A brigade of bikers will embark upon a 70-mile journey around Chautauqua County to benefit Cathy Colquitt, who recently endured the extraction of a brain tumor. The motorcyclists will start and end their voyage Saturday at the First Ward Falcon Club in Dunkirk. They'll make two stops along the way - at Plummer's Tavern in Ripley and at Whiskey Hill Saloon in Cassadaga.

The decision by Greg Edwards to continue to serve as county executive while running for lieutenant governor is not fair to local voters, County Legislator Keith Ahlstrom said Thursday. Asked for comment about the news that Rick Lazio has selected Edwards as his running mate, the Dunkirk Democrat posed a questio.

SOUTH DAYTON - "This is the first day of a two-day final event and it is, if my memory serves me correctly, a unique situation on Jeopardy!" Alex Trebek said at the opening. "This is the first time we've had a rematch of sorts.

Mayor Richard Frey sat at the table in the city hall conference room this week with members of the Greater Dunkirk Area Harbor Commission. As he addressed the commission, he was asked about the "big issue" of trailer parking for fishermen. "You know what the nicest thing is, when you run a business, it's to say, 'I can't handle the parking,'" Frey said. "That is a good problem.

OBSERVER Staff Writer What an absolutely gorgeous evening it was for everyone who came out and enjoyed the opening night of Gowanda's Pioneer Days. From 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday event goers enjoyed "carnival preview" night. Many attractions were up and ready to go in downtown Gowanda, from the super slide and other rides to the first bite of the season's fair food delicacies.

SOUTH DAYTON - Jason Zollinger celebrated his 40th birthday Tuesday the way many wish they could: with a nationally-televised victory and a guaranteed minimum $50,000. There were also cupcakes.

Excluding Brocton and Fredonia, voters in all area school districts aproved their budgets, including Cassadaga Valley, Chautauqua Lake, Dunkirk, Forestville, Gowanda, North Collins, Pine Valley, Ripley, Silver Creek and Westfield. Below is a breakdown of each district, including school board election candidate result.

No one came to voice their concerns during the public hearing on the proposed school budget; instead voters took to the polls Tuesday and voted down the 2010-2011 proposed budget for the Fredonia Central School District. By way of 648 "no" votes to 554 "yes" votes, the $27.4 million budget was rejected. Under the proposed budget $13.9 million was to be raised by taxes, an increase of $1.

BROCTON - Starting at noon when the polls opened, a steady line of voters waited Tuesday in the high school gymnasium foyer to cast their ballots on the Brocton School district's proposed 2010-11 budget. The spending plan called for a total of $14,411,616 in expenditures and a tax levy of approximately 12 percent.

Brocton Central School District FAILED Cassadaga Valley Central School District PASSED Chautauqua Lake Central School District PASSED Dunkirk City School District PASSED Forestville Central Scool District PASSED Fredonia Central School District FAILED Gowanda Central School PASSED Silver Creek Central School PASSED Pine Valley Central School District PASSED Ripley Central School...

BROCTON - "She is an inspiration to us all; she has an upbeat, positive attitude." That's how family friend Chris Sausman describes 13-year-old Abbey Malcolm, the daughter of Duane and Jayme Malcolm Appel, who is currently dealing with a brain tumor.

For over a century, the house at 115 West Fourth St. in Dunkirk sat proudly on its plot amid the other fine houses in the new development known then as "Brook's Park." It was the heyday of Dunkirk and the city was booming. In 1957 the house was purchased by a young Irish immigrant couple, Jeffery and Rhona O'Connell, who raised their five children at this address.

For the past few meetings, discussion has ensued regarding non-resident tuition in the Fredonia Central School District. During the April 27 regular Board of Education meeting it was requested that a cost-benefit analysis be prepared for review.

FORESTVILLE - "It's a reminder to us to count our minutes and hours, to guard ourselves against idleness, and work using all of our resources," said District 5 Legislator Jerry Park at the official dedication of Forestville's solar clock Sunday afternoon.

The vineyards of Chautauqua County have long been a keystone of the region. All along the county roads, drivers can see acres upon acres of vineyards stretching into the distance. These wineries are a great source of pride and income for the county, and this past Friday, the Dunkirk and Fredonia Chamber of Commerce honored them at their annual wine festival.

Eight-year-old Samantha Brewster will have a purpose to her step this weekend. She, along with approximately 10 members of her family and friends from Cassadaga's Grandma's Kitchen, will be taking part in the 3.5k Walk for Babies, also known as the March for Dimes that takes place at Chautauqua Institution this Saturda.

CHAUTAUQUA - March of Dimes officials hope that "one day ... all babies will be born healthy'' - a cause with which Amy Jaquith of Cassadaga can identify. Mrs. Jaquith and her family were excited to learn of her pregnancy.

Lois Gibbs thought she had achieved the American Dream. "At the ripe old age of 27, I had a house, a husband that was gainfully employed, a 1-year-old healthy child, a picket fence, a station wagon and HBO - I had it all," she said, before joking, "but actually my child was really ugly but he got handsome later. But I thought he was beautiful at the time.

MAYVILLE - More than just belt-tightening will be required of Chautauqua County in addressing next year's anticipated budget deficit. From the looks of a document released to legislators this week, it appears the county is actually going to have to shed some weight.