On April 27, 2026, former District Attorney Lori Rieman sued Cattaraugus County over the County’s refusal to provide her health insurance in retirement.  In her petition, Rieman alleges she was wrongfully denied the benefit after she refused to retire early at the request of then legislative Vice-Chairman and current deputy administrator Michael Brisky.  

According to Court documents, on May 1, 2024, Brisky pressured Reiman to retire early in an effort to help his preferred candidate, Ashley Smith become the District Attorney “presumably because [Smith] was relatively unknown.”  Ashley Smith had served as County Attorney since 2020; however, prior to that the bulk of her experience was in family law, working with the department of social services in Chautauqua County.    Smith had never worked as a criminal prosecutor.

When Rieman declined to retire, Brisky sent her a text message saying that he “can’t guarantee the health insurance outcomes that far into the future.”     In the days following her refusal, Brisky called Rieman’s husband and effectively threatened that if she did not retire early, it would affect her entitlement to health insurance in retirement.   

Despite the pressure, she declined to retire.  

_____

In 2025, Rieman reached out to Legislator Ginger Schroeder to inquire whether the legislature would pass a resolution recognizing her service for Cattaraugus County to remove any doubt as to whether she would be entitled to retiree health insurance considering a gap in her employment in 2009.   

According to Court documents, on June 2, 2025, Schroeder told Rieman that the Legislature was not interested in passing any resolution.    This was a deviation of past practice for the Legislature, since it has a practice of passing resolutions for long-time employees with larger gaps in their employment.  Resolutions passed for two other long-time employees with larger gaps in their employment were attached to Reiman’s Petition and are publicly available.  

Rieman hired Buffalo Labor attorney Harvey Sanders, who sent a letter to then County Attorney Ashley Smith in October 2025, seeking clarification on whether Rieman would receive retiree health insurance after her retirement on December 31, 2025.    Smith did not provide any commitment to Rieman. 

Then on December 31, 2025, outgoing County Attorney Smith sent an email to Rieman denying her health insurance in retirement because she did not retire directly into the NYS retirement system, as it would take 16 days to process her paperwork through the NYS retirement system.  

Rieman contends in Court documents that there is nothing in the employment manual requiring employees to go directly from employment to retirement without any gap to be eligible for retiree health insurance.  

LEGISLATORS NOT INFORMED OF THE LAWSUIT.

Since Rieman filed 44 days ago, County Attorney Erin Whitcomb hired attorney Matt Miller of Rupp Pfalzgraf as outside counsel to represent the County against Rieman.  The County is incurring legal bills and is at risk of paying damages to Rieman as well as her attorney fees.   

In the last 44 days; the Legislature met 5 times.  The Star reached out to multiple legislators for comment.   The legislators said they had not been informed of the lawsuit and knew nothing about it.     

RIEMAN’S TENURE AS DISTRICT ATTORNEY. 

Rieman was an employee of Cattaraugus County from 2001 until 2025.   From 2001 – 2009 she served as First Assistant District Attorney.  In 2009 Rieman ran a campaign to unseat her boss, Ed Sharkey.  Sharkey fired Reiman on April 16, 2009.  She ultimately defeated Sharkey and resumed her employment as the District Attorney on January 1, 2010.   Rieman served as District attorney for 16 years.     

During Rieman’s employment she was considered a “Management Confidential” employee. The terms and conditions of her employment were governed by the Management Confidential Handbook.   The Handbook provides that any employees hired after November 9, 1995 with at least 20 years of seniority are entitled to health insurance in retirement.  The term “seniority” is not defined in the Management Confidential Handbook as “continuous service” and by the time of her retirement, Rieman had nearly 26 years of service.

A HISTORY OF AVOIDING PRIMARY ELECTIONS.  

In Spring 2024, Sheriff Tim Whitcomb told legislators that he planned to retire.   He was asked by then Vice Chairman Michael Brisky and County GOP leadership to delay his initial planned retirement.    

By retiring after the June 2024 primary and more than 90 days before the November election, NYS Election Law provides it is too late in the political calendar for there to be a primary election; and the candidates for each party are selected by the party leaders. This eliminates any possibly of Republican challengers that are not selected by the party leaders.  

Whitcomb retired on August 2, 2024.  Five days later, the County Republican party selected Eric Butler as their candidate for the November election.   Butler had served in the Sheriff’s department since the 1990’s.   He had served as Undersheriff for seven years.    Butler handily defeated Democratic Candidate D.J. Whitmore in the November 2024 election.  

A FAMILIAR JUDGE.

