OHIO WOMAN ARRESTED ON METH CHARGES IN CATTARAUGUS COUNTY

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Celina Serva aka “Ce Ce”, 26, of Akron, OH, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna Duncan, who is handling the case, stated that on March 28, 2025, the DEA, the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, and the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force began investigating the sale and distribution of narcotics in the Town of Ellicott. The investigation included surveillance and controlled purchases of narcotics. On April 3, 2025, investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in Ellicott, seizing multiple controlled substances, a shotgun, and a large quantity of cash. Subsequent investigation identified Serva as the source of supply. Later in the day on April 3, investigators arrested Serva as she attempted to deliver methamphetamine to the residence. She was found with a total of 975 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine in her possession.

Serva made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was held pending a detention hearing.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division, the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, under the direction of Cattaraugus County Sheriff Eric Butler, the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, the Lakewood-Busti Police Department, under the direction of Chief Christopher DePonceau, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone, and the Ellicott Police Department, under the direction of Chief William Ohnmeiss.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  

Obituary: Judith “Judy” Margo Burgess Gardner, 87, of Pike

Pike - Judith “Judy” Margo Burgess Gardner of Pike has relocated her baby hat knitting services and family guardian enterprises to her new residence in heaven. She plans to occupy her free time dancing with her beloved Charles “Charlie” Gardner who, on December 8, 2023, went ahead to prepare for her arrival.

Born on November 6, 1937, to Glenn “Bud” Burgess and Virginia Eldridge Burgess, Judy grew up in Fillmore with her brothers Glenn “Spud” of Fillmore, and Anthony and Michael with whom she has reunited.

A deeply cherished wife and mother, Judy’s truest calling began on May 13, 1955 when she married Charlie. Over the next 68 years they built a strong and loving family welcoming children Stephanie (Marv) Smith of Chaparral, New Mexico, Tammy (Kip) Falkner of Gainesville, Josh (Judy) Gardner of Warsaw, Christie (Stephen) Gerasimchik of Deland, Florida, Valerie Gardner of Pike, and Darcie Jo Gardner who predeceased in infancy.  “Grandma Dear” is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

Judy entered the formal workforce at Pike Elementary School and moved on to Wyoming County Community Hospital where she served for many years before retiring in 2000. Never one to condone idle hands, Judy’s boundless creativity and work ethic yielded quality sewing, craft and knitting projects. So prolific was her artistic drive that she ran her “Judy’s Shirts” home business for several years. An incredibly generous soul, Judy donated her signature knitted baby hats (over 2,200!) along with other handmade infant essentials to local hospitals.

Judy would tell us “No Whining”, get our feet under us, and carry on in a manner that won’t keep us out of heaven.

Family and friends may gather from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at the Kopler-Williams Funeral Home, 21 N Genesee Street, Fillmore where a funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 11:00 am. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Gainesville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Crazy Country Kids 4H, PO Box 6, Pike, NY 14130 and Pike Rescue Squad, PO Box 58, Pike, NY 14130

Online condolences may be made at: www.koplerwilliamsfuneralhome.com.

Wellsville School Board approves Interim Maintenance Supervisor and more this week

The Wellsville School Board of Education this week approved appointing an Interim Maintenance Supervisor. By a unanimous vote, the Board appointed Darcy Brownell to the position until further notice. Supporting the measure - Alan Mosher, Kathleen McKinley Murphy, Steven Pettenati, Jason Mattison, Patricia Haggerty, Robert Gilfert, Shane Vogel. The school board also accepted the following resignations this week:

-"that the resignation of Art Teacher, Sarah Turner, be accepted effective April 11, 2025."

-"that the resignation of Technology Teacher, Cooper Buckley, be accepted effective June 25, 2025."

-"that the resignation of Music Teacher, Arron Wixson, be accepted effective April 2, 2025."

The Board approved the following Instructional Leaves of Absence:

-"that Sandra Quick be granted a leave of absence on or about June 12, 2025, until on or about June 25, 2025."

-"that Shannon Whiteside be granted a leave of absence on or about April 9, 2025, until on or about May 16, 2025."

-"that Megan Phillips be granted a leave of absence on or about June 16, 2025, until on or about November 26, 2025."

