Dream Of Restoration Of Sea Lion Ship Is No More

April 16, 2026

The Sea Lion is no more. The ship has been decommissioned and scrapped after years of work to try to turn the historic sailing ship into a museum at the Henricus Historical Park in Virginia. COVID-19 delayed fundraising for the project and, unfortunately, finished the job that Lake Erie started. There wasn’t enough of the ship left to proceed with a restoration. The news brings more than a touch of sadness for those who lived through the Sea Lion’s story. Some 40 years ago, most south county residents knew of the Sea Lion. They’d drive by its berth on Sea Lion Drive in ...

Comedy Fest Has Roots In Movie Premiere

April 15, 2026

There is genuine excitement each year when the National Comedy Center announces its headliner events for the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival. This year’s announcement of Jerry Seinfeld, Seth Meyers and Bert Kreischer as the 2026 festival headliners was no different. The festival draws thousands into downtown Jamestown in a four-day festival of laughter at venues throughout downtown. This year’s festival, for the record, also includes comedian, writer, producer and Emmy Award-winner Carol Leifer, whose credits include Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Saturday Night Live, Modern Family, ...

City Action Is Clear Sign Of Need For Cheaper Housing

April 14, 2026

The city of Jamestown recently paid more than $30,000 in back taxes for the privilege of taking control of 12 parcels that had been foreclosed upon by Chautauqua County. Why, you may ask, would the city do that? The answer is because the city had little choice. The parcels are located at 60 W. 14th St.; 32 W. 17th St.; two additional parcels on West 17th St.; two parcels on West 15th St.; one parcel on Isabella Ave.; two parcels on Monroe St.; and three parcels on Clinton St. Some of the properties are vacant lots. Other, however, are homes that either have homeless squatters ...

Despite Growths, Work Isn’t Done On Fulton Street

April 13, 2026

It’s encouraging to hear that residents of Fulton Street in Jamestown see conditions on the street improving. No one should have to deal with the types of issues that neighborhood residents have dealt with over the past couple of years. The demolition of some vacant houses has helped, as has increased police patrols in the neighborhood and an increased presence from city officials. It should serve as a lesson to city residents that raising issues with the City Council can help - even if solutions don’t happen overnight. The city’s work isn’t done. Residents say drug sales ...

Warm Weather Brings Return Of Issues With Homeless In Hotels

April 11, 2026

Ellicott and Falconer Central School officials knew in February the lack of issues surrounding housing the homeless in Ellicott-area hotels was likely short-lived. They were right. Warm weather brought with it a return to the issues that have had Falconer and Ellicott officials frustrated for the past few years. Four times in the past two weeks police have been called for issues at the Quality Inn in Ellicott and the Budget Inn in Falconer. Two people were charged with endangering the welfare of a child, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminally ...

DEC’s Focus On Algal Blooms Is Welcomed

April 9, 2026

There was a lot of optimism in 2018 when Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced state support for projects to help local governments deal with harmful algal blooms. The announcement came with a flurry of activity - an online HAB map, four community forums in communities that had been affected by harmful algal blooms and promises of grant funding. The grant funding is still flowing, but it has felt as if Cuomo’s grand 2018 gesture had somewhat faded as other matters took up the state’s attention. That’s why the late March announcement that the state Department of Environmental ...