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The OBSERVER’s View

FREDONIA: Farm Festival back in its groove

Northern Chautauqua County’s annual sign that the State University of New York at Fredonia is ready for the fall semester — and summer’s end is not far away — takes place this weekend. It’s the 57th annual Farm Festival that takes place in Barker Common. After a number of reorganizational efforts last year, the Fest is planning to be a three-day event again that begins on Friday. “We added back Friday from 4 to 9 p.m. to give the community, as well as the vendors, an opportunity to settle in and have a bit more opportunity to enjoy the Festival,” said festival co-chair ...

FORESTVILLE: Special celebration is cause for hope

Saturday is far from a new beginning, but for some parishioners in Forestville they are hoping it is not the end. St. Rose of Lima Church will be opening at noon Saturday to celebrate Feast Day of St. Rose of Lima. In doing so, it is inviting residents to attend the event that will be followed by a chicken and potluck luncheon at 11 Center St. A group of residents is hoping that more services will be coming in the future as a group is keeping up a fight with the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo to keep the shuttered location open. “We are trying to save our church,” said Theresa ...

NEW YORK STATE: Bill is waging a losing battle

A pair of Democrats in the state Assembly want to place new limits on advertising and promotions by mobile sports betting companies. Phil Steck proposes banning advertising by or on behalf of mobile sports wagering license holders during the broadcast of any live sporting event while Robert Carroll is pushing a bill that includes its own version of a ban on advertising during live sports events by banning advertising between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. and during live sports events. Carroll’s bill also includes a limit on wagers by an individual of $5,000 during a 24-hour period and prohibits ...

New York State: Improvements don’t make the grade

The state Education Department says more students are proficient in English language arts and math. Overall, the 2024-25 state assessment data show that proficiency rates of students in third through eighth grades to be 53% in ELA and 55% in math. The proficiency rate of students in fifth and eighth grades on the statewide science test is 44%. It’s better than it was – but nowhere near good enough. At least state officials have stopped trumpeting small gains in proficiency each year. There was a time when even tepid gains in achievement were trumpeted by state Education ...

FREDONIA: Being transparent on a time line

Without question, the most contentious issue in the village of Fredonia comes down to the water. There are two choices: Keep the reservoir and antiquated treatment plant or find an outside source, such as the North County Water District, to supply users. On Sept. 10, the Village Board is expected to make those decisions — and it appears they are leaning toward purchasing water from Dunkirk. That is very understandable. In the current situation, Fredonia’s water is unreliable. There have been six boil-water orders in the last 31 months. It does not matter if the order happened due ...

BUFFALO BILLS End in sight to longtime home

In the big picture, Saturday was just a preseason contest. Historically speaking, however, the Buffalo Bills 34-25 loss to the New York Giants was the first milestone that comes with the final year of the former Rich, Ralph Wilson and current Highmark Stadium. For more than half a century, the facility in Orchard Park has been the site of so many triumphs — and plenty of heartbreaks. Across the street is a behemoth structure that cost more than $2 billion and will host the National Football League team starting in 2026. Before that site opens, there are more memories to be made. ...