Normalcy in these unprecedented times returned for an evening in the village of Fredonia. A governing body that for more than a decade has shown more dysfunction than responsibility once again tried to upstage the coronavirus national crisis on a local level. The dispute last week led to the ...

Being a health-care professional is far from easy today. The demands have never been greater -- and likely at this time more than we ever expected it to be in our state and nation. Their work and dedication are exemplary. None of these individuals can rest easy. They are around the virus ...

Good neighbors are appearing throughout our region in the people and our business community. Within the last two weeks, this newspaper has highlighted girls who are making homemade masks for caregivers and businesses that have begun making products to combat the illness. Consider these ...

No doubt some members of Congress had to hold their noses while they were voting for the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. CARES includes a ton of money for initiatives that have nothing to do with COVID-19. Why on earth did anyone think it was important to cough ...

U.S. flags not only display that we’re proud to be Americans. It also brings a dose of comfort. Who can forget the scenes after Sept. 11, 2001. Flags adorned nearly every home. Many are coping with being homebound in different ways. They’re celebrating birthdays by doing drive-bys. ...

Many of us, with some exceptions, do have extra time on our hands. So, if you have yet to fill out your U.S. Census information, it makes sense to do so. Today is National Census Day. The United Way of Northern Chautauqua County and Lake Shore Savings are reminding residents this task is ...

New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo seems to be the calming voice daily when it comes to the coronavirus. During Monday afternoon’s press conference, he again told residents to stay home and made a call for supplies from across the nation and world. He then put the spotlight where it belongs. ...

Logic dictates that the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic can’t possibly sustain the thousands of out-of-work families in Chautauqua County. A family of four would receive roughly $3,600 if both working adults in the home each earn less than $75,000. That $3,600 is a nice tax return ...

Edward Gallivan has been doing cartoons for the OBSERVER for two years. Here is his most recent, which sums up the sentiments of many. This cartoon was published in our Saturday print edition.

Transitions are never easy, so it would not be surprising if both Jamestown Community College and the State University of New York at Fredonia experienced some difficulties with the move to distance learning. According to both institutions earlier last week, things are progressing. However, ...

Millions of dollars in stock transactions on behalf of five U.S. senators have raised serious questions about their ethics — and whether they broke laws against insider trading. Clearly, the matter needs to be investigated, but not as a witch hunt with the preconceived notion that someone ...

Not sure how to help your fellow American during this current crisis? One suggestion is by donating blood. Supplies across the nation are low now, according to officials at the Community Blood Bank and American Red Cross. “We’ve never seen anything like this in the blood industry,” said ...

A common complaint to this newspaper, through email and Facebook, is not enough information is coming from Chautauqua County and the Health Department regarding testing. Of course, many of these commenters are growing anxious as we reach Week Two of our new normalcy due to the coronavirus. On ...

Northern Chautauqua County's least favorite road project is moving forward. On Monday, crews began returning to the location of Routes 20 and 60 to continue work on the roundabout. While the plans are not embraced by many motorists around here, the only silver lining is the work being done ...

Every occupation is being tested by the coronavirus. Some jobs have been put on hold while others, including at this newspaper and the other essential businesses, continue to keep the region informed, healthy and supplied. Last week, New York state called the closing of numerous businesses ...

It is one of the unfortunate casualties of the coronavirus. High school athletes, especially the seniors, have suddenly lost out on participating in a major championship contest or a spring season. Our sports department, headed by Braden Carmen and staffers Christian Storms and Anthony Dolce, ...

How are you helping your community and local businesses? We all know we have been to the grocery store far too often in the last week, but what else can we do? For those with the means in these tough times, we recommend you visit a local restaurant that is remaining open and offering take-out ...

News about stock market losses due to panic over COVID-19 — as well as an oil price battle involving some foreign nations — certainly has been of concern. But our economy’s engine is not on Wall Street. It is an extraordinarily complex mechanism relying on Americans making or providing, ...

Momentum appears to be on the side of temporarily using the former Lakeshore Hospital. On Wednesday afternoon, area state officials — Sen. George Borrello and Assemblymen Andrew Goodell and Joe Giglio — urged Gov. Andrew Cuomo to have the site reopened as a medical facility during the ...

Visitors to the Chautauqua Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Facebook page are greeted with signs and smiles. It is one way for the residents there to communicate to their loved ones as the state has banned visitors until further notice due to the coronavirus. Elderly residents are most at ...