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Report: Deathbed confession in 1985 disappearance of Angelica woman
A 35-year-old disappearance case in Allegany County resurfaced this past week as a terminal cancer patient has reportedly given his deathbed confession. David Sherk, a neighbor of Flossie Wilbur, who at age 75 disappeared from her home in Angelica in August 1985, is in a medical facility in Wyoming County with terminal cancer and allegedly confessed to the crime, according to a news article by John Anderson, former editor of the Wellsville Daily Reporter and former Allegany County reporter for the Olean Times Herald. Anderson is currently editor of the Tyler (Texas) Morning Telegraph but was drawn back to report on the case by recent developments. Anderson reported that several police sources con-
OLEAN TIMES HERALD 716-372-3121 • BRADFORD PUBLISHING COMPANY
firmed the confession by Sherk, which led to extensive search activity Wednesday in the Town of Almond. The news report indicated Sherk will not be charged because of his condition and cooperation with where the body is possibly buried, police said. Wilbur has been missing since Aug. 24, 1985, in Angelica, when all police could find were her groceries in her car. The Hornell Evening Tribune reported July 8 that a New York State Police team was searching an area in the Town of Almond near the Almond dam, following a new lead in the cold case. Police vehicles lined Route 21 near Webb’s Crossing Road Wednesday afternoon. A field on the creek side of the road had been mowed clear of
This photo of David Sherk was taken from his Facebook page.
weeds, and a white tent was set up about 100 yards from the road. Social media posts linked the search to the Wilbur case. A Steuben County law enforcement source who was not involved with the search told the Evening Tribune that investigators are following up
on a tip on the Wilbur case. Trooper James O’Callaghan, the State Police Troop A public information officer, confirmed the Almond activity involved a cold case, but he declined to identify which one. “I’m not going to get into specifics,” O’Callaghan told the Hornell newspaper. “We’re working on a lead from a cold case. We’re just looking to see if there’s any validity to it.” O’Callaghan said investigators will remain in the area until “they deem that either something has been located that will help in our investigation or they deem that at this point in time, it’s not a credible source or a credible step forward.” The Bureau of Criminal Investigation out of the state police’s Amity office are con-
tinuing to investigate. “This case is still under investigation and has not been solved at this time,” state police said in a statement on July 10. “Due to the missing person case still being investigated, no further information will be released at this time.” If you have any information on this case, contact the NYSP at (585) 344-6200. Anderson, the former Wellsville editor, writes that Sherk was an antique collector who had a yard sale year-round at his house on West Main Street in Angelica. Police said when Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe from the “American Pickers” television show were in the area filming in 2015 they checked out Sherk’s collection but it did not make an episode.
Allegany County notes new COVID-19 case; state of emergency extended By BOB CLARK BELMONT — One new COVID-19 case was reported in Allegany County earlier this week. Allegany County Department of Health officials announced that 72 cases have now been reported in the county. Of those cases, three are active, 68 have resulted in recoveries, and one death was reported in late March. To date, 1,036 quarantines or isolations have been ordered, with 40 residents remaining in quarantine or isolation. Precautionary travel quarantines rose from 59 on Sunday to 67 on Monday. The county extended its state of emergency another 30 days, said Board of
Legislators Chairman Curt Crandall. “Each of these extensions has not been taken lightly,” he said in a statement. “With the ongoing testing and positive cases still rising, many due to travelers from outside our county or residents visiting hot spots and returning, we feel it is prudent to continue the State of Emergency Declaration. We also have financial concerns for the operations of our County and the services we provide and are hopeful that relief will be provided beyond what we have seen thus far and feel that this declaration could assist in obtaining it.” The board met for the first time in person Monday, he said, since early
still need to be vigilant and move ahead in a safe but steadfast manner,” he added.
File photo Allegany County Board of Legislators Chairman Curt Crandall (left), R-Belfast, and County Administrator Carissa Knapp.
March. “For 18 weeks we have operated under unusual circumstances. Employees have been periodically working from home to reduce contact, some have
been furloughed, and although services have continued and in some cases such as our Home Delivered Meals Program, they have expanded to meet a crucial need, we
AROUND 50 WORKERS returned to Alfred University on Monday to help the university prepare for the Fall 2020 semester. Most of the workers who returned Monday are facilities staff from the University’s Physical Plant, while some researchers and technicians have also returned and will assist in cleaning and preparing for the arrival of students in August. Throughout the coming weeks, facilities staff will be cleaning and sanitizing all campus buildings, placing hand-sanitizing stations at critical locations, and installing COVID-
19-related signage noting social distancing requirements, the need to wear masks/face coverings, and directional traffic flow. “We are excited for the reopening of our campus,” said Mark Zupan, Alfred University president. “The return of employees is one of the first important steps in the process of ensuring a safe living, learning and working environment for our students, staff, and faculty.” Once safety measures are in place, more workers will begin returning each week, while some may continue to work remotely after the semester has started. All but essential workers have been working from home since late March.
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