Olean Star

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Southwestern Assn. of Volunteer Firemen holds its 116th Convention in West Valley

August 10, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star WEST VALLEY — More than 30 departments from four Western New York counties brought the Southwestern Association of Volunteer Firemen (SWAVF) to the northern Cattaraugus County

Ricki Miller/Olean Star The Domestic Building at the Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds was full of displays including firearms, fishing equipment lazer-cut images in wood and hunting accessories at the annual Sportsmen's Rendezvous in L:ittle Valley Friday. It is open through Sunday.

Buying, selling and storytelling at the Sportsmen’s Rendezvous

August 10, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — The three-day Sportsmen’s Rendezvous sponsored by the Cattaraugus County Trappers Association opened Friday at the Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds. There are indoor booths and

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The front of an East Otto fire truck is draped in a black bunting Wednesday in memory of Tim Lexer, a beloved local firefighter and former chief and a 911 dispatcher who died last week in an accident near his home. Police and fire vehicles escorted the hearse bearing Lexer's body from a funeral in Little Valley.

East Otto community honors Tim Lexer, dispatcher and firefighter

August 8, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star EAST OTTO — The East Otto community turned out Wednesday for fallen firefighter and dispatcher Tim Lexer as his body was escorted from a Little

Cattaraugus County Undersheriff Eric Butler

Acting Sheriff Butler nominated by GOP for Cattaraugus County Sheriff

August 7, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ELLICOTTVILLE — Acting Cattaraugus County Sheriff Eric Butler was nominated by Monday by the Cattaraugus County Republican Committee to run for sheriff in November. Republican Chairman

Playing in their first five-set match, the Bradford volleyball team fell to Elk County Catholic after nearly two and a half hours on the court. | Photo by Hunter O. Lyle

Lady Owls fall to Elk County Catholic in marathon match

September 4, 2025

By HUNTER O. LYLE lyleoleanstar@gmail.com BRADFORD, PA – Playing their toughest competition yet, the Bradford volleyball team went toe-to-toe with Elk County Catholic in a five-set back-and-forth showdown. However, running

(NYS Comptroller's Office) This graph shows the ratio of family and general practice physicians in Cattaraugus County compared to New York State and other counties facing a shortage of healthcare professionals.

Cattaraugus County is facing a healthcare professionals shortage

September 4, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Cattaraugus County is facing a shortage of public health professionals including primary care physicians, pediatric, general practice, mental health, Ob/Gyn and dentists. Public Health Director

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) St.Bonaventure University announced Tuesday it had its first enrollment in excess of 3,000 students in its 167-year history. This photo is from the May 2025 university commencement.

Bonaventure exceeds 3,000 enrollment for the first time in its 167-year university history

September 4, 2025

ST. BONAVENTURE — For the first time in its 167-year history, St. Bonaventure University has enrolled more than 3,000 students, a 50% increase in just 10 years, the university announced in

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) A few larger dead fish could be seen from the Five Mile Road bridge over Ischua Creek in the town of Franklinville on Tuesday. The state Department of Environmental Conservation said tens of thousands of fish and aquatic animals died in the creek recently and blamed it on organic material from the Great Lakes Cheese plant discharge of treated wastewater into the stream.

Great Lakes Cheese Co. plant pauses operations over Ischua Creek fish kill

September 4, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star FRANKLINVILLE — Great Lakes Cheese issued a statement over the weekend that it is voluntarily pausing operations at its Franklinville cheese plant during the initial phase of