Latest news with #Olean
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Seneca Nation, Olean to address wastewater overflows into Allegheny River with new task force
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Seneca Nation and the City of Olean will address ongoing wastewater overflows into the Allegheny River, also known by its Seneca name, Ohi:yo', with the creation of a task force, officials announced Wednesday. The discharge of sewage from the city's wastewater treatment plant has been an issue for years, with approximately 186,000 gallons entering the river last April, the Seneca Nation reported. Officials said last April and June, over 460,000 gallons of untreated sewage was discharged into the river, which affects the Seneca Nation downstream. Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca and Olean Mayor William Aiello, along with eight others, will make up the task force. 'Our collaboration affords us the opportunity to pool our expertise and mutual resources to address the challenges that Olean faces in our wastewater management practices,' Aiello said in a news release. 'The Allegheny River is an asset for both the City of Olean and the Seneca Nation; safeguarding the environmental integrity of the river and public health is important for both of our communities.' Seneca said the Seneca Nation has been vocal by calling for action from Olean. In 2022, the territory had sent a intent to initiate civil action against the city regarding the Clean Water Act. 'If our Nation can assist Olean — through advocacy, through the expertise of our grant writers, and through other avenues — to finally put an end to this harmful situation, we are committed to doing that,' Seneca said in a news release. 'The destruction of the river needs to stop now.' Since 2007, there have been a total of 46 recorded discharges from the city, officials said. The state's Department of Environmental Conservation had ordered the city to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant. The Seneca Nation previously said that the plant was not complying with the order and that it was extended various times to give the city extra time. Olean currently has until 2042 to become fully compliant with the order, according to officials. The city is said to have maintained payments of $250,000 to be in compliance with the order. The Allegheny River is a source of drinking water for millions of people in the Southern Tier of New York down to Pittsburgh, the Seneca Nation said last April. Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hornell adopts 2025/26 budget; no increases to tax rate
HORNELL, N.Y. (WETM) — The City of Hornell on Monday approved the 2025-2026 city budget in a unanimous vote that saw no increase to the city's current tax rate, according to a release from the city. The Hornell Common Council voted Monday, March 24, after a review of the budget and approved the general and water funds. The budget has no increases to the current tax rate and keeps the City of Hornell one of the most affordable communities in New York, according to the city. Although the city tax rate isn't increasing, the city did approve the increase to the garbage collection fee from $95 to $105. The city associated the increase with rising costs of garbage services through Lippincott's Rubbish and tipping fees at the landfill. Easter events across the Twin Tiers for 2025 The city claims that even with the increase, Hornell's fee remains significantly lower than comparable municipalities. The city used Corning and Olean as examples that use pay-per-bag, sticker, or tote systems. For Corning, the city makes residents buy blue bags for waste pickup, costing $2.25 per 30-gallon bag. Olean offers a sticker or tote system, where residents pay $3.28 per bag or $27.17 a month for a 96-gallon tote, the city of Hornell pointed out. Hornell compared its garbage system to Elmira's system but said Elmira's annual fee is much more expensive at $365 per unit compared to Hornell's $105. 'With the increase to $105 per year, this averages out to just $2.02 per week for the pickup of five 30-gallon bags and occasional large items,' said Hornell Mayor John Buckley. 'Garbage collection is an essential service that directly impacts the cleanliness of our community and quality of life for our residents,' Buckley said. Hornell officials expressed their commitment to keeping the city affordable while continuing to provide high-quality services to residents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Olean man pleads guilty to attempted receipt of child pornography
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — An Olean man pleaded guilty to attempted receipt of child pornography and admitted to engaging in sexual intercourse with a minor female victim, the United States Attorney's Office announced Tuesday. Officials said between September 2021 and July 2022, 48-year-old Greg Hirliman engaged in sexual communications through Facebook with the minor victim. Hirliman also made several requests for naked images and photos from the victim. On the one occasion he engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim, he knew she was a minor, officials said. The attorney's office did not mention any charges related to this. WIVB News 4 reached out for more information and is waiting to hear back. The charge of attempted receipt of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years and a $250,000 fine. Hirliman's sentencing is scheduled for July 21, 2025. Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Yahoo
Olean man shot by police after allegedly pointing gun at officers
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — An Olean man was shot by police multiple times early Wednesday morning after he allegedly pointed a gun at officers, according to New York State Police. Police said they responded to reports of a suicidal individual on North 7th Street just after 12:45 a.m. A 23-year-old man was walking along the sidewalk and allegedly pointed a black BB gun at officers when they tried to engage with him. The three responding officers shot the man multiple times. Emergency medical aid was rendered before he was taken to Olean General Hospital by ambulance. He was then transported to ECMC where he remains in 'guarded condition.' The gun was recovered at the scene. The incident remains under investigation with charges pending. Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
