Olean Times Herald 2022 Year in Review

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A look back at 2022 in Olean area

New developments in industry and commercial sectors earned almost half the spots on the Olean Times Herald’s top 10 list for news in 2022, based on polling of newsroom staff.

Reactions to national issues earned several spots, as well. Politics picked up several more spots, but the top story of the last two years — the COVID-19 pandemic — slipped to 10th place in the poll as case counts and death tolls, as well as economic impacts, began to lessen through most of the year.

The bulk of the project will take place inside the existing structures on the site, totalling almost 1 million square feet.

In November, the IDA approved a payment in lieu of taxes deal worth almost $5 million, plus more than half a million dollars in other tax incentives for the project.

Olean might need to change its name to Steeltown after a steel manufacturer purchased the largest industrial site in the city this year. July marked the end of manufacturing at Siemens Energy in North Olean, laying off more than 500 workers over a year and ending more than 100 years of heavy industry in the neighborhood.

For more than 100 years, the site has been home to the largest heavy industry in the city. In 1916, Clark Brothers relocated from Belmont to the site — adjacent to the Socony-Vacuum oil refinery, as the company focused production on the oil and gas industry. Through various mergers it became part of Dresser-Rand. German conglomerate Siemens bought Dresser-Rand in 2015 for $7.8 billion, and in 2020 spun off Siemens Energy, which included several areas of business that, tied to oil and gas industries, were performing poorly as focus globally turned toward renewable energy alternatives.

Siemens Energy announced in February 2021 that it would close manufacturing in Olean by mid2022, laying off more than 500 workers. The site was later listed by a commercial real estate firm and sold to Cimolai-HY at auction for around $8 million. The 88-acre site

el-ready. Later, county lawmakers added about $8 million in federal stimulus funding to that for new sewer and water lines to the site.

The Cattaraugus County IDA helped shepherd the project from the start, and have agreed to more than $150 million in tax incentives to convince Great Lakes Cheese Co. that this was the ideal site, given it is only about 15 miles from the Cuba plant. A payment in lieu of taxes agreement guarantees no property taxes for 20 years.

The new facility, which will replace a smaller cheese plant in Cuba, will employ nearly 500 employees. There are currently more than 230 employees at the Cuba plant who will move to the new facility once it opens in early 2024.

A large part of the company’s desire to build a new state-of-theart plant as close to its existing Cuba plant as possible was to keep the existing employees.

The new facility, now under construction, will double production of the company’s Cuba plant. Some of the first employment at the new plant will involve processing and packaging of cheeses from different locations.

In addition, the IDA is looking to locate other support businesses in the Route 16 corridor with an eye toward additional jobs. Much of the site is located in the town of Farmersville.

The Epprecht Family-owned business is privately owned with Great Lakes Cheese Company’s 3,000 employees. It was founded in 1958 and is headquartered in Hiram, Ohio.

There are eight facilities in five states across the country where Great lakes Cheese Co. products are manufactured, processed and packaged. The Cuba facility produces primarily provolone and mozzarella cheese products. Great Lakes Cheese Company’s plant in Adams produces the company’s award-winning cheddar cheeses.

3. Langworthy survives twists and turns of new 23rd Congressional District

The 23rd Congressional District election saw several twists and turns from the start to the election of New York Republican Chairman Nicholas Langworthy.

Based on the closing alone, the story likely would have earned the top spot in the annual Times Herald Top 10 staff poll, as leaders, businesses and families prepared for a major hit to the local economy. Despite rumors of an Italian steel company being interested in the site for most of 2021 and 2022, local leaders said they were not expecting an immediate turnaround on the site.

But in September, a cooperative between Italian steelmaker Cimolai and New York-based real estate firm Related stepped forward with intent to redevelop the site — this time to make structural steel for projects like the new Buffalo Bills stadium.

Company officials plan to spend $56 million to refurbish the plant and hope to hire around 250 workers for the site when it is operational in 2025. The jobs are expected to pay between $54,000 and $180,000 a year, according to documents filed by the firm with the Cattaraugus County IDA.

includes two large industrial plants and a large and two small office buildings totaling about 950,000 square feet. There are another seven buildings used for storage and testing.

2. Great Lakes Cheese breaks ground

Great Lakes Cheese Co. broke ground in April for its $500 million state-of-the-art cheese plant on a 200-acre site along Route 16 north of Franklinville.

It was considered no small feat for a small county in Western New York — especially in the wake of the loss of Siemens Energy in Olean.

The site was brought to the attention of the Great Lakes Cheese Co. after efforts to find a site to build the 486,000 square-foot cheese manufacturing and packaging facility in Allegany County failed.

The Cattaraugus County Legislature paid about $400,000 for studies to show the site was shov-

Jamestown Community College will help train new employees prior to the opening of the new plant in Franklinville.

The new plant will also double the amount of milk Great Lakes Cheese will purchase from dairy farmers in the region, giving farmers a stable market. The new plant will buy 4 million gallons of milk from farmers in the region and will be linked to about 600 farming jobs.

Langworthy defeated Democrat Max Della Pia, a retired Air Force colonel 63% to 34% in a seven-county 23rd District that includes part of Erie County and six Southern Tier counties — Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Steuben, Chemung and Schuyler.

Steuben County Republican Chairman Joe Sempolinski beat Del-

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la Pia in the Aug. 26 special election to fill the unexpired term of former Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, who resigned in May to take a lobbying position with Prime Policy Group in Washington, D.C. He had announced earlier in the year that he wouldn’t seek a seventh term after a news story alleged he inappropriately touched a lobbyist in a Minneapolis bar in 2017. Reed acknowledged the allegation and said he would not run again for any political office — including a rumored run for governor.

Republicans had challenged the new districts approved by the state legislature and signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul as “gerrymandered” by majority Democrats. State Supreme Court Judge Patrick McAllister of Bath agreed and assigned a court master to redraw the lines.

Former State Sen. Cathy Young of Olean expressed interest in running for Reed’s unexpired term as well as a full two-year term in November. She bowed out of contention when Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-Utica, decided the new 23rd District looked better than the new 22nd District and announced she would run for the seat.

When Tenney later decided she would run in part of Rep. Chris Jacobs’ old district, Young again considered running in the new 23rd, but relented when Paladino and Langworthy announced in the wake of Jacobs’ decision not to seek re-election over Second Amendment comments he made in the wake of the shooting massacres in Buffalo and Uvalde, Texas. Jacobs’ willingness to co-sponsor legislation to prohibit military-style assault rifles cost him political support across the Republican spectrum.

