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Dunkirk mayor proposes budget with 11% tax hike

DUNKIRK - Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz calls for an 11.27% property tax increase in her 2027 city budget proposal. Councilwoman Natalie Luczkowiak forwarded the proposal, along with the mayor's statement on it, to the OBSERVER late Friday morning. Wdowiasz proposes a tax levy of $11,095,609 for 2027. The final tax levy for 2026 was $9,969,326, according to her proposal. The Common Council will now make amendments to the budget however it sees fit, ahead of a Dec. 15 deadline for it to pass next year's spending plan. The budget came in past the city charter's deadline for a budget ...

Question: I just found that I got a $90 deposit in my checking account. It says it is from Social Security. What is this and why did I get this? Answer: We have gotten this question a lot this week! You may have heard that it is your Medicare Part B Premium Rebate by now. This is a one-time payment of $90 that is meant to offset the Medicare Part B Premium that you pay each month. You may remember that each month there is a Part B premium of $202.90 taken out of your monthly Social Security Benefit. Many people forget they pay that premium each month. This $90 refund comes to you ...

Everybody Plays opens inside mall

LAKEWOOD - ‘Everybody Plays’ officially opened its doors Wednesday, offering an energetic, interactive indoor space for children to play indoors. Located inside the Chautauqua Mall, the family-owned and operated business held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday to inaugurate a new, ...

Fredonia remains tight-lipped over officer probe

FREDONIA - The investigation of a suspended Fredonia police officer continues, while members of the public seek more information. Resident Katie Lovley spoke at the Fredonia Village Board meeting Tuesday, expressing concerns if the officer, who has not been named publicly, will be properly ...

AgriAmerica accepting local grapes from 2026 crop

AgriAmerica Fruit Products LLC, a grape processing company based in Fredonia, is extending an opportunity to grape growers throughout the region who are seeking a market for their remaining 2026 grape crop. In response to the market uncertainty growers have been facing this season, AgriAmerica has established a special grape processing and marketing program designed to help growers bring their harvested fruit to market before the conclusion of the 2026 crush season. Following the decision earlier this season from a major grape processor to discontinue grower contracts and cease ...

Jamestown Civil Air Patrol cadet receives Billy Mitchell Award

Sarah Dorman, a Jamestown Civil Air Patrol cadet from Jamestown, was recognized recently for achieving the Billy Mitchell Award. The Mitchell Award marks the completion of Phase II of the CAP Cadet Program, recognizing sustained excellence in all four areas of cadet life: leadership, ...