Breaking News

Falconer man pleads guilty to child porn production

A Falconer resident has pleaded guilty to producing child pornography just as his trial was underway. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced Wednesday that 27-year-old Yusef E. Malik Myrick pleaded guilty to four counts of production of child pornography before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. following opening arguments in his federal jury trial. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years, and a $250,000 fine. Between September 2020, and December 19, 2021, Myrick communicated with several minor females on various social ...

Appeal in dismissed Silver Creek murder charge set

The Chautauqua County District Attorney’s office will soon be in a state court arguing to have a murder charge reinstated against a Silver Creek mother. The appeal for 37-year-old Ashley Bertino is scheduled for Sept. 16 in the Fourth Department Appellate Division Court of ...

Switzer confirmed as Dunkirk police chief

OBSERVER Photos by M.J. Stafford Douglas Switzer is congratulated by fellow city of Dunkirk department heads Tuesday after the interim police chief got the the job on a permanent basis. By M.J. Stafford mstafford@observertoday.com DUNKIRK - Capt. Douglas Switzer was appointed chief of ...

Summer soaring for Ripley programs

RIPLEY - At their meeting this month, Ripley Central School Board of Education members heard reports about action plans for both ELA and math for the coming school year. Michelle Waters, director of curriculum and pupil services, said that while student reading levels and foundational letter ...

N. Harmony, Chautauqua sharing code officer

North Harmony is going to contract with the town of Chautauqua for additional help with code enforcement. Rick Walzak will be paid $37.50 an hour for the roughly 12 hours a week he is expected to help handle inspections in North Harmony, with part of that payment to pay for Walczak's benefits that the town of Chautauqua pays into. Walczak will also be paid mileage by North Harmony. Dick Sena, Town Board member, asked why the town didn't explore a shared services contract with the town of Busti for $25 an hour. According to minutes from the meeting, North Harmony had been looking for ...