City sets hearing for water rate hike

September 4, 2026

The city of Dunkirk set a public hearing for Sept. 15 at 5:30 p.m. on its planned changes to water rates. The Common Council scheduled the hearing Tuesday. It will be held before the council’s next meeting, in the second-floor chambers at City Hall. The proposed changes would raise the minimum usage fee from $20 to $30 and boost the price of water used over a gallon benchmark to $5.00 per 1,000 gallons, from the current $4.33. The benchmark, after which users get charged the per-thousand-gallon price, would be raised to 3,000 gallons. It’s now 2,000 gallons. The proposal also ...

County OKs law regarding motorists and bicycles, pedestrians

September 4, 2026

MAYVILLE – There are three counties in the state that require motorized vehicles to leave a minimum of three feet when passing non-motorists. Chautauqua County will now be the fourth. During the recent legislature meeting, county lawmakers voted 16-1 to approve a local law requiring ...

Silver Creek hires new Spanish teacher

September 4, 2026

SILVER CREEK — When you know you’ve found the right person for the job, the hiring process can move quickly. Sarah Carle recently got a call from Silver Creek when she was in her “happy place”, cooking dinner for her family. That conversation led to Carle’s appointment as the newest Spanish Teacher at Silver Creek Central Schools at the latest Board of Education meeting. At the meeting, Middle School Principal Sydney Neubauer said how excited she was to have Carle join the district. Neubauer said to Carle, “I’m really excited to have you as part of the team. I knew when ...

Police make arrest in Fredonia arson

September 4, 2026

Fredonia police have made an arrest in an Aug. 29 fire at a Clinton Avenue apartment building. Jamie Prime, 31, was charged with second-degree arson, first-degree reckless endangerment, and two counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief. She is currently being held in the Chautauqua County ...

Wdowiasz, council continue battling

September 3, 2026

The relationship between Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz and the Common Council looks worse than ever. Wdowiasz used her mayoral report time during Tuesday’s council meeting as an attack on the group, accusing it of inaction and underfunding. Councilmen Frank Torain and Michael Civiletto ...

Successful season

September 3, 2026

BROCTON — The Village of Brocton is thrilled with the success of its Summer Recreation Program. Cynthia Furman, Recreation Director, provided updates to the Village Board at a recent meeting. Furman, a Physical Education Teacher at Brocton Central School, took over the program this year. ...