Olean Star

Latest News

Bona women’s hoops aim to do away with bad habits, continue growth at Fordham

January 24, 2025

By SPENCER BATES batesoleanstar@gmail.com NEW YORK — For the St. Bonaventure women’s basketball team, a tough four-game stretch, all against top-five teams in the Atlantic 10, is reaching its conclusion.

(Photo provided) Rep. Nick Langworthy of the 23rd Congressional District stands in the Capitol Rotunda before Monday's Inaugural ceremony for President Donald Trump.

Langworthy backs Trump’s pardon of 1,500 Jan. 6 Capitol insurrectionists, supports Trump overturning the 14th Amendment

January 24, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy was not surprised at President Donald Trump’s pardon of more than 1,500 rioters convicted in the Jan. 6 insurrection at

ST. BONAVENTURE — Dr. Jeff Gingerich has signed a contract extension that will keep him in place as St. Bonaventure University’s president through May 2030. The university’s Board of Trustees previously approved the extension. “I’m grateful to our trustees for their show of faith in my leadership. These first three years as president of this remarkable university have been the most fulfilling of my career in higher education,” Gingerich said. “But I want to be clear that their show of faith is just as much about the tremendous work of the administrators, faculty and staff I’ve been blessed to be surrounded with as it is about me.” Gingerich, who’s worked in higher education since 2000, began his presidency at SBU in the summer of 2022. Since then, the university has welcomed the three largest freshman classes in 20 years, with total enrollment in fall 2024 — undergraduate and graduate — reaching the fourth-highest mark in university history. “Our Board’s unanimous approval of Jeff's contract extension is a testament to Jeff's dedicated leadership. We’ve had extraordinary momentum under his tenure, including record student enrollment, new academic programs and greater engagement in the community,” said Michael Hickey, chair of the Board. “We’re very pleased with Jeff’s contributions to our Bolder Bonaventure fundraising campaign and commitment to increasing our endowment. His vision and orchestration of a long-term strategic plan will set the stage for growth and a vibrant future at St. Bonaventure.” Gingerich has traveled extensively across the country during his first three years, meeting with alumni and donors as the university nears the end of its seven-year Bolder Bonaventure campaign. The university is on the brink of reaching its $125 million fundraising goal well before the campaign ends May 31. Work on one of the pillars of the campaign — the major renovation of the Jandoli School of Communication — is scheduled to begin this spring. Gingerich has also worked to increase administrative transparency, communicating with the campus community through regularly scheduled Town Halls, President’s Hours and email updates on topics ranging from sustainability efforts and NCAA challenges to university finances and the complexity of building a budget. In his desire to enhance the university’s relationship with the neighboring Seneca Nation of Indians, the president worked to establish a committee made up of university and Seneca leaders to work on initiatives to rekindle their relationship, including the development of a Land Acknowledgement Statement. The land upon which SBU sits was once Seneca land. Gingerich also established a Sustainability Task Force and charged the University Planning Commission with developing a new strategic plan. Gingerich and his wife, Betsy, have hosted numerous social events across campus and at their home for students and staff to strengthen their bonds with the campus community. The president also established a now beloved campus tradition: the annual Christmas tree lighting at Marchiori Pavilion.

St. Bonaventure President’s contract extended through 2030

January 24, 2025

ST. BONAVENTURE — Dr. Jeff Gingerich has signed a contract extension that will keep him in place as St. Bonaventure University’s president through May 2030. The university’s Board of Trustees

Salamanca girls hoops stave off late Allegany-Limestone comeback attempt in 46-35 win

January 24, 2025

By SPENCER BATES batesoleanstar@gmail.com SALAMANCA — After nearly falling victim to a full-fledged comeback attempt, the Salamanca girls basketball team responded when it needed to most and secured a 46-35

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Glenn Wahl of Salamanca, (standing at left) urged the Olean Common Council Tuesday to resolve their problem of sewage overflowing into the Allegheny River during heavy rains in months, not years.

Olean Common Council scolded for continued sewage overflows

June 26, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Two speakers took elected Olean city officials to task Tuesday night for last week’s release of more than 280,000 gallons of untreated sewage

(Aerial Imaging Services) This image is from the 2019 Allegany Old Home Days.

Old home Days kick off Thursday night with water fights

June 26, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ALLEGANY — They began setting up amusement rides on Tuesday for this year’s Allegany Old Home Days that runs from Thursday through Saturday. A dozen

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean High School Valedictorian Aila Shoup addresses classmates, parents, family and school officials during her Valedictory Address Saturday at the 142nd annual Commencement in the high school auditorium.

Olean High School graduates 116 seniors at 142nd annual commencement Saturday

June 24, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — One hundred sixteen Olean High School seniors graduated Saturday in a sea of red robes and mortar boards at the 142nd annual Commencement

(Photo provided) It was a happy ending for a kitten stuck under a car hood Monday. From left are: Patrolmen Zack Spears and Joe Cottone; Sgt. Chris Lickfeld (holding the kitten) and Cordell Hill, an auto mechanic who helped remove panels so Lickfeld could grab it.

Olean Police officers help to rescue cat from under hood of woman’s car

June 24, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — A Bolivar-Richburg Central School teacher on her way to work on Monday heard a kitten meowing under her hood as she drove down