Cattaraugus County Sets Oct. 3 Household Hazardous Waste Collection in Allegany
Cattaraugus County has scheduled its fall Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day for Saturday, Oct. 3, at the county's Allegany Highway Facility on North Seventh Street. Residents can drop off materials that don't belong in regular trash, such as pesticides, old paint and other household chemicals. Advance registration is required and can be completed online at cattco.org/hhw2026 or by phone through the county's public works office. The event is held periodically to keep hazardous materials out of local landfills and waterways.
Holy Name of Mary Church to Mark 175th Anniversary With Mass and Dinner
Holy Name of Mary Roman Catholic Church in Ellicottville is celebrating its 175th anniversary with a special Mass at 5 p.m. on Sept. 10, followed by a catered dinner at the Ellicottville American Legion starting at 6:30 p.m. Parish leaders are inviting current and former parishioners along with the wider community to take part in marking nearly two centuries of the church's presence in the village. The celebration caps a year of milestone anniversaries for local institutions around Ellicottville. Organizers are encouraging anyone with ties to the parish to attend both the liturgy and the dinner that follows.
Local Stylist and Photographer Team Up for Free 'Pay What You Can' Back-to-School Event
Kayla Kalkhof of Meraki Salon and photographer Lauren of Gallery Guthrie are partnering on a pay-what-you-can back-to-school event for local families on Aug. 31 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Island Park Pavilion in Wellsville. Kalkhof will offer boys' and girls' haircuts and trims geared toward a fresh back-to-school look, while Gallery Guthrie will shoot a quick portrait of each child and deliver three professionally edited digital images. Organizers say the event is meant to be low-pressure and accessible, with no dress-up required and no cost barrier for families heading into the new school year. It's a small-scale, community-driven effort aimed at easing back-to-school expenses for Wellsville-area kids.
Free Energy-Saving Workshop Set for Sept. 2 in Olean
The Town of Allegany's Climate Smart Communities program and Enchanted Mountains Village are hosting a free public workshop on home energy savings at 5 p.m. Sept. 2 in the Sister Margaret Carney Lecture Hall on the third floor of the Olean Chamber of Commerce building. The session is aimed at helping area residents learn practical ways to cut energy costs and improve efficiency at home. It's part of ongoing outreach by the Town of Allegany's Climate Smart Communities initiative to bring sustainability resources directly to residents across the Olean area. The workshop is open to the public at no cost.
Cornell Cooperative Extension to Host Organic Dairy Pasture Walk in Freedom
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Allegany County, together with NOFA-NY, will host a free organic dairy pasture walk on Sept. 22 at Emary Springs Farm, the Freedom farm of Sara and Jeremy Hatch, who milk about 30 cows on roughly 25 acres of pasture. The event runs from 9:30 a.m. with coffee, refreshments and a barn tour, followed by a pasture walk led by CCE's Lynn Bliven and NOFA-NY's Chris Kemnah covering rotational grazing tools, weed control and pasture productivity, before wrapping up with lunch around noon. There is no fee to attend, but organizers ask that visitors pre-register by Sept. 18 by calling Bliven or registering online, and wear disinfectable footwear or use provided boot covers for farm biosecurity.
Franklinville Volunteer Fire Department Marks 150th Anniversary With Parade
The Franklinville Volunteer Fire Department celebrated its 150th anniversary on Saturday with a community parade through the village. An antique Mack pumper from the department's collection led the procession, drawing residents out to mark a century and a half of volunteer fire service in the town. The milestone caps generations of local volunteers who have staffed the department since its founding in the 1870s. The celebration highlighted the department's long-running role as a cornerstone of civic life in Franklinville.
East Olean Boil Water Advisory Lifted After Water Main Break
A boil water advisory covering much of East Olean was lifted Friday afternoon, three days after a water main valve broke beneath Seneca Avenue and caused the city's system to lose pressure in that area. Mayor Amy B. Sherburne issued the advisory Tuesday for the neighborhood roughly bounded by Front Street to the city line and Seneca Avenue to Grandview Avenue, warning that pressure loss can let untreated water or microbes enter the system. City crews made emergency repairs to the valve over the following days before water quality testing cleared the area for normal use. Residents in the affected zone were advised they could resume drinking and cooking with tap water without boiling it first once the advisory was lifted.