To get to the November Election, Langworthy first had to go head-tohead with Buffalo developer Carl Paladino in a Republican primary. Paladino carried the Erie County Southtowns, but Langworthy received backing from many moderate Republicans in the six Southern Tier counties.

Paladino loaned himself $2 million and accepted very few contributions. He campaigned mostly on television and radio and appeared in local parades, rarely taking questions from reporters. By comparison, Langworthy was a more accessible candidate and made regular appearances at groups of Republican supporters throughout the new 23rd district.

Della Pia, the Tioga County Democratic chairman, was the only Democratic candidate to announce for the special election. Because of the overwhelmingly Republican district, he lost to Sempolinski, then had to turn around and start running in a smaller, but just as Republican in enrollment district against Langworthy.

The Republican enrollment caused the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to pass on investing in Della Pia, just as it had done two years ago and four years ago with Tracy Mitrano.

Langworthy, who takes the oath of office on Jan. 3, hasn’t announced where he will live yet. The former Erie County GOP chairman had since moved to Niagara County, which is not in the district.

4.

Community comes together for Heart of Olean mural

The Heart of Olean mural, “Vantage Point,” was dedicated in October at the Library & Liberal Arts Center at SUNY Jamestown Community College’s Cattaraugus County Campus after six months of work and artistic contribution from over 1,000 volunteers.

Designed by world-renowned artist and Olean native Meg Fish Saligman, the mural is full of references to the poem by native son Robert Lax, “Circus of the Sun.” The artwork pays homage to the Olean area and JCC after months of research, interviews with community members and

Saligman’s own experience growing up in Olean.

After starting with two meet-andgreet sessions on campus in November 2021 where Saligman asked community members to share stories, thoughts and history of the Olean area, the renowned muralist returned to her hometown in February to dive deeper for feedback and ideas.

Saligman was struck by the building’s unique lines and its visibility from North Union Street, the Olean Center Mall and much of the downtown business district. The idea of circles — like the cogwheel and millstone — rose as an overarching feature of the design from the “O” in Olean on the signs to the roundabouts on North Union Street to the face of the clock tower.

To bring the “Heart of Olean” to life, photo submissions were requested, showing scenes from the Olean area and a short description. The photos could be of anything and from any time as long as they were taken in and around the city.

About 30 community paint events were planned over the course of the project where volunteers of all ages and art skill levels left a mark on the community through a paint-by-numbers system on 30-square-foot cloths.

The project’s expected budget was $100,000 with the bulk going toward scissor and aerial lifts, paints and salary/stipends for the trained artists that will be on-site to cover the 10,000-square-foot, four-sided mural.

The season of fall faces North Union Street, and a high-tech addition on that wall made of an old, longtime Olean product — a QR code made of Olean tile is on the side of the building, the tile having been retrieved from the bottom of the Allegheny River. Click it and you’ll get the self-guided tour of the symbols and their meanings, as well as the Olean references, on the walls.

“Vantage Point” is a collaboration with Saligman, the Tri-County Arts Council, Jamestown Community College, Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce and many sponsors and donors.

Saligman is a Philadelphia resident and 1983 Olean High School graduate who has produced several notable community-driven murals in the United States and around the world. The Olean native was inspired to pursue the project by her late father, Olean attorney Don Fish.

5. Economy sees projects pop up amid rising prices

While the country and world slowly began to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, the economy continued to struggle. Many economists, including those at the Federal Reserve, believed that 2021’s inflation would be temporary and ease in 2022 as supply chain issues got resolved and people slowed their spending.

Instead, consumer prices rose 7.1% in November from a year ago. That was down sharply from 7.7% in October and a recent peak of 9.1% in June, but still a significant increase from pre-pandemic years.

One of the hardest-hit industries was the oil business as average gasoline prices sharply rose following the onset of war in Ukraine. While the national average for a gallon of gas is about 20 cents lower than a year ago and New York state’s average is about 4 cents lower, average gas prices in Olean remained as much as 40 cents above the average in New York.

Meanwhile, area nonprofits have also seen less support as in years past as costs for corporations and bills for individuals generally increased across the board. Officials at nonprofits expressed thanks for any support the public gave to those in need, especially after the past two-and-a-half years.

The United Way of Cattaraugus County’s annual Community Day raised $3,600 in its 30th year, up from $3,160 in 2021 but still down from $4,500 in 2019. And while the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation reported $271,974 was donated for the Cattaraugus Gives program for GivingTuesday, it was still down 24% from 2021.

On the other hand, general consumer spending locally did generally increase in 2022. Most recently, Cattaraugus County saw sales tax receipts of $3.79 million in November, up 9% from November 2021. Since Jan. 1, receipts total $44.91 million, a 5.6% increase from the first 11 months of 2021. Allegany County saw sales tax collections of $1.99 million in November, up 7.2% from November 2021. Since Jan. 1, receipts total $26.11 million, up 8.1%.

Despite increases in costs, several business ventures received greenlights during the year. In June, the Allegany County Board of Legislators confirmed Runnings Inc., a Minnesota-based chain focusing on home, farm and outdoors equipment, would purchase the former Kmart building in Riverwalk Plaza in Wellsville.

Then in July, a $2.9 million development of a new 11-unit tiny homes village along Route 242 located near the base of HoliMont Ski Resort began construction.

In October, the Olean Planning Board approved proposed projects for a Starbucks coffee shop and a pad for two future businesses at 2810 W. State St. Breaking ground in October was construction of a Chipotle restaurant

and a new WellNow urgent care center is set for October at 2727 W. State St., with openings expected in the summer of 2023.

Most recently in December, two wind power developers are eyeing thousands of acres of ridgeline between the Chipmunk area in the town of Allegany to Rock City Park in the town of Olean as possible sites for two commercial wind farms.

6. Olean police review board moves ahead after veto

A city of Olean police review board got the final approval this year — twice — after more than two years of effort.

The first suggestions of a review board came during public meetings in the summer of 2020, in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. The case sparked protests nationwide and locally over the role of police in society and systemic discrimination against minorities.

The Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative recommended the city create a review board in late 2020, and in March 2021 provided the Common Council with a recommended plan. Also submitting a plan to the council was Council 82, the union representing the city’s patrol and command officers.

