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The Olean Common Council approved a $29.1million budget for 2025-26 Tuesday 5-2. From left are Alderman Lawrence Bennion Jr., R-Ward 1, who voted against the budget; Mayor Bill Aiello and Council; President John Crawford, D-Ward 5, who voted to pass the budget.

Olean Common Council passes $29.1 million budget by 5-2 vote

April 9, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star The Olean Common Council voted 5-2 Tuesday to adopt a $29,149,462 budget for 2025-26 that carries a 6% tax hike. The general fund is $19.8

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Cattaraugus County Administrator Jack Searles sits behind his desk in Olean. Searles is planning to step down in June and retire after almost 22 years in the post. He is in his 46th year of working for the county.

Jack Searles to step down as county administrator in June

April 9, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Cattaraugus County Administrator John “Jack” Searles plans to tell county lawmakers Wednesday of his plans to step down in June from the post he’s held

Schmidt honored with Coaches vs. Cancer Champion Award

April 8, 2025

SAN ANTONIO, TX — While the NCAA men’s basketball Final Four took center stage in San Antonio over this past weekend, there was more than just elite level basketball to

Common Council to vote on $19.8 million city budget Tuesday

April 8, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Finance Committee Chairman Sonya McCall hopes to pass the 2025-26 Olean city budget with its 6% property tax hike on Tuesday night as planned. The

Friday Roundup: Olean, Salamanca boys extend win streaks; Lady Terrors blow out Galeton

January 24, 2025

DUNKIRK, NY – Battling tooth-and-nail for four full quarters, the Olean boys’ basketball team picked up their fifth consecutive win with a road victory over Dunkirk, 50-45. In each of

Bona women’s hoops aim to do away with bad habits, continue growth at Fordham

January 24, 2025

By SPENCER BATES batesoleanstar@gmail.com NEW YORK — For the St. Bonaventure women’s basketball team, a tough four-game stretch, all against top-five teams in the Atlantic 10, is reaching its conclusion.

(Photo provided) Rep. Nick Langworthy of the 23rd Congressional District stands in the Capitol Rotunda before Monday's Inaugural ceremony for President Donald Trump.

Langworthy backs Trump’s pardon of 1,500 Jan. 6 Capitol insurrectionists, supports Trump overturning the 14th Amendment

January 24, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy was not surprised at President Donald Trump’s pardon of more than 1,500 rioters convicted in the Jan. 6 insurrection at

ST. BONAVENTURE — Dr. Jeff Gingerich has signed a contract extension that will keep him in place as St. Bonaventure University’s president through May 2030. The university’s Board of Trustees previously approved the extension. “I’m grateful to our trustees for their show of faith in my leadership. These first three years as president of this remarkable university have been the most fulfilling of my career in higher education,” Gingerich said. “But I want to be clear that their show of faith is just as much about the tremendous work of the administrators, faculty and staff I’ve been blessed to be surrounded with as it is about me.” Gingerich, who’s worked in higher education since 2000, began his presidency at SBU in the summer of 2022. Since then, the university has welcomed the three largest freshman classes in 20 years, with total enrollment in fall 2024 — undergraduate and graduate — reaching the fourth-highest mark in university history. “Our Board’s unanimous approval of Jeff's contract extension is a testament to Jeff's dedicated leadership. We’ve had extraordinary momentum under his tenure, including record student enrollment, new academic programs and greater engagement in the community,” said Michael Hickey, chair of the Board. “We’re very pleased with Jeff’s contributions to our Bolder Bonaventure fundraising campaign and commitment to increasing our endowment. His vision and orchestration of a long-term strategic plan will set the stage for growth and a vibrant future at St. Bonaventure.” Gingerich has traveled extensively across the country during his first three years, meeting with alumni and donors as the university nears the end of its seven-year Bolder Bonaventure campaign. The university is on the brink of reaching its $125 million fundraising goal well before the campaign ends May 31. Work on one of the pillars of the campaign — the major renovation of the Jandoli School of Communication — is scheduled to begin this spring. Gingerich has also worked to increase administrative transparency, communicating with the campus community through regularly scheduled Town Halls, President’s Hours and email updates on topics ranging from sustainability efforts and NCAA challenges to university finances and the complexity of building a budget. In his desire to enhance the university’s relationship with the neighboring Seneca Nation of Indians, the president worked to establish a committee made up of university and Seneca leaders to work on initiatives to rekindle their relationship, including the development of a Land Acknowledgement Statement. The land upon which SBU sits was once Seneca land. Gingerich also established a Sustainability Task Force and charged the University Planning Commission with developing a new strategic plan. Gingerich and his wife, Betsy, have hosted numerous social events across campus and at their home for students and staff to strengthen their bonds with the campus community. The president also established a now beloved campus tradition: the annual Christmas tree lighting at Marchiori Pavilion.

St. Bonaventure President’s contract extended through 2030

January 24, 2025

ST. BONAVENTURE — Dr. Jeff Gingerich has signed a contract extension that will keep him in place as St. Bonaventure University’s president through May 2030. The university’s Board of Trustees

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Latest News

Olean Common Council passes $29.1 million budget by 5-2 vote

Jack Searles to step down as county administrator in June

Schmidt honored with Coaches vs. Cancer Champion Award

Common Council to vote on $19.8 million city budget Tuesday

Friday Roundup: Olean, Salamanca boys extend win streaks; Lady Terrors blow out Galeton

Bona women’s hoops aim to do away with bad habits, continue growth at Fordham

Langworthy backs Trump’s pardon of 1,500 Jan. 6 Capitol insurrectionists, supports Trump overturning the 14th Amendment

St. Bonaventure President’s contract extended through 2030

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