Bozard Hill Road in Humphrey Closing for Bridge Replacement
The Cattaraugus County Department of Public Works is closing Bozard Hill Road in the Town of Humphrey so crews can remove and replace the aging Bridge 20 where the road crosses Wrights Creek. The county awarded the construction contract earlier this year following a bid opening in February, with work including approach highway repairs and traffic maintenance in addition to the bridge itself. Officials expect the span to be substantially finished within about four months of the roadway closing, with the project fully wrapped up and ready for final payment by mid-October. Local residents and emergency services should plan for the closure to remain in place through the fall construction season.
Hinsdale to Dedicate Park in Memory of Crosby Dairy Family
The Hinsdale Historical Society will dedicate a new park in front of the town's Fire Department as Crosby Park this Saturday at 1 p.m. The naming honors Howard Crosby and the Crosby family, whose dairy farm was a longtime fixture of the Hinsdale community. The short ceremony is open to residents who want to learn more about the family's history and its ties to the hamlet. It's the latest project from the historical society to mark local landmarks and preserve Hinsdale's agricultural heritage.
Master Gardeners Launching Tai Chi and Qi Gong Series at Nannen Arboretum
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cattaraugus County's Master Gardener volunteers are launching a six-week outdoor wellness series called "Cultivate the Garden, Cultivate Yourself" at the Nannen Arboretum in Ellicottville. The authentic Tai Chi and Qi Gong sessions run Tuesday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m., starting Sept. 1 through Oct. 6, at the arboretum's grounds on Parkside Drive. Organizers say the introductory series is designed for beginners and aims to combine gentle movement practice with the arboretum's setting, with proceeds supporting the county's Master Gardener program. It's the latest community program the arboretum has hosted this season alongside its ongoing educational and horticultural events.
Crawford Creek Road in Belfast Closed for 12-Week Bridge Replacement
Allegany County closed Crawford Creek Road in the Town of Belfast, about three miles southwest of Route 19, on Aug. 19 to begin a bridge replacement project expected to last roughly 12 weeks. The county's Department of Public Works says there is no marked on-site detour, so residents and motorists who regularly use the road are being urged to plan alternate routes for the duration of the closure. The project is separate from other recent Allegany County road work, including the earlier Route 31 culvert closures near Friendship. County officials have not announced a firm reopening date beyond the estimated timeline.
Measles Outbreak Spreads Beyond New Hudson as County Confirms Third Case
The Allegany County Department of Health, based in Belmont, confirmed a third lab-positive measles case on Aug. 18, marking the first time the monthslong outbreak has been tied to a town outside New Hudson. Officials said the new case is located in the town of Independence, meaning risk is no longer confined to a single community, though they described overall countywide exposure as still low. The department now counts three confirmed cases alongside at least 14 presumed positive cases tied to the same investigation. Health officials continue urging residents to check their MMR vaccination status and to call ahead before visiting a doctor's office if they suspect exposure.
Cattaraugus County Museum to Close Summer Series with Genealogy Talk
The Cattaraugus County Museum will wrap up its 2026 "Summer at the Stone House" lecture series on Thursday, Aug. 27, with a genealogy-focused program called "Beefing Up an Ancestor's Timeline." Presenter Jeanette Sheliga plans to walk attendees through methods for filling out a relative's biography and pushing past common research dead ends, drawing on sources ranging from home records to online family trees. The free, family-friendly talk will be held under a tent on the museum's lawn at the Stone House on Route 16, with folding chairs recommended since only limited seating will be provided. Organizers plan to livestream the program on the museum's YouTube channel for those who cannot attend in person, continuing a summer of free public history talks at the Machias museum.
