Olean Star

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Master Gardener Help Line open Tuesdays for plant help

May 26, 2025

ELLICOTTVILLE — Master Gardener volunteers at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cattaraugus County are ready to help residents with gardening questions, identification and other plant issues. The Master Gardener volunteers will answer

(Rick MIller/Olean Star) Don Benson (center), points to a map of his proposed gravel pit off South Nine Mile Road to people attending a hearing Monday on a request by Benson for a waiver to the 500-foot rule on distance from a gravel pit to a residence to 100 feet.

Benson gravel pit hearing will continue next month

May 26, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ALLEGANY — The Allegany Zoning Board voted on Monday not to close a hearing on a request for a variance to construct a gravel pit closer to

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) File photo of the Olean Common Council.

Olean to reissue tax bills due to miscalculation of increase in 2025 tax rate

May 26, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — City of Olean taxpayers can expect something in the mail soon — a new tax bill. Mayor Bill Aiello announced Thursday morning that “due to

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Julia C. Groff, 31, of Richburg, is led into Bolivar Town Court Wednesday for a preliminary hearing on charges including two counts of attempted murder of a police officer. She was ordered held without bail until the case can be presented to an Allegany County grand jury.

Suspect in stabbing of troopers in Bolivar held without bail after Preliminary Hearing Wednesday

May 26, 2025

BOLIVAR — After a preliminary hearing on Wednesday,a Richburg woman charged with seriously injuring two New York state troopers in a violent confrontation Saturday in Bolivar was ordered held in

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Student cell phones and other internet-enabled devices will not be permitted during school which starts the 2025-26 school year next week. Local school districts will require students to keep cell phones in their lockers from bell to bell.

Area schools are prepared for state cellphone bank this week

September 1, 2025

By RICK MILLER OLEAN STAR Local students returning to area schools next week will be facing a major change in lifestyle — a school day without cell phones or other internet access.

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Deputies (from left) Andrew Schumaker and Rachel Zimmer were presented commendations from County Legislature Chairman Andrew Burr (right) for their life-saving efforts involving a West Valley man in shock from numerous bee stings on July 26. Others are Sheriff Eric Butler (third from left) and Undersheriff Nate Root.

Life-saving deputies honored by Legislature

September 1, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Two Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s deputies who were instrumental in saving the life of a West Valley man who was in shock after being stung

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Only a few dead fish were visible in Ischua Creek from the Coal Chutes Road bridge on Thursday. The state Department of Environmental Conservation is investigating a significant fish-kill and aquatic animal die-off in the creek downstream from the village of Franklinville.

State agencies probe Ischua Creek fish-kill from Franklinville village

September 1, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star FRANKLINVILLE — The state Department of Environmental Conservation and Cattaraugus County Health Department are investigating a significant fish kill in Ischua Creek in and downstream from the

(Photo provided) Rep. Nick Langworthy speaks at a press conference at Field of Dreams on Tuesday where he highlighted his sponsorship of the Energy Choice Act that would prevent state and local governments from restricting home energy heating by natural gas.

Langworthy blasts Hochul natural gas ban, promotes his Energy Choice Act bill

September 1, 2025

ALLEGANY — Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23) held a press conference Tuesday at a new home construction site in Allegany to spotlight the urgent need for his Energy Choice Act —