Stories from surrounding communities, closest first.
Observer · Frewsburg, NY
Nearby: Frewsburg, NYPlaying high-level college basketball has always been a dream for Jadyn Trocki. When the closest Division I program to her Frewsburg home came calling a couple of years ago, it felt like the perfect situation. The Bears senior guard completed her celebratory signing letter Thursday afternoon to attend St. Bonaventure University and play basketball for the Bonnies beginning next fall. “Division I has always been the dream, but some DIIs were also in the equation as well,” Trocki said Wednesday afternoon. “I wasn’t always set on DI. I was always going to choose where I fit best.” Trocki has put together the best individual career in Frewsburg history and with it the Bears have also experienced high levels of success as a team. She is already Frewsburg’s all-time leading scorer with 1,796 points and has been named the New York State Sportswriters Association’s Class C Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons.
Observer · Fredonia, NY
Nearby: Fredonia, NYThree Fredonia trustees devoted their board meeting reports this week to the water system saga. Most notably, Trustee Tim Mulholland said the village is eyeing a bond anticipation note to help fund its North County Water District connection project. Mulholland described a meeting about financing options for the project. Financial consultant Rick Ganci, Trustee LeeAnn Lazarony, and Treasurer Erlyssa LeBsau joined him in the meeting. The Fredonia officials gave Ganci a “financial snapshot of our village. One of the immediate priorities is reimbursing our village’s water fund for approximately $500,000 in engineering and related project expenses already incurred before our recent pause.” Mulholland continued, “We discussed whether it would make more sense to pursue financing for the entire project, or focus initially on reimbursing the water fund.
Observer · Dunkirk, NY
Nearby: Dunkirk, NYThe North County Water District has its eyes on more of Fredonia’s water customers. Eric Wies of CPL, the district’s engineers, first told their November board meeting that a recent switchover of customers east and south of the Routes 20 and 60 roundabout to NCWD water is “looking good so far.” He then discussed preliminaries regarding a switchover north of the roundabout. Wies spoke of running a line north of the roundabout to eventually connect with the town of Dunkirk water infrastructure near the Thruway. The town of Dunkirk is a member of the NCWD, which is solely supplied by the city of Dunkirk. CPL is conducting “early explorations” of getting customers north of the roundabout onto the line, Wies said. That area is currently served by Fredonia water — though the village is planning a project to connect with the NCWD and shut its own water treatment plant and reservoir.
Observer · Dunkirk, NY
Nearby: Dunkirk, NYWithin the next month, elected leaders in the city of Dunkirk are going to have a choice to make when deciding on Mayor Kate Wdowiasz’s $32.2 million spending plan for 2027 that includes a 12% tax increase. It simply comes down to this: Does the council represent the citizens of the city — its constituents — or will it support the government on life support. Our guess? Council will not think twice about passing on that hike to city residents. Why? It is the easy way out. We totally understand the reasons. No one wants to tell dedicated and long-term employees that enough is enough. Likewise, no elected official wants to have to lay off or cut positions. Payroll costs in 2026 in the city budget were about $9.5 million for 152 workers. That figure, however, does not include the costs for benefits. What we know is health costs are rising and salaries are increasing, which ups the expenses in those categories. All told, salaries and benefits total nearly $13 million.
Observer · Dunkirk, NY
Nearby: Dunkirk, NYof Orchard Park, NY passed away on Nov7, 2026. She was born in Dunkirk, NY on 15 Apr 1948 to Matilda (Martin) and Peter Lukasik. She was the sister of four brothers, Thomas, David, James and Daniel Lukasik. She graduated from Cardinal Mindszenty High School in 1965. She then moved to Buffalo to further her education by taking administrative courses at Bryant & Stratton. She went on to attend Trocaire College, where she earned a diploma as a Registered Professional Nurse in 1984. She then entered into a rewarding 25-year employment with BryLin Hospital in Buffalo while earning additional Trocaire diplomas in Administrative Nursing. She finished her career with BryLin as a Vice President of Clinical Inpatient Operations. She married David A. Woolley at the Buffalo Unitarian/Universalist Church in 1966. She then gave birth to a son Jason Woolley and a daughter Cara Woolley (Braun).
