We have complained for years about more than $30 million in reserves for Chautauqua County. Pine Valley Central Schools is even more guilty. In recent years, Pine Valley built its unassigned fund balance to roughly 30% of the succeeding year’s budget — dramatically higher than surrounding ...

Village of Fredonia officials deserve some praise for their efforts regarding the notorious Not Fred Fest. Earlier this month, the party hearty weekend was nothing like previous editions. In a news release issued last week, Fredonia police noted they handled 163 incidents and made 37 arrests. ...

Republicans and Democrats are like two ships passing in the night when it comes to New York’s energy policy. Both ships are in shallow water with a rocky bottom. In this analogy, that makes the state Independent System Operator a lighthouse trying to illuminate the darkness to allow the ...

We must admit our lack of surprise regarding rising government costs. In this case, the top story in last weekend’s OBSERVER focused on the growing expense for Pomfret of its new town hall. During its meeting last month, Supervisor Dan Pacos told the town board the estimated price tag now ...

Through the years, Chautauqua County Rural Ministry has assisted thousands of residents who are in need. This weekend, the organization is looking for community support. To raise funds, a Rock for Hunger Music Fest will take place Saturday at Vibe On Five on Lake Shore Drive. The event begins ...

More than 200 people woke up last Thursday to find their services were no longer needed at Bush Industries. It’s a gut punch to longtime employees, some of whom have worked decades for the Jamestown manufacturer, and for those who thought they had shepherded Bush through lean years in the ...