Rural mental health to be discussed

There is a mental health emergency in rural America. 46 million Americans, approximately 14% of the population, live in rural areas. According to the latest stats from the CDC, suicide rates among people living in rural areas are 64% to 68% higher compared to people living in large urban areas. Additionally, farmers and ranchers are nearly twice as likely to die by suicide compared to other occupations.

Recognizing the self-reliance and do-it-yourself mindset that are common among many people living in rural America, the Rural Mental Health Resilience Program provides a toolkit with free mental health information, resources and training to help rural residents improve mental health in their communities.

Speaker Jeff Winton is Founder and Chairman of Rural Minds, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to serve as the informed voice for mental health in rural America, and to provide mental health information and resources. Due to a family tragedy, Winton decided to devote a significant portion of his energies to connecting rural Americans to much-needed mental health services and helping them to tell their personal stories to assist others on similar journeys. In addition to being the founder and chairman of Rural Minds, he is the founder and owner of Wall Street Dairy LLC, a working family dairy farm in Chautauqua County, New York, and a member of a multigenerational farm family.

Event will take place at the Fredonia Grange Hall, 58 W. Main St, Fredonia, NY on Wednesday, March 27 at 8 p.m. and it is open to the public. More information about the Rural Minds Resilience Program can be found at www.ruralminds.org/resilience.

Two ticketed for Zoar Valley use

COLLINS — A Forest Ranger discovered a relatively recent video of two subjects illegally hiking in Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area on Feb. 27. The ranger identified and found the 18- and 19-year-olds from Tonawanda and ticketed both for violating the law that states no person shall enter the area within 15 feet of cliff edges; except on trails designated and marked by DEC; when engaged in ice climbing or rappelling by rope; or by authorized permit issued by DEC.

DEC has undertaken a wide-ranging effort to ensure public safety at Zoar, including a new trail that provides visitors with the opportunity to view the cliffs from a safe and responsible distance. To avoid ongoing construction, go to the DEC Zoar Valley webpage for information and updates.

44 stops during Super Bowl patrol

Chautauqua County police agencies have participated in the New York State STOP-DWI Super Bowl High Visibility Engagement Campaign. The campaign was from Feb. 9 to 11. This event is funded by a 2023-2024 grant from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and is part of a national High Visibility Engagement Campaign effort.

In Chautauqua County, the Chautauqua County Sheriff, municipal law enforcement agencies, and New York State Police vigorously enforce laws related to driving while impaired. They work together to reduce the number of impaired driving injuries and deaths, with special emphasis on driving while impaired by either alcohol or drugs.

The agencies reported a total of 44 vehicle stops, 24 vehicle and traffic tickets issued and one DWI arrest. “Removing intoxicated drivers from Chautauqua County roadways is one of our top priorities,” said Chautauqua County Sheriff James B. Quattrone. “If you choose to drink, don’t drive. Impaired drivers not only put themselves in danger, they threaten everyone who shares the road with them.”

Club Associates meet March 24

The Northern Chautauqua County Club Associates will hold their regular monthly meeting, Sunday, March 24 at 10:30 a.m. in the Kosciuszko Polish Home, 252 Nevins St., Dunkirk. Guest speaker will be Dunkirk Historian Diane Andrasik. Any club member is invited to attend.

Congressional art competition is underway

U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy announced his office is accepting submissions for the 2024 Congressional Art Competition on behalf of New York’s 23rd Congressional District. All high school students living in Chautauqua County are eligible to submit artwork. The winning artwork of our district’s competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol.

The deadline for submission is April 19.

“Western New York and the Southern Tier are filled with artistic talent, and I am thrilled to once again host the Congressional Art Competition to showcase the incredible work of our local high school students,” said Congressman Langworthy. “This competition provides a unique opportunity for young artists to have their talent recognized on the national stage. I encourage all eligible students to participate and share their art with our community and the nation.”

For submission guidelines and more information, please visit Congressman Langworthy’s website. If you have any questions, please reach out to Sharon Murphy at Sharon.Murphy@mail.house.gov, or (607) 377-3130.

Meditation programs continue in village

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Northern Chautauqua (UUCNC), located at 222 Temple Street in Fredonia, will hold a weekly meditation on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. for the month of March. This program is free and open to the public and will meet on March 20 and 27.

No meditation experience is necessary. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The meditation will begin promptly at 7, and the gathering will conclude at 8. A freewill offering will be gratefully accepted but is not necessary. The Rev. Ron Skowronski will lead the meditation each week.

Please follow the driveway and park in the lower lot behind the building. Handicapped parking is located between the two buildings and directly behind the second building.