West Valley announces 1st quarter honor rolls
WEST VALLEY — West Valley Central School Principal Rachel Mychajluk has announced the following students in grades 7-12 have been named to the honor roll for the first marking period of the 2025-26 school year.
High Honor Roll
Grade 7: Brody Lawrence, Ryan Peace, James Shoup, Matthew Tingue.
Grade 9: Finley FordGrover, Delia Shoup.
Grade 10: Karly Otto.
Grade 11: Samantha Fisher, Noah Klahn.
Honor Roll
Grade 7: Emma Nunn, Quinn Spencer, Jordan Swingle, Carter Widrig, Isabelle Wypij.
Grade 8: John Atkinson, Nicholas Klahn, Dalton Otto, Lily Quinn.
Grade 9: Kolin Holstein, Madison Lawrence, Julienna Robbins, Abigail Tucker.
Grade 10: Jersie Czapla.
Grade 11: Isabella Mitchell.
Grade 12: Annabelle Proseus, Liliana Toms.
Merit Roll
Grade 7: Lillyan Kuczka, Lilly Tronolone.
Grade 8: Savannah Griffis, Braydan Mitchell, Cullen Shaw, Connor Washburn.
Grade 9: Nia Schoepflin.
Grade 10: Sebastian Froland, Olivia Messina.
Grade 11: Megan Ehrenburg, Logan Manaher, Elizabeth Winsor.
Grade 12: Payton Ehnes, Olivia Harmony, Karson Heitman, Kaiden Troutman.
Divorce is an unpleasant outcome to ponder, but it is a reality for many couples. Studies vary, but various sources indicate that divorce rates in both the United States and Canada seem to be at their lowest in decades. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, divorce and annulment rates in the 2020s have a low range of 2.3 to 2.5 percent per 1,000 total population. This divorce rate is almost half of the rates from the 1980s and 1990s, which hovered around 4 percent. A recent report from the Vanier Institute of the Family also finds that divorce rates in Canada have been declining since the early 1990s. While this may sound like good news for those who have a starryeyed outlook on marriage, one of the reasons for the decrease in divorces very
well may be about cost. It is expensive to split up, when factoring in legal fees and the expenses of two households. Inflation has raised the cost of everything from food to clothing to housing, and couples may choose to stick it out despite their differences. Divorce rates also are affected by the number of people who are getting married. Marriage rates have declined in recent decades, according to the Pew Research Center. If people are not married but live together, their separation will not be recorded and factored into official divorce statistics. One exception to these divorce numbers is something known as “gray divorce.” Gray divorce refers to the divorce rate among adults age 50 and older. In 2022, gray divorces were roughly three times higher than they were in the 1990s for the same age group, according to the Institute for Family Studies.
walls can be a problem.
• Sagging porches and stoops: Notable sagging of porches or stoops can indicate that a house is sinking or changing faster than other areas.
• Separation between door and window frames and walls: Gaps can form around windows and doors if the foundation is shifting. The gaps that form can lead to water and pest infiltration if left untreated, causing even more issues.
• Cabinets and countertops separating from walls:
Crawl Space Foundation Repair.
• Cracks in walls: Cracks appearing in foundation walls, drywall or plaster, especially diagonal or stair-step cracks forming near doorways, windows or corners, might be indicative of foundation movement. If a crack has formed in a living space, something is likely moving below since floors are supported from the foundation upward. Cracks thicker than one-quarter of an inch in foundation walls or home
Homeowners who notice considerable space forming between cabinets or countertops and the wall indicate that the frame of the home is out of square. That likely means a foundation is settling or sinking.
• Squeaky, bouncy or sagging floors: While these issues in floors may not always result from foundation issues, they often indicate that moisture has invaded the basement or crawl space. That moisture may have gained access through a cracked or compromised foundation.
• Leaning or cracked chimney: If a chimney resembles the Leaning Tower of Pisa, it could be a sign of possible foundation issues causing settling or sinking. Bringing in a professional to assess potential foundation issues is a good idea. While certain foundation problems can be remedied by homeowners themselves, it’s best to rule out more serious issues that may require professional expertise before going the DIY route.
BY DEB EVERTS
Smith ready to take on new role as District Attorney
See Page 6
‘Tis the season to ‘Pay It Forward’
SALAMANCA —
Determined to help friends and neighbors who are down on their luck during this holiday season, the local “Pay It Forward” group will be making Christmas brighter for many area families.
This year’s program is again based at the former Terra Publishing building on North State Street.