In addition –

Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education of the Wellsville Central School District approves the terms of the Agreement for Services between the Wellsville Central School District and Maple City Physical Therapy, PLLC.

Motion by Steven Pettenati, second by Patricia Haggerty. Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Alan Mosher, Kathleen McKinley Murphy, Steven Pettenati, Jason Mattison, Patricia Haggerty, Robert Gilfert, Shane Vogel

Wellsville Fire selects new Fire Chiefs

Wellsville Fire Department Chief Elections were held Thursday night at Station 2.

2025 - 2026 Chief Officers of the Wellsville Fire Department:

Chief: Greg Day from Wellsville Volunteer Fire Company

1st Assistant Chief: Andrew Havens Grant Duke Hose Co #1

2nd Assistant Chief: Kevin Fleischman Dyke Street Engine Co #2

Congratulations to the new incoming chief, and Past Chief Fleischman back in the ranks.

Thank you to outgoing Chief Rodney Winans from The Emerald Hook & Ladder Co #3 for your years as Chief, and assistant chiefs to the department. Also thank you William “Bill” Day Jr for years as Assistant Fire Chief.

New York State Police Blotter – April 3, 2025

New York State Police Blotter – April 3, 2025

4/3/25 12:52 p.m.- On March 30^th, state police were call to the town of Wirt to investigate a domestic dispute. On Thursday, troopers reported the arrest of Ashley K. Plants, 29, of Bolivar. She was charged with felony criminal mischief and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. She was taken to the Allegany County Jail for Central arraignment.

4/3/25 2:49 p.m.- After being called to a domestic dispute, state police arrested Brian Lowery, 52, of Canaseraga. He was charged with second-degree criminal contempt-disobey a court order. He was taken to the County Jail to await Central arraignment.

4/3/25 6:53 p.m.- After responding to a complaint in the town of Wellsville, state police arrested Alexander Nathaniel Preston, 20, of Arkport. He was charged with Making Graffiti. He’ll appear in court at a later date.

4/3/25 2:30 p.m.- After a family offense in Hornellsville, state police arrested Ashley M. Fuller, 32, of Hornell. She was charged with criminal contempt and two counts of child endangerment. She was taken to Steuben County Jail for Central arraignment.

Obituary: Linda V. Burks, 74, of Shinglehouse

Linda V. Burks  “beloved wife mother, grandmother, and sister”

SHINGLEHOUSE, PA---Linda V. Burks, 74, of Shinglehouse, passed away in her home with her loving family by her side on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, after a long illness.

Born on Thursday, December 14, 1950 in Anchorage, Alaska, she was a daughter of Alden M. and Elizabeth J. Summerell Vandenboom.  On May 31, 1969 in Orlando, Florida, she married Pat Burks, who survives.

 Linda was a graduate of Oakridge High School in Orlando, Florida.  She was employed in the hospitality industry starting as a maid working her way up to General Manager of a 725 room motel.  After that career, Linda was a motel inspector for Wyndham Worldwide until her retirement.

Linda was a member of Bell Run Union Church where she served as Sunday School superintendent and was involved with the Awana’s group of the church.  She served as a School Board Director for the Oswayo Valley School District in Shinglehouse.  She enjoyed playing Bingo.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband; a son, James A. (Penny) Burks of Shinglehouse; a grandson, James “Max” Burks of Shinglehouse; a granddaughter, Amberdale “Amber” Burks of Shinglehouse; two sisters, Patty (Ricky) Boles of Georgia and Connie (Jerry) Ingram of Florida; two brothers, David (Marlene) Vandenboom of North Carolina and Craig (Naomi) Vandenboom of Florida; two sisters-in-law, Carol (Rod) Tenney of Ceres, NY and Peggy Hartwell of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may call from 11:30am to 12 noon on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the Bell Run Union Church, 904 Taylor Brook Road, Shinglehouse where a celebration of life will follow at 12 noon with Pastor Chad E. Shaffer, officiating.  

All attending are invited to join with the family for a luncheon at the Church Fellowship Hall on Taylor Brook Road, Shinglehouse.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Linda’s name may be made to Bell Run Union Church, designated to the Children’s Sunday School, 904 Taylor Brook Road, Shinglehouse, PA 16748.

