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(Cattaraugus County Health Department) Aerial spraying of mosquito larvicide over wetlands in Cattaraugus County reduced the numbers of adults mosquitoes, but they are headed back up, which could lead to additional spraying.

Another mosquito larvicide spraying may be needed

July 12, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — After finding as many as 1,800 mosquitoes a

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The new Hinsdale Vietnam Memorial in the park in front of the Hinsdale Fire Department remains covered until Saturday’s dedication.

Hinsdale Vietnam Memorial dedication Saturday morning

July 11, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star HINSDALE — The new Hinsdale Vietnam Memorial will be unveiled

(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

(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

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

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The new Memorial Trail in the Valentine Flats area of Zoar Valley opened Wednesday. Above is an example of the trail going around a tree, although scores were cut to construct the trail.

New handicapped accessible trail opens at Zoar Valley

July 7, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star GOWANDA — A new handicapped accessible trail opened Wednesday at

(Ricki Miller/Olean Star) Members of the striking Collins Correctional Facility corrections officers were at strike headquarters earlier this week outside the prison on Route 62 north of Gowanda.

Cattaraugus County lawmakers back striking corrections officers

March 3, 2025

EDITOR’S NOTE: The union representing striking New York State corrections officers and the Department of

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Randy Sprague, owner of Sprague Maple Farms watches over a valve that releases sap from the plastic tubing into a tank behind Sprague’s Restaurant.

Flowing sap a sweet sound at Sprague’s Maple Farms

March 3, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star PORTVILLE — Sprague’s Maple Farms has produced its first maple syrup of

(Photo provided) Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski held his first town meeting as the 148th Assembly District representative at the John J. Ash Center in Olean Thursday night.

Sempolinski holds first town meeting in Olean Thursday attended by 60

March 3, 2025

OLEAN – More than 60 people attended Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski’s first town hall meeting Thursday

(Corrin Potter photo) This is all that’s left of the Roosevelt-Higgins oak tree in Lincoln Park. The tree was planted in 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt and his friend New York Gov. Frank W. Higgins of Olean.

Historical Society president laments loss of Roosevelt-Higgins tree logs

February 28, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — The tree parts from the Roosevelt-Higgins Oak that