Largest StrOlean Yet Draws Crowds to North Union Street
The Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce's annual StrOlean street festival set a new high-water mark on Saturday, Aug. 15, with roughly 100 arts, crafts and food vendors filling the 100-200 blocks of North Union Street. The pedestrian-only event featured a beer tent, live music and entertainment, downtown restaurants and food trucks, and family activities including mini-train and pony rides. Christ United Methodist Church sponsored a free children's activity area as part of the day-long celebration. Organizers called it the biggest edition of the festival to date, with record vendor turnout.
Measles Cases Climb to 12 as Allegany County Traces Outbreak to New Hudson
The Allegany County Department of Health, headquartered in Belmont, reported August 15 that its measles investigation has grown to two lab-confirmed cases and ten presumed positive cases, up from the single confirmed case and two presumed cases reported earlier in the month. Officials say all current cases remain localized within the town of New Hudson and that broad community risk across the rest of the county remains low. The department has shared information with local health care partners in the area to coordinate educational guidance, support services and easier access to MMR vaccination, and says public health nurses have already administered 87 MMR doses countywide since the outbreak began. Residents are urged to confirm their vaccination status and to call ahead before visiting a doctor's office if they suspect exposure.
Randolph Marks 200th Anniversary With Bicentennial Weekend Festival
Randolph will celebrate its bicentennial with a two-day community festival at Weeden Park on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15-16, capping a yearlong series of 200th-anniversary events that began back in March. Saturday's festivities open with a themed parade at 10:30 a.m. starting from the Randolph Highway Barn on Wadsworth Street, followed by period-dress and beard contests, live entertainment and activities for children. The weekend also includes a community hymn sing and fireworks honoring the town's founding. Organizers say the celebration is meant to bring together generations of current and former Randolph residents to reflect on 200 years of local history.
Olean Area Celtic Festival Returns to Gargoyle Park Aug. 28-29
Online tickets are now on sale for the Olean Area Celtic Festival, a family-friendly celebration of Irish and Scottish heritage set for Gargoyle Park in the town of Allegany on Aug. 28-29. This year's festival, supported by the local chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, features headliner Ally the Piper, a calling of the Scottish clans and parade, Highland games, and classes on Irish and Celtic history and folklore. Hours run 5-9 p.m. Friday and noon-10 p.m. Saturday, with food and beer vendors, live bands, and kids' activities including henna and face painting. Organizers say the event has grown into one of the region's larger showcases of Celtic culture.
Cattaraugus County Trappers Host Sportsmen's Rendezvous in Little Valley
The Cattaraugus County Trappers Association is holding its annual Sportsmen's Rendezvous this weekend at the Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds in Little Valley. The show runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, with admission set at $5 per person per day. The long-running event brings vendors, demonstrations and educational programming on trapping, fur handling and wildlife management to the fairgrounds, drawing outdoors enthusiasts from across the region. Organizers have said in past years that the rendezvous also aims to introduce younger residents to the area's trapping traditions.
Second Annual IMPACT Walk and Run Set for Aug. 29 on West Almond Trail System
IMPACT: Friends Improving Allegany County Trails, Inc. is hosting its second annual trail walk and run on Saturday, Aug. 29, starting from the NYSDEC Phillips Creek State Forest parking area on Route 244 just west of Alfred. The event routes participants through the Phillips Creek, Turnpike, and Palmer's Pond state forests that make up the West Almond Trail System, with divisions ranging from a 5K walk up to a new 25K trail run for more experienced racers. Members of IMPACT receive a discounted registration rate, and proceeds go toward the group's ongoing work maintaining and improving public trails in Allegany County. Organizers say the growing event reflects rising interest in the county's state forest trail network.
Ham Radio Volunteers Sought for East Aurora-to-Ellicottville Charity Bike Ride
The Pioneer Radio Operators Society is recruiting amateur radio operators to provide communications support for a 42-mile charity bike ride running from East Aurora to Ellicottville on October 3. Ride coordinator Gary Tillinghast, callsign KB2YAA, said hams will be stationed at points along the route, which follows Routes 240, 242 and 219, to relay rider status and help organizers respond quickly to any problems on the course. Proceeds from the ride go toward continued construction of a 27-mile rail trail along the former Buffalo & Pittsburgh rail line linking the two communities. Organizers are still lining up volunteer operators ahead of the fall event.
