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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 —

Sempolinski cites his service in Congress and State Assembly in his campaign for 148th Assembly District

April 19, 2024

By RICK MILLER CattCoNews&Photos When Assemblyman Joseph Giglio announced in February he wouldn’t seek re-election, it wasn’t a difficult decision for his chief of staff Joe Sempolinski to declare his

Supervisor Dan Brown is running for the Assembly in the 148th District

April 19, 2024

By Rick Miller GREAT VALLEY – After earlier deciding against another campaign for the Assembly, the Great Valley Democrat agreed to run in the November election against Joe Sempolinski of

Giglio predicts final passage of $237 billion state budget bills on Saturday with ‘hold harmless’ policy for schools intact

April 19, 2024

By RICK MILLER CattCoNews&Photos ALBANY — Assemblyman Joseph Giglio, R-Gowanda, said Friday afternoon that it appears the state’s hold harmless policy for school districts would continue. The policy guaranteed school

Cattaraugus County low again In County Health Rankings, Roadmap

April 12, 2024

BY: Rick Miller rick@oleanstar.com OLEAN — Cattaraugus County is not the healthiest place to live in New York. The 2024 County Health Rankings and Roadmap report by the University of