The case is scheduled for an appearance on July 20 in Buffalo, New York before Supreme Court Justice Hon. Dennis E. Ward.    Judge Ward previously heard the 2018 cases involving the Republican Party’s alleged takeover of the Cattaraugus County Conservative Party.   He is the brother of former Cattaraugus County Legislator Mark Ward.  

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All Rights Reserved. Star News LLC. Eric M. Firkel.

Olean Star

SUNSET BAY — Thousands of people in Chautauqua and Erie counties gathered around railroad crossings for a glimpse of Big Boy, the largest operating steam locomotive in the world.

The Union Pacific’s 4014 locomotive, Big Boy, weighs in at 1.2 million pounds, including the tender, and measures 133 feet long. 

The railroad commissioned 25 of the locomotives in 1941, eight of which are still intact. Big Boy 4014 is the only one not at a railroad museum. 

Big Boy has been traveling across the country over the past two months, drawing large crowds, to help mark the country’s 250th anniversary. 

Word spread quickly at the Sunset Bay crossing when Big Boy 4014 left Ripley, N.Y., near the Pennsylvania state line at 12:30 p.m., after spending a half hour to take on water. An hour later, the historic train sped along the Norfolk Southern’s old “Nickle Plate” tracks past the Sunset Bay rail crossing, where those who weren’t taking a video with their cell phones were smiling as they marveled at the sight of the huge locomotive. 

Dozens of people who had placed pennies or other coins on the tracks to be flattened by Big Boy 4014 searched for them after the train went through.

Sunset Bay is a community near the mouth of Cattaraugus Creek.

The train is carrying a number of passenger cars for paying customers who reserved seats for the special 250th anniversary trip.

The trip began April 10 in Sacramento, Calif., and left Big Boy 4014’s Wyoming base in Cheyenne on May 25.Before New York, there were stops in Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

After passing through the Erie County Southtowns communities of Angola, Hamburg, Lackawanna, the train spent the night in the Norfolk Southern rail yard in Cheektowaga and public tours were available until 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, with shuttle buses from Galleria Mall. The trail heads east again Thursday at 9 a.m., passing through Cheektowaga, Depew, Lancaster, Alden, Darien, Attica, Warsaw and Silver Springs (where it will stop at the Main Street crossing for 15 minutes at 11:45 a.m.

At 12:20 p.m. the train is scheduled to pass over the Genesee River Arch Bridge in Letchworth State Park on its way to Hornell, where it will stop at the historic Eric Depot Museum, 111 Loder St., from 2-2:30 p.m. It then departs for Sayre, Pa. for the evening.

The train’s journey continues to Scranton, where it will stay at the Steamtown National Historic Site from June 17-30. It leaves Philadelphia on July 6 for the return trip to Cheyenne, where it will arrive July 29

For a full schedule, click here: https://www.up.com/about-us/history/steam/schedule.

James W. Nelligan Jr., 53, of Salamanca, NY died Friday evening, June 5, 2026, at the family home in North Tonawanda, NY, following a long illness.

Born December 31, 1972, in Olean, NY, he was the son of the late James Sr. and Doris Collins Nelligan.

He was a graduate of Salamanca High School, Class of 1991.

Jim had been employed with the Salamanca Department of Public Works for over 25 years, working as a supervisor.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, the outdoors, camping, and was an avid cornhole player. He enjoyed bowling and was an automobile enthusiast. He was an avid Las Vegas Raiders fan.

Surviving are: one daughter, Zoey Nelligan, Canada; one son, Daniel Nelligan, Jamestown, NY; three sisters, Becky (Scott Taylor) Nelligan, Arkansas, Joy Corbett, North Tonawanda, NY, Amanda Nelligan, Pennsylvania; two brothers, David Bennett, Allegany, NY, Andy Nelligan, Pennsylvania; several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY on Monday, June 15, 2026 from 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m., at which time funeral services will be held with Rev. Michael Lonto officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations to Roswell Park Cancer Institute, 665 Elm St., Buffalo, NY 14203.

Born: Carlina Catherine Tronconi on November 7, 1926, in Verona, Italy

Died: June 8, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY

Daughter of: Silvano and Josephine (Giuseppina) Ragano

Sr. Carlina is a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY. She lived the Franciscan Mission, Vision and Charism for over 77 years.

A Wake Service will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 4 p.m. in the Chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in the Chapel of St Elizabeth Motherhouse. Burial will follow in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, 646 East State Street, Olean, NY.