Allegany County Sets September Household Hazardous Waste Day in Angelica
Allegany County has scheduled its annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day for Saturday, September 12, from 8 a.m. to noon at the county Transfer Station on County Road 48 in Angelica. Residents can drop off items such as pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers, pool chemicals, household cleaning chemicals and oil-based paints that can't go out with regular trash. Space is limited and pre-registration is required through the county Recycling Coordinator's office before the event. The collection day is held once a year and is meant to keep hazardous materials out of the regular waste stream and local landfills.
Rushford Lake Dam Day Returns Aug. 8 to Support Historic Dam
Rushford Lake Dam Day, an annual fundraiser to help maintain the nearly century-old Rushford Lake Dam, returns Saturday, Aug. 8, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The daylong event features live DJ music, a chicken barbecue from Krolick's BBQ, guided behind-the-scenes tours of the dam, and a boat raffle sponsored by Seager Marina. Organizers also plan basket and meat raffles, a 50/50 drawing, local vendors, and Rushford Lake apparel and souvenirs for sale. The event has become a summer tradition for the lake community, with proceeds going toward preserving the dam's infrastructure.
Cattaraugus County WIC Marks World Breastfeeding Week With Annual Picnic
Cattaraugus County's WIC program held its annual World Breastfeeding Week picnic on Aug. 7 at War Vets Park in Olean, drawing families for a free, public gathering from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event featured refreshments alongside booths staffed by area nonprofits offering resources on health care access, diapers, baby-proofing and childhood literacy for new and expecting parents. City, county and state government representatives took part in dedications recognizing the occasion. The picnic is an annual tradition for the county's Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, aimed at connecting local families with breastfeeding support and other early-childhood resources.
County Route 31 Facing Daily Closures Through Aug. 20 for Culvert Work
Allegany County Route 31 will close daily during the work week from Thursday, Aug. 6 through Thursday, Aug. 20, as crews replace a series of culverts along the roadway. The project starts in the Town of Friendship and works toward County Route 9 in the Town of Scio. The county says the road will reopen each night and remain open on weekends, but there is no marked on-site detour, so drivers are being urged to plan alternate routes during the closure window. The work is part of ongoing infrastructure maintenance on county roads in the area.
Two More Presumed Measles Cases Emerge Among Allegany County Contacts
The Allegany County Department of Health, based in Belmont, says two more people are presumed positive for measles after developing symptoms consistent with the disease, a reversal from its August 5 update that had reported no new infections. The department, which has now identified 45 direct contacts of the original confirmed case through contact tracing, says the two additional individuals have not been lab-confirmed but are being treated as positive based on their symptoms. Health officials are continuing to work with area health care facilities and community partners to monitor those exposed and limit further spread. The original case, involving an unvaccinated resident with recent travel to Ohio, was first confirmed August 2.
Allegany County Health Officials Say Measles Patient Recovering, No New Cases Found
The Allegany County Department of Health, based in Belmont, provided an update on the measles case it confirmed earlier this month, reporting that the unvaccinated resident is recovering and that no additional infections have turned up. Health officials say none of the individuals identified as having had contact with the patient during the infectious period have since developed symptoms. The case, linked to recent travel to Ohio, prompted the department to notify potentially exposed locations and contacts after the diagnosis. Officials continue to urge residents with measles symptoms to call ahead before visiting a doctor's office in person.
SBU's Chris Mackowski to Speak on Independence Day History at Cattaraugus County Museum
The Cattaraugus County Museum's "Summer at the Stone House" lecture series continues Monday, Aug. 10, at 7 p.m. with a talk on the history of Independence Day in America. The speaker, Chris Mackowski, is a writing professor and associate dean for undergraduate programs in St. Bonaventure University's Jandoli School of Communication, as well as editor-in-chief of Emerging Civil War. The free program takes place at the museum's Stone House location on Route 16, with a livestream planned for those who can't attend in person. Organizers say the talk is part of the museum's ongoing effort to bring regional historians to Machias for public programming through the summer.
