Olean Star

05/28/2026

https://oleanstar.com/blog/2026/05/27/water-division-doing-emergency-repair-of-water-main-break-on-virginia-street/

The City of Olean Department of Public Works Water Distribution Division is undertaking an emergency water main repair that will affect Virginia Street this morning (Wednesday).There may be water o…

05/28/2026

https://oleanstar.com/blog/2026/05/26/large-crowd-attends-memorial-day-ceremony-at-oleans-lincoln-park/

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — A large, respectful crowd attended the 2026 Olean Memorial Day ceremonies in Lincoln Park Monday. Skies were cloudy, but the day was bright as the ceremony got und…

05/28/2026

https://oleanstar.com/blog/2026/05/26/hundreds-line-main-street-for-allegany-memorial-day-parade-ceremony-outside-town-hall/

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ALLEGANY — Hundreds of Allegany residents lined Main Street for the village’s annual Memorial Day Parade, followed by ceremonies outside Town Hall Monday morning. An honor…

05/26/2026

Three Gators leave the Swamp for collegiate sports

PORT ALLEGANY, PA – For several years, Aiden Bliss has been a household name for District 9 sports.

Between being the tip of the spear for a football team that has earned multiple District 9 championships, to man-handling his opponents on the wrestling mat, to helping lift a perennial contending baseball squad, Bliss has etched his name into the history books of sports in McKean County. Now, as his time runs out at Port Allegany, he welcomes the next frontier.

Signing his National Letter of Intent last week, Bliss makes his venture into collegiate sports official as he commits to becoming a part of West Virginia University’s wrestling team.

“It’s just a blessing. I’m so thankful for everyone that’s helped me along the way,” said Bliss. “There’s been a lot of great people in the picture and they’ve made it a possibility. I’m just so thankful.” More in the comments.

05/24/2026

Gies, Stocker speak at Fredonia Grange before June 23 Democratic congressional primary

By RICK MILLER

Olean Star

FREDONIA — Democratic congressional candidates in the 23rd Congressional district met at the Fredonia Grange Saturday in an hour-long forum hosted by the Chautauqua County League of Women voters.

Dr. Aaron Gies of Olean, a professor of theology at St. Bonaventure University, currently on leave to campaign full-time for Congress, and Buffalo attorney Kevin Stocker faced a full house of more than 60 people.

League of Women Voters member Marcia Merrins served as moderator for the Meet the Candidates, which recorded and posted in its entirety on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/live/OR-PH6eWQ_Y

Gies and Stocker are both former Republicans who have enrolled as Democrats. They face each other in the June 23 Democratic primary for the chance to run against the U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy in November. Early voting starts June 13.

In his remarks, Stocker noted Gies was a registered Republican up until 2024. That, he said, meant Gies supported President Trump for longer than he did. Stocker said he left the Republican Party in 2015 with the rise of Trump....more in the comments.

05/24/2026

(Rick Miller/Olean Star ) Democratic congressional candidate Kevin Stocker, a Buffalo attorney, (right) speaks Saturday at the Chautauqua County League of Women Voters Meet the Candidates Forum at the Fredonia Grange. Others are Aaron Gies of Olean, his opponent in the June 23 Democratic primary and moderator Marcia Merrins of the League of Women Voters.

www.oleanstar.com

05/22/2026

Kailey Truman hits 500 career Ks, records game-winning RBIs in Class B Quarterfinal win

By SPENCER BATES

[email protected]

ALLEGANY — With her team tied 2-2 with Eden in the fifth inning, Allegany-Limestone’s Kailey Truman stepped into the batter’s box.

The lone senior on the roster, in the final home game of her career, would wind up being the hero in an eventual 6-2 victory.

But not before some early obstacles.

The Gators had jumped out to a 2-0 lead in their Section 6 Class B Quarterfinal game against the Raiders, but over the course of the middle innings the advantage evaporated. A run apiece in the third and fifth frame — both coming with two outs on the board — cancelled out A-L’s lead.

Kailey Truman went the distance in the circle for A-L, but the run in the fifth inning that tied the affair back up brought head coach Kaelyn Arnold out of the dugout for a chat.

“She was just saying, ‘we’re good, relax, and everything will go the way it needs to go,’” Kailey Truman said.... more in the comments.

05/22/2026

Huskies’ extra-innings comeback falls short in Section VI quarterfinals

By HUNTER O. LYLE

[email protected]

OLEAN, NY – Momentum is an elusive thing. It ebbs and flows and can leave as quickly as it arrives. For the Olean softball team, in their first taste of Section VI playoff action, they saw it come and watched it go.

Despite a heroic home run in the bottom of the seventh, the Huskies were unable to capture the momentum for a second time, ultimately seeing their season come to an end in the Class A2 quarterfinals with a 7-6, eight-inning loss to Lake Shore.

“It’s upsetting. I’m upset that we couldn’t pull out the W. We were right there,” said Olean head coach Ryan Nawrot. “These girls didn’t give up at all. They wanted to keep fighting and fighting and fighting and send out that season.”

Arriving to the postseason with their best seeding in three years, the No. 3 Huskies came out with their defense ready to protect their home turf. Behind freshman Tiana Maine’s arm and a web of active defenders in tow, Olean quickly sent the Eagles back to their dugout before making the most of their first trip to the plate... more in the comments.

05/22/2026

IDA approves $5 million in Ellicottville ski resort projects and $3.5 million Gowanda renovation

By RICK MILLER

Olean Star

ELLICOTTVILLE — The Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency on Tuesday approved applications for sales tax abatement from Ellicottville resort operators on more than $5 million in equipment purchases.

The IDAS’s board of directors also approved sales tax and mortgage tax exemption and payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) for the $3.5 million renovation and modernization of the Armes Block in Gowanda.

Holiday Valley Resort treasurer David Trathen outlined the resort’s plans to spend $4.5 million — including $1 million on new snow guns for snowmaking, which he said was critical to the industry and $300,000 for new pipeline to hydrants feeding the snow guns.

Trathen said another $500,000 in upgrades to the Inn at Holiday Valley, plus new software, new lawnmowers, a remodeled McCarty Cafe and smaller items. In the planning stages is a project to move the chairlift at Cindy’s Slope further toward the treeline... more in the Comments.