Taking a middle-of-the-road approach, the council began drafting its own legislation eyeing an advisory role in mid-August 2021. Following

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more than a year of rewrites and input from union and city leaders, as well as the public, city officials hosted a public hearing in August. At the hearing, a representative of the city’s police unions informed the Common Council that the local unions “will certainly be addressing their options for challenges” if the proposal moved forward.

Such a challenge would not be without precedent. The union representing the city of Geneva police filed a challenge against that city’s law in 2021, which saw a county-level court shoot down the law in April. The Geneva city council did not appeal the decision, and a plan in July for a new committee was rejected in July.

However, after another public hearing on Oct. 25, the Common Council unanimously passed the legislation with minor changes.

The proposal hit a roadblock on Nov. 23 when Mayor Bill Aiello vetoed the legislation, citing concerns from residents over the ability of “the Olean Police Department to have the ability to make split-second decisions without the threat of being second-guessed by civilians.”

On Dec. 27, the council voted again — this time 5-2 — to overturn the mayor’s decision. No word on when the committee will form, or if legal challenges will start in 2023.

7. Action, reaction on guns, abortion, bail reform

Gov. Kathy Hochul in July signed into law a bill designed to provide some restrictions on who gets a concealed carry permit and where firearms can legally be carried. The new law was designed to conform to the

U.S. Supreme Court decision in June that overturned the state’s concealed carry permit system for handguns.

Under the law, which went into effect Sept. 1, sensitive areas include all public parks with few exceptions, and all private property without expressed permission. Exemptions exist for current and retired law enforcement, peace officers, licensed security guards, active duty military personnel, individuals engaging in hunting activity, persons operating programs in their homes that would otherwise be considered a sensitive location and government employees involved in natural resource protection.

Cattaraugus County lawmakers voted in August to oppose the law and urged others to challenge the law as unconstitutional. In September, the Allegany County Board of Legislators voted to support a nonbinding resolution opposing changes to concealed carry laws, echoing a growing number of governments and groups opposed to the new limits.

No carve-outs in the law appear to exist for ceremonial purposes — such as honor guards on Memorial Day or Veterans Day — or demonstrations and activities like Civil War reenactments. Less than a month before the streets of Angelica were to fill with men in blue and gray, the 19th Angelica Civil War Reenactment was canceled over the state’s new gun law.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a landmark 1973 court ruling that established abortion as a constitutional right, revoking the right from women and shifts authority over the procedure to the states. States across the country now have the legal authority to ban abortion outright for the first time in 50 years.

In response, New York would enshrine abortion rights — as well as gender expression rights — following the overturning of Roe v. Wade under a proposed state constitutional amendment. Locally, women’s rights marches were held in Olean and Wellsville.

As part of New York budget negotiations in March, Hochul pushed a package of public safety proposals in a 10-point plan that includes expanding the number of bail eligible crimes to cover more gun charges and would allow judges to consider a suspect’s criminal history and set bail for repeat offenders.

When the new budget was passed in April, both Assemblyman Joseph Giglio and Sen. George Borrello said the bail reform tweaks included were not enough. Hochul was faced with resistance from downstate Democrats over any bail-reform changes. Later in April, Giglio joined his Republican colleagues in speaking out following the decision by Assembly Democrats to block a number of bills in committee related to bail reform fixes.

Bail remained a hot topic during election season as area GOP candidates continued to hammer Hochul on the issue and call for an overhaul while Democrats mostly aligned with the governor. In response, Hochul defended changes that expanded the list of bail eligible crimes and made it so judges have more authority to set bail when dealing with repeat offenders.

8.

Cattaraugus County Legislature redistricting

There was very little discussion this year of the Cattaraugus County Legislature’s redistricting plan that was approved by voters in November 12,950 to 10,471.

The redistricting plan was not discussed by legislators in committees, but was introduced for immediate consideration at the end of a meeting to set a public hearing on the plan two weeks later.

Due to the 2020 census, the county was required to redistrict the legislative districts because changes in population made them unevenly represented. It reduces the number of legislators from 17 to 15 and reduces the number of districts from eight to five.

According to David Koch, the

lone Democrat on the 17-member county legislature, it’s a clear case of gerrymandering. The plan put Koch in a district with several Republican towns, which he said would make it difficult for a Democrat to ever get elected from the new district.

Democratic County Chairman Frank Puglisi said his biggest concern was that the redistricting plan “groups unlike towns and cities together.” The City of Olean, where three Republicans now control the seats, would add the towns of Olean, Portville and Hinsdale. That didn’t sit well with the supervisors of those towns who fear city legislators will control all four seats in the district and the towns’ interests would take a back seat.

Supervisors Tim Emley of Portville and Annette Parker of Olean urged voters to vote against the redistricting plan. Other supervisors also opposed the plan.

In addition, some of the districts are huge, Puglisi said. The town of Lyndon is in a district with 10 other towns. That’s too large, he said. Democrats actively campaigned against the redistricting plan.

Republican Chairman Mark Heberling said the redistricting plan called for fewer legislators, which Republicans favor. He said it reduces the number of legislators and lowers the cost of government by about $25,000 in salaries.

Not passing the proposition would have left the same districts on the ballot in November 2023. The legislature would probably have had to go to a weighted voting system as it has in the past when it did not approve a redistricting plan in time.

The City of Olean is included in the four-legislator District 5 with the towns of Olean, Portville and Hinsdale. It has 21,435 residents or 5,385 people for each legislator.

Other districts are:

District 1 — Towns of Dayton, Leon, New Albion, Otto, Perrysburg and Persia and the Seneca Nation’s Cattaraugus Territory with a total of 9,915 residents and two legislators each representing 4,957 people.

District 2 — Towns of Ellicottville, Franklinville, Ashford, East Otto, Farmersville, Freedom, Great Valley, Ischua, Lyndon, Machias and Yorkshire and the Oil Springs Reservation with 20,192 residents, each of four legislators representing 5,048 residents.

District 3 — City of Salamanca and towns of Little Valley, Salamanca, Conewango, Mansfield, Napoli, Randolph and South Valley with 14,986 residents and three legislators, each representing 4,995 people.

District 4 — Towns of Allegany Carrollton, Coldspring, Humphrey and Red House with 10,514 residents and two legislators, each representing 5,257 residents.

9. Mall, Market Basket, First National

Several large housing projects in the downtown area made major headway in 2022.

After 25 years of vacancy, several owners, and most recently a global pandemic, the First National building welcomed its first tenants this summer.