Wellsville to Mark America's 250th With Main Street Celebration Aug. 15
Wellsville will celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary with a free community event on Saturday, Aug. 15, from noon to 4 p.m. on the front lawn of the David A. Howe Library on Main Street. The program opens at noon with costumed re-enactors portraying Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross reading the Declaration of Independence and reciting the names of its 56 signers, alongside a display of the Liberty Bell. Organizers describe the event as a look back at daily life in 1776, running alongside the town's regular Saturday Farmers Market at the same location. The celebration will move indoors to the library in the event of rain.
Allegany County Confirms Measles Case in Belmont Resident
The Allegany County Department of Health is investigating a confirmed measles case involving an unvaccinated Belmont resident who began showing symptoms on August 1 and tested positive the following day. The individual reported recent travel to Ohio and is isolating at home until no longer contagious. County health officials are working to identify locations where the public may have been exposed and are contacting people known to have had contact with the resident during the infectious period. Measles is highly contagious, and officials are urging anyone with symptoms or possible exposure to call ahead before visiting a doctor's office in person.
Recent Friendship Grad Headlines Daylong Benefit Concert in Wellsville
Zakk Ueblacker, a recent Friendship Central School graduate and up-and-coming guitarist, is organizing "Rock'n For a Reason," a benefit concert running from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at Wellsville's Island Park. Nine bands spanning multiple genres will perform over the ten-hour show, with $10 admission going toward local charities. Children five and under get in free with a paying adult, and kids receive tickets redeemable for activities including a bounce house, face painting and a piñata. The all-day lineup reflects a homegrown effort by area musicians to turn a single summer afternoon into a community fundraiser.
35th Annual Kids Fishing Contest Set for Andover Ponds Aug. 15
The Andover Wetlands Project will hold its 35th annual Kids Fishing Contest on Saturday, August 15 at Andover Ponds along Route 21, with registration opening at 7:45 a.m. and fishing running from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event is open to children in four age divisions, from 5-and-under through age 15, with trophies awarded for top catches in each group as well as for the day's smallest, largest and most fish caught, and largest bass and carp. Organizers will again present a special award, named for the late state Senators Jess Present and Pat McGee, longtime supporters of the Wetlands Project, to a young angler who shows perseverance and dedication. Refreshments are provided at no cost, and trophies will be handed out at 2:45 p.m.
EVL Trailfest Brings Mountain Bikers to Holiday Valley
Ellicottville's EVL Trailfest took place at the Holiday Valley/HoliMont bike park off Route 242 West, drawing mountain biking enthusiasts to the resort's trail network. The event is part of a busy summer and fall events calendar for the village, which follows with Women's Weekend and a food-and-flavor event in early August. Ellicottville's trail and resort-based events have become a steady draw for outdoor recreation visitors year-round, complementing the village's ski-season identity with warm-weather mountain biking tourism.
183rd Cattaraugus County Fair Opens in Little Valley
The 183rd Cattaraugus County Fair opens August 1 and runs through August 8, 2026, at the county fairgrounds on Erie Street in Little Valley. Organizers expect more than 90,000 attendees for a lineup that includes a demolition derby, tractor and truck pulls, a monster truck rally, 4-H and FFA livestock shows, carnival rides and multiple free daily shows. Gates open at 8 a.m. each day, with the midway starting at 1 p.m. As the longtime host village, Little Valley sees a major seasonal influx of visitors, vendors and exhibitors for one of the region's longest-running community traditions.