From 1-5 p.m. Dec. 21, volunteers will distribute food boxes and gifts to qualifying people waiting in line in their vehicles. This is at no cost to the recipients.
Tim Jackson, program organizer and building owner, said the location works out well because volunteers have plenty of space to collect, store and ready the items for distribution. He said it’s also an ideal spot for people to pick up their packages because they can simply drive around the back of the building from where the boxes will be loaded.
Personnel from the Seneca Nation and Salamanca fire departments, as well as the Salamanca city police, will make deliveries to people who are housebound and can’t get out or those who have no transportation.
The Christmas program began in early November, and more than 30 businesses all around the area are participating in the group’s Tree of Hope program. Community residents choose a tag or two from the tree listing the first names of the children, their age, size and Christmas toy wish.
They take the tags and purchase gifts, then bring them back to the same business, unwrapped, by Dec. 19.
Jackson said the program served 164 families with over 400 children last year. As of Nov. 27, the number was at 86 families with over 165 kids.
“We’ve got until Dec. 19 to continue collecting names, so I wouldn’t doubt that those numbers might double by then,” he said.
As of Nov. 27, the group had collected a lot of toys, clothing and bedding that are all unwrapped and organized on 40 eight-foot tables at
the base headquarters. Jackson said 13 volunteers wrapped over 5,000 gifts over the last two years, so the task has become overwhelming. He said the gifts will be unwrapped in black and white bags this year. Each family will have an assigned number that they must remember to tell the volunteers when they pick up their packages. The black bags will have the number and the family’s last name. Inside the black bags will be white bags with a tag giving the child’s name, their age, size and what they want for Christmas.
“A lot of times, people will ask if we got the
kids what they asked for because the package is wrapped and they can’t tell what’s inside,” he said. “By delivering the gifts unwrapped, the parents can see exactly what’s inside, then wrap it for giving.”
Leading up to the event, there will be three food drives each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from now until Dec. 19. Jackson said one was already held Nov. 28 at Save A Lot, a second will be at Sander’s Parkview and the third will be back at Save A Lot.
“I don’t believe the Ham Give Away is going to happen this year because of the few
area residents into helping others who are less fortunate in their communities. This is not an organization, but rather a small group of local people and businesses that have taken it upon themselves to give clothing, food and toys to fill the need.
monetary donations that have been made so far,” he said. “We don’t know if we can count on any future donations coming in for the purchase of hams.”
According to Jackson, donations this year are fewer than they were last year as far as money is concerned. He said the program keeps growing, and there is more need this year, with prices continually going up.
“People in the communities seem to be taking the tags off the trees more than they used to, and that’s a good sign,” he said.
Jackson and his volunteers have spurred
Since 2011, the Pay It Forward group has given local families in need a brighter holiday season. According to Jackson, the campaign is the largest charity Christmas program in the area. The program serves Salamanca, Little Valley, Sawmill Run and Bucktooth Run areas, Cattaraugus, Great Valley, Kill Buck, Napoli, Randolph, Steamburg, Limestone, Carrollton, Vandalia, Olean and Cherry Creek. Jackson said the campaign has grown bigger each year, all because of the generosity of the people of Salamanca and the surrounding area. He asks the community to Pay It Forward to help friends, neighbors and coworkers all year long, not just during the holiday season.
The group welcomes any volunteers who would like to help out on this humanitarian project. Jackson said they have fewer volunteers this year than they did last year, but everything is going well so far. If anyone knows of somebody who needs a helping hand, please give the Pay It Forward group a call at (716) 499-9850, so they can help. All information received will be kept confidential.
ELLICOTTVILLE —
Celebrate the holiday season with a living nativity, complete with a camel, all in the village of Ellicottville. The Christmas Stroll was created in 1987 by a group of citizens who decided they wanted a live nativity scene with children dressed as angels and shepherds, who walked around the village and met at the gazebo. There, the baby Jesus was presented and caroling presided.
The tradition has continued for the past 37 years.
“Ellicottville is a wonderful place to slow down, enjoy the village, and take in the true spirit of the holiday season,” said Gwen Bush, organizer of the event. “Come out, walk the streets and remind yourself what this time of year is really about.”
At 4 p.m., the elves will arrive by horse-drawn carriage and spread out through the village. Some will pass out candy and small toys, while others will be serving hot cocoa
are invited to join the
dressed as their favorite holiday character. Organizers hope to see Frosty, the Grinch, Santa, Cindy Lou Who and many more. There may even be a special surprise from the Stroll elves for the best-dressed characters. At 6 p.m., the Christmas Stroll procession will begin at the gazebo. Angels, shepherds and even a camel will walk the streets with the Ellicottville High School Select Chorus singing as they go. The evening will end back at the gazebo with the telling of the story of the very first Christmas.
