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Olean facing $1 million shortfall in sales tax revenue for 2024-25, enacts spending freeze

February 1, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Olean Mayor Bill Aiello last week sent a

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean aldermen postponed a parking ban on aloof 12rth Street onTuesday and are expected to take up a less restrictive ban along the 200 block of the street instead.

Parking ban on 12th Street may be limited to 200 block

January 29, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — A proposed parking ban on 12th Street was postponed indefinitely

(Photo provided) Nimble Farms, formerly Ellicottville Greens, will have a variety of lettuce and other greens for sale at Tops Markets.

Indoor grower Nimble Farms rebrands, expands offerings to all Tops Markets

January 29, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star A Buffalo-based locally-grown vegetables company with roots in the Southern Tier is

(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 Administrator Jack Searles sits behind his desk in Olean. Searles is planning to step down in June and retire after almost 22 years in the post. He is in his 46th year of working for the county.

Jack Searles to step down as county administrator in June

April 9, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Cattaraugus County Administrator John “Jack” Searles plans to tell county

City of Olean

Common Council to vote on $19.8 million city budget Tuesday

April 8, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Finance Committee Chairman Sonya McCall hopes to pass the 2025-26

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) State Sen. George Borrello (at podium) speaks at a press conference by Republican state lawmakers from Western New York over plans for early release of some non-violent inmates due to correctional facilities staffing shortages. On the left are Assemblymen David DiPietro and Paul Bologna. Senate Minority Leader Robert Ort is on the right.

Republican lawmakers blast plan for inmates early release

April 6, 2025

RICK MILLER Olean Star GOWANDA — Republican state lawmakers from Western New York blasted state

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Demonstrators line East State Street in front of Lincoln Park Saturday following a similar anti-Trump protest on West State Street earlier.

Two Olean demonstrations draw almost 300 Trump protestors

April 6, 2025

Rick Miller Olean Star Sign-waving demonstrators protesting a number of President Trump’s potential cuts including