Great Valley's Fourth Annual Town Picnic Set for Baugh Family Park
The Town of Great Valley is holding its fourth annual town picnic at 6 p.m. Friday at Baugh Family Park. The gathering has become a summer tradition for the town, drawing residents together for a low-key community meal and social evening. The event is organized as a town-sponsored community gathering rather than a fundraiser, reflecting Great Valley's continued investment in small-town communal events. Residents were encouraged to attend and bring family for the evening event.
Route 19 Reduced to One Lane in Belfast for Culvert Replacement
The New York State Department of Transportation began a culvert replacement project on State Route 19 about a mile north of County Route 16 in the Town of Belfast on Monday, July 27. The work reduces the highway to a single lane with traffic controlled by a temporary signal, and vehicles over 12 feet wide or 17 feet tall are restricted from the work zone. DOT expects the project to continue through the end of the year, with completion anticipated by December 31, 2026. Drivers are advised to expect delays and consider alternate routes while the work is underway.
Angelica's annual Heritage Days celebration is scheduled for August 1-2, 2026, bringing the historic village's Main Street to life with community festivities. The event follows closely on the heels of Angelica's 18th annual Lavender Festival, held July 4, 2026, which drew more than 100 vendors along with food, music and downtown merchants. Organizers have also installed a new welcome sign for visitors as part of the village's push to promote itself to tourists. Heritage Days is one of the signature annual gatherings for the small Allegany County village, known for its Park Circle Historic District.
Village of Alfred to Mill and Repave South Main Street
The Village of Alfred's Department of Public Works began milling South Main Street on July 27, with repaving scheduled for the first week of August. The project is part of routine road maintenance overseen by the village's public works crew. Residents and businesses along the corridor should expect construction activity and possible short delays during both phases of the work. The village posted the schedule on its official website so drivers can plan around the closures.
Railroad Crossing Replacement Closes Kill Buck Road Late July
The Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad announced it would close County Road 49, known as Kill Buck Road, from July 29 through July 31 to replace the railroad crossing near the hamlet of Kill Buck. The closure affects a key connector road used by residents traveling between Kill Buck and the surrounding Town of Great Valley. Officials said the work is necessary to keep the crossing safe for both rail and vehicle traffic over the long term. Drivers were urged to plan alternate routes during the three-day shutdown.
Wellsville's Balloon Rally Main Street Festival Draws Big Crowds Downtown
The Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Balloon Rally Main Street Festival on July 18, 2026, closing off Main, Jefferson, Madison and Fassett streets for a day of shopping, food and family entertainment. More than 150 vendors sold handcrafted goods, artwork, home decor and other specialty items, with hot-air balloon activity as a signature evening draw. Chamber Executive Director Bruce Thomas said the free, family-friendly event continues to grow each year and has become one of the region's most anticipated summer traditions. Pets other than service animals and smoking or vaping were not permitted within the festival footprint.
County Road 31 Sees Daily Closures Through Early August for Culvert Work
Allegany County crews began daily weekday closures of County Road 31 on July 14, 2026, to replace a number of aging culverts along the route. The work stretches from Friendship into the neighboring town of Scio, ending at County Road 9, and is scheduled to continue through August 6. The road reopens to traffic each night and on weekends, but the county says there is no official on-site detour and is asking drivers to plan alternate routes during work hours. The project is expected to affect commuters and local businesses along the corridor for several weeks.
FEMA and State Officials Hold Flood Risk Meeting in Cuba
FEMA, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Allegany County officials hosted a flood risk open house at Cuba Elementary School on June 16, 2026. The informal, drop-in style meeting let residents talk one-on-one with officials about local flood risks, possible changes to floodplain maps and how those changes could affect flood insurance requirements and rates. No formal presentation was given, and attendees could arrive and leave at any point during the several-hour session. The event follows a history of flooding concerns in Allegany County, including a state of emergency declared in the area in 2025.
Cuba Dairy Days Draws Crowds for Annual Summer Festival
Cuba's Main Street closed to vehicle traffic June 12-14, 2026, for the annual Dairy Days festival celebrating the village's history as the one-time 'Cheese Center of the World.' The weekend featured a Saturday parade with firefighters, vintage cars and community floats, along with a car show, chicken barbecue, live music, a beer garden and children's activities. The festival also spotlighted the Cuba Cheese Shop, which marked 50 years in business. A Sunday event tied to Flag Day raised money benefiting the town's mural fund and the Cuba Drift Busters snowmobile club.