This year’s Holy Family will be played by Alissa and Joseph Steger as Mary and Joseph, with baby Suzi as Jesus, joined by big sister Savannah and brothers Paul and William. For more information on this year’s Christmas Stroll, including a full schedule of the day, visit ellicottvilleny.com or call (716) 699-5046.
is the Winter Holiday Character Parade. Community members
fun
File photo
Thanks to the local “Pay It Forward” group, Christmas will be brighter for many area families this year. Organizer Tim Jackson is shown at the Terra Publishing building last year, amidst bags filled with gifts that were delivered to people in need.
Photo courtesy Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce
Randolph names students to 1st quarter honor rolls
RANDOLPH
— Randolph JuniorSenior High School has announced its honor and merit rolls for the first marking period of the 2025–26 school year.
HONOR ROLLS
Grade 12: Jenna Anderson, Nicholas Ashdown, Grace Benson, Christine Booth, Gianna Bowles, Broden Brooks, Ryanne Bushey, Piper Chase, Dallas Finch, Jade Fleischmann, Hunter Foster, Cooper Freeman, Mara Rae Harvey, Riley Henry, Kevin Herington, Brookelyn Hubbard, Kirsten Johnson, Braden Jones, Rhys Kelly, Zachary Lindquist, Jaydyn Loomis, Allie MarshDurphy, Jaxon Morrison, Jamison Nottingham, Leah Olejniczak, Alyia Oliverio, Mia Olofson, Parker Patterson, Bryson Pitts, Gavin Richardson, Hayden Rosing, Gracyn Rowland, Aryana Sears, Olivia Shawley, Ayden Shields, Erinn Sluga, Mallory Smallback, Reagan Smith, Aliah Tucker, Maddison VanSickle.
Grade 11: Grace Arnold-Hill, Evelyn Bailey, Ty Barron, Lilly Beaver, Matthew Beaver, Nicholas Beaver, Malachi Brown, Carter Conley, Lucy Conley, Kierra Dexter, Zella Dickerson, Kaleb Durow, Morgan Eccles, Hailey Farmer, James Franze, Alexander Garland, Christian Hayes, Aliza Hind, Rileigh Jensen, Lilly John, Ashton Johnson, Davion Johnson, Marley Johnson, Kendra Ling, Kennedy Lynn, Tenley Marshall, Layla
McAllister, Jadelynn McMaster, Ella Monroe, John Moran, Mia Morris, Randall Nottingham, Isaac Pihlblad, Brooke Reding, Riley Reynolds, Ryann Rowland, Gavin Senn, Addyson Shawley, Stella Smith, Isabelle Tatchell, Daniel Thompson, Jasmine Thrasher-Miller, Raelynn Vinson, Anya Walters, Shelby Whitford, Fallon Williams.
Grade 10: Mackenzie Baran, Grace Bender, Chloe Braley, Jaydan Champlin, Paige Covell, MacKenzie Cowen, Emma Day, Breayanna Delano, Dominick Dowiasz, Kadence Durow, Hunter Emke, Carson Gallaway, Aiyanna Goldsmith, Aubrey Green, Hannah Hill, Brice Jones, Autumn Malone, Aubrey Marquez, Alivianna Mattson, Jade Miller, Parker Morrison, Mya Nelson, Kyler Patterson, Easton Pence, Camden Peters, Mason Pierce, Mitchell Plaskett, Gunnar Rosing, Harper Russell, Carra Sevenish, Grace Turney, Kobe Wagner, Connor Walters, Reese Woodfield, Nathan Zink.
Grade 9: Bella Baggiano, Savannah Baker, Savannah Bartlett, Brayden Beaver, Liam Brown, Noah Brown, Gabriella Chapman, Ethan DiMaria, Charlie Dowiasz, Michael Evans, Javin Fowler, McKenzie Fox, Michael Hadden, Jack Haines, Peyton Hale, Savannah Hubbard, Grady Huntington, Jessica James, Franklin John, Syrai Johnson, Sofia McCue, Cypress Milks, Katelyn Monroe, Michael Monroe, Josiah
Neal, Liam Olson, Tanner Patterson, Christopher Reynolds, Layla Reynolds, Peyton Roberts, Audrina Roldan, Ava Sears, Harmony See, Wyatt Shields, Maria Stone, Preston Swan, Colton Walters, Delaney Walters, Laiden Wojtowicz.