Savarino Properties officials reported that while the project at 101-107 N. Union St., is behind schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the $13 million project began leasing apartments over the summer and by the end of the year most were rented.

From the outside, little has changed. Under the programs used to fund the renovation, exterior changes had to be kept to a minimum in order to preserve the historic facade. The Corinthian columns, marble floors and ornate decorations remain in the former bank lobby. The vault with its massive door remains intact, with hundreds of lock boxes ready for whatever future use they may have. However, a new elevator and larger stairwell make access upstairs easier and safer, and new dividing walls on

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upper floors created around two dozen market rate apartments.

A Sept. 6 groundbreaking marked the beginning of a $16 million renovation at 422 E. State St. — the 64,000-square-foot former Market Basket warehouse — into State Street Apartments by new owner CDS Monarch Inc. The Webster-based nonprofit organization plans to create 46 apartments in the structure, including 14 units with supportive services, five will be equipped for those with mobility issues, and two will be equipped for those with hearing or vision issues. The project will take about 18 months to complete, putting the opening at early 2024.

“There is a need for senior housing in Olean,” said Andrew Sewnauth, president and COO of CDS Life Transitions, parent of CDS Monarch. “The State Street Apartments project continues our growth in New York, allowing us another opportunity to further our mission to provide safe and affordable housing in communities across the state.”

Officials noted that the building will include free Wi-Fi for all residents with 24/7 IT management, a community room with kitchen, a computer lab, fitness center, and a laundry room on each floor. Improvements to the 2.4-acre site include a new parking lot with EV charging stations and the installation of a new playground, as well as a courtyard area created by

demolishing about 10,000 square feet of the structure.

Work to redevelop the Olean Center Mall continued, highlighted by state aid for the site. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Dec. 21 that the redevelopment at the Olean Center Mall would receive $1.25 million in Restore New York Communities Initiative aid for the first phase of the project.

Phase 1 will open with the demolition of the former Bon-Ton anchor store and interior mall renovations pegged at $2.7 million. The entire property is a former commercial and industrial area, and will require pollution remediation efforts, state officials reported. Afterward, a second phase would construct a $17 million, four-story apartment building on the cleared area for more than 60 senior apartments.

City officials, who backed the application in September, reported the developer has the $270,000 in required matching cash on hand and is looking to finance the remaining $800,000 for the work.

The mall opened to much fanfare in 1977. Olean Town Centre LLC, led by Rochester developer Angelo Ingrassia, purchased the mall in December 2021 from original developer Zamias for just under $6 million.

10. COVID continues, but death toll drops

The number of COVID-19 cases in Cattaraugus County more than doubled in 2022, but thankfully coronavirus deaths were down.

Through Dec. 27, there were 12,329 cases of COVID-19 in 2022, fueled in large part by a combination of omicron variants and sub variants, people taking fewer precautions, and a lower rate of vaccinations and boosters. The county recorded 74 deaths in 2022.

With four days to go in this year, the total number of COVID-19 cases since the first one was confirmed March 27, 2020 has climbed to 24,167 and there have been 284 deaths.

January 2022 proved to be the month with the greatest number of COVID-19 infections — both this year and over the course of the pandemic. There were also 21 COVID-19 deaths in January.

Early in 2022, concern was growing among health officials and others over so-called “breakthrough” cases of the coronavirus, where fully vaccinated people were getting COVID-19.

It was due not only to waning immunity from the vaccine, but from sneaky viruses that were mutating to overcome the defenses provided by vaccines. Vaccine providers fine-tuned their vaccines to fight the Omicron variant and sub variants. They are now available to most children aged 6 months and older.

Cattaraugus County Public Health Director Dr. Kevin D. Watkins continues to encourage residents who are not vaccinated to register for the shots. Vaccination clinic appointments may be made online at www.cattco.org.

For those who have completed their vaccine series, he urges the new bivalent boosters, as the chance of getting seriously ill, becoming hospitalized or dying from COVID-19 are much greater if unvaccinated.

Still, 33 of the 64 COVID-19 deaths in 2022 were people who had been vaccinated. Almost all had serious health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart failure, coronary artery disease, or high blood pressure.

Watkins noted that there are therapeutics available to lessen the effects of COVID-19 which is available by prescription. They must be taken within five days of the onset of symptoms to be effective.

Just over 20% of the county’s cases involved adults 60 and older. The 19 and younger age group represents the highest percentage, 21.7%. Other age groups range from 15.9% to 13%.

This year January led all months in the number of cases, 4,738. That is more than the number of cases reported in any month since the pandemic started.

Other months in 2022 cases were: February, 1,138; March, 410; April, 742; May, 1,435; June, 492; July, 437; August, 802; September, 848; October, 684; November, 312 and 309 through Dec. 27.

COVID-19 deaths by month were: January, 21; February, 6; March, 4; April, none; May, 2; June, 2; July, 3; August, 5; September, 8; October, 3; November, 7; and three deaths so far in December.

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11. New faces, projects and names in higher education

Colleges and universities in the Times Herald coverage area celebrated several milestones and achievements in 2022 after a difficult couple of years during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Jeff Gingerich was announced as the 22nd president of St. Bonaventure University in March, coming from the University of Scranton as a provost and senior vice president of academic affairs. Gingerich was formally installed in a Sept. 30 ceremony in the Reilly Center.

Additionally, St. Bonaventure welcomed its largest class of incoming freshmen in 20 years to campus. Officials said about 580 first-year Bonnies were expected to make up the Class of 2026 — up from about 500 the year before.

Renovations and upgrades on campus continued at the Plassmann Hall academic building and Rathskeller student lounge as well as a number of cosmetic improvements such as replacing sidewalks and interior updates.

At SUNY Jamestown Community College’s Cattaraugus County Campus, the interior of the former Dresser-Rand Training & Conference Center was renovated into JCC’s first eSports stadium, which opened in early December. A $340,000 renovation and upgrading to the 20-year-old Cutco Theater included a new sound system, fresh paint, new lighting and an LED projection screen.

In a move taken after the New York State Board of Regents earlier this year changed its definition of “university,” Houghton College changed its designation to Houghton University this summer. Houghton is the oldest established higher education institution of the Wesleyan Church.

At Alfred State College, Dr. Steven Mauro was inaugurated as the 13th president in October, previously serving as vice president for strategy and campus operations at Gannon University.

