The answer may be a little bit of both.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been quick to say the broadband access gap has been closed by his Broadband for All program, though many including state Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay disagree with Cuomo’s assessment. The governor is looking to boost broadband access by requiring private companies to provide a $15 rate so that low-income residents can have access to broadband internet.
There are pockets of Chautauqua County lagging behind in internet access according to a fall 2020 survey compiled by the state Education Department. The New York Civil Liberties Union recently filed a Freedom of Information Law request for the survey, which showed that more than 165,000 students in New York state (6%) lacked internet access. In Chautauqua County, 1,058 of the county’s 18,353 students (5.76%) had no access to internet. The same percentage of students had no access to a device to access the internet.
Thirty years ago 1991
Veteran running back Kevin Mack and radio analyst Doug Dieken were the guests of honor at the fourth annual Cleveland Brown Backers sports banquet at the Dunkirk Moose Club. More than 110 members attended the event, which featured the awarding of a $500 scholarship to Pine Valley Central School senior Kristopher Kozlowski. The son of Jeff and Barbara Kozlowski, he is at the top of his graduating class of 45 with a 94.6 average.
Forty years ago 1981
A transition from rock and roll to country music has paid off for “Rainbow,” a traveling band from North Collins. “Rainbow” known formerly in the area as the “Melodeers” is a four-piece group consisting of Jackie Foreman, brother Allen, both originally of Sheridan; Bill Volk of South Dayton and Michelle Oyer of Eden. The band has been touring throughout the United States and Canada and is planning an album sometime in the future.
Maj. Albert Willie “Bill” Sheldon, 81, died peacefully at home on Jan. 18, 2021.
The son of predeceased Charlie and Thelma Sheldon of Cherry Creek, N.Y. One of five sons, two predeceased and two surviving.
He was a graduate of Pine Valley Central School in South Dayton, N.Y., in 1957. After high school, he served in the United States Marine Corps from 1957 to 1983, working his way through the ranks from Private to Major, with tours in Vietnam, Japan, Europe and the U.S.
After retiring from the military, he worked for ADAP, Sanel Auto Parts, Bay State Floral Supply and AJ Carbone Floral Supply Co., which he finally retired from in 2018.
Robert Searle Wade
Kennedy, N.Y. – “Bob” Robert Searle Wade, 92, of Route 394 Town of Randolph, Kennedy, NY, passed away unexpectedly at 3:35 a.m., Thursday, (Dec. 24, 2020) at home with his wife Marion (Peetie West) Wade at his side.
He was born Dec. 17, 1928 in Jamestown, the son of the late William A. and Mary (Searle) Wade.
Bob was a 1946 graduate of Randolph Central School, where he played basketball, football and baseball and was named all-star in all three sports. He additionally was on three championship teams, two Bi-County Championships and a sectionals championship in basketball.
Following High School, Bob enlisted in the United States Army Air-Corp and served from Sep. 11, 1946 to Aug. 18, 1949, he trained as an air traffic controller and after 8 months, he became an instructor at Scott Air Field in Illinois. From there, Bob was sent to Japan and served two years there with the Army Occupation. While in Japan, he played basketball and football for the 5th
Dec 19, 2020
SOUTH DAYTON Mark Richard Chase age 49 of South Dayton passed away Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, at home surrounded with love and family.
He was born Aug. 22, 1971, the son of Ronald and the (late) Karen Chase.
Mark was a proud 1989 graduate of Pine Valley Central School. He graduated from Fredonia State College and the University of Buffalo, he spent the last 20 years as a library media specialist at Portville, Pine Valley and Salamanca City Central School District . He also taught drivers education for 13 years and served as the director of athletics at Pine Valley for eight years.
Mark loved going to work every day and working with his students. He enjoyed watching the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Pirates and treasured spend-ing time with family and friends.