Grade 8: Jaylah Baker, Ruthie Barber, Landen Brooks, Jonathan Brown, Keller Brown, Lindsay Brown, Tessa Brown, Austin Bushey, RyleighAnn Champlin, Sierra Clark, Amelia Comstock, Maleeyah Finch, Aurora Fleischmann, Alice Hanna, Myles Harrison, Cody Hayes, Zoey Hernandez, Brody Jones, Turah Jones, Connor Kilbury, Maybelle Kovel, Xander LaPlant, Graeden Lynn, Cole Morris, Deklan O’Neil, Zailynne O’Neill, Spencer Patterson, Callie Peters, Liana Peyton, Elise Pihlblad, Layla Reding, Reid Smith III, Chloie Smith, Remington Smith, Serena Smith, Caitlynn Sten, Leeah Sullivan, Riley Weaver, Peyton Whitford, Drew Winship.
Grade 7: Alexander Andress, Gabriella Baker, Lilliana Baker, Braxton Beaver, McKinley
Brooks, Ethan Brown, Joslyn Brown, Keira Brown, Kieran Brown, Kyran Bucktooth, Chase Crosson, Maisie DeGroat, Austin Durow, Elsie Freeman, Julianna Garland, Karena Hitchcock, Anabella Horning, Paul Inkley, Davin Jensen, Lukas Knuth, Adriana Marquez, Paige
Marshall, Piper Marshall, Celina Miller, Clara Miller, Emaline Olson, Donavan Peterson, Elijah Peterson, Wren Rutenber, Peyton Stoltenberg, Eva Williams, Madden Wojtowicz, Jackson Yerpe.
MERIT ROLLS
Grade 12: Shyann Arnold, Carter Davis, Mason Finch, Taylor Hayes, Joseph Mighells, Gloriann Potrzebowski, Kalen Suber.
Grade 11: Kendall Blood, Logan Briggs, Shelby Conner, Aydan Eccles, Jowells Emke, Ian Hamilton, Adelaide Horning, Jace Knuth, Kami Marotto, William Olofson Jr., Elianna Peterson, Brenden Reding, Skylar See, Aidan Taylor, Ashley Terhune, Erik Terhune, Rosetta Thrasher-Miller.
Grade 10: Owen Eccles,
Eric Mighells, Matthew Nichols, Jayden Pilon, Grady Steward.
Grade 9: Mason Bartlett, Ashton Bucktooth, Antonny Corona-Hernandez, Tucker Davis, Alexis Dick, Raegan Earley, Preston Eccles, Kennedy Hahn, Aayiden Milks, Braeleigh Potter, Benjamin Sebzda, Lian Sieber, Damon Winship. Grade 8: Alexander Barber, Jaxon Brown, Matheu Burch, Conner Congdon, Calob Emke, Caleb Finch, Cooper Henderson, Izack Howard, Maverick Milford.
Grade 7: Everlett Bomberry, Timothy Gennings, Quentin Miller, Bruce Nicholas, Colton Pierce, Brooke Sample, Parker Simmons, Logan Smith, Caden Sushko, Arie Tanner.
Smith ready to take on new role as District Attorney
BY KELLEN M. QUIGLEY
LITTLE VALLEY — As someone who has practiced law in the region she grew up in throughout her career, the next role Ashley Smith will assume in the new year is practically a full-circle moment.
“My undergraduate degree was in criminal justice. The reason I went to law school was because I had an interest in criminal law,” Smith, current Cattaraugus County attorney, said in a recent interview. “I took a criminal law class my junior year, and it was like a calling for me.”
But when she graduated from law school in 2008 and passed the bar in 2009, a global recession meant job openings were scarce. Thankfully, in a vast legal world, Smith said many areas of law interested her, several of which she has since been able to dive into, in both private practice and as a public servant.
“Just by circumstance, I was happy I was able to get into a private firm in Jamestown,” she recalled of her first post-grad job. Nearly two decades later, with the district attorney’s position up for election, she felt that call again.
“I have loved being the county attorney. I feel like it’s in good hands, and it will be in good hands with Erin (Whitcomb). She’s an amazing attorney,” Smith said. “But there were too many moments that came where it was like someone was trying to tell me something. It sounds a little corny, but it’s true.”
Smith was elected the next Cattaraugus County District Attorney in November, succeeding current DA Lori P. Reiman, beginning Jan. 1. Reiman, finishing up a fourth four-year term, did not seek re-election.
“I felt extremely humbled by the support that I had.
I really appreciated the people in this community believing in me,” Smith said. “It was a relief but also an overwhelming emotion of happiness. I’m also really chomping at the bit to get into the office.”
