered a guilty plea to two counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; and failure to provide proper sustenance (Class A misdemeanor under New York State Agriculture and Markets Law). An investigation began after a dog control ...

‘Proud’ addition

Flames damage Westfield home

Local/Region June 9, 2026

Crews responded to a house fire late Sunday in the village of Westfield. The incident occurred at 43 Wood St. with crews from the village, town, Ripley, Brocton, North Lake and Portland responding.

Legislator backs Memorial Park amphitheater

TOP STORIES June 9, 2026

Chautauqua County Legislator Bob Bankoski spoke in favor of a proposed amphitheater in Dunkirk’s Memorial Park last week. “Myself, I’m a veteran, served in the Army for 20 years,” said Bankoski, who represents Dunkirk in the county legislature. “My wife and I attend the (Music on the Pier concerts, occasionally held at Memorial Park) on Thursday almost every week.” He continued, “I find it not offensive for the proposed amphitheater in Memorial Park. The proposed site, which is on the far eastern side, would not infringe upon the monuments.” Bankoski pointed out ...

Area police

Area police June 9, 2026

JAMESTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT - Megan B. Leeper, 25, of Jamestown, was charged June 7 with driving while ability impaired by drugs and alcohol, DWI with a child in the vehicle, four counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and other traffic infractions. According to police, at about 8:06 p.m., officers were on patrol in the area of West Harrison Street and Barret Avenue, when they observed a vehicle stopped in the intersection with a damaged street sign, and a stop sign lodged underneath it. Officers, police said, initiated a traffic stop, and identified Leeper as the driver. During ...

Opera House presents National Theatre’s ‘Hamlet’

Community News June 9, 2026

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center will present a new staging of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, captured live via satellite from London’s National Theatre, on SSaturday at 1 p.m. The National Theatre Live production is part of Arts in the Afternoon at the Opera House. This is a ...