12. Multiple fatal accidents shock area

The year 2022 was another bad year for traffic deaths in Cattaraugus

County and September was particularly horrific.

An Olean man died in a Sept. 3 accident as he and two friends stood talking on the front lawn of a Portville home when they were struck by a parked car propelled into them by a truck driven by an alleged drunk driver. Kayden Belleisle, 19, of Olean, died in the crash while an 18-year-old Cuba woman, Gabby Krannock, was critically injured. She was paralyzed from the shoulders down and continues to recover in Erie County Medical Center. Also injured was Hailey Bello, 16, of Cuba.

The driver, Skyler Hess, 20, of Little Genesee, was charged in a 10-count indictment that includes driving while intoxicated, second-degree vehicular manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, second-degree vehicular assault and first-degree reckless endangerment.

Later in September, three deaths were recorded in two separate auto accidents in the northern part of the county. On Sept. 10, a one-vehicle accident on Pigeon Hill Road in the town of Freedom killed an unidentified driver and injured three passengers. Two men died and a woman was left in critical condition after a vehicle struck a utility pole in the town of Yorkshire on Sept. 11. The driver, Jarrett D. Kile, 30, of Arcade, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger Willie J. Boyles, 33, of Delevan, died of his injuries at Bertrand-Chaffee Hospital.

On Oct. 31, Julia Horton, 17, a junior at Cuba-Rushford Central School was killed when a vehicle went out of control at an intersection in the town of Machias and struck a tree. Two other students were injured in the crash.

13. Park Centre Development sold

At the turn of the year, the largest real estate transaction of the year was already in progress as Park Centre Development was sold to Buffalo-based Ellicott Development for over $21 million.

Louis Magnano founded Park Center Development in 1960, becoming the largest developer in the city before his death in 2011 at the age of 79. After decades of working with Ellicott founder Carl Paladino — Magnano and Pal-

ladino once owned the First National building, as well as working on other projects together — the Magnano family reached out to Ellicott to work on a deal to sell almost 50 properties.

In October, the city planning board approved two site plans for upcoming projects by the developer.

At 2101 W. State St., officials plan a 42-unit multi-family housing project. The first phase will consist of two two-story buildings, each with four one-bedroom apartments, six two-bedroom apartments, and two three-bedroom apartments to be rented at market rate. A second phase will add two more buildings, for another 20 units. At 2810 W. State St., officials are planning to develop the empty lot for a Starbucks restaurant and a 3,650-square-foot pad for the future development of a retail store and a restaurant. Officials reported an unrelated housing project in the town of Allegany on the site of the former DeSoto Hotel.

14. 5 high school students die in house fire

A horrific house fire in Genesee Township, Pa., killed three brothers and two others on April 11.

Those killed in the early-morning fire were Raymond, 17, Tristan, 16, and Evan Erway, 14, who attended Northern Potter High School in Ulysses, Pa.; and Mikalah Roulo, a sophomore at Wellsville High School, and Krysta Kane, a sophomore at Scio Central School.

Michelle and Charles Erway, the boys’ parents, were flown by helicopter to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester after they escaped the fire. Michelle Erway was treated in the hospital’s burn unit and her husband was admitted for inpatient care.

The possible cause of the fire, which started in the basement, was listed as a malfunctioning wood stove or chimney. Due to extensive damage, no specific cause was ever determined.

The house was found engulfed in flames by the responding Genesee Volunteer Fire Company along with multiple other fire departments from New York and Pennsylvania about 3:30 a.m. April 11.

The deaths triggered a high level of

anxiety among Northern Potter School District students and school officials expressed “profound sadness” about the tragedy on the school website, as did the Scio and Wellsville school districts. The deaths were marked at the school districts as well as during the Allegany County Fair, where the students participated in programs.

15. Water parks coming to Olean

A pair of large water splash parks are being planned for Olean — one on the east side of town by the city, the other on the west end by the YMCA of the Twin Tiers.

Announced in February by council President John Crawford, a large splash park is slated for spring construction at War Vets Park. The $1.5 million project will include a number of features and will be able to handle hundreds of users per day at far below commercial water park costs.

In May, city officials decided that the additional cost of infill for the site plus the cost to renovate the pool — adding another $600,000 to the proposed cost — was too much and the splash park would replace the city’s pool, which sat unused in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lifeguard shortages.

The project is being funded by $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds, with the rest covered by a municipal bond. A 15-year bond for $1 million would be around $70,000 a year in costs to the city, offset by ticket revenue and about $27,000 a year in lower operating costs compared to the existing pool.

Shortly after the city’s announcement, YMCA officials announced the $4 million Erick Laine Outdoor Center. Officials plan to construct amenities including a splash park, winter park with skating rink, an airnasium — an outdoor gym — green spaces and fire pits.

In December, demolition began on the existing structures on the site, and Y officials sought city planning and zoning board approvals. Neither review had been completed by the end of the year, but city officials hope to rule on the requests in January.

Construction is expected to begin in the spring.

2022 YEAR IN REVIEW – JANUARY 11, 2023 OLEAN TIMES HERALD 5
2022 Year End Honorable Mentions - MEN’S CUTS- KID’S CUTS- DESIGNS- BEARD SCULPTING- FACIALS - EYEBROWS- HAIR & BEARD ENHANCEMENTS- WOMEN’S CUT & COLOR- EXTENSIONS- BODY WAXING- BRAIDING- MEN’S CUTS- KID’S CUTS- DESIGNS- BEARD SCULPTING- FACIALS - EYEBROWS- HAIR & BEARD ENHANCEMENTS- WOMEN’S CUT & COLOR- EXTENSIONS- BODY WAXING- BRAIDING1206 W STATE STREET • OLEAN, NY 14760 HOURS: 9:30AM - 6PM (716) 379-8500

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An Olean Times Herald news chronology for 2022

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JANUARY

— Olean driver in chase, collision facing felony

— Olean Local Development Corp. targeted in “Zoom-bombing” incident

8 — County ties two-day-old record of 224 COVID cases

10

— Olean General Hospital stops elective surgeries again due to COVID-19

12

— OIMS teacher Ron Shoup dies, school canceled

13 — City fire lieutenant accused of stealing $116,000 from union

13

— Senecas sign agreement with state to discontinue litigation over gaming compact

14 — Olean schools go remote due to COVID-19

18 — Olean declares first snow event in three years

18

— Most municipalities don’t meet New York’s Freedom of Information Law website requirements

