Breaking News

DFT Communications introduces new multi-gig internet service

DFT Communications has launched its new multi-gig fiber internet service, giving local residents access to speeds beyond the traditional 1 Gig level. DFT is now the only provider offering residential multi-gig internet in Northern Chautauqua County. For DFT, bringing new technology to the community is nothing new. The company’s story began in 1898, when Arthur R. Maytum installed Fredonia’s first telephone in his Water Street grocery store. He needed a faster way to contact the railroad depot and find out when produce shipments would arrive. That practical solution eventually ...

County awarded $250,000 for housing development

Chautauqua County has been awarded $250,000 through New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s Technical Assistance to Grow Pro-Housing Communities (TAG) program to advance housing development and help municipalities capitalize on opportunities for new residential investment. The initiative builds upon the Chautauqua County Housing Market Assessment and Development Strategy, completed in February 2024, which identified the creation of a healthy and well-functioning housing market as critical to the vibrancy of local communities, the well-being of residents, and the County’s ...

Trustees eye return of public comments

Fredonia officials continue to debate whether a public commenting session should be returned to village board meetings, and the format it would take if it is. The Board of Trustees voted in June to suspend public commenting at meetings. It still allows correspondence to be read out. Several ...

Area Police ...

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT — CARROLL — Deputies responded to an address for a reported altercation at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. It was reported that Jordan Beardsley did engage in a physical altercation with a subject that violated an order of protection. Beardsley was charged with second-degree criminal contempt, second-degree aggravated harassment and second-degree harassment. Beardsley was placed into custody and transported to the Chautauqua County Jail to be arraigned. FREDONIA POLICE DEPARTMENT — A domestic dispute on Aug. 20 has led to charges for one ...

Firefighters respond to call

OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen Dunkirk firefighters were at 18 W. Beach St. around 4:40 p.m. Monday for a garage fire. It was quickly extinguished and did minimal damage. Firefighters had left the scene around 5:15 p.m.

Community Notebook

Parks Commission meets Thursday The Chautauqua County Parks Commission meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Chautauqua County Airport. The public is welcome to attend. Social Dancing classes to begin Fall classes in Social Dancing will begin once again at the Collage Performing Arts Center at 214 Eagle St. in Fredonia beginning Monday, Sept. 7 and Thursday, Sept. 10. Classes meet from 7 to 9 p.m. through November. Dancing has always been an important part of our lives throughout the good times and the more challenging ones. It is an activity that encourages attention to detail, ...