In the obituary published on Feb. 8 and 9 in the OBSERVER, there was one line that summed up James T. Nichols and his commitment to Dunkirk and the surrounding communities: he “couldn’t or wouldn’t say ‘no’ to anybody.” For Nichols, it all came down to a belief in this region. He ...
When did it become cool for prison inmates in New York state to have better access to things than people who haven’t broken the law?’ We’ve heard for the past couple of years about free college educations for prison inmates. Now, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision ...
As winter grinds on, there are some beacons of hope shining through the cold and gloom. False starts and disappointments are nothing new to residents of northern Chautauqua, but a few hints of the good life are twinkling on the horizon. Could these small developments presage bigger and better ...
Twenty years ago — 1998 On Feb. 1, area resident Kay Barlow Collins became the voice behind the world of arts and humanities to the nation. Her new show, The Chautauqua Edition, debuted on WQLN-FM in Erie, Pa., to be followed by national distribution via National Public Radio. A dream that ...
Friday morning was problematic for many associated with the Forestville Central Schools. On Thursday evening, the superintendent received a call about a potential threat from a county sheriff’s deputy. After many of the children arrived at the school the next morning, parents received a ...
My earliest memories of Valentine’s Day are bittersweet. It was third or fourth grade at Church Street School and cards and candy were all the rage. Remember “Be My Valentine?” and multicolored candy hearts in that little box? Mothers purchased bags containing a couple dozen cards so we ...
Today is the day for love. Flowers, chocolates, cards and a day when all ill will is cast aside and lovers embrace. Today is also a day filled with mystery and intrigue. A day when the stories of the “true” legend are just a wee bit contradictory, and celebrations, memories, and history ...
Twenty years ago — 1998 The Dunkirk Zoning Board of Appeals has approved an expansion at Brooks Memorial Hospital which is part of a $6 million improvement project. An addition will be built on the Eagle Street side of its building. The addition will be two stories high and will cover an ...
Applause to Legislator Christine Starks, D-Fredonia, for seizing on a key question regarding tourism in Chautauqua County. Members of the county Legislature’s Planning and Economic Development Committee were discussing a $50,000 agreement with the county Industrial Development Agency for ...
Twenty years ago — 1998 The new Sears retail store is continuing its grand opening celebration at the D&F Plaza in Dunkirk due to an overwhelming response from the public, according to new owners Dick and Bertha Sneddon. The couple considered opening a store in Bath, N.Y., or even ...
Recent graduation rates are not a true indicator of the failings — or successes — for area school districts. The recent report, issued by the state Education Department, found the overall county graduation rate slipped from 84 percent to 83 percent. That’s not bad, but there is plenty of ...
Soon it will be Presidents’ Day, a day of passion and remembrance. Until 1971, both Feb. 12 and 22 were observed as federal public holidays to honor the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. In 1971 President Nixon proclaimed one single federal public holiday, Presidents’ Day, ...
Twenty years ago — 1998 Zachary Haas, a second grader at Brocton Central School, received a piece of mail recently that carried an exclusive return address — The White House. The letter came from President Clinton in response to a note 7-year-old Zachary had sent to the president in ...
Chautauqua County District Attorney Patrick Swanson is struggling, to say the least. During the last 13 months, in major county cases, his office has offered plea deals in two homicide cases while also losing a murder case involving Barbara J. Redeye, who was found innocent in the death of ...
What’s happening to our city? Editor, OBSERVER: What is going on in the city of Dunkirk? Is there a deliberate effort being made to eliminate the city? The hospital is being moved out of the confines of the city. Major stores are closed. There is no listing in the telephone director ...
Approving the payment in lieu of taxes for big wind in Chautauqua County on Jan. 23 was an outrageous misuse of taxpayers’ funds. The Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency should not approve any favorable financial special treatment for any major business, without first doing an ...
Catching up on some recent events, attempts in the last month: ¯ There’s a female killer whale in France named Wikie. So what, you may be asking? Well, she’s pretty amazing in that Wikie can count to three, say “hello,” “bye bye” and the name “Amy.” She does this by using her ...
You’ve heard the expression, “the air was electrified,” right? I felt that recently, and it was electrifying! I was in Minneapolis the week leading up to the Super Bowl, although I got out of town before the big day. The Mall of America was ground zero for the media and so I went there, ...
I am writing in response to an article in the Sunday OBSERVER (Feb. 4) that outlines Councilman Shaun Heenan’s proposal that the city take over vacate private property across from City Hall and “beautify” it by grading it, seeding and mowing it. Is this forever? I am a property owner ...
Twenty years ago — 1998 Fredonia Police Chief Daniel Johnson is retiring May 1 after 13 years at the helm of the village police department. The village board voted 4-1 to accept Chief Johnson’s letter of resignation for retirement purposed and directed Mayor Frank Pagano to send him a ...