News

State Farm Bureau backs Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act

Business July 2, 2026

U.S. Representative GT Thompson (R-PA) this week introduced the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act (SAWA), legislation that would provide critical changes to the H-2A guest worker program. Original cosponsors of the bill include U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy. “New York Farm Bureau (NYFB) commends Rep. Thompson and the bill’s cosponsors for their leadership in addressing one of the largest concerns facing New York farmers — the shortage and rising cost of farm labor,” said NYFB President David Fisher. “These changes to the H-2A program will make a huge difference in our ...

Gerry to open buried time capsule on Fourth

Community News July 2, 2026

GERRY — This weekend is the July Fourth holiday, and America’s 250th birthday, but in the town of Gerry another special event will be afoot with the opening of a time capsule that was buried around that same day 50 years ago. Town clerk Jodie Fehlman, said the idea for the time capsule was brought up and put together by town resident Herbert Best, who has been a resident of Gerry his whole life. “In July of 1976 he decided to put this together and to have it opened in 2026 marking 50 years,” Fehlman said. “The time capsule was buried around July 4th, 1976. The Gerry Town ...

Forest Lodge marks 50 year at site

Community News July 2, 2026

On July 3, 1976, the members of Forest Lodge 166, F&AM, completed and dedicated their new building on East Main Street in Fredonia. For almost 100 years prior, they had called home the 4 story “Concert Hall”, located across from the Barker Common, which was destroyed in a devastating fire ...

Democratic dinner to honor Kidder

Community News July 2, 2026

Former New York State Assemblyman Rolland Kidder will be honored at the Annual Chautauqua County Democratic dinner on Thursday, July 16 at the Doubletree Hotel at 6 p.m. for his lifetime of public service. In 1970 as a Navy Lt. in charge of a Mekong River patrol boat, Kidder started a ...

Hanover prepares for a unique July 4 Celebration

Community Notebook

Community News July 2, 2026

Brush pickup planned Monday in village The village of Fredonia will be picking up limbs and yard waste beginning Monday at 7 a.m. Collection will continue until every village street has been completed. Bags and brush are collected separately by different crews. All items for collection must be at the curb no later than 7 a.m. In no case will there be a repeat collection of areas completed. All yard waste must be bagged or in barrels. The village encourages the use of biodegradable bags or barrels and all limbs and brush must be tied with twine. Limbs and brush must be cut no ...