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Economic silver linings evident near Labor Day

Over the last three months, despite a slightly higher jobless rate in July at 4.6%, there is reason for optimism when it comes to the Chautauqua County economy. In the weekend before the Labor Day holiday, it appears major projects that bolster the region are working out. Last week, area ...

Unhealthy banter drives measles resurgence

How is it, in an age of vast technology and information, Americans keep tempting fate when it comes to medicine? One decade ago — a mere four years before the COVID-19 pandemic, who would have ever thought it intelligent to not get a vaccination for measles? In 2004, there were less than ...

Even at hospital shindig, political wounds don’t heal

Upbeat music played in the distance in anticipation of the arrival of New York state Gov. Kathy Hochul last week in Fredonia at the East Main Street site where a new north county hospital is being constructed. With the location basking in the sun, more than 100 community members and local ...

Subpar renewables jolt electric costs

Long before wind turbines and solar panels began engulfing upstate and the Southern Tier, New York had a healthy power supply. It was built upon generating stations that were near the shores of Lake Erie and the New York Power Authority based in Niagara Falls that produces renewable ...

Taking on a crisis is unpopular, lonely at top

At the conclusion of Dunkirk’s Common Council meeting, department heads and elected officials gathered around to congratulate newly approved Police Chief Doug Switzer. Since the retirement of Chris Witkowski in February, Switzer had been handling the duties before being officially approved ...

Challengers need to spice up insipid races

As the month of July melts into the sunset, August begins to turn up the heat when it comes to this campaign season. In both Pennsylvania and New York, it appears incumbents are in complete control with the election 95 days away. Republican gubernatorial challenger Bruce Blakeman is hoping ...