18 — Cattaraugus County breaks monthly COVID-19 record in a twoweek period

21 — New owners plan to keep Giant Food Mart name, workers in Cuba and Wellsville

22 — Heart of Olean Mural by city native seeks community input, support

26 — Mask mandate returns to thwart COVID-19

26

— Olean included in planned Northwest Bank closures

26

— Olean fire truck damaged in accident

27

— Locals chip in for Betty White Challenge for SPCAs

27 — Allegany River Skatepark Group receives $300,000 grant

28 — Democrat Koch ‘dumbfounded’ at Cattaraugus County Legislature committee reassignments 29 — Olean Downtown Revitalization Initiative funds bankroll spruced-up storefronts

29 — Shinglehouse man facing 96 felony sex charges

29 — Cattaraugus County’s latest COVID wave may have plateaued 31 — FBI: Olean man suspected of threatening to harm Minnesota lawyer

FEBRUARY

— New 23rd District map retains mostly Southern Tier aspect

2 — Olean snow event declared in advance of storm

2 — Frosty Fest canceled amid weather, health concerns

3 — Alderman proposed overhaul of Marcus Park

3 — Catharine Young won’t run for Congress 3 — Almost as many breakthrough COVID cases so far as in all of 2021

3 — Olean’s police oversight committee heading for legal markup 3 — New York panel: Alma town judge should be removed 4 — St. Bonaventure University plans $26M in capital projects 5 — Officials: Balloon Rally returning for 2022 6 — Salamanca community mourns death of beloved restaurateur Bob Fish Jr. 5 — Cattaraugus County may have ‘turned the corner’ on COVID 9 — $1.5 million splash park eyed for War Vets Park 10 — New York lets broad mask mandate expire, but not in schools 10 — Area school enrollment down sharply over decade 10 — New York state parks set record visitation 11 — Rob Astorino, running for governor, sits for Times Herald interview 12 — Borrello: Repeal bail reform as communities are less safe 15 — Seneca Council halts casino payments pending review 16 — Funding for Olean splash park heads to council for approval 16 — DiCerbo new OIMS assistant principal 17 — Rep. Reed spotlights 9.7% hike in wholesale prices as inflation rises 18 — Tenney introducing herself to Southern Tier amid fluctuating district lines 19 — Ellicott Development buys Park Centre holdings for $21 million 19 — County to distribute free COVID test kits, KN95 masks 22 — YMCA plans Eric Laine tribute project 23 — City sets aside $250,000 for splash park 25 — in split with Trump, Reed, New York senators condemn Russia attack on Ukraine 26 — County moves to “low” level in CDC COVID-19 advice 28 — Hochul: School mask mandate ends Wednesday MARCH 2 — Council to continue Forness Park upgrade funding talks 2 — Olean General Hospital to ease visitation 4 — Gas rockets above $4 a gallon amid Ukraine invasion, inflation

Local COVID cases at lowest daily total in months

Shops at Walmart Plaza building sold for $12 million

St. Bonaventure University announces 22nd president 12 — New York demands casino payments from Seneca Nation 12 — Moldova native with local connection helping Ukrainian refugees

14 — Wellsville plans $2.1 million athletic complex improvement 17 — Allegany County jeweler Steve Walker to lecture in Ireland 19 — Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency to review 2 projects valued at $10.4 million 22 — Two commercial buildings proposed for ex-Ponderosa site 23 — Olean Common Council OKs $200,000 in CARES Act funds for local business grants 24 — Friends of Rachel sponsor fundraiser for Ukraine and refugees 24 — Missing Frnaklinville woman found dead after 38 days missing 26 — Jeff Townsend named CEO of YMCA 26 — Community has Bonnies Fever over NIT semis 30 — Seneca Nation to make $565M casino payment 31 — $21.5 million Salamanca schools capital project proposed for 17 ballot

APRIL 1 — Olean-based Howard Hanna expands in Northern Tier of Pennsylvania 4 — CAReS joins CASA-Trinity 6 — First public DRI project breaks ground 7 — City eyes War Vets pool replacement with splash park 7 — Bernstein to step down as county clerk 7 — Olean grad tires out for Broncos cheerleaders at 64 13 — New York lieutenant governor resigns after arrest 13 — New York students among those dead in Genesee, Pa house fire 14 — Health officials worry children may eat cannabis candy sold on Rez 14 — Council OKs agreement with Intandem for Marcus Park project 15 — Salamanca community pitches in to help Ukrainian refugees 18 — GLC to break ground for plant 28 20 — Cutco, Bank of Cattaraugus named New York ‘historic’ businesses 20 — Olean man pleads guilty to federal charge of threatening Minnesota lawyer 21 — JCC eyes $1.05 million in capital projects at Olean campus 21 — Area water projects receive $17 million in state aid 23 — Olean Home Health Fitness expo kicks off 23 — Local family proud of Ukrainian roots 23 — Swain ski area celebrates 75th anniversary 25 — Wellsville Trout Derby returns after two years 27 — 58th Western New York Maple Festival returns to Franklinville post-COVID

27 — Local Mercy Flight grounded after fatal Batavia crash 28 — Cattaraugus County lawmakers OK partial gas tax holiday 29 — County’s party chairs agree court redistricting decision means uncertainty 29 — GLC breaks ground for $500M plant 29 — City marks Arbor Day with plantings, new forester 29 — Salamanca man faces child pornography charges

MAY 2 — Wellsville’s Texas Hot to mark 100th anniversary 4 — War Vets pool replacement plan moves ahead, mayor threatens veto 4 — Beehler names Salamanca’s next superintendent

5 — Artist shares design for JCC mural

5 — Alle-Cattaraugus Wind wins court round, but still faces issues 5 — Seneca Nation threatened Olean with lawsuit over wastewater discharges

6 — St. Bonaventure University names school after late president DePerro

6 — Seneca Nation to build skate parks on both territories

7 — Judge dismisses murder counts against two in 2019 homicide probe

7 — Teen from Olean pleads guilty in Bowling Green State frat hazing death

10 — Upper Allegheny Health System names Owens interim president 11 — Reed resigns from Congress to become lobbyist 11 — Del la Pia campaigns for congress; primary moving to August because of redistricting lawsuits 12 — Former Cattaraugus County Legislature chairman James Snyder dies 12 — St. Bonaventure great and pro basketball Hall-of-Famer Bob Lanier dies 13 — Full slate of GOP congressional candidates attend Bartlett Country club fundraiser 16 — Celebration, melancholy at St. Bonaventure University commencement 16 — Police: Franklinville man fired ghost gun, facing attempted murder charge 17 — Portville, Franklinville get $5 million each for sewer work 17 — Dice run to memorialize Rally in the Valley committee members 17 — Court expert draws more GOP-friendly New York maps 17 — Taste of Olean canceled 17 — Mothers of the Seneca Nation, others stand with Buffalo in wake of racist shooting

