Life lessons came to Dunkirk Middle School earlier this month. David Mahan of Frontline Youth Communications is a youth development consultant who has spoken to student groups around the world for over 20 years. His message was an important one for those teenagers. It spoke to them about life ...
Earlier this month, there were five people booked into the Chautauqua County Jail on misdemeanor charges who have been unable to post bail amounts of less than $1,000. These are five people who aren’t likely to commit serious offenses while they await their court date and are the very ...
After nearly three years of smooth sailing, gridlock has hit Dunkirk Common Council. A pair of resolutions, one dealing with a potential employee and another on the purchase of a neighboring building, faced a tabling by a 3-2 margin. Third Ward Councilman Shaun Heenan, who is a candidate for ...
Here are some of the best — and worst — of the week: BEST MUSICAL SEASON — As the sun warms our souls after a long winter, so, too, do musicals warm our souls. A number of area schools are performing their annual musicals this month. Previously Cassadaga Valley performed “James and ...
Many Americans, including members of Congress, wish fervently that President Donald Trump would learn to keep his mouth shut on certain topics. The late Sen. John McCain of Arizona is one of those subjects. McCain was, like Trump, a Republican. But the two clashed politically and very ...
It appears The White Inn’s future could be determined on March 29. That is the day of the tax auction in Mayville as $160,074 on the property are owed in back taxes to Chautauqua County. That makes everything a bit confusing. Within the last four months, the Regional Economic Development ...
If you see neighbors and friends wearing brightly colored socks, T-shirts or other pieces of clothing on Thursday, know that it is for an important cause. March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day. According to the web site dedicated to the effort: “On this day, people with Down syndrome and ...
Western New York has joined the madness again. After a decisive win in the Metro Atlantic Conference final, the University of Buffalo will take on either St. John’s or Arizona State as a sixth seed in the West at 4 p.m. Friday. Both the Red Storm and Sun Devils have a play-in game on ...
Let us jump the gun just a bit regarding Chautauqua County government. Currently, we have a strong executive in George Borrello, who is more than capable of representing us in the New York state Senate District 57. But if he is looking to leave his current post, who is ready to fill his ...
In three months, the Dunkirk school board is losing a member. Adam Reisenweber, who has served five years, announced at last week’s meeting he will be leaving in June. “It’s not personal. We’re just not going to be in the district anymore,” Reisenweber told the OBSERVER following ...
Here are some of the best — and worst — of the week: BEST SPOKE FOLK DONATION — Dunkirk’s Spoke Folk has a history of getting bicycles in the hands (and feet) of people who need them locally, but can’t afford them. They’ve taken their passion around the globe by getting bicycles ...
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, established his credentials as a liberal Democrat on most issues long ago. So, his failure to gain traction in an abortive bid for the presidency ought to be viewed by Democrats all over the nation as an alarm bell. Brown’s appeal in the Buckeye State has ...
Gowanda Mayor Dave Smith certainly is one elected official who leads by example. At a recent Village Board meeting, the mayor said he would be on the front lines to assist a segment of his community in dealing with refuse. “Any senior citizen or otherwise disabled person that cannot get big ...
Even opponents of the Brooks Memorial Hospital move from Dunkirk to Fredonia can have a say in an important property in the city. Last week, Brooks officials and the reuse committee sent out a call to all residents for some suggestions on what to do with the current site. “The (committee) ...
Bells and sirens were in order on Sunday night and Monday morning. Both were the sound of victory. When the Dunkirk girls bowling team returned from home from Syracuse, they brought something special: a state championship. In celebrating, that meant a couple of things: Dunkirk’s bell was ...
The federal government is unwilling to put any more money into the Chautauqua County Airport in Jamestown. Why is New York state? Federal officials recently declined to approve resumption of the county’s Essential Air Service subsidy because of concerns the airport isn’t viable ...
Fredonia Trustee Doug Essek has a right to his opinion. As does village Mayor Athanasia Landis. But calling out a fellow elected official in an election year looks downright petty. Last Monday, Landis took Essek to task for being at a protest last month in Dunkirk regarding the future of ...
Here are some of the best — and worst — of the week: BEST COOKIE TIME — This spring, there have been a lot of young ladies wearing their Girl Scout uniforms, going around our community asking for your support by purchasing cookies. They will also likely be selling cookies at local ...
Arizonan Martha McSally spent 26 years in the military, becoming the first female Air Force pilot to fly in combat. She went on to a successful career in politics, leading her to the U.S. Senate. Clearly, she is a strong woman. Yet she was shaken deeply on Wednesday, as she participated in a ...
As many around Fredonia and Chautauqua County realize, Canadaway is more than just a creek. It is a true natural treasure that many benefit from in terms of nature and fishing. That being said, there has been little documented about the important tributary and its past. Alberto Rey, State ...