Obstructing ICE A Crime, Military Intervention Is Not Needed

January 23, 2026

In better times with better political leaders, the tragic shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis would have caused each side in the fight over Immigration and Customs Enforcement to de-escalate and try to calm the furies. Instead, both sides are courting more confrontation that could end in even more bloodshed. Mr. Trump’s latest move Thursday was to threaten to invoke the Insurrection Act to quell protests in the Twin Cities. He has the authority to do this under the Insurrection Act of 1807, which means he could call on the military to restore public order. But events in Minnesota ...

Assembly Dems Tighten Muzzle On Rural Reps

January 22, 2026

When Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, R-Jamestown, debated a bill or spoke on a bill’s merits, he knew he wasn’t speaking to Democrats in the Assembly. The same is true for Goodell’s successor, Andrew Molitor. But, during the latter part of Goodell’s tenure in the Assembly the Jamestown Republican often led the Assembly in floor time used thanks to his role as the minority whip. For all of that floor time Goodell knew he was rarely going to sway a Democrat from voting with the Republican caucus. But Goodell knew that he could often make good enough points to either get the governor ...

JHS Marching Band Again Needs Direction

January 21, 2026

Jamestown Public Schools officials are saying all the right things when it comes to the open position of Jamestown High School marching band director. Marc Lentsch, who will continue to serve as Persell Middle School band director, announced last week he is stepping down as JHS marching band director, a position he held for two years after the resignation of Meghan Mruray, who served as JHS marching band director for 18 years. Paul Abbott, school board president, and Kevin Whitaker, district superintendent, said the board and district administration support the marching band and ...

Don’t Let Perfect Be The Enemy Of Better

January 20, 2026

It’s long past time for Love Elementary School to have a better pick up and drop off area. So we hope that Councilman Tony Dolce’s work with the principal of Love Elementary School as well as the Jamestown Public Schools District results in positive development for parents and children who attend the school. Options include limiting parking on Pine Street near the school, limiting parking on Spring Street to the school side of the street only so students don’t have to cross the street and trying to create a student drop-off area. Physical changes may help - though we note ...

Hochul Is 5% Right On Plan To Lower Energy Costs In The Empire State

January 17, 2026

Gov. Kathy Hochul has heard the pleas from state residents who want something to be done to decrease the cost of living in the Empire State. Helping lower state residents’ home heating and power bills while, at the same time, making sure the supply of power is plentiful, is a good place to start. So we’re encouraged to hear Hochul is advancing a new initiative, the Nuclear Reliability Backbone, directing state agencies to establish a clear pathway for additional advanced nuclear generation to support grid reliability. The Nuclear Reliability Backbone will be developed by a new ...

Langworthy’s Office Closure Sign Of Times

January 15, 2026

Our political discourse is not in a good place across the country. The closure of Rep. Nick Langworthy’s Jamestown office after what the congressman termed credible threats and calls for violence directed at Langworthy is proof of that. It would be nice to see charges if the threats are credible, as Langworthy says they are. Given vandalism at Langworthy’s office in Jamestown and a suspicious package sent to Langworthy’s Clarence office, both of which took place within the past 12 months, we can understand the need for caution if only to protect Langworthy’s office staff who ...