Linda’s family has entrusted her care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Linda, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.

Allegany County Press Release - Business Resource Pop Up Press Release

Date: April 3, 2025

For Release Immediately

Contact: Office of Economic Development 585-268-7153

Re: Free Business Resource Pop-Up Event Coming Soon 

Belmont, NY - On April 15, Allegany County Office of Economic Development, in partnership with the Small Business Development Center at JCC, is offering a free business resource pop-up from 4-5:30 at the Belmont Free Library. This free event brings all our local and regional business resources into the same room for your convenience. All you have to do is show up anytime during the event and ask any questions you may have related to your current operations or starting your own business. 

Representatives from the Small Business Development Center at JCC, Allegany County Offices of Economic Development, Employment & Training, ACCORD Small Business Center, Small Business Administration, Cuba Chamber of Commerce, Wellsville Chamber of Commerce, Incubator Works, Pursuit Lending, Southern Tier West, Laine Business Accelerator, Workforce Development, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and Allegany County IDA will be in attendance. 

This is the first of a series of events that the Office of Economic Development will be hosting for our local entrepreneurs and small businesses. We can’t wait to see you there! Also, did we mention it’s free?

 

Obituary: Anne Catherine (Hinz) Recio, 85, Wellsville

Anne Catherine (Hinz) Recio of Riverview Heights passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at Highland Park Nursing Center surrounded by her family. 

 The following obituary was written by Anne herself.

Anne was born in her home on October 13, 1929. She was one of sixteen children born to Andrew and Louise Hinz in Muenster, Saskatchewan, Canada. Anne graduated from St. Elizabeth’s hospital in Humboldt, Saskatoon as a registered nurse in 1954. She then nursed in hospitals in Hamilton, Bermuda, Phelps Memorial Hospital in Tarrytown, N.Y., Sloan Kettering Hospital on 68th St. New York City, and then part time for 26 years in ICU at Jones Memorial Hospital.

 

On August 8, 1959, she married Joaquin “Joe” Jose Recio in St. Monica Church on 79th St. New York City. On June 12, 1998, her husband, Joe, died after 39 years of marriage.

 

Anne was a devote Catholic member of Immaculate Conception Church for 60 years, she was also a Eucharistic Minister from 1974-2019. In the 1980s she started volunteering at the David A. Howe Library and delivering Meals on Wheels to the elderly and shut ins in Allegany County. For over 20 years, she gave blood six-times-a-year and was on the Board of Elections for 10 years.

 

Anne loved nursing, sewing, gardening, partying, dancing, and laughing in her earlier days. Later, she loved to read, play cards, golf, and travel. She travelled to Bermuda, Cancun, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the Scandinavian countries, Russia, Germany, England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Monaco, Jerusalem, including all 50 states and of course, the provinces of her native land Canada and now Heaven.

 

She is survived by: her five children, Richard Recio, Susan (Scott) Walters, Denise (Robert) Cruttenden, Jeanette (Peter) Haupt and Colleen (Jeffrey) Jorolemon; ten grandchildren, Katherine, Daniel, and Mitchell Recio, Andrew Walters, Jacob and Ashton Cruttenden, Alyssa and Katarina Haupt, and Jared and Jaclyn Jorolemon; sisters, Lillian Rose Hinz and Sr. Louise Hinz; as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded by her siblings: Albert, Margaret, Marie, Fr. Leo, Conrad, Harry, Joseph, Lawrence, Wilfred, Edwin, Evelyn, Sr. Denise, and Agnes.

 

Friends are invited to call on Monday, April 7, 2025, from 10 – 11 am at Immaculate Conception Church of Wellsville, 36 Maple Avenue. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am. Burial will be in Stannards Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to Immaculate Conception Church c/o office, 17 Maple Avenue, Wellsville, NY 14895; or to Wings Flights of Hope (https://wingsflight.org/ ). To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com . 

Impressive crew behind Wellsville school production of 'Legally Blonde'

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzBYPQPo1WU

Obituary: Raffaele N. Ozzella, 90, Allegany

Allegany- Raffaele Nunzio “Ozzy” Ozzella 

Raffaele N. Ozzella of 7th Street, passed away on Wednesday, March 2, 2025 at the Field of Dreams.

