Breaking News

Key city DPW budget lines in red

Three significant Dunkirk Department of Public Works budget lines are running in the red, according to department head Randy Woodbury. DPW’s director began his most recent Common Council Finance Committee report with a shard of sunshine. The department is going to be able to use Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) funding to pay for a badly needed bucket loader truck. Woodbury followed that news by blotting out the sky with more of Dunkirk’s financial storm clouds. “We are in the red on three lines,” he stated. The first line involves fixing broken infrastructure. “We don’t…

Net awareness

The Sons of the American Legion joined the Fredonia Hillbillies volleyball program in support of breast cancer awareness. On Tuesday,…

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Local/Region

Coming up ...

MONDAY, OCT. 5 Memory Cafe National Comedy Center, 203 W. Second St., Jamestown, 10 a.m. For people living with memory loss plus caregivers, family. Experience museum’s interactive touch-screen exhibits, theater presentations at own pace. Socialize, refreshments. Complimentary event. Guest presenters. Pre-register at ComedyCenter.org/MemoryCafe. Patterson Library presents: Culinary Creations 40 S. Patterson St., Westfield, 12…

Local Sports

Season's first setback

Season's first setback

ORCHARD PARK — Drake Maye threw three touchdown passes, including Efton Chism's one-handed catch…

MONDAY’S SCHEDULE Girls High School Tennis Cassadaga Valley at Dunkirk, 4 p.m. Falconer at Fredonia, 4…

High School Sports Schedule

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The OBSERVER’s View

Best foot forward to help needy

One of the most highly requested items by people in need and the homeless are foot attire, specifically socks. Once again, SOCKTOBER — a month-long sock drive that collects warm new socks for distribution to individuals and families is underway. The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, in collaboration with Cattaraugus County Bank in Dunkirk and…

Obituaries

Rita M. Cieslewicz

Rita M. Cieslewicz, 95, of Dunkirk, passed away peacefully Wednesday evening, September 30, 2026 at the Chautauqua Nursing and Rehab Center in Dunkirk. Calling Hours will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2026 from 10-11 a.m. at the R. Mackowiak Funeral Home, Inc.; 56 East Doughty Street, Dunkirk, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial…

Commentary

We need a new generation of community leaders

From an early age, my father taught me the importance of giving back. As a postman in our city for nearly 30 years, he saw the needs of our community that often went unnoticed—from seniors living in isolation to families waiting for housing support. He taught my brother and I that community isn’t something…

Sunday Lifestyles