18 — Cattaraugus County GOP chair Keis on primary: ‘It’s still a mess’

19 — County asks state for baby formula

20 — Olean High School reunion returning post-COVID

20 — Route 417 to be named after Afghan War veteran Clemens

20 — American Pickers to make second tirp to area this year

21 — Olean Magnificent Mayhem combines many events

23 — Chris Jabos to run for area House seat

23 — Olean man charged with three arsons

25 — Olean eyes county help for Forness Park upgrades

25 — IDA issues moratorium on solar project benefits

26 — Area schools review security after Texas massacre; Olean, Ellicottville schools lock down after threat

27 — County, Salamanca city and school to split $31.5 million casino windfall

28 — BasilicaFEST kicks off 50th year, returns to full weekend length after COVID-19

JUNE

1 — Shots fired during argument on West State Street

1 — Hinsdale man jailed on kidnapping, assault charges

2 — Support of assault weapons ban after Buffalo attack costs Rep. Chris Jacobs support

3 — StrOlean returns with mural painting

5 — Chris Jacobs pulls out of new 23rd Congressional District race after backlash over gun control

8 — Olean council calls for Equity and Inclusion Committee’s return after Buffalo attack

10 — Farmersville asks IDA for Alle-Cattaraugus tax break plan

11 — State GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy announces run for 23rd Congressional District

11 — City to reopen pool for first time in years

13 — Franchot youth disc golf course opened for play

14 — 100 march for gun control in Wellsville

15 — GOP gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin brings campaign to Olean

15 — 3rd Tim Horton’s restaurant planned for Olean

16 — Franklinville man pleads guilty to grand larceny, must pay back Little League

17 — Rochester administrator to lead Olean schools

2022 YEAR IN REVIEW – JANUARY 11, 2023 OLEAN TIMES HERALD 6
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— Olean man gets jail time, probation for Ohio hazing death

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— Olean marks Juneteenth in aftermath of Buffalo shooting

21 — Olean, region look back on Agnes flooding 50 years ago

22 — Developer seeks tax breaks for Olean Center Mall project

23 — County redistricting would cut two lawmakers

23 — Runnings to buy former Kmart store in Wellsville

23 — Buffalo man pleads guilty to federal gun charge after SAL search

24

— Wellsville YMCA Early Learning Center to open in fall

25

— Olean High School reunion back after two years

25

— Candidates differ on Roe v Wade overturning

25 — Olean trail, Greenway bridges land millions in federal aid

29

— Hochul, Zeldin win in Cattaraugus County primary returns, as well as statewide

27 — Series of house fires have Wellsville residents concerned 27 — Salamanca schools reveal new Vets Park playground plans 28 — Randolph man pleads guilty to child pornography charge 29 — Cattaraugus County taps economic development fund for Allegany sewer line to old Kmart 29 — Salamanca OKs $77,000 for two playgrounds 30 — Olean youth to use Bradner for football practice

27 — Irish Famine memorial gets repaired 30 — COVID cases above 700 this month 30 — Wellsville woman charged with attempted murder 31 — Allegany Crossing project moving soon to second phase

24 — Olean firefighters train at YMCA properties before demo for water park 24 — DEC: Oil, gas well company pleads guilty in Allegany 28 — Hessney steps down from Olean school board 30 — Southern Tier Symphony marks 20 years

Clemens

15 — Genesis House seeks funds for shelter projects

16 — City of Olean takes keys to new fire engine 22 — Incentives OK’d for Cimolai-HY project in North Olean 25 — Schumer announces $7.6 million for Seneca transit hub

30

— Bronze plaques pried from Wellsville veterans’ graves

30 — More primaries coming in August for House race

JULY

— Olean Academy moves forward in school application

— Christian Heights Camp marks 75th year

2 — Some in Western New York confused after Roe overturned

2 — GOP rails against New York gun permit rule changes

— Olean fireworks return with a bang

— Olean Legion gets exterior work done thanks to DRI

— Ellicottville skatepark to break ground

— 6 workers treated for carbon monoxide poisoning at Washington West

7 — Olean firefighters seek to to pass fireworks baton

7 — Young local chess players compete in World Open 8 — Breidenstein bids farewell as Salamanca schools superintendent

9 — Olean cannabis shop cited for illicit operations

11

— Over 150 march at pro-abortion rights rally

12 — Texas Hot/Balloon Rally parade marks 100 years, balloon return

12 — Houghton College gets backing to become Houghton University

19 — Allegany County Fair honors 4-Hers who died in fire

19 — Casino money to fund economic development in county

21 — Olean police reform final draft expected in ‘week or two’ 23 — Wellsville man facing several charges in theft of veterans grave markers 26 — Growing opposition to county redistricting 26 — Langowrtthy meets with “Right Thinkers” in Olean 27 — Alfred University OKs $20 million Saxon Hill sports complex 27 — Youth Football asks city for new field

AUGUST 4 — Fentanyl may have killed 50 since 2020 5 — Farmland protection board raises solar concerns 6 — Cattaraugus County Fair attendance could break 100,000 6 — Former Olean superintendent unretires to lead Southern Tier Catholic School/Walsh Academy Auyg 10 — Wellsville seeks money to restore Depot, Rauber buildings 12 — Diocese lists Archbishop Walsh Academy property for sale 13 — Confusion reigns in 23rd Congressional District special, primary elections 13 — Salman Rushdie attacked at Chautauqua 13 — Governor signs bill honoring Clemens with Route 417 name 13 — Allegany County man charged with attempted murder 15 — Ellicottville future site of $2.9M of tiny homes 16 — No injuries in half-acre South Olean grass fire 17 — Brownfield cleanup underway for MJ Painting in North Olean 18 — 2 displaced in Haskell house fire 19 — Congressional candidate Paladino says call for attorney general to be ‘executed’ was ‘facetious’ 22 — City had a busy recreation schedule for 2022 summer, but pool lost $28,000 23 — New York buys 17 miles of old right-of-way in Allegany County for Genesee Valley Greenway State Park 23 — Hochul: No more closing schools, kids stay home for exposure for COVID 24 — City police union speaks out against civilian review board, will “weigh options” in court 24 — Sempolinksi wins special 23rd election, Langworthy leads Paladino 24 — Olympia Sports closing all stores, including Allegany 25 — ‘Southern’ strategy works for Langworthy over Paladino 25 — New York fines Southern Tier oil operator $2 million 25 — Chamber drops home show from 2023 25 — Cattaraugus County legislators oppose more restrictive concealed carry gun rules 26 — SPCA seeks help in fatal puppy abuse 27 — St. Bonaventure University welcomes largest freshman class in 20 years

