It used to be celebrated each year on May 30. Now it’s celebrated on the last Monday in May. It used to be called Decoration Day and was for decorating graves of those who served in the northern armed forces from 1861 to 1865. What is it? It is Memorial Day. And it has expanded well ...

Question: I just received a document from the Chautauqua County Department of Health & Human Services telling me I have Medicaid and need to recertify within two weeks. I do not have Medicaid and I do not think I should fill out this form/application. What do you think? Answer: There are ...

Sitting in a gymnasium with a lot of other proud parents, spouses, and friends, I had time to think about what graduation means. It was plain to see how invested these people were as soon as the graduates made their entrance. I was impressed with the ceremony. Faculty, staff, and others were ...

Non-Fred Fest is a daunting challenge for Fredonia police, and we should sympathize with their difficulties in maintaining order on that raucous weekend of outdoor parties centered on Canadaway Street. The Observer’s editorial (“POLICING: Regional force adds to patrols,” May 11) ...

Imagine your community without a library! The Mary E. Seymour Memorial Library (Stockton), Cassadaga Branch Library (Cassadaga), and Sinclairville Free Library (Sinclairville) struggle each year to provide free materials, technology access, and programs to community residents. Their Boards of ...

There is a lot that we know, but probably more that we don’t know about what is going on relative to the reconstruction of the Chautauqua Lake Bridge. We do know now (thanks to reporting in this newspaper) that the DOT is reevaluating the methods for removing existing concrete on the ...