Sophia Skye LaBorde of Bell Street went home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 8th, 2026, at home surrounded by her loving family, following a courageous 4-year battle with a rare liver cancer.

Friends and family will be received at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, 646 EastState Street, Olean, on Friday, June 12th, 2026, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm and Saturday, June 13th, 2026, from 10:00am to 11:00am, at which time a funeral service will be held. Pastor Jim Kazimer of the Eldred First Church of God will officiate. Burial will be in Allegany Cemetery. Following the funeral service, a Celebration of Life gathering will be held at the Robert H. Livingston Community Center, 188 W. Main Street, Allegany, NY. A full obituary will be published. Online condolences can be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Courage of Carly Fund, Roswell Park Alliance Foundation P.O Box 631 Buffalo, NY 14240.

Olean – James Lawrence Scott of Olean passed away Thursday, June 4, 2026, after a short illness.   

Born September 6, 1938, in Olean, he was the son of Gertrude and Lawrence Scott. James was a graduate of Olean High School, Class of 1956 and attended the University of Buffalo.

On April 22, 1960, he married the love of his life, Freida Wiley Scott. They celebrated their 63rd Anniversary in 2023 and are now reunited.

James served in the Army Reserves, was employed at Cooper Industries (formerly McGraw Edison) for 30 plus year; owned L&S Store with Greg Lindamer from 1978-1982 where they sold fly fishing materials and equipment and was also a Ranger at the SBU Golf Course.

Jim and Freida were proud snowbirds, spending 28 years embracing Florida life. Jim enjoyed fly fishing, hunting, gardening, and being with family. He taught fly fishing for the Olean City School adult education program, was a current member of Grace Gathering Church in Olean, and was very active in the Methodist Churches in both Olean and Arcadia, FL.  Proudly, Jim announced that he was still golfing up until the age of 86.

James is survived by his children: Kathy (Dan) Koenig of Greenville, SC; Mike (Karin) Scott of Montgomery, TX; Chris (Mark) Stavish of Olean, and Marcia Scott of Irmo, SC; grandchildren: Logan Scott of Texas, Jake Koenig, Kira (Scott) Warren, Abby Stavish, Maddy (James) Hardenbergh; and great grandchildren: William and Benji Warren.  

In addition to his wife Freida, he was predeceased by a grandson, Ethan Scott and sister, Sylvia Foster.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, from 9:30 am-11:00am at Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 East State Street, Olean, with funeral services beginning in the funeral home at 11:00 am.  Pastor Becky Worth of Grace Gathering will officiate.

Memorials may be made to Grace Gathering Church, 235 N Union Street, PO Box 8, Olean, NY 14760 or the Friends of the Pines of Olean, PO Box 310, Machias, NY, 14101.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Guenther Funeral Home, 1303 E. State St., Olean.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.guentherfh.com.

Jamestown, which had won four straight games entering the contest, jumped on Olean early, knocking out its starting pitcher, Jaxson Ross, after 1.1 innings. However, the change in arm on the mound did not immediately alter the fortunes of the Oilers as the Tarp Skunks scored a combined 14 runs over the first three innings.

In the third inning is when Olean, who had handed Jamestown its only loss on the season thus far on June 2, started its climb. In the frame, the Oilers brought five across the plate — three runs of which were negated in the bottom of the inning by the Tarp Skunks. The visitors then scored four in the fifth and one in the top of the seventh which cut their deficit to just three runs.

Unfortunately, their offense dried up over the final two innings and Jamestown escaped with another tally in the win column.

Leading the Oilers’ offense was Christo Hunsicker, who went 2-for-3 with three runs and an RBI. Anthony Radice (2-for-5, 2 runs, RBI), Thomas Bates (2-for-4, 2 runs, RBI), Connor O’Mara (2-for-3, 2 RBI) and Darek Staudt (1-for-4, 3 RBI) all made big contributions as well.

AT JAMESTOWN

Olean 015 040 100 R:11 H:14 E:3

Jamestown 473 000 10X R:15 H:11 E:1

OL: Ross (2 SO, 3 BB), Lanagan (0 So, 3 BB), Boffalo (2 SO, 4 BB), Wensel (0 So, 1 BB) and Radice

JT: Tatar (4 SO, 0 BB), Spagnoli (0 SO, 2 BB), Churchill (4 SO, 0 BB), Santos (4 SO, 0 BB), Bryant (1 SO, 1 BB) and Lindquist

Escobar (11.46) won the 100m by the slimmest of margins, crossing the line 0.006 seconds ahead of Olmsted’s Marquis Johnson, who finished in second. He finished the 200m in 23.19 seconds, 0.31 seconds ahead of Health Science Charter School’s Marlon Barnaby.