SEPTEMBER 1 — Salamanca schools adopt land acknowledgement statement 1 — High-level material removal paves way for WVDP demo 2 — Hobby Lobby applies for site in ex-Kmart building 2 — Sally Marsh ends 51st year of Hootenanny 6 — Teen victims identified in fatal Portville crash 7 — Ground broken on $16 million State Street apartments 7 — “Normal” first day of school is welcome 8 — Cimolai-HY buying Olean’s Siemens Energy plant for $7.7 million 8 — Angelica Civil War reenactment canceled over gun laws 9 — Legion to mark 9/11 ceremony without guns due to gun laws 9 — City zoning board denies construction yard variance after neighbors’ opposition 10 — Police: Man with taser on JCC campus at large 10 — Little Genesee man faces vehicular homicide charge in Portville crash 12 — Police: 3 dead, 4 hurt in weekend vehicle collisions 13 — Feds use Olean area to plan nationwide abandoned oil well searches

13 — St. Bonaventure launches “A Bolder Bonaventure” $125 million fundraising campaign 13 — Hochul lets COVID state of emergency expire 14 — City seeks $400,000 for Forness Park lighting 14 — Sempolinski sworn in to finish House term vacated by Reed 15 — Southern Tier Agencies marks centennial 15 — Andover superintendent placed on leave 15 — Native Wholesale responds to $50 million state tax settlement 15 — Allegany man marks 92nd birthday with skydiving 16 — First Presbyterian marks bicentennial, centennial and 50-year marks this weekend 17 — Allegany County is the latest legislature to condemn new gun laws 17 — Olean Local Development Corp. aims for $50,000 housing rehab help next year 17 — Owens named president of OGH, BRMC 19 — Soapbox Derby returns to Olean 20 — Sanzo Beverage sold, 48 layoffs reported 23 — Starbucks, housing projects planned on West State by Ellicott Development 23 — Main Plant deconstruction at WVDP

OCTOBER 1 — Cattaraugus Co saw 848 COVID cases, 8 deaths in September 4 — Great Valley couple weathered Hurricane Ian in Florida 4 — City gets crashed fire truck back after repairs 5 — EPA selects treatment for Olean well field cleanup 5 — Allegany Arts Association marks 40th year 6 —- Hinsdale home total loss from Wednesday blaze 7 — Local officials react to restraining order for gun laws 8 — Olean cuts ribbon on North Union Street DRI project 11 — Heart of Olean mural dedicated 14 — Another $7 million for Portville water, sewer 17 — Olean Library eyes upgrades, looks at future at North 2nd Street site 19 — Della Pia, Langworthy debate for Congressional race 21 — St. Bonaventure University plans athletic facilities to ‘rival the Power 5’ 22 — Local food pantries feel pinch of inflation, shortages 25 — Sculptor Eric Jones tops in ‘Outrageous Pumpkins’ TV show 26 — Report: Teen to plead guilty in 2019 Clarksville deaths of parents 26 — Common Council approves police review board 27 — Olean city, firefighters ink contract after council shot down first over stipends 27 — Sellers ready for home heating work despite rising costs 28 — IDA sets hearing on Cimolai-HY aid 28 — First trainload of WVDP debris rolls away 29 — Local man: Hinsdale house ghosts ‘may be leprechauns’ 31 — Olean, Intandem move ahead with inclusive playground plan 31 — Ukrainian students make most of Alfred University 31 — School: Cuba teen killed in weekend crash, 2 others hurt NOVEMBER 1 — County reports 683 COVID cases, 7 deaths 3 — Armstrong reelected as Seneca Nation president 4 — Police train at YMCA houses 5 — Dresser Utility Solutions acquires Total Piping Solutions in Olean 9 — Election: Hochul, Langworthy win, Common Council races goes 2-1 for GOP candidates 10 — Weseman appointed to vacated Olean school board seat

DECEMBER

1 — Demolition begins for Y water park

2 — Wind developers eye Olean, Allegany

3 — Senecas, Salamanca open to discuss Warriors name, logo

3 — JCC opens eSports stadium

6 — Tom Krampf, poet and longtime Hinsdale resident, dies in France

6 — Gabby Kranock, victim in September traffic collision, may be released by end of year from hospital

8 — Local flu outnumbered COVID in November

9 — Allegany, Olean town officials learn more about wind farm plan

9 — Alfred State students present downtown redesign for Wellsville

10 — Two housing projects proposed on West State Street worth $14 million

10 — Jingle Bell Jubilee wraps up in festive fashion

12 — Buffalo Diocese places former Olean priest on administrative leave

13 — No injuries in pair of Sunday fires in Olean

13 — Area districts’ test scores reflect poor NY averages

14 — Developer seeks breaks from IDA for Olean, Allegany housing

14 — Aiello vetoes city police review board

14 — United Way of Cattaraugus, Allegany counties set to merge

15 — Olean Business Development gets business incubator title, $625,000 from state

15 — Cattaraugus County to forgive $2 million loan if Cimolai-HY creates 200 jobs

16 — New life waiting for old Olean Wholesale facility

16 — Salamanca Rail Museum celebrating 110 years since first train stop at Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh depot

20 — Olean KFC/Taco Bell sold for over $4 million

21 — Olean Mall, Wellsville Depot projects receive state aid

23 — Santa on the Rooftop draws crowds despite weather

28 — Olean Common Council overrules mayor, passes police review board law

29 — Rep.-elect Langworthy holds ceremonial swearing in at alma mater

30 — Jones Memorial capital campaign hits $2 million goal

31 - Seneca Nation purchases ancestral Genesee Valley land

2022 YEAR IN REVIEW – JANUARY 11, 2023 OLEAN TIMES HERALD 7
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