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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 —

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Dan Spitzer (third from right) of Hudson Russ, an attorney for Alle-Catt Wind Energy, speaks Tuesday at a meeting of the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency where Alle-Catt was seeking tax incentives for its proposed 340-megawatt wind farm.

IDA accepts Alle-Catt application for $618.9 million in tax incentives; takes no action

July 17, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ELLICOTTVILLE — An application for tax benefits for the proposed $618.8 million Alle-Catt Wind Farm under consideration by the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency appears

(Photo provided) Cattaraugus County Republican Party Chairman Mark Heberling (left), met up with Lee Zeldin former GOP candidate for New York governor at the Republican Presidential Convention in Milwaukee on Monday.

Heberling likes JD Vance pick for VP; glad Trump survived brush with death

July 17, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star MILWAUKEE — Cattaraugus County Republican Party Chairman Mark Heberling on Tuesday praised the selection by former President Donald Trump of JD Vance as the vice

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The new Hinsdale Vietnam Memorial in Town Park was dedicated Saturday in front of about 150 people.

Hinsdale Vietnam Memorial dedication attended by 150

July 16, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star HINSDALE — Nearly 150 people attended Saturday’s dedication ceremony for the new Hinsdale Vietnam Memorial in Town Park — something everyone was long overdue. The

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Mike Spors, a knife collector from Janesville, WI, buys and sells pocket knives, hunting knives and straight razors. He said attendance was good on opening day of Village of Knives at the Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds in Little Valley.

Village of Knives opening day showcases county’s cutleries

July 15, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — The “Village of Knives” exhibit at the Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds kicked off its three-day run Friday with a steady stream of visitors.