Breaking News

News

St. George receives recycling yard permit

Local/Region

Steve St. George was, in fact, granted a special use permit to operate a concrete and asphalt recycling yard at a property he owns in the town. At the third Zoning Board hearing regarding the project, held in October, the Board granted the permit with a list of conditions attached. A previous OBSERVER article erroneously reported the project was still awaiting approval, citing Zoning Board discussions held in October 2025 — the first of three hearings — rather than the most recent discussions held in October 2026, as the project received approval. On Oct. 6, the Town of Pomfret ...

Panama reemphasizing leash law dog biting child on school grounds

Local/Region

PANAMA — The village of Panama has been in conversation with Panama Central School and is looking to remind residents of the village’s leash law for dogs following an incident a few weeks ago. During the village’s November meeting, Mayor William Schneider said the incident took place ...

DEC announces road closure in Boutwell Hill

Local/Region

CHERRY CREEK — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the temporary closure of a section of Arab Hill Forest Road at Boutwell Hill State Forest in Chautauqua County. This closure is necessary to accommodate a road maintenance project that will rehabilitate the northern section of Arab Hill Forest Road. Contractors installed fresh gravel on a section of Arab Hill Forest Road that runs north from Housington Road to where it meets Lewis Road. The gravel needs time to settle and compact to ensure its viability for the future. This section ...

Legislature taps reserves to cover safety net costs

TOP STORIES

MAYVILLE – County lawmakers are once again using its reserves to cover a major shortfall in safety net costs. During the Chautauqua County Legislature meeting, officials approved a resolution that moves $2,130,000 from its unassigned fund balance to the Safety Net account. According to the county’s website, safety net assistance is for individuals who are not eligible for other assistance programs. It is a state- and local-funded program for: Single adults; childless couples; children living with a caretaker other than a parent; families of persons abusing drugs or alcohol; ...

Hayes takes development position

TOP STORIES

Edward J. “EJ” Hayes was tabbed to take over the city of Dunkirk’s Planning and Development Department. Hayes was named interim director of the department in a Common Council resolution Tuesday. Hayes was deputy director under Vince DeJoy, who resigned and moved to North Carolina for a job there. Hayes’ appointment was effective Nov. 2, according to the resolution passed by council. It doesn’t state a dollar figure on Hayes’ compensation. Instead, it reads, “The annual salary for the interim Director of Development shall be payable in accordance with the city’s ...

Fredonia woman charged in larceny, impersonation

Latest news

WESTFIELD --- An August incident at a Felton Road address has led to charges against a Fredonia woman. On Aug. 2, deputies responded to a reported larceny and criminal mischief. As the incident developed Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigators became active in the case. Over the course of the ...