Breaking News

Local Commentaries

Court Annuls DEC’s Wetlands Regs

Let’s pick up where we left off on Labor Day weekend 2025. In the court battle over New York’s new wetlands law, Round 1 goes to the challengers. Bravo. * * * You, faithful reader of this column, will recall how devastating the law can be for Chautauqua County, particularly because of the law’s impact on Chautauqua Lake. The law has the potential to turn the lake into a weed farm, hinder growth of lakefront-property values, and have the effect of driving up property taxes for those owning land not along Chautauqua Lake. You, faithful reader of this column, will also ...

From Legends’ Mouths To Blue Bloods’ Pens

Throughout my life, as a parent, a teacher, a coach, as a churchgoer, and as an advisor when asked to be by others, I look for “magic” words that will help those whom I am raising, teaching, coaching, praying with, and/or advising. I try to think of ways to just say something I think will leave my lips and enter their minds for an assisting fix to their mission, dilemma, or cause. As my parents taught me throughout their lives as my parents, they would try and teach all of us, there are no magic words, there is no book of magic spells, there are no magic wands, or magic lamps, there ...

It’s Now Cool To Chill Out

Back in the 1960s, people were side-eyeing things like meditation, yoga, and “finding your inner self” as if someone had just suggested chatting with their toaster. Fast forward to now, and suddenly everyone has a morning mindfulness routine, a favorite breathwork app, and a strong opinion about Himalayan salt lamps. What was once “far out” is now basically a Tuesday. Even talking about energy, vibes, and intuition—once reserved for barefoot philosophers in fields—has made its way into boardrooms, brunch tables, and your neighbor’s Facebook captions. And let’s not ...

Expensive Round Trip To Priceless Laughter

I was backing out of a downtown parking space when something flashed on my dashboard. The mileage calculator changed to a wrench. OMG. What’s wrong? This is not good. It was late Tuesday, and I was leaving for Dayton Thursday morning. I was heading for the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop – a professional, fun, and stimulating conference. I couldn’t wait. And now this? It was almost 5 p.m., so I drove directly to my mechanics. Rick and Mark have kept me safely on the road for more than 15 years. On my way to their shop, I glanced up at the oil sticker on the windshield. ...

Spring Construction Starts On Bridge

If you have driven over the Chautauqua Lake Bridge lately, there are signs that spring construction work has started. The wooden railing along the centerline of the bridge to protect workers as they walk has been completed, cranes have started to put platform barges back into the water, and some more concrete removal has started on the south section on the Bemus side. From what I have heard, DOT officials are hoping to finish completing the restoration of the pavement and railings on the south side of the bridge this summer. If they can achieve that goal, then next winter we ...

Protest? Why Bother?

At ‘No Kings’ rally all the way back in June last year, I stood at the corner of 6th and Washington holding a sign that read: “If you care more about someone’s legal status than his 34 felonies, you might want to check your humanity.” The truth behind those words is worth repeating. Simply being in this country without papers is a civil violation, and crossing the border without inspection is only a misdemeanor. What other misdemeanors are we reacting to with such fervor? Humanity should weigh heavily in our judgment. For the life of me, I don’t understand our nation’s ...