Thirty years ago — 1994

John R. Bentley, who over the past 20 years built the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department into a professional police force, died today at his home. He was 64 and a police officer for more than 38 years. Among his survivors are three sons, all of them police officers, and a daughter. He was the second high county official to die this week, the other being County Personnel Director Robert Laughlin. He was 68.

Forty years ago — 1984

Robert Redford’s movie, “The Natural,” recently opened in Dunkirk. Eleven-year-old Dennis Gould of South Dayton said he was beginning to feel like a movie star after seeing himself on the screen for the first time. His name was listed in the film credits at the end of the movie. His part as a carnival boy includes a brief dialogue with movie star Robert Redford. His mother, Vivian Gould, also was an extra in the movie and she spotted herself on the screen four different times. Dennis mentioned with pride that Redford gave him the baseball that was used in his scenes.

Fifty years ago — 1974

A public meeting will be held for the proposed cable television service in Fredonia.