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The OBSERVER’s View

Thruway:Overnight toll-free trips worth try

A proposal introduced late in the state legislative session to eliminate overnight tolls on the state Thruway makes a lot of sense, in our view. Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, D-Schenectady, suggests eliminating tolls on the Thruway between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. in order to reduce congestion during daytime peak hours. There could also be potential savings on freight transportation if trucks can move goods without having to spend money on tolls. Santabarbara’s bill would also require the state Transportation Department to collect data on traffic patterns, toll revenue and public ...

Parnerships: JCC takes gamble with College Connections

Jamestown Community College officials are proposing a change to its College Connections program. The program is a collaboration between JCC and partner high schools in the region that allows high school students to earn JCC course credit. The content, assignments, projects, and assessments in College Connections courses are consistent with those taught on the JCC campus. College Connections students work towards the same outcomes as those enrolled in on-campus courses. Students who successfully complete College Connections courses earn JCC credit, which is verified by an official ...

FREDONIA: Oversized entity has list of issues

Shortly before the boil-water order hit Fredonia and its users, elected officials were dealing with some other leaks — notably those that are impacting the Darwin R. Barker Library and improvements needed to the Village Hall. It is just one more issue for a cash-strapped entity that recently passed on its troubles to property owners to the tune of a 56% tax increase. “We’re going to have to really do an inventory of repairs that need to be done for the building, and quit talking about it,” village Mayor Michael Ferguson said during a trustees workshop. “We got a quarter of ...

Forestville: Right at home celebrating history

On Monday, Forestville will be celebrating a historic moment. At 4 p.m., The first home in the town of Hanover at 21 Pearl St. is set to be placed on the National Historic Register. A celebration at the home featuring the unveiling of a commemorative plaque and a celebration of the home’s legacy within the proposed Center-Pearl Historic District will be part of the celebration. The Town Board and its History Center organized the event, alongside Nancy Adams Fry and her husband, Merv Fry, on behalf of Imagine Forestville. Town Historian Vince Martonis, who will unveil the ...

County Fair: Region’s best in the spotlight

Our area’s showcase of talent, agriculture and entertainment is in full swing at the Chautauqua County Fair. With the cannon blast on Tuesday, the week-long event kicked off. One of the highlights this year, as has been noted by our outdoors columnist Forrest Fisher, was the new Conservation Building at the county fair. “It is filled with animals from North America, Africa, and it’s going to be a conservation education center,” explained Linda Lamphere, county fair president. Farming also plays a large role in the event. 4-H members can be found showing animals in one of four ...

DUNKIRK: Session is chance for nuclear insight

Dunkirk residents who are seeking more information — or want to be a part of the discussion regarding a possible nuclear plant — are invited to attend a session that follows tonight’s council meeting. City Mayor Kate Wdowiasz has invited Dr. Andrew Whittaker, PhD, PE, SE, a SUNY Distinguished Professor in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, from the University at Buffalo to present an informational discussion entitled, “WNY and all things nuclear,” followed by a question and answer opportunity for the public. “We’re eager to begin this ...