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Opinion

Supporting rural suicide council should be easy decision for Hochul

In Our Opinion

In April, we called on state lawmakers to pass - for a second time - legislation creating a Rural Suicide Prevention Council to address increasing rates of suicide in rural counties. Lawmakers have done their part. Now it’s time for Hochul to do hers. The numbers haven’t changed since April when we called on the legislature to create the council. According to the 2026 Chautauqua Opportunities Inc. Community Needs Assessment, the age-adjusted rate of hospitalization for self-inflicted wounds is 8.5 per 10,000 people in the county compared to 5.6 per 10,000 statewide. The ...

In Our Opinion

In Our Opinion

An increase in the number of serious accidents involving e-bikes and standup scooters in New York City is prompting calls to better regulate the personal mobility devices in the city. That regulation should extend statewide. So far this year, 12 people have been killed while riding e-bikes in New York City with another nine killed while using stand-up e-scooters. Only three have been killed while riding regular pedal bicycles. which compares to three who died while riding old-fashioned pedal bikes. Last year those figures were 17 dead on e-bikes, six from e-scooters and four on ...

Lakewood fireworks changes have been needed

In Our Opinion

A couple of years ago, debris from Lakewood’s fireworks show landed amongst the crowd in Richard O. Hartley Park. This year, the fireworks show started a brush fire at the beach. So, yes, it was time for something to change with how Lakewood’s annual fireworks show is handled. Lakewood Village Board members have decided there should be a 300-foot radius free from people from where the fireworks are being lit along with additional signs and fencing to keep people away from the area. Village officials are considering a barge that would move the fireworks lighting off-shore ...

A Provoking Thought: We All Have a Choice

Local Commentaries

It is scientifically proven that positive words light up the front part of the brain which help people think clearly, solve problems, and make good choices. Whereas negative words put up a wall of defensiveness triggering a chemical response in the brain which impairs logical reasoning. This brings to question, why would we think we can reason and/or change the viewpoints of others through negativity, which according to science impairs logical thinking? Simply put, we can’t, which is evident throughout our current society. The Bible says, show me your faith without works and I ...

State must invest in alcohol addiction programs

Local Commentaries

Dear Senator, Assembly Member, and Elected Officials Representing Jamestown and Chautauqua County: My name is Erin Himes, and I am a resident of Jamestown, New York. I am writing to ask for your leadership in addressing a heartbreaking issue that affects many families in our community: the continued sale of alcohol to individuals suffering from severe alcohol use disorder, even when they are clearly experiencing life-threatening medical complications. Alcoholism is not simply a matter of poor choices—it is a serious medical disease. Families across Chautauqua County watch loved ...

A challenging year in grape country

Local Commentaries

Alarm bells went off earlier this year, when Refresco Company announced that it was cancelling grape contracts in this area. It had been a large purchaser of Concord grapes here in Chautauqua County. I have not been privy to the decision of Refresco but am assuming that at least part of its decision was based upon the fact that grape processing was a small part of its overall international operations, and corporate big-wigs decided to focus company efforts more on its core businesses. Whatever the reason, it left some grape growers without an immediate market for their grapes. For ...