Opinion

Obstructing ICE A Crime, Military Intervention Is Not Needed

In Our Opinion 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 ...

Pegula Seeks ‘Best Opportunity’ For Bills

Local Commentaries January 23, 2026

ORCHARD PARK—Let’s pick up where we left off 50 weeks ago, at the conclusion of the Buffalo Bills’ 2024 season. That season ended in the American Football Conference championship game with bad officiating favoring what this column called the Kansas City “Chief Referees.” This followed a divisional-round-playoff game between the Houston Texans and the Chiefs for which referees were themselves called for bad calls favoring the Chiefs. * * * Fast forward to the divisional-round playoffs following the 2025 season, with the Bills playing the Broncos in Denver on Jan. ...

Future Implications: Lots Riding On Latest County Merger Effort

Editor's Corner January 23, 2026

Pressures will soon begin to mount on the school boards that oversee Clymer, Panama and Sherman. It is through no fault of those who have been elected to serve. They are only following through on community wishes. During last May’s school vote, each community indicated in a referendum a ...

Pegula Seeks ‘Best Opportunity’ For Bills

Local Commentaries January 23, 2026

Assembly Dems Tighten Muzzle On Rural Reps

In Our Opinion 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

In Our Opinion 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 ...