Bright spots mixed with challenges at SUNY

March 26, 2026

It is an important weekend for the State University of New York at Fredonia. Saturday marks “Big Blue Day” when those accepted students have the chance to visit the campus between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to explore, connect with future classmates, and see what life at Fredonia is all about. Additionally, the university announced a new provost last week. Julie Gorlewski, Ph.D., who currently serves as the Klara and Larry Silverstein Dean of the School of Education at Hunter College, will serve as chief academic officer, overseeing academic programs, faculty affairs and initiatives that ...

SOUTH DAYTON: Dissolution plan worth watching

March 25, 2026

With recent discussions of a consolidated northern Chautauqua County municipality, it is interesting to see what is happening in the village of South Dayton in Cattaraugus County. In recent months, the entity has considered dissolution. Tonight, the Village Board plans a public hearing on the topic at 7 in the South Dayton Fire Hall, 34 Maple St. The hearing is supposed to focus on a dissolution plan endorsed by the Village Board at a Feb. 11 meeting. The plan would transfer most village services, records and laws to the town of Dayton. The hearing will also consider “what ...

Making progress on Code Blue site

March 24, 2026

We’ve been critical of the lack of progress on transitional housing programs for the homeless in Chautauqua County in recent weeks. Transitional housing is still moving too slowly for our liking, but it’s good to see the county beginning to push for increased services in the north county. Jamestown’s homeless population exploded over the past few years, but the issue is becoming more pronounced in the north county too. We have to give credit where it’s due. And it’s good to see the county is working to find a Code Blue site for the north county similar to the ROME shelter ...

COUNTY: Waivers no factor in smoking rates

March 23, 2026

Chautauqua County officials want to push the remaining organizations that have indoor smoking waivers to go smokefree. Smoking indoors in public places became largely illegal in New York state with the passage of the Clean Indoor Air Act on July 24, 2003, banning smoking in most workplaces, restaurants, and bars. There are five remaining private organizations with waivers to allow indoor smoking - and those five clubs will begin paying more for the privilege: $300 annually to $650 in 2026, and to $1,000 in 2027. We can’t argue with the health benefits of going smokefree. There are ...

Expensive entities have few options

March 21, 2026

What’s being considered in northern Chautauqua County is long overdue. Within the past months, Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel has led the way in talks for a major merger between the city of Dunkirk, village of Fredonia and towns of Dunkirk and Pomfret. To those who are on the outside, it is an obvious solution. Closer to home, we tend to fight these suggestions because there’s comfort in consistency. But within the last two years, it has become clear that area municipal governments are letting down those they serve. Property taxes increased 84% in the city in 2025 and 54% ...

HALT Act inaction invites dangers

March 19, 2026

Common-sense choices in upstate are often not embraced by downstate Democrats with ties to New York City. It is a chief reason the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement (HALT) Committee to reform the severely flawed act and help address the ongoing staffing crisis in New York’s prisons has not happened. Republicans, however, are attempting to keep the pressure on due to safety concerns and understaffed positions. “After years of policies that have driven correction officers out of the workforce and made our prisons more dangerous for both staff and inmates, it’s ...