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The OBSERVER’s View: State can take lead on e-bikes, scooters

The OBSERVER’s View

An increase in the number of serious accidents involving e-bikes and standup scooters in New York City is prompting calls to better regulate the personal mobility devices in the city. That regulation should extend statewide. So far this year, 12 people have been killed while riding e-bikes in New York City with another nine killed while using stand-up e-scooters. Only three have been killed while riding regular pedal bicycles. Which compares to three who died while riding old-fashioned pedal bikes. Last year those figures were 17 dead on e-bikes, six from e-scooters and four on ...

Risks, rewards from the simpler days

Commentary

In those days, it wasn’t hard for a 16-year-old boy to get booze. The drinking age was 18, so if you could scrounge up a couple dollars and make some connections, like older friends or siblings, a six pack of Kochs Deer Run Ale or a bottle of Boones Farm Apple Wine was pretty easy to get. Moreover, there was a laid back, liberal vibe about that shady college town where we grew up, and plenty of opportunity for mischief. In fourth grade, Lamont and I were drawn together like birds of a feather. His mother and my father had both died tragically young, leaving us grounded in a dark and ...

Battery storage systems offer opportunities

Commentary

There was a lot of misinformation in the commentary on the 250MW battery storage system “Dunkirk Battery Energy Storage project is another scam.” (July 27) Battery energy storage systems are not unproven, nor are they a “scam.” They are in widespread and growing use throughout the U.S. because they offer advantages to both electricity system operators and electricity consumers. Texas is a notable example. In the winter of 2021, a series of brutal storms led to the near collapse of the state’s electric grid. About 4.5 million people were without power during a prolonged cold ...

The OBSERVER’s View: With state support, hospital beats the odds

The OBSERVER’s View

When state Gov. Kathy Hochul came to the north county on Thursday, Brooks-TLC was a big winner. For starters, the new north county hospital that will be located at 412 E. Main St. is making progress. Construction crews are entering the site daily — and a shell of a structure is evident to passersby. In addition, Hochul announced another $50 million that will be earmarked for the facility, making the state’s total contribution for the $223 million facility at $124 million. "While Washington may be defunding hospitals, here in New York, we're building hospitals. We believe in our ...

COVID shutdown U.S., opened up fraud

Commentary

The amount of fraud against U.S. taxpayers and the level of U.S. government corruption is truly stunning. They literally cost us trillions of dollars and stabbed our democracy in the back. Here are a few examples that are now returning to light. — Proximal Origin: The June 2026 DNI report revealed that the U.S. government deliberately lied about the origin of SARS-COV-2 (COVID), claiming it evolved naturally, and not as a laboratory creation. But DNI revealed that SARS-COV-2 was purposely engineered using US technology (Ralph Baric, UNC) given to China (Wuhan) through Ecohealth ...

Quippies

Commentary

Nin Privitera, former Fredonia resident, offers some offbeat takes on recent headlines: — Rumors are that President Trump is now wearing a wig. If that's true, we may soon hear the usual Trump declaration that, "nobody has ever seen anything like it, it's made of gold." — There is some corporate interest in building a data center at the former Sugar Hill golf course site. On some bad outings years ago, I could have used a bank of computers to keep score. — Francesca Hong, who's running for Wisconsin governor, stated a while ago that she hates the Thanksgiving holiday. And ...