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Measles prompts emergency order by Hochul

State Gov. Kathy Hochul issued an Executive Order Monday declaring a State Disaster Emergency in response to the growing number of measles cases across rural areas of New York and neighboring states. There are three known measles cases in Chautauqua County while there are 14 in Steuben County. Both counties border Pennsylvania, where the illness has been a hot spot. The Executive Order enables the State to respond more swiftly to the outbreak and allows healthcare professionals to take additional steps that will help get more New Yorkers vaccinated and tested, if needed. The ...

Ripley approves use of therapy dog at school

Ripley Central School Board of Education members approved the use of a school therapy dog at no cost to the district at their meeting in September. Luna, owned by district employee Carla Wienke, will be used as an in-district therapy dog during normal school hours. Concurrent with this ...

WACS volleyball holding ‘Pink Out’ event

estfield Academy and Central School Girls volleyball team is fighting on and off the court to help combat breast cancer. The team is holding a “Pink Out” event from 4:30 p.m. until the end of the varsity game today. The WACS volleyball team will go against Maple Grove and all guests are encouraged to wear pink. All proceeds from the event will be donated to AHN Westfield Memorial Hospital for Breast Cancer Awareness. The Westfield Volleyball Parents are sponsoring this fundraiser. The event will include at least 15 basket raffles and a 50-50 drawing. Also, at least 15 gift ...

Public water supply violations continue

A number of businesses have again been cited for not sending required reports on time for their public water supplies. The county Health Department recently announced the following agreements to settle: Cassadaga ShurFine of Route 60, Cassadaga was fined $600 for failure to submit the June monthly operation records on time for their public water supply. This was their seventh missed report since January, 2025. The Bemus Point Golf Course & Tap House of Main Street, Bemus Point was fined $200 for failure to submit the May monthly operation records on time for their public water ...

Fredonia halts anonymous letters at meetings

Anonymous correspondence will no longer get read out at Fredonia’s Board of Trustees meetings. Trustees voted, 4-0, last week to make the change. The resolution they passed begins that anonymous letters “may still be shared with the mayor and trustees for their review.” However, trustees “shall not read anonymous correspondence aloud at village meetings. To be read publicly, all submissions must include the sender’s name and community location.” The move is in apparent response to a recent letter that disparaged and belittled Mayor Michael Ferguson. The writer signed ...

Concert aims to raise funds for Ripley bat site

Buffalo Bat Habitat (BBH), and Third Floor Productions USA are partnering to host a benefit concert on Saturday at Elma Village Green, 3007 Bowen Road, Elma. ‘Luci Fest: A Benefit for Bats’ will take place from noon to 5 p.m. featuring live music, food trucks, and educational programming. ‘Luci’ refers to the Latin name for Little Brown Bats, Myotis lucifugus. October is national bat appreciation month, making it an opportune time for education and awareness. Entertainment for the event to be provided by local bands Edge of Sundown and FMX: The Fleetwood Mac Experience. ...