News – Olean Star

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

News

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

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

January 24, 2025 5:53 pm

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.

News

St. Bonaventure President’s contract extended through 2030

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

January 24, 2025 4:07 pm

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Cattaraugus County lawmakers adjourned Wednesday’s meeting in memory of former legislator Jim Ellis of East Otto.

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County Legislature approves $30,000 to hire healthcare consulting firm, accepts $49,000 in State funding from “I Love New York”, adjourn meeting in honor of Jim Ellis

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County lawmakers on Wednesday adjourned in memory of former County Legislator Jim Ellis of East Otto. Ernest James “Jim” Ellis, who served on

January 23, 2025 2:16 am

Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca and members of the Tribal Council met with State Sen. George Borrello when they visited Albany for Gov. Kathy Hochul’s State of the State Address.

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Borrello, Sempolinski pan Hochul for not mentioning Seneca compact

By RICK MILLER Olean Star State elected officials representing Cattaraugus County expressed disappointment last week over Gov. Kathy Hochul’s failure to mention the need for a new gaming compact with the Seneca

January 22, 2025 5:34 pm

Olean aldermen approved a 20-year Comprehensive Development Plan Tuesday that is designed to guide future development.

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Common Council approves new Comprehensive Development Plan

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — The Olean Common Council on Tuesday approved a new Comprehensive Development Plan designed to guide future growth in the city through 2045. The 20-year comprehensive

January 16, 2025 8:48 pm

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The three-story former Cattaraugus Elementary School, 51 Washington St., Cattaraugus, was the target of an arsonist Tuesday. Firefighters from Cattaraugus and six other communities responded to the mutual aid fire.

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Arsonists again target former Cattaraugus Elementary School

By RICK MILLER Olean Star CATTARAUGUS — Six fire companies responded to an arson fire at the former Cattaraugus Elementary School Tuesday. There were no injuries. The Cattaraugus County Emergency

January 16, 2025 6:21 pm

(Olean Fire Department photo) Olean firefighters cut a hole in the roof at a two-story home at 116 S. 16th St., where fire broke out Monday afternoon. A fireman was taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation. A dog died in the fire.

News

City firefighter hospitalized after house fire

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Olean firefighters responded to a 911 call Monday afternoon of a home on South 16th Street with heavy fire throughout the first floor. “Multiple lines

January 14, 2025 12:38 am

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The Olean Common Council is considering a parking ban on North 12th Street from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to relieve traffic congestion - especially during drop-off and pick-up times at nearby Washington West Elementary School.

News

Common Council considering North 12th Street parking ban

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — The Olean Common Council will consider a weekday parking ban on North 12th Street in response to ongoing traffic backups. During Tuesday night’s meeting, aldermen

January 13, 2025 1:11 pm

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Cattaraugus County Legislature Leader Kelly Andreano of Olean gave her acceptance speech at Wednesday's reorganization meeting. She's shown here leading fellow legislators in an opening prayer.

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Majority leader uses I-86 potholes to illustrate challenges county faces

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Majority Leader Kelly Andreano used an I-86 pothole analogy to describe the choices the Cattaraugus County Legislature is facing this year with respect to

January 13, 2025 12:56 pm

(Zoom) Rep. Nick Langworthy spoke with reporters from the 23rd District on Monday to highlight his legislative goals.

News

Langworthy talks about his legislative priorities, Southern Tier energy future

By RICK MILLER Olean Star U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy spoke with reporters Monday about his legislative priorities for the 119th Congress and what his new assignment to the Energy and Commerce Committee

January 8, 2025 5:57 pm

(Photo submitted) State Supreme Court Justice Raymond W. Walter administers the Oath of Office to Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski as Assemblyman Sempolinski’s wife, Angie, holds the Bible and his family looks on.

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Sempolinski sworn in Tuesday as 148th District assemblyman

ALBANY – Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski was sworn in as the representative of the 148th Assembly District on Tuesday during a ceremony in the state Capitol’s Legislative Office Building. His wife,

January 8, 2025 5:11 pm

(OGH photo) Tod and Hanna Chaffee of Bradford, Pa., hold their daughter Adeline Ann, who was the first baby born in 2025 at Olean General Hospital.

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Bradford couple parents of first baby of 2025 at OGH

OLEAN – Olean General Hospital, a Kaleida Health facility, welcomed the first baby of 2025 in the maternity and delivery department. Adeline Ann Chaffee was born at OGH on Friday,

January 7, 2025 12:13 pm

News

UPDATE: DA LORI RIEMAN WILL NOT SEEK REELECTION, Randolph Attorney and Navy Veteran, Preston Marshall will run for District Attorney

By RICK MILLER Olean Star RANDOLPH — Preston Marshall, Randolph attorney and Navy Veteran, announced plans Monday to run for Cattaraugus County district attorney. Marshall, who plans to run as

January 7, 2025 10:49 am

News

Randolph Attorney and Navy Veteran, Preston Marshall will run for District Attorney

By RICK MILLER Olean Star RANDOLPH — Preston Marshall, Randolph attorney and Navy Veteran, announced plans Monday to run for Cattaraugus County district attorney. Marshall, who plans to run as

January 7, 2025 1:45 am

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean Mayor Bill Aiello (left) greets then Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer outside Olean General Hospital on Veterans Day where the senator held a press conference. On Monday, Schumer announced a $25 million grant for Olean to reconstruct West State Street.

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Schumer announces $25 million West State Street reconstruction grant: additional roundabouts imminent

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — The fourth time was a charm! The City of Olean learned Mondsay from Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer it had been selected for

January 7, 2025 1:29 am

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean Mayor Bill Aiello said Thursday he will seek re-election to a fourth term in November.

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Aiello to seek re-election to fourth term as Olean mayor

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Mayor Bill Aiello will seek a fourth term in 2025. The mayor said after delivering his State of the City Address on Thursday that he

January 4, 2025 12:06 pm

News

Tracy L. Scott Obituary

March 23, 1972 — December 26, 2024 Olean Olean- Tracy Lynn Scott Tracy Lynn Scott, born March 23, 1972, beloved daughter of David and Nancy Scott of Canandaigua, NY passed

January 4, 2025 11:56 am

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean Mayor Bill Aiello delivers his 2025 State of the City Address during the Common Council reorganization meeting Thursday night.

News

Mayor Aiello delivers State of City Address, pivots to solving problems

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — In his State of the City Address Thursday, Olean Mayor Bill Aiello said it is time to pivot toward solutions to the city’s problems —

January 4, 2025 11:20 am

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