Multiple Fire Departments Respond to Structure Fire With Entrapment in Limestone
Emergency crews from at least eight fire departments and an ambulance service responded to a reported structure fire with entrapment in the 800 block of North Main Street in Limestone on the morning of June 11, 2026. The Limestone Volunteer Fire & EMS Department led the response, with mutual aid arriving from Allegany, Knapp Creek, Hinsdale, Olean, Killbuck, Seneca and Derrick City, Pennsylvania. New York State Police and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office also assisted at the scene. Officials did not release the cause of the fire or further details, underscoring the scale of the multi-agency response mobilized to protect the small community.
Houghton University's East Hall Renovation to Add Sastic Courtyard
Houghton University's East Hall, the campus's largest residence hall for women, is getting a comprehensive interior and exterior renovation expected to finish in August 2026 after a 15-month project that began in May 2025. The $11.6 million overhaul includes a new Sastic Courtyard facing Genesee Street, funded by alumni Jonathan and Lois Sastic, with a gas firepit, outdoor seating, picnic tables, and views of the Crystal Rork Arboretum. A new drive-up loop will bring visitors to a covered entrance with direct elevator access inside the renovated main lounge. The project's lead gift came from alumni Donald and Beverly Greene, with the Class of 2026 chipping in toward the courtyard's firepit.
Rashell Pastore Named Whitesville's Citizen of the Year
Whitesville has named Rashell Pastore its Citizen of the Year for a long list of volunteer work she's balanced alongside motherhood and her career. Pastore coaches the cheerleading program at Whitesville Central School, helped revive the town's Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts programs, and leads youth t-ball and soccer. She also organizes charitable efforts benefiting the Ronald McDonald House and spearheads community traditions like the annual car show, an alumni basketball game, and Trunk or Treat, all while recently completing a Master of Education degree. Nominating committee member Cody Borden wrote that Pastore "devotes countless hours to activities and events that bring our town together" and serves as a role model for volunteerism in the small community.
Volunteers Turn Out for Rushford's First Burying Ground Work Day
The First Burying Ground Committee organized a community work day on May 16 at the historic cemetery on Brooks Avenue in Rushford, ahead of Memorial Day. Volunteers were asked to bring shovels, wheelbarrows, and chainsaws to help fill in ruts and holes and tidy up the grounds, with a rain date set for the following Saturday. The four-hour event ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and organizers asked participants to bring their own lunch and drinks. Committee member Sue coordinated the effort, part of ongoing volunteer upkeep of the historic burial ground.
Bixby Hill Road Lane Closed for Construction in Town of Freedom
The Cattaraugus County Department of Public Works closed one lane of County Road No. 90, known locally as Bixby Hill Road, in the Town of Freedom to carry out road construction work. The closure is part of ongoing infrastructure maintenance the county performs on rural roads serving Freedom and neighboring towns. Drivers were advised to expect delays and to use caution while crews worked in the area. The project is one of several infrastructure upgrades underway in Freedom as the town also reviews solar development proposals and hosts construction of the Alle-Catt Wind Farm.
Allegany County Democrats Clean Up I-86 On-Ramp in Almond
Volunteers with the Allegany County Democratic Committee spent an hour on April 20 picking up litter along Route 21 at the Interstate 86 eastbound on-ramp in Almond. The group has maintained this stretch of roadway since 2021 through the state Department of Transportation's Adopt-a-Highway program, choosing the spot because it serves as a highway gateway into the county. Organizers supplied safety gear and asked participants to bring boots and gloves for the cleanup. The event was open to any community member willing to pitch in.
