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The Sweetness Of March

Local Commentaries

By Margot Russell In March, winter never really loosens its grip—not in Western New York. It just shifts its weight. One day the snow softens and slides off the roof in heavy sheets, the next morning it’s back again—hard, frozen, and stubborn as ever. The calendar says spring, but no one here believes it. Not yet. Still, something begins to change. You hear it first—the birds returning, tentative at first, like they’re not entirely convinced either. Then a warmer afternoon arrives, and for a moment, just a moment, you feel it—the possibility of something beyond all ...

From One ‘Middle’ Paul To Another

Local Commentaries

In 1969, Noel Paul Stookey wrote a song and first performed it at the wedding of his Peter, Paul and Mary folk bandmate, Peter Yarrow’s, marriage to the niece of Senator Eugene McCarthy, Mary McCarthy. In 1971, it was released as a single, later added to his solo album titled “Paul and,” and has become one of the most played songs at weddings. The song is titled, “The Wedding Song (This is Love).” It reportedly, came from divine inspiration in a time of Stookey’s religious awakening, from what he deeply felt was an answer to a prayer. The song references some of the words of ...

What’s A ‘Studshaker’?

Local Commentaries

In February 1852, two brothers began making horse-drawn wagons and buggies in South Bend, Indiana. They eventually transitioned to building automobiles, including electric and gas-powered vehicles. Nearly 160 years later my family attended an auto show in Western New York state where we experienced one of those vehicles for the very first time. Its shiny red paint, clean lines, and chrome trim, reflecting the sun and highlighting its recently waxed exterior, caught the attention of many onlookers. While exploring the car’s meticulous craftsmanship, its make, year, and model ...

Crime Numbers Are Positive, But Underlying Issues Persist

In Our Opinion

There’s been a lot of discussion over the past few years among those who are concerned that Jamestown isn’t as safe as it once was. We have a feeling no city is as safe as it was back in the 1950s. But another year of data indicates 2022-23 may have been a crime spike rather than a new normal when it comes to crime in Jamestown. Overall crime decreased 2.35% in 2025. Incidents that required a police response have decreased from a six-year high of 41,412 in 2023 to 36,016 in 2025. It’s still more than it was in 2020 (32,173) but trending in the right direction. Burglaries have ...

Readers' Forum

Letters To The Editor

Iran War Is A Deflection Tactic To The Reader’s Forum: And so it begins … war with Iran. Is Iran a “good” country? Trump says Khomeini is bad. Does Iran want to befriend its own people? So, what is the reason for American involvement? There seems to be no good answer. Some say it’s because Iran does not support its people’s wishes, but U.S. government agencies (ICE) kill unarmed American citizens against Americans’ wishes. Some say it’s that Iran could have missiles that might reach the U.S., but there is no such evidence. Some say Iran could have weapons-grade nuclear ...

Lessons Learned On A Trip To Ohio

Local Commentaries

Recently, we took a road trip to Ohio with another couple. It was a good break from the winter doldrums. We stopped to see old friends, renew old memories and revisit old, familiar places. Ohio seems like it will never end. There are places of beautiful rolling hills, but then there are the seemingly endless, flat plains of the great craton...the corn belt that spans across several states in the Midwest. We drove for three days and never left the State of Ohio. One of the rewards of seeing old friends is that it is easy. Though you may not have seen them for several years, you ...