Olean Star

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(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The Great Lakes Cheese facility north of Franklinville, has suspended discharge of treated water into Ischua Creek under order from the state Department of Environmental Conservation after a significant fish kill in Ischua Creek earlier this week.

Great Lakes Cheese identified as source of Ischua Creek fish kill

September 1, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star FRANKLINVILLE — The state Department of Environmental Conservation on Friday identified the Great Lakes Cheese facility north of Franklinville as the source of an organic discharge blamed

(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

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Bob Wright of Wright’s Farms, Farmersville, keeps watch over the wood-fired evaporator boiling down maple sap into syrup in the farm’s sugar house on Laidlaw Road. The farm has been making maple syrup since 1840.

Wright’s Farms has been in maple business since 1840

March 26, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star FARMERSVILLE — Wright’s Farm on Laidlaw Road in Farmersville has been producing maple syrup in Cattaraugus County since 1840. It is likely the farm has continually produced

Pollock: Good and sad news on high school hoops; remembering boxing’s grillmaster

March 25, 2025

A column by CHUCK POLLOCK, Senior Sports Columnist Some thoughts from the weekend involving high school basketball and the passing of a boxing legend: OTHER THAN a few minor league baseball

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The developer of Olean Town Centre is seeking to redevelop Olean Center Mall in a $40 million program that includes the city using eminent domain to obtain site interest rights.

Common Council votes 4-3 for public hearing on using eminent domain for Olean Mall

March 25, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — The Olean Common Council voted 4-3 at a special meeting Thursday to set a public hearing on whether to authorize the city to

Two village trustees unseated in Cattaraugus County elections

March 25, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star In two contested village elections in Cattaraugus County Tuesday, incumbent trustees lost one seat each in Allegany and Ellicottville. In Portville, two incumbents were re-elected in a