Escobar will attend the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Webster Schroeder High School on June 13 and 14. 

Other Salamanca athletes who participated in the Section 6 State Qualifier included Knox Johnson, who recorded a PR time in the 800m, ending his sophomore year ranked 14th in Section 6 Class C.

OWSL

Randy’s 11, Pink Ladies 4

OLEAN, NY — A nine-run first inning paced Randy’s Up The River in their win over Pink Ladies.

Tierney Hemphill led Randy’s, going 4-for-5 in the game. Kayla Shoemaker, Kaelyn Arnold, Amy  Campbell and Torri Johnson each had three hits in the win as well while Jaleesa Ard-Sledge chipped in two hits.

Elyse Graham had a triple and a single and Danielle Freeman had two hits in the loss.

Allen’s 27, Misfits 9 (4 innings)

OLEAN, NY — Allen’s Wine and Liquor used a 10-run second inning to cruise past Misfits.

Makenna Manning (3 doubles), Peyton Young (2 doubles) and Alexa Schoonover each went 4-for-5 to lead Allen’s.

Karissa Neal (4-for-4), Casey Cummings (3-for-4) and Jamilyn Giberson (3-for-3, double) contributed to the win.

Lezly McComber went 2-for-3 for Misfits.

Hangry Pitches 15, McKan Trucking 8

OLEAN, NY — Hangry Pitches were catapulted to victory by 12 unanswered runs over the final three innings against McKan Trucking.

Liz Rix led Hangry Pitches, finishing the game 4-for-4 with a home run. Alongside her, Meghan Hollenbeck went 3-for-4, Christy Lineman (triple) and Miranda Ruffner both went 2-for-4, Jen Blum went 2-for-5 and Kayla Berlin had a double.

Inga Welty, Molly Kate and Amber Nelson each went 2-for-4 in defeat.

Bamboo Strategy 21, Pitches Be Crazy 1

OLEAN, NY — Paige Gordnier went 4-for-5 with two doubles to  lead Bamboo Strategy to a big win over Pitches Be Crazy.

Also contributing to the win was Andrea Darrow and Shannon Detweiler, who each went 4-for-5 with a double, Amber Mohr, who went 4-for-5 and Brigitte Sarbar, Grace Rositzke, Cas Mills and Kimmy Martinelli, who had a double apiece.

In the loss, Vickie Kenyon went 2-for-2, Kara McCutcheon and Amber Dilley both had doubles and Annie Slater had an RBI.

Halfway Inn 32, Shamrocks 2

OLEAN, NY — Halfway Inn scored 18 runs in the first inning on their way to victory over Shamrocks.

Makenna Pancio (double) and Emily Horth led the winning effort with five hits apiece. Jenna Hadley (HR) and Brooke DeYoe each had four hits and Faith Capito (double) had three hits in the win as well.

Kelley Lyons led Shamrocks with two hits and a run. Tricia Reynolds (2 hits) and Liz Ball (run) contributed as well, despite the loss.

Other OWSL scores:

Angee’s 9, Ice Cold Pitches 2

batesoleanstar@gmail.com

OLEAN — It was a tough day at the office for the Olean Oilers, who suffered defeat to a Batavia Muckdogs side that pulled out all the stops.

It was as clean of a performance a team could ask for, as Batavia — 11-1 winners on the day — compounded an effective outing from its pitching staff with a strong display from its offense. 

Gavin Chandler got the start for the Muckdogs and from the word go he was just about unhittable.

He gave the visitors seven full frames and conceded just three base knocks and one run in that time.

Garrett Beaver and Eric Woodly took the eighth and ninth innings, respectively, in relief and kept up the momentum their starter gave them, allowing no runs and just one hit (a triple from Aidan Willard in the ninth) combined.

But despite the quiet day at the office from his team’s bats, Oilers head coach Mike Threehouse remained optimistic, noting that his side just so happened to run into a strong performance from their guest’s pitchers — avenging the win Olean got at Batavia back on May 31.

“I think (Chandler) just pitched a good game. He really pitched extremely well today,” Threehouse said. “I mean, we had some good swings and stuff. We just couldn’t square them up, and sometimes that’s what ends up happening when you run into a good pitcher. That’s what baseball’s about. A bad team can beat a good team if the pitcher has a great day. That’s what baseball does. He had a great day pitching, they’re a good team over there, we’re a good team and I think you’re gonna see us go back and forth against them all year long. So, I’m excited to see what the future holds.”

