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Legislators ask Hochul to reconsider ending some Medicaid payments to rural ambulance services

March 13, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County lawmakers unanimously approved a resolution

Borrello, Sempolinski vote against Senate, Assembly add-ons to Hochul’s record state budget

March 13, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ALBANY — State Sen. George Borrello criticized the Senate’s one-house

Former Cattaraugus County Probation Director, Michael Sharbaugh

Former Cattaraugus county probation director receives maximum sentence under plea deal for possessing child porn

March 13, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — A former Cattaraugus County Probation Director was

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The Town of Olean Zoning Board of Appeals denied applications for variances from Dugan Road Solar for a solar farm Wednesday. From left are attorney Joshua Lippes, board members Pam Dominsky and Josh Anderson and chairman Ken Heitman.

Olean Zoning Board of Appeals denies variances for Dugan Road Solar farm

March 12, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — The Town of Olean Zoning Board of Appeals

Cattaraugus Coutny Legislator R. Donald Benson (credit: cattco.org)

Opinion- Enough Corporate Welfare Benson: $480,000 is too much to “retain” one job

March 11, 2026

Letter to the Editor – Special to the Star, Dennis A. Cornell In February, Rick

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Democrat Aaron Gies of Olean (left) and Republican Jim King of Owego participated in a bipartisan town hall Monday night in Ellicottville. Gies is seeking the Democratic nod for the 23rd Congressional seat held by Rep. Nick Langworthy and King is trying to get on the primary ballot with the Republican congressman.

Democrat, Republican congressional candidates meet in bipartisan town hall in Ellicottville

March 10, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ELLICOTTVILLE — Two congressional candidates in the 23rd District met

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Kellie Bernd (left) of Brookside Maple in Centerville, waits on a shopper Saturday at the Olean Farmers Market that will set up at Canticle Farm Market on Old State Road in Allegany every other Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the next two months.

Olean Farmers Market moves inside at Canticle Farm Market

January 29, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ALLEGANY — Canticle Farm Market hosted vendors from the Olean Farmers Market

(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

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

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

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

January 23, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County lawmakers on Wednesday adjourned in memory of