News

City OKs appointment of comptroller

TOP STORIES June 5, 2026

The Dunkirk Common Council approved Tracy Smith-Dengler as new city comptroller this week. She got the job with a 4-1 vote, with Councilman Gary Frederickson dissenting, apparently because Smith-Dengler’s salary is unclear. Smith-Dengler is currently the central business office manager for Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES. She has held that position since 2008, and is a SUNY Fredonia graduate, according to her LinkedIn page. The council also reappointed Clerk/Treasurer Amy Dobek and Fiscal Affairs Officer Ellen Luczkowiak. Those appointments happened by unanimous vote. ...

Hitting the trail: Mary Wilson visits Dunkirk for KABOOM! project

No mention of Bird, water in village

Area Police

Area police June 4, 2026

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT - James D. Mawhir, 36, of Mayville, was charged June 1 with an unsafe lane change, failure to comply with a lawful order, reckless driving, second-degree aggravated unlicensed operator, three counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree criminal using of a paraphernalia, fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. According to officials, at about 4:57 p.m., deputies initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for an ...

Man killed in motorcycle mishap had county connections

Local/Region June 4, 2026

In the midst of Memorial Day celebrations, a 20-year-old man who was admired and well-liked in his hometown of Harborcreek, Pa., as well as his workplace in French Creek, was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident. On the afternoon of May 25, Tyler R. Storicks died after an SUV crossed ...