Air Force Times · Erie, PA
During 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.
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.
Post Journal · Jamestown, NY
Nearby: Jamestown, NYTop stories Dawson closes bridge due to deterioration By Gregory Bacon November 14, 2026 3 min read Dawson recently closed the Allen Street bridge to all traffic, due to its deteriorating condition. P-J photo by Gregory Bacon Trending A private bridge in Jamestown that had been used by the company as well as the general public has been shut down to all traffic due to its deteriorating state. The bridge which connects Allen Street to Dawson and Emco is now barricaded. Chris Parks, the executive assistant at Dawson Metal Company, stated in an email the company was forced to shut it down. "Dawson had to close it after the last big rain, which caused some of the bridge to wash away. It left a big hole that was deemed unsafe for the heavy weight vehicles to cross," he wrote. Before barricading it, the bridge had been restricted to vehicles weighing more than 16 tons. For several years, Dawson has been trying to get a new bridge installed.
The State Journal · Jamestown, NY
Nearby: Jamestown, NYof Frankfort died peacefully Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the age of 96. She was born and raised in Jamestown, New York, and Carol’s parents Milton and May Johnson both descended from Swedish immigrants, a point of pride that Carol carried throughout her life. She graduated from the Rochester New York School of Nursing in 1951 where she met her husband, Dr. John T. Rawlings, during his internship. After their marriage, Carol and John lived briefly in Arlington, Virginia, and later Maysville, Kentucky. In 1968, they settled with their young children, Cindy and Thomas, in Frankfort. Carol is the beloved grandmother to Meredith Rawlings Woods (Nathan), John Rawlings, Jonathan Irons (Stephanie Kohler) and Andrew Irons and is also survived by her children, Cindy (Ken) Irons and Thomas Rawlings. She was one of the founding members of Frankfort’s Hope Lutheran Church and remained an active member of the congregation until her passing.
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.
Herald-Star · Jefferson, OH
Nearby: Jefferson, OHSTEUBENVILLE — Hoping to put the controversy to rest once and for all, Jefferson County Commissioners voted Thursday to authorize the “appropriate” officials to process more than $243,000 in unpaid invoices for a water line relocation on State Route 213 done with no vote being taken, no bids and no signed contract. The “appropriate official” would be Auditor E. J. Conn, who for the past seven months has refused to pay any invoice associated with the State Route 213 waterline relocation without a court order directing him to release the funds. In Ohio, the standard statutory competitive bidding threshold is $79,568: Repairs in excess of the amount must be advertised for bids unless it were to be declared an emergency, and even then the price tag must be under $125,000 except in cases of physical disaster. There was no emergency declaration associated with the SR 213 project.
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 · 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.