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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 Mayoral candidate ‘Smitty’ dishes up chicken for Labor Day lunch for 90 city employees

September 5, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star SALAMANCA — Michael “Smitty” Smith, the former Salamanca mayor running for another term under the Salamanca Proud banner, provided city workers with a Labor Day

Smethport's Maddox Dickerson carries the ball up the middle during the Hubber's Week One win against Otto-Eldred. Against Port Allegany, however, Dickerson was contained to just 27 rushing yards. | Photo by Hunter O. Lyle

FRIDAY ROUNDUP: A-L picks up first eleven-man victory; Veilleux’s dominance continues in Port’s 49-point win over Hubbers

September 5, 2026

ALLEGANY, NY – After a year where they ‘took their lumps,’ the Allegany-Limestone football team finally broke the seal, earning their first win since returning to eleven-man football with a

Salamanca's Quinten Brown takes a snap outside during the Warriors' lop-sided loss to Springville on Friday. | Photo by Hunter O. Lyle

Salamanca implodes in season-opening loss to Griffins

September 4, 2026

By HUNTER O. LYLE lyleoleanstar@gmail.com SALAMANCA, NY – Entering the season on the heels of significant roster turnover, the Salamanca football team knew there would be a learning curve. What

Ten returning letterwinners rejoin the Warriors this season. Pictured here is Brock Johnson (front row, left to right), Conner Seeley, Ryder Jimerson, Donavan Terhune, Quinten Brown, Warrick John (back row, left to right), Remy Follman, Kasen Hardy, Drake Phearsdorf and Kylan Jacobson. | Photo by Hunter O. Lyle

Salamanca Warriors changing their mindset, build around rookie QB

September 4, 2026

Taking to the gridiron after the first big personnel change, the Warriors came out to a hot 4-0 start in 2025. However, they then ran into trouble, ending the season