Olean’s Brian Fleming (22) swings at a pitch against Batavia. (Spencer Bates)

Meanwhile, the Batavia offense held no punches. Recording 15 hits in the affair, the Muckdogs took the lead in the third inning and never looked back, piling on four runs in the top of the ninth to officially put the game on ice.

Brady Berdine got his second start of the season for Olean, facing the same team he saw in his first start. Unfortunately, he was unable to get the better of Batavia this time around. In his first start, Berdine gave up just five hits in five innings of work. In round two, he was relieved after three innings, having given up eight hits and five runs.

But again, Threehouse did not place much blame on Berdine alone, acknowledging that the Muckdogs were just seeing the ball well on the day.

“When you’re pitching against a team twice in a row you got to have your best stuff,” Threehouse said. “I’m not sure if he did or not today, but they got some good swings on him. They beat some balls, some balls got through the infield that scored a couple runs as well that got us behind early in the game. They made it tough for us. I don’t think he threw bad pitches. I just think they made some good swings on the ball and they got some base hits off.”

For the Oilers, the game against the Muckdogs was their third in as many days, a factor certainly up for consideration when looking back on the defeat. But in a sense, the rapid pace of summer league baseball is part of what helps the players according to Threehouse.

“That’s the crazy thing about (the league), it’s a two month season. So it’s technically a sprint, but it’s a long sprint. It’s like a 5,000-meter sprint,” Threehouse said. “So it really comes down to the game-by-game. We did that to them at their place. They came here and did it to us at our place. That’s what summer ball’s about. We ran into a great pitcher today. They threw the ball extremely well. And sometimes you just got to tip your hat to the guy on the mound. That’s what we’re doing today.”

Olean will play its next game in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL) on June 9 away from home against the Jamestown Tarp Skunks.

AT OLEAN

Batavia 002 301 104 R:11 H:15 E:1

Olean 001 000 000 R:1 H:4 E:1

BAT: Chandler (6 SO, 1 BB), Beaver (1 SO, 0 BB), Woodly (0 SO, 0 BB) and Romich

OL: Berdine (1 SO, 0 BB), Ryan (5 SO, 0 BB), Cowburn (1 SO, 2 BB) and Radice

Olean Star

The Olean Common Council is expected to talk about whether to proceed with repairs and rehabilitation at the War Veterans Park swimming pool during committee meetings Tuesday.

Mayor Amy B. Sherburne said Friday that a report on the condition of the walls of the swimming pool has been completed and will be available to aldermen before the Youth and Recreation Committee meets.

Youth and Recreation coordinator Kris Shewairy reported substantial damage to the pool walls at the council’s May 19 meeting. The pool hasn’t been used in two summers, closed by the Cattaraugus County Health Department due to a failure of the original sand filter.

Public outcry over the possible closing of the city pool led aldermen to give the go-ahead for repairs and rehabilitation of the pool. Last year the city received a $800,000 state grant for municipal pool repairs. 

The recent low bid for the original repairs and rehabilitation of the pool was $1,093,000. It did not include the cost to repair damage to the walls of the 45-year-old swimming pool that was discovered in early May.

In an interview with the Olean Star Friday, the mayor said city officials and the contractor that submitted the low bid for pool repairs “are concerned about the integrity of the walls behind the tile.” It would be very expensive if the tile needed to be replaced, she added.

“We’re going to present the (pool) findings on Tuesday.” Sherburne said. “It’s their decision if they want to move forward and receive the state grant and have the rest of the work done.”

The mayor had no immediate estimate of the additional cost above the $1,093,000 bid for the original pool filter and other repairs.

Sherburne doesn’t have a specific recommendation for the aldermen on how to proceed with the pool project in light of the additional repairs that have recently come to city officials’ attention.

“I think we have to take a step back,” Sherburne said. “We need to get a grant and hope it covers most of the cost. The cost of materials has gone up. We have to consider whether we can afford this. Can we really afford a project of this magnitude?”

With the project coming in at a much higher price than expected, it may not be in the city’s best interest, the mayor said.

It will be up to the aldermen to decide if they want to move forward in receiving the grant and having the rest of the work done, Sherburne said. 

Meanwhile, no opening date has been set for the new splash park adjacent to the city pool, which is substantially done. City officials are hoping to have it open by mid-July, the mayor said.

Sherburne said there are some missing parts that are awaiting delivery before the splash park is completed. 

The Youth and Recreation committee delayed a decision last meeting on an admission price for the splash park. Councilman John Crawford, D-Ward 5, is proposing $5 for two hours.