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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 —

Man in the Middle: On a new team, Sherry leads thriving ‘Next Chapter’ Terrors

January 14, 2026

By HUNTER O. LYLE lyleoleanstar@gmail.com DUKE CENTER, PA – In just one year, a lot has changed for Jack Sherry. At the start of December in 2024, Sherry was suiting

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Allison Fiut, an attorney for Harris Beach working for the City of Olean on the redevelopment of the Oleran Center Mall speaks to the Common Council Tuesday. The council later voted to use eminent domain to lift lease restrictions on mall stores to facilitate redevelopment.

Aldermen approve eminent domain resolution for mall to drop anchor stores’ lease restrictions

January 14, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — The Olean Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday to help the Olean Center Mall owner to more quickly redevelop it into a multi-purpose, mixed-use

(Assembly photo) Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski will hold a town hall meeting in Salamanca Feb. 17.

Sempolinski criticizes Hochul for not mentioning Seneca Gaming Compact in State of State Address

January 14, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ALBANY — As Gov. Kathy Hochul was winding down her State of the State Address Tuesday Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski, R-Canisteo, realized she hadn’t mentioned a

TUESDAY ROUNDUP: Neff’s 24 falls in vain; Portville boys outgunned by Gowanda

January 13, 2026

KANE, PA — Despite Peyton Neff’s shooting showcase and 24 points, the Smethport girl’s basketball team was unable to steal a win on the road, losing to Kane 60-43. Throughout