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(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

(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

(photo provided) A Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinic will be held Sept. 13-14 at the Olean YMCA. Volunteers are still needed.

BonaResponds, Warming House to help with medical clinic Sept. 11-14

September 4, 2025

ST. BONAVENTURE — A Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinic is returning to Olean this month

(Rick Miller/OIean Star) More than 100 protested outside Lincoln Park Monday in the local Workers Over Billionaires demonstration.

Workers Over Billionaires focus of Labor Day protest outside Lincoln Park Monday

September 4, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — A Texas couple driving to their native New England took

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The Great Lakes Cheese facility north of Franklinville, has suspended discharge of treated water into Ischua Creek under order from the state Department of Environmental Conservation after a significant fish kill in Ischua Creek earlier this week.

Great Lakes Cheese identified as source of Ischua Creek fish kill

September 1, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star FRANKLINVILLE — The state Department of Environmental Conservation on Friday identified the

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Student cell phones and other internet-enabled devices will not be permitted during school which starts the 2025-26 school year next week. Local school districts will require students to keep cell phones in their lockers from bell to bell.

Area schools are prepared for state cellphone bank this week

September 1, 2025

By RICK MILLER OLEAN STAR Local students returning to area schools next week will be facing a

(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