Breaking News

Westfield trash collection plans up for discussion

WESTFIELD — Change is coming to Westfield village trash pickup. Rising costs, expired contracts and safety issues converge, requiring a new Trash Collection Plan for the village. Soon the old way of using special blue bags can go on no longer unless the price increases considerably. The only questions remaining are what a new system will look like, how much will it cost, and how will it be funded? There are two options being considered. One is to keep the trash bags using a new company to collect them. The costs per bag are estimated to rise to approximately $3.50 from the current ...

County sales include Westfield downtown building

A downtown Westfield building that houses multiple businesses has changed ownership. The Post-Journal and OBSERVER have been analyzing real estate sales in Chautauqua County and recently looked at the transactions from July 14-20. The county does not provide transaction information, but ...

Appeals Court hears arguments in murder case

BATAVIA - Whether a grand jury indictment charging a Silver Creek woman with second-degree murder is reinstated or not now lies in the hands of five judges in the Fourth Department Appellate Division. Ashley Bertino of Silver Creek was charged by grand jury in 2025 with second-degree murder, ...

Area man releases ‘WE THE PEOPLE’ book

Local author, musician, and historian Jim Giatas has announced the release of his newest work, “WE THE PEOPLE: A Republic — If You Can Keep It,” a sweeping 2026 constitutional treatise exploring the origins, meaning, and destiny of American liberty. The book is now available free of charge to readers nationwide. Giatas’ work blends historical scholarship, civic reflection, and moral insight, offering a powerful meditation on the Constitution as America’s covenant of freedom. Drawing from founding‑era writings, Scripture, and modern civic challenges, “WE THE PEOPLE” ...

Residents reiterate rental property objections

A recent Town of Dunkirk Board meeting was a blast from the past. All it was missing was a handwritten letter from Sue Hazelton. Several members of the Dunkirk community spoke out against a short-term rental property operating on Woodlands Drive. Among them were Sue Hazelton and Jay Warren, ...

Fruitful blessing

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Silver Creek held its annual “blessing of the grapes” Mass Sept. 19. Father Dan Fiebelkorn said a prayer of gratitude for the growing season, and prayed for the workers’ safety during harvest. He then read the names of those in the grape growing ...