Olean Star

Gies responds to NY Post story on brother-in-law’s r**e conviction; says he’s not campaign volunteer

By RICK MILLER
Olean Star

OLEAN — The New York Post on Monday printed a story involving Democratic congressional candidate Aaron Gies brother-in-law’s r**e conviction of two teens 20 years ago in North Carolina.

Christopher N. White, who was a teacher at the time, served five years in prison before moving to New York where he works for his sister’s veterinary practice in Olean, the Post reported.

The Post story, written by senior political reporter Carl Campanile, contrasted Gies’ calls for the Oversight Committee, of which Langworthy is a member, to release all the Epstein files with his brother-in-law, a registered s*x offender, assisting his campaign.
The Post said White was convicted of one count of r**e and two counts of s*x offense against two students, ages 15 and 17.

In an interview with the Olean Star Tuesday morning, Gies said White was not a volunteer or otherwise working for his campaign.

“Unfortunately, it’s politics as usual,” Gies said.
“My family’s history is not a secret from me, and I would hope that members of my extended family who have no direct connection to my campaign would be left out of this race,” Gies said.

“But that is the way that Nick Langworthy and other MAGA politicians feel like races should be run now. I would much rather talk about the concerns of everyday people in New York District 23, Gies said.”... More in the comments.

Third ‘Village of Knives’ show in Little Valley ends today at fairgrounds

By RICK MILLER

Olean Star

LITTLE VALLEY — The third time’s a charm.

The third annual Village of Knives celebration continues Saturday at the Corporate Building at the Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds.

The corridor from Little Valley to Cattaraugus was once filled with local cutleries — the most famous of which include Cattaraugus Cutlery, Case Cutlery and Kinfolks.

John Burrell, the Ellicottville mayor and last of the Case descendents making knives locally; and his cousin Brad Lockwood, brought the Village of Knives Knife Show back to Little Valley for a third year...full story in the comments.

Family accepts e-bike accident, not hit and run caused Nick Meyer’s fatal injuries

The Family of Nick Meyer, who died on the Fourth of July after an e-bike accident June 20 in Olean publicly thanked the Olean Police Department on Friday for its thorough investigation of his accident.

Initial indications were that Nick was a hit and run victim. The family posted a $15,000 reward for information about the driver and questioned the investigation. They were concerned that police may have missed evidence showing the accident was not a hit and run.

Following Nick’s death in Erie County Medical Center on Saturday, July 4, the Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office told Olean Police investigators that his injuries were consistent with an e-bike accident. The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department and New York State Plicoe aided in the investigation — including accident reconstruction.

There was no indication that the e-bike had been struck by a vehicle or that a vehicle had struck Nick.

Nick’s brother Luke Meyer posted a statement from the Meyer Family on Friday:

“Over the last several days, our family has been swept into a whirlwind of questions, emotions, accusations, and uncertainty surrounding the tragic death of our beloved brother, Nick. We have experienced every emotion imaginable” shock, the hurt, the anger, the confusion, and the overwhelming pain of losing someone we love so deeply.... full story in the comments.

County discloses NYS has approved closure of its Certified Home Care Agency

By RICK MILLER

Olean Star

Cattaraugus County announced Wednesday it has been given permission from the New York state Department of Health to close its certified home health agency.

No date has been announced for the county to end its home care program.

The announcement came a day after the Olean Star asked for an update on the home care program from Public Health Director Dr. Kevin D. Watkins.

Funding for the program, operated by the Cattaraugus County Health Department, was cut in the 2026 budget and health officials said it was being right-sized.

Wages were slashed by half from the $2.6 million in the 2025 budget. Layoffs were largely avoided by transferring nurses to other county departments including the nursing homes.

The number of nurses in the program, which assists patients after they have been discharged from the hospital, has dropped from 17 last November to four in June. Full story in the comments.

Police: Olean man who died as result of e-bike accident was not a hit and run victim

By RICK MILLER

Olean Star

The Olean man involved in an e-bike accident on June 20 near the intersection of Delaware Avenue and Queen Street, has died of his injuries in Eric County Medical Center.

Nicholas “Nick” Meyer, 45, who was found seriously injured about 2:45 a.m. that day, died of his injuries on Saturday, July 4.

Family members found Nick, who was on his way home from work, injured by the side of the street and alerted police and an ambulance

Olean Police have concluded their investigation into the accident, originally reported as a hit and run, and found that Nick crashed his bike, slid on the pavement and struck the curb with his head.

Family members met with an Olean Police Department officer on Tuesday to discuss the findings of the police. The family has offered a $15,000 reward for information leading to the person who they believe struck Nick.

Police Capt. Robert Blovsky said that while it was initially believed to have been a hit and run accident, the investigation indicated that Nick crashed the e-bike and struck the curb with his head...more in the comments.

I&S Inc. of N.Y. to invest $9 million to buy old Allegany Drive-In for new offices, storage for oil field services

By RICK MILLER

Olean Star

ALLEGANY — An Allegany well servicing company plans to expand its operations to the old Allegany Drive-In along Route 417.

I&S Inc. of N.Y., owned by Dan Sessler, is seeking a 10-year payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement with the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency (IDA).

Sessler plans to build a new 5,000- square-foot office, a 14,400 square-foot commercial shop and 9,600 square-foot cold storage warehouse at the former drive-in site, which he is in the process of purchasing. Pipe for the company’s oil and gas and solution mining services will be stored at the Allegany site.

I&S Inc of N.Y., currently has its offices at 4174 Route 417 in Allegany, less than a mile away from the new site...more in the comments.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DsCDyB7noeE&feature=youtu.be

Ellicottville Championship Rodeo July 3, 2026 - Calf Roping Brief video from the 2026 Ellicottville Champiopnship Rodeo July 3....

37th Ellicottville Championship Rodeo, a tribute to founder H. John Kent, runs through Sunday

By RICK MILLER

Olean Star

ELLICOTTVILLE — The 37th annual Ellicottville Championship Rodeo Friday night was a tribute to founder H. John Kent, who died last year.

John’s wife Karen and daughter Tammie McCilligh, an accomplished rodeo performer, organized this year’s rodeo around his model developed over three decades.

John’s granddaughter Jayden Doutt, who is also a rodeo performer, opened the rodeo by riding a horse around the arena and leading a second horse with an empty saddle to signify his loss.

The audience applauded John as he “rode out of the arena one last time.” Twin red Farmall tractors John was known for also took a ride around the arena..more in the comments.

Olean, other communities hosting Fourth of July events to mark Nation’s 250th birthday

By RICK MILLER

Olean Star

The City of Olean and other Cattaraugus County communities are planning a series of events to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday this Fourth of July Weekend.

In Olean, Mayor Amy B. Sherburne invited visitors to the city to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday and make their Fourth of July memories here.

Olean’s celebration kicked off Thursday with bands playing at Rockin’ Oak Hill Park with Vinny and the Mudflaps, Stick Tights and Not Norman from 4-10 p.m.

The local celebration of the Nation’s birthday continues in Olean on Saturday with the Olean Oilers hosting Fourth of July activities at Bradner Stadium, where they will host The Dansville Gliders at 1:30 p.m.

Following the game, the stadium will open to the public with live music starting at 4 p.m. Headliners Timmy and the Kids will perform at 7 o’clock. There will be vendors in War Veterans Park during the event. Fireworks kick off at dusk.

The city is also sponsoring a concert in Lincoln Park on Saturday with Generations performing from 6-8 p.m...more in the comments.