Observer · Dunkirk, NY
Nearby: Dunkirk, NYIt is with heavy heartsthat we share that Samuel L. Drayo, Jr. peacefully passed away on November 11, 2026 at age 85. Sam was a proud life-long resident of the Village of Fredonia. He was born December 27, 1940 in Dunkirk, NY. He graduated from the Fredonia Normal School (campus school at Old Main-kindergarten thru 8th grade) and Fredonia High School in 1958. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1962, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. He completed courses at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. He was a 1965 graduate of Syracuse University College of Law earning a Juris Doctor degree. Sam served two years in the U.S. Army from 1966-1968, attaining the rank of Captain. He was awarded the U.S. Army Certificate of Achievement and National Defense Service Medal. He received an honorable discharge in 1968. In 1968, Sam joined his Dad, Samuel L. Drayo Sr., and twin brother, David C. Drayo, in his family’s Fredonia law practice. Sam’s son, John D.
Observer · Dunkirk, NY
Nearby: Dunkirk, NYBills Boosters ready for Jets game The Southern Tier Bills Booster Club will watch the Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets game on Sunday at the First Ward Falcon Club in Dunkirk.Game time is 1 p.m. Roast beef sandwiches will be provided at halftime. Members may bring a dish to pass. Fredonia Ukulele gathers Saturday evening Join Fredonia Ukulele on Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Domus Fare Restaurant, 41 W. Main St., Fredonia. Never played before? No problem! We welcome all ability levels, and you can jump right in and start playing immediately. No experience necessary! Our goal is simple: have fun, make music, and enjoy being part of a musical community! Ukuleles provided, or bring your own. Play, sing, or just sit back and enjoy listening. Come and go as you please. All are welcome! Swiss steak dinner set for Nov. 21 A Swiss steak dinner will be offered Saturday, Nov. 21 at St John’s Church, 733 Central Ave., Dunkirk. It will be served from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Cost is $15. Eat in or take out.
Observer · Titusville, PA
Nearby: Titusville, PAQUEENSBURY — It wasn’t long ago when the Clymer/Sherman/Panama boys cross country team was just getting started as a program and finishing at the bottom of the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association. First it was the girls team that found success, but this season the boys returned a group with plenty of potential and this morning at Queensbury High School they could see fulfillment in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class D cross country championships. “This is the first time we’ve taken the boys varsity team so that part of it is really exciting for us,” Clymer/Sherman/Panama boys cross country head coach Ray Shrout said. “The fact that the boys varsity is seeded first in a few of the pre-meet projections really makes it exciting.
Air Force Times · Erie, PA
Nearby: Erie, PADuring World War I, fighter pilots became “knights of the air,” — romanticized as noble, masculine heroes who guarded the ground from violence above. That mythology lasted, creating a heritage that still tinges new fighter pilots with pride. “Military culture is different from civilian culture, military aviation culture is distinct from both, but fighter pilot culture is a world unto itself,” writes Michael W. Hankins in Flying Camelot: The F-15, the F-16, and the Weaponization of Fighter Pilot Nostalgia. However, things were different for Vietnam War pilots. Century Series fighters had struggled in the conflict’s air combat and the Air Force’s front-line fighter was the two-seater F-4 Phantom. The mythos of the fearless, individualistic fighter and the desire for turn-and-burn dogfights seemingly evaporated. Col. John Richard Boyd and his “Fighter Mafia” strove to change that. Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1927, Boyd entered the U.S.
New York Observer · Boston, NY
Nearby: Boston, NYAfter taking 2025 off, the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) has returned to the Park Avenue Armory with a new name and revised format for its longstanding signature fair. Opening this evening in preview, ADAA Fair runs November 13-16 with 63 participating galleries spanning historical, modern and contemporary art. That’s 12 fewer than in 2024, and that’s not the only change. This year’s event has put a notably greater emphasis on presentations by regional American galleries and newer ADAA members, with exhibitors from Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis, Nashville, Miami, Dallas and elsewhere. “The American gallery landscape extends well beyond New York and Los Angeles,” executive director Kinsey Robb told Observer earlier this week. “Across the country, exceptional dealers are building ambitious programs, supporting artists, developing collectors and contributing significantly to their cultural communities.” The fair’s philanthropic priorities have also changed.
Artvoice · Boston, NY
Nearby: Boston, NYTV & FilmAnthony Clark, Comedian And 'Yes Dear' Star, Dies At 62TTroy Smith · November 12, 2026Troy SmithSharefXin✉Anthony Clark, the stand-up comedian who starred as Greg Warner on the CBS sitcom “Yes, Dear,” died Tuesday at age 62.His former co-star Mike O’Malley announced the death on X on Wednesday. “Anthony Clark died yesterday,” O’Malley wrote. “When my wife Lisa and I were dating back in the mid-nineties, Anthony was already famous in Boston, regularly selling out comedy shows. He was so unique, one of those comics who is laughing along with you at the absurdity of his stories and observations.”Deadline reported that Clark died from complications related to pneumonia, though no official cause has been announced.