Ozzy was born March 25, 1935 in Olean and was the son of Davide Angelo and Maria Grazia Ozzella. On July 27, 1959 in the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels he married Rebecca Ann Covert who predeceased him on July 1, 2017.

Ozzy worked at many different professions including the family business, Olean Fireworks where he was involved in all aspects. He also worked as a cook at St. Bonaventure and owned his own restaurant “Nunzio Restaurant”. Ozzy also worked at Blue Bird Bus as a mechanic and driver, he was a garage supervisor at Laid Law and he operated his own gas station and worked for Maynard Electric as a delivery driver.

Ozzy formerly attended Allegany Baptist Church. He enjoyed fishing, cars, socializing, cooking and having a good meal and traveling, and he loved his numerous pets.

Ozzy is survived by; 4 children, Gina M. (Ralph “Pete”) Scrogging of Johnsonville, SC, Anna M. (Thomas) Morreale of Penfield, Michael G. (Shannon) Ozzella of Olean and David R. (Carol) Ozzella; 9 grandchildren, Sheena, Dominck, Jared, Maria, Kristine, Joseph, Giuseppe, Madison and Anthony; 6 great grandchildren, Amera, Rylee, Deluca, Lucas, Marigold and Hendrix and several nieces and nephews.

Along with his loving wife Rebecca, Ozzy was predeceased by; his parents and 11 siblings.

Friends will be received at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State St., on Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 10:00am to 12:00pm at which time a memorial service will be held. The Rev. Mark Chapman pastor of the Allegany Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cattaraugus County SPCA, 2944 NY-16, Olean, NY 14760.

New York State Police Blotter – April 2, 2025

New York State Police Blotter – April 2, 2025

4/2/25 4:50 p.m. -On January 27, 2022, state police from the Amity barracks were called to investigate a potential sex offense in the town of Alfred. On Wednesday, troopers say they arrested Peter C. Little, 43, of Alfred Station. He was charged with felony promoting a sexual performance by a child under age 17 and possessing a sexual performance by a child. Court action is pending.

4/2/25 1:35 p.m.- After investigating a complaint in the town of Wellsville, state police arrested Christian P. Tuttle, 22, of Belmont. He was charged with endangering the welfare of a child. A court appearance is pending.

4/2/25 9:10 a.m.- During an investigation is the town of Clarksville, state police arrested Caleb J. Kessler, 27, of Cuba/Clarksville. He was charged with felony third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a controlled substance and operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs. He was taken to the Allegany County Jail for Central arraignment where new charges were also added.

4/2/25 10:18 a.m.- After investigating a complaint in the town of Greenwood, state police arrested Jonathan M. Moore, 40, of Rexville. He was charged with three counts of child endangerment and one count of unlawfully dealing with a child involving alcohol. A court appearance is pending.

UR Jones Memorial recognizes Jim Franklin of Wellsville-longtime WVAC member

This week our associate spotlight shines on James Franklin, part of our facilities and maintenance team for the past 8 years. 

"Jim is a people person! His passion to help others is genuine, and because of that, he is a perfect fit for his role in the Facility Services Dept. Jim is one the most reliable, hardworking guys that I have ever met. We are grateful to have him as part of our JMH team." - Jeff Ely, Director of Facilities

What is your favorite part of working at Jones Memorial?

Friendship and helping people

What inspired you to pursue working in healthcare, what are you most proud of?

Been working in healthcare for over 30 years

What's the best piece of advice you ever received?

Never underestimate anything

Do you have a favorite song, playlist or podcast to get you through your day?

Spotify 80's rock

What is your favorite hobby?

Hunting and fishing with the grandkids

What's a book, movie or TV show you would recommend to everyone?

Real Life ER show

What's your dream vacation destination?

Hawaii

What's your favorite quote?

Life is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you're going to get

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Cure all illness in childhood lives

Allegany County Sheriff's Blotter - April 2, 2025

On 04/02/2025, Deputies from the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office arrested CALEB J. KESSLER, age 27, of Clarksville, NY for Promoting Prison Contraband 1st & Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th for allegedly possessing a quantity of methamphetamine while being booked into the Allegany County Jail. KESSLER will be arraigned in CAP Court.