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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

(Revolution Rail photo) Revolution Rail, which operates several rail bike excursions in New York state including this one at North Creek that follows the Hudson River, is coming to the Village of Cattaraugus this fall.

IDA OKs rail bike operation using its tracks in Village of Cattaraugus

August 29, 2024

BY: Rick Miller, OLEAN STAR CATTARAUGUS — A new way to enjoy the Cattaraugus County scenery will take off soon from the Village of Cattaraugus. The Cattaraugus County Industrial Development

Lt. Nate Root (left) of the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Criminal Division has been named undersheriff by Acting Sheriff Eric Butler.

Acting Sheriff Eric Butler names Lt. Nate Root as his undersheriff

August 22, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County Acting Sheriff Eric Butler named Lt. Nate Root to be his undersheriff. Butler, the former undersheriff, became sheriff when former Sheriff

Pictured left to right: Martha Nenno, Hon. Michael L. Nenno, Barbara Fox

Hon. Michael Nenno’s portrait unveiled in Little Valley

August 20, 2024

Hon. Michael Nenno’s portrait was unveiled at a celebration held in the Little Valley courthouse on Friday, August 16, 2024. The event was attended by Judge Nenno, his wife Martha

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Al Ormand of Little Valley was pinned Wednesday by Rep. Nick Langworthy for his Vietnam-era service.

Langworthy pins commemorative medal on 75 Vietnam-era veterans in ceremony

August 20, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Seventy-five Vietnam-era veterans lined up Wednesday at Cutco Theater at Jamestown Community College to receive pins commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.