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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) Olean alderman voted 4-3 to add $205,000 for paving the section of South Union Street in Walkable Olean IV, by taking the cost from the $2.9 million project’s contingency. The project includes a roundabout at South Union and Greene streets.

Olean alderman vote 4-3 for Walkable Olean IV paving

July 10, 2024

By RICK MILLER OLEAN Star OLEAN — The Olean Common Council reluctantly agreed Tuesday to a $200,000 change order for Walkable Olean IV, the South Union Street project that includes

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) John Burrell, the last of the Case Family making knives in his Ellicottville shop, displays a collectible knife is a glass topped rosewood case.Burrell, the mayor of Ellicottville, and dozens of others will be selling their knives this weekend at Village of Knives at the Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds. Burrell will also be selling knives of his late wife, Sheila.

‘Village of Knives’ celebration in Little Valley this weekend

July 10, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ELLICOTTVILLE — The Village of Knives Celebration this weekend at the Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds is 150 years in the making. In the late 1800s and

Dr. Kevin D. Watkins, Cattaraugus County Public Health director.

Spraying mosquito larvicide in June paid off with big drop in adult mosquitos

July 8, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Complaints about mosquitoes in late May and early June and high mosquito larvae counts prompted Cattaraugus County lawmakers to authorize aerial spraying. The

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) A cowboy participating in the Ellicottville Championship Rodeo Sunday gets ready to rope a calf.

Ellicottville Championship Rodeo draws record crowds of 11,000

July 8, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ELLICOTTVILLE — More than 11,000 people attended the 35th annual Ellicottville Championship Rodeo that ended Sunday. The rodeo draws about 350 athletes from around the