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(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The state Department of Environmental Conservation on Monday announced a $475,000 fine against Great Lakes Cheese for its August discharge of contamnants into Ischua Creek, which killed tews of thousnads of fish and othe aquatic life.

DEC will require cheese plant to pay to restore Ischua Creek

September 18, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star FRANKLINVILLE — Great Lakes Cheese will be required to restore

Former Cattaraugus County Probation Director arrested on child pornography charges

September 11, 2025

OLEAN STAR UPDATED 11:42AM Michael R. Sharbaugh, 53, formerly of Limestone, New York was arrested

(NYS Comptroller's Office) This graph shows the ratio of family and general practice physicians in Cattaraugus County compared to New York State and other counties facing a shortage of healthcare professionals.

Cattaraugus County is facing a healthcare professionals shortage

September 4, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Cattaraugus County is facing a shortage of public health professionals

(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

(RickMIller/Olean Star) Olean Water Filtration Plant operator Bryan Mansfield (left) explains the plant's workings to Rep. Nick Langworthy (third from left) during a tour of the plant with Mator Bill Aiello (right) and Water and Sewer Department Director Brad Camp.

Rep. Langworthy secures $1 million in House bill for Olean water plant repairs

October 7, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy toured the ailing Olean Water Treatment

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Cattaraugus County Board of Health President David Smith (left) welcomes the board’s newest member Wednesday, Dr. George Spigel.

Two smoke shops in county fined $7,000 for selling flavored vapes, underage sales

October 3, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Two pop-up smoke shops have been fined a total of

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) A Millennium Construction crew prepares a path for a wider sidewalk on the east side of South Union Street between Greene Street and Franchot Avenue Wednesday.

Walkable Olean IV work begins on South Union Street Wednesday

October 3, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Work got underway on the $3.3 million Walkable Olean IV

Maps and additional information about Blue Hill State Forest can be found on DECinfo Locator.

DEC creates Blue Hill State Forest in Town of Yorkshire, first since ’63

October 3, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star YORKSHIRE — Cattaraugus County has a newly-designated state forest in the town