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Ex-city worker slams workplace ‘culture’

Former city of Dunkirk employee Samantha Tofil offered scathing criticism of City Hall on her way out. Tofil, who worked in the Clerk/Treasurer Office, alleged a grim workplace atmosphere in her resignation letter. Tofil shared the letter, and an email that acted as a cover letter for the resignation document, with the OBSERVER. Tofil was on leave but “decided not to return from my leave,” according to the Aug. 4 resignation letter. “I had hoped that during my absence the city would take meaningful steps to address the workplace issues that led to my absence. Instead, I have ...

Man charged with rape, forcible touching in Portland

PORTLAND -- A Lakewood man is facing rape charges, the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department reported on Tuesday. On July 18, an investigation was conducted by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division. Through investigation, it was found that Alex Rosage, 29, ...

Fredonia has water district pact proposal

Fredonia’s trustees have a contract proposal from the North County Water District, Mayor Michael Ferguson said Monday. One trustee called it “very vague.” “The draft, I believe, has been sent to you,” Ferguson told the five trustees at their Monday workshop. “Now we need to set ...

Bumpy response

SILVER CREEK — Driving in the village of Silver Creek has not been easy in recent weeks. A New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) project has led to the village’s main roads and sidewalks being torn up for reconstruction, and many residents are not happy about it. The public ...

Jamestown man, sex offender charged in child porn case

Eric A. Brown, 42, of Jamestown was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with distribution and possession of child pornography, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 40 years. According to the complaint, in February 2025, the New York State ...

Finance panel ditches another meeting

The Dunkirk Common Council’s Finance Committee canceled a second straight meeting Monday. The OBSERVER didn’t find out until it went to the committee’s Stearns Building conference room Monday morning and found just one other person there, an equally confused city employee. A look at ...