In the weeks since the election, Smith said she has been making it a point to attend county court each Monday, as well as several sessions of Olean and Salamanca’s city courts, to observe the proceedings and get a feel for what cases may trickle over into 2026.
“I have notes on the cases that got adjourned into the new year,” she explained. “I’ve been having good communication from the current staff, and the investigators have been keeping me up to speed.”
As District Attorney, Smith said the county’s residents can expect to see a lot of hard work, a lot of passion and compassion and someone on a mission to always do the right thing.
“People can also expect me to have a really good working relationship with our law enforcement,” she said. “I will work tirelessly to make sure that there is good communication, that we are collaborating and also that we’re maintaining a level of education on all fronts.”
Smith credited the local municipal agencies, the county sheriff’s office and the state and federal offices they work with for keeping the communities safe as they put their lives on the line every day.
“They deserve a district attorney that is going to bat for them, and to also show them and help them do the right thing so that justice is served,” she added.
RAISED ON A farm on the western side of Cattaraugus County, Smith said her family has lived and worked here for several generations. Her grandparents operated dairy
in various areas of law, both in private practice and local government, have been a natural progression, she said. When she became a Department of Social Services attorney in Chautauqua County, Smith said she knew she had a calling for public service. Expanding off of social services and coming to Cattaraugus County to be the attorney for all the departments broadened her knowledge as a lawyer, she said, and strengthened her administrative and leadership skills.
“Taking the county attorney position was probably one of the best decisions I ever made,” she said. “You’re always learning, and you’re always progressing. There are almost 24 departments that we have, and I’m the lawyer for all those departments, which have different laws or regulations that apply to them at any given time.”
Once in the district attorney’s office, Smith said she’s looking forward to taking that experience and honing in on a specific area of law and becoming an expert in it. She said criminal law and criminal procedure law are still quite vast areas, and she’s ready to dive in.
said she’s noticed a large share of the cases are drug-related.
“I feel like we can be successful with cases that are appropriate for treatment, and it has to be people who are users of illicit substances and want to get help, versus the drug dealers who are peddling the drugs in our community,” she said. “That needs to be heavily scrutinized as far as cases go — assisting law enforcement and building those cases — so we can put those folks away in prison.”
Aware of the issues with New York’s bail reform law, Smith said she’s committed to working harder on the drug-related cases rather than giving up when they get difficult.
“If you’re not going to want to get help and you’re going to continue to put the rest of us at risk, and that means we have to have a trial, then I guess we’re going to trial, and eventually they’re going to go away,” she said. “A lot of these people are repeat offenders, and that’s cause for concern in my mind.”
farms, and she grew up on a beef farm.
“My family is the number one reason why I appreciate this area,” she said.
As she’s continued to work and live in the county, Smith said she believes the majority of people who live here have good values, saying they’re down-to-earth, salt-of-theearth people.
“That really is important to me, and to make sure justice is served for those people,” she added. “I really feel like we have it pretty good here.”
A graduate of CattaraugusLittle Valley Central School, she went on to receive her degrees from Gannon
University of Erie, Pa., and Thomas M. Cooley Law School of Lansing, Mich.
Earlier in her career, Smith worked in private legal practice at Bly, Sheffield, Bargar & Pillittieri in Jamestown, was elected the Leon town justice and served as municipal attorney for the city of Salamanca, the towns of Napoli and New Albion and the village of Cattaraugus.
Prior to being promoted to her current role, Smith served as first assistant social services attorney, handling cases involving child protective services, abuse and neglect, custody, child support and adult protection. Those years of experience
“There are other characteristics that I possess that can’t be taught,” she added, noting the development of the risk management team in the county attorney’s office and the opportunity to put a successful team together. “I feel like I’m in a really good place.”
WHEN HER WORK in the district attorney’s office begins, Smith said there are going to be certain areas that will be a point of focus, most notably the region’s drug crisis — something in her platform when she first announced her candidacy. As she’s been sitting in on court days, Smith
Beyond her duties in the office, Smith said she wants to continue making a difference in the community through other ventures. With her years of knowledge working in family court cases, she said she’d like to be involved in services helping and protecting women and children in need, such as partnering and collaborating with the Child Advocacy Center.
Smith, a mother of four, said a balance of work life and home life is also important, stressing making time to be with family and taking care of herself so she can get the work done in the courtroom.
“I also love to ride my bike,” she added. “If we don’t have snow, I even like to go out and ride in the winter. And when warmer weather is here, I make it a priority to get that in.”
Photo provided