State Adds Nearly 700 Acres to East Otto State Forest Spanning Otto and East Otto
New York's DEC and The Nature Conservancy announced on April 2, 2026 the acquisition of more than 689 acres in the Towns of Otto and East Otto, expanding the East Otto State Forest to a total of 2,071 acres. The $2.39 million purchase, funded through the state's Environmental Protection Fund, adds new frontage along Utley Brook and Cattaraugus Creek for public recreation. DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton called well-managed forests an important tool for climate resilience, while The Nature Conservancy's Dirk Bryant said the project would boost local recreation and protect clean drinking water. The expansion supports New York's broader 30x30 land conservation initiative and gives Otto residents added access to hiking, hunting and fishing grounds close to home.
Flash Flooding Shuts Down Route 19 at Centerville Road
Heavy rain triggered widespread flash flooding across northern Allegany County on April 1, 2026, forcing the closure of State Route 19 at Centerville Road along with three other county roads. The Allegany County Sheriff's Office reported that roads throughout Caneadea, Hume, Granger, Burns, Grove and Almond were heavily damaged, with several stretches completely impassable. Dispatchers fielded more than 300 storm-related calls within 24 hours, including a water rescue in neighboring Burns. The closure showed how quickly the storm overwhelmed rural drainage systems around Centerville and prompted a scramble by county crews to assess the damage.
East Randolph Methodist Church Marks 200th Anniversary
The East Randolph Methodist Church is celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2026, marking two centuries of continuous ministry in the hamlet. Congregation members are planning a series of special events throughout the year that will be open to the wider community. The bicentennial highlights the church's long-standing role as a gathering place in East Randolph, a hamlet within the Town of Randolph. Local residents are being invited to take part in the milestone celebrations honoring the church's history.
Cuba Man Pleads Guilty in Allegany County's Largest-Ever Drug Bust
A 59-year-old Cuba resident, Daniel Ackerman, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute marijuana following what authorities called the largest drug bust in Allegany County history. Investigators searching a Farnsworth Road property found hundreds of marijuana plants, processed marijuana, cannabis concentrate, psilocybin mushrooms and a firearm, with the operation valued at roughly $4 million. The case involved a joint investigation by the DEA, Cuba Police Department, and sheriff's offices in both Allegany and Cattaraugus counties. Ackerman faces sentencing before a federal judge later this year.
DEC Adjusts Trout Stocking in Ischua Creek After Cheese Plant Discharge Killed Fish
New York's Department of Environmental Conservation announced a revised 2026 stocking plan for Ischua Creek after organic waste discharges from the Great Lakes Cheese facility caused a major fish and wildlife die-off in August 2025. To let the stream's food web recover, DEC is pausing trout stocking in the hardest-hit stretch between the Farmersville/Franklinville town line and Five Mile Road, while continuing to stock unaffected sections near Baxter Hill Road and Dutch Hill Road. Roughly 3,867 nine-inch and 430 twelve-inch trout are planned for the creek overall this year. DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said the approach aims to balance anglers' interests with giving the fishery time to rebuild before full stocking resumes.
Andover Village Board Pursues Grant to Revitalize Grove Park
The Andover Village Board met February 6, 2026 to vote on applying for a New York Municipal Parks and Recreation Grant to fund the Grove Park Revitalization Project. The grant application is aimed at securing state money to improve the village-owned park, though officials have not yet detailed the full scope of planned upgrades. The move reflects a broader push by the village board to invest in local recreation space, alongside other community initiatives like the village's spring clean-up program that provided dumpsters for residents to dispose of unwanted materials.
City of Salamanca and Seneca Nation Break Ground on Crowley Park Skatepark
The City of Salamanca and the Seneca Nation held a joint groundbreaking for a new skatepark at Crowley Park on River Street. The project, designed and built by Seattle-based Grindline Skateparks, is funded through a partnership that includes matching support from the Seneca Nation along with grants from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation and the Tony Hawk Foundation. The city is providing the site, lighting and ongoing maintenance under the collaborative arrangement. Final landscaping and a ribbon-cutting grand opening were planned for spring 2026, giving Salamanca-area youth a dedicated skating facility.
