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County Dems want to ban IDA tax breaks for data centers

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MAYVILLE – Although there are no current proposals to build a data center in Chautauqua County, Democratic county lawmakers want to block data centers from getting any tax breaks. On tonight’s Chautauqua County Legislature meeting agenda is a resolution titled “Adopting a Uniform Tax Exemption Policy … Providing that the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency Shall Not Consent to Real Property Tax Exemptions, Mortgage Recording Tax Exemptions, or Sales and Use Tax Exemptions for Data Center Projects.” The resolution has been introduced by the six Democrats in the ...

Chamber accepting nominations for Pam Lydic Coalition Builder Award

Community

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the 2026 Pam Lydic Coalition Builder Award, recognizing an individual or organization making a meaningful difference in the region by bringing people together, building partnerships, and working toward common goals. Nominations must be submitted by October 31. Established in 2012, the award honors the legacy of Pam Lydic, the chamber’s first executive director, who played a role in bringing together the Northern Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce and the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce to form the Chautauqua County ...

First Lutheran makes donation to Toys for Tots

Community

The First Lutheran Community Outreach Store recently presented a $500 check to Toys for Tots. In 2024, 5336 children were served through Toys for Tots, and in 2025, 7,590 children were served. From left are Brenda Donato, First Lutheran Community Outreach Store worker;Terri Johnson, Toys for ...

Hotel responds, plans suit against Fredonia

Local News

A hotel owner is responding to comments made recently by Fredonia Mayor Michael Ferguson while planning a lawsuit regarding the situation. In a news release issued Tuesday, Dunkirk Hospitality, LLC, owner of the former EconoLodge in Fredonia, now America’s Best Value Inn, countered statements by the village leader and served an Amended Notice of Claim on the municipality. Ferguson told the OBSERVER, “Burn me once, shame on you. Burn me twice, shame on me,” but that worry rests on informal conversations. The parties never signed a contract or put any obligation in writing. ...

Briefly

Briefly

Fluvanna Library Book Club To Meet Oct. 30 FLUVANNA - The Fluvanna Free Library's monthly book club will meet at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. This month, the library’s public book club will discuss The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware. A limited number of loaner copies are available at the front desk. For more information contact the Fluvanna Free Library during regular business hours Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays by calling 716-487-1773 or email info@fluvannalibrary.org. Kiwanis Club To Hold Election Night Dinner Nov. 3 The Jamestown ...

Fredonia boils water, needed purchase from city

Local News

FREDONIA - The village of Fredonia water system is now under a boil water order and, over the weekend, had to purchase water from Dunkirk. Fredonia had to buy 966,000 gallons of water from the city of Dunkirk over the weekend, Mayor Michael Ferguson said Monday at a regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting. The boil order was announced by the village Office of Emergency Management at 8:45 a.m. Tuesday morning. The stated reason for the order was “High turbidity levels and treatment deficiencies.” Fredonia water customers should bring water to a rolling boil for at least one ...