Today will seem seasonably cool compared to what’s ahead for the rest of the week. Forecasts from the National Weather Service are calling for temperatures to climb to near 90 degrees for Friday and Saturday and remain heated on Sunday. Summer is definitely sizzling. In last week’s ...

History Days in Fredonia over the weekend was a celebration of the past and present. Through the work of the Festivals Fredonia committee and Pomfret Historian Todd Langworthy, the event continues to show growth. Friday’s display of classic vehicles is always sure to draw a crowd. On ...

There has to be more to the story. Two abrupt resignations from the Dunkirk Housing Authority — its attorney and executive director — are a statement that something must be wrong. While the authority does not come under the umbrella of the Dunkirk’s government, it is absolutely false to ...

What led to the swift decision to sever ties with Dunkirk schools Superintendent Dr. James Tracy on Thursday evening? Was the Board of Education upset about the decision to not close school on a January day that every other county district was not open? Did the board not approve of the lack of ...

Here are some of the best — and worst — of the week: BEST SUPER STEEPLE — More than 150 years ago, the Fredonia Baptist Church installed its church steeple. It was replaced in the late 1880s. That steeple burned down last year. Now, Family Church of Fredonia has placed a new steeple ...

Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein may yet spend an appropriate amount of time in a federal prison. He should have been sent away years ago. Why that did not happen needs to be explained. Epstein, 66, has been arrested by federal authorities in New York, on charges of sex trafficking involving ...

A 55-year tradition is going strong in the north county. Over the weekend, the Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Club held its annual Fly-In Breakfast. Besides the traditional menu of pancakes, eggs and sausage, the event gives residents a chance to view some of those aircrafts they may have seen ...

Give Gowanda village attorney Deb Chadsey credit. In handling what has turned out to be a controversial issue in the opening of a Dollar General, she is being open and honest about the process with the board and public. At a meeting last month, Chadsey notified board members a meeting with ...

An exit by a non-profit from Dunkirk is good news and bad. Last week, Literacy Volunteers of Chautauqua County announced its August relocation from the city to Fredonia on Park Place. The good news is the agency says it needs more space and the future site will offer that. The bad: Literacy ...

Sometimes a different perspective can help us see things very differently. At least that is what a video sent to the OBSERVER on Facebook portrayed. Put together by KJ Elevated Imaging, pictures and video from above by a drone on the Fourth of July gives a super perspective of just what this ...

It is becoming a trend for many towns. Once volunteer organizations do not continue upkeep of cemeteries, the responsibility falls to the muncipality. Ripley recently, despite many efforts, is now tasked with overseeing the East Ripley Cemetery. Supervisor Doug Bowen said there are still ...

BEST PEDAL POWER — Pupils at Dunkirk’s School 3 found that reading is more than words. Fifteen lucky participants were winners of a new bike. As part of the award presentation, Dunkirk officers talked about being safe while riding. An excellent program with results that continue into the ...

One popular housing program for low-income Americans has a provision that, at first glance, makes a lot of sense. It stipulates that people living in certain housing units meant for low-income tenants cannot be full-time students. If they switch to part-time status to keep their low-cost ...

What comes after the phrase, “and the pursuit of happiness ...”? Today, we Americans celebrate the Declaration of Independence. Our focus is what the document meant — creation of a new nation. But what the document itself says about the Founders and about what they intended for us ...

The pleasant days of June are behind us, with the hotter temperatures of summer just ahead. With the mercury and, often, humidity high, a cool dip in the pool sounds really good. Notice we did not write about diving into the river, a local creek or a farm pond. The risks there are much ...

What does construction season and The Boardwalk have in common? The busiest times for both are usually in the summer. That being said, it was upsetting to hear the merchants at the city facility taking a hit this year due to fewer parking spaces and work on the City Pier improvements. ...

An unseasonably cool spring and later than normal graduations have delayed a summer in northern Chautauqua County. On Sunday, the final area districts wished Class of 2019 members farewell and good luck in their future endeavors. That longer school year is tied to New York state. Tests are ...

Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello’s victory in Tuesday night’s primary over Curtis Crandall was expected by many here. Borrello worked hard and tirelessly while on the campaign trail. What was quite surprising, however, was the margin. By tallying 92 % of the vote in his home ...

Here are some of the best — and worst — of the week: BEST TASSEL TURNING — This weekend is a special weekend for senior students in our region. They’re graduating high school and entering a new phase of life. The vast majority will head to college, the Armed Forces or the workforce. ...

When could anyone have expected that being a champion in the battle against cancer would be a political liability? It will be, if some of his opponents for the Democratic Party nomination for president have their way. While vice president, Biden had called for more research into cancer. ...