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(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 —

Port Allegany survives late Portville surge in DeCerbo Showcase

December 27, 2025

By SPENCER BATES batesoleanstar@gmail.com ALLEGANY — Staving off a second-half comeback, the Port Allegany girls basketball team managed to pull out a 34-30 victory over Portville in the opening game

Allen: James Cook is the best back in football after the Buffalo Bills hold off the Cleveland Browns

December 24, 2025

By CHUCK POLLOCK, Wellsville Sun Senior Sports Columnist Remember that old lottery commercial … “You’ve got to be in it to win it?” Well, on Sunday afternoon at Cleveland’s Huntingdon

(Olean Fire Department photo) Memmbers of the Olean Fire Department Hazarous Materials Team responded to a chlorine gas leak at Holiday Inn Express, 101 Main St., where one person was injured and the hotel was evacuated Monday

Chlorine gas leak leads to evacuation of Main Street hotel Monday; one injured

December 23, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — One individual was injured and the Holiday Inn Express, 101 Main St., was evacuated Monday afternoon in an incident involving a chlorine gas

(Mark Heberling photo) Cattaraugus County Republican Party Chairman Mark Heberling stans with Rep. Elise Stefanik at an earlier campaign event for her race for governor. She bowed out of the race on Friday, to Heberling's surprise.

Heberling surprised by Stefanik’s exit from governor’s race

December 23, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Cattaraugus County Republican Party Chairman Mark Heberling said Tuesday he was surprised by Elise Stefanik’s withdrawal last week from the New York governor’s race. “I