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(DEC graphic) This DEC map of the Great Lakes Cheese plant in Franklinville and Ischua Creek was shown at the Cattaraugus County Board of Health on Wednesday. Organic waste in treated water from the plant has been bland for a significant fish kill in the creek.

Watkins says local wells tested near Olean Creek not found contaminated

September 18, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star FRANKLINVILLE — While the discharge of organic material into Ischua Creek from the Great Lakes Cheese plant resulted in a significant die-off of fish and other aquatic

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Demonstrators outside the Great Lakes Cheese plant in Franklinville Friday protest the company’s contamination of Ischua Creek, which killed tens of thousands of fish and other aquatic wildlife.

Two protests last Friday outside Great Lakes Cheese plant

September 18, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star FRANKLINVILLE — Two groups of people demonstrated Friday outside the Great Lakes Cheese plant on Route 16 north of Franklinville, protesting discharges from the plant into Ischua

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The state Department of Environmental Conservation on Monday announced a $475,000 fine against Great Lakes Cheese for its August discharge of contamnants into Ischua Creek, which killed tews of thousnads of fish and othe aquatic life.

DEC will require cheese plant to pay to restore Ischua Creek

September 18, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star FRANKLINVILLE — Great Lakes Cheese will be required to restore Ischua Creek as part of any state enforcement action against the Franklinville cheese plant. State

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Kids and their parents look for candy shot out of the candy cannon at Pumpkinville on Sunday of opening weekend.

Pumpkinville opens for 30th year in its current Great Valley location

September 18, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star GREAT VALLEY — Pumpkinville opened this past weekend for its 30th year at the current location. If you count the years when the original Pumpkinville was run

Salamanca boys lacrosse falls just short in pursuit of Akron in season-opener

March 26, 2025

By SPENCER BATES batesoleanstar@gmail.com SALAMANCA — Despite coming up just short, the Salamanca boys lacrosse team put up a strong fight in its season-opener against Akron. The Warriors wasted no

(YouTube) During a public comment session of the Olean Common Council Wednesday a speaker who offered Olean coins to help stop sewage overflows into the Allegheny River was arrested for disturbing a public meeting.

Man arrested after offering coins to city to stem sewage overflows

March 26, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — A man who approached the speaker’s podium with silver coins during the public comment portion of the Olean Common Council meeting Tuesday was led from

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Members of the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency met in its Ellicottville offices on Tuesday.

Cattaraugus County IDA OKs $9.6 million in tax inducements, does not approve Alle-Catt PILOT

March 26, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ELLICOTTVILLE — Tax breaks for business expansion projects in Olean, Allegany and Portville with nearly $4 million in local investment were approved Tuesday by the Cattaraugus County

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca at his inauguration last November at the Seneca Allegany Casino and Event Center in Salamanca.

Seneca president, councilors meet with governor who will issue apology over state role in Thomas Indian School abuse

March 26, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca and Seneca tribal councilors met earlier this month with Gov. Kathy Hochul in Albany to discuss a number of issues. The number