Wellsville/Political
Shad Alsworth stepped down as Wellsville Town Supervisor just 15 minutes into the Aug. 12 town board meeting, ending a seven-year tenure in the role. In a resignation letter read at the meeting, Alsworth said the demands of the job had taken too much time away from his family and professional life, and that he no longer had the capacity to fully commit to the office. After submitting his resignation, he left the board table and took a seat in the audience for the rest of the session. Deputy Supervisor Patricia Graves stepped in to run the remainder of the meeting alongside board members Greg Day, Nicolas Gunning and Justine Dodaro. No timeline has yet been announced for naming a permanent successor.
Randolph/Communal
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/Nonprofits
The SPCA in Cattaraugus County, the Olean-based animal shelter serving the region since 1905, announced it has welcomed Pamela Baker and Brooke McCarthy to its board of directors. The shelter says the additions bring new expertise and community leadership as it continues to build out its board and volunteer committee structure. Along with the appointments, the nonprofit is putting out a call for additional community leaders interested in getting involved in its governance and fundraising efforts. The shelter relies heavily on board and volunteer support to sustain its adoption, rescue and cruelty-investigation work across the county.
Olean/Political
At Tuesday's Olean Common Council meeting, Mayor Amy B. Sherburne asked council members to consider updating the city's code of ordinances on camping and encampments on public property. She cited a rise in complaints about encampments along the Allegheny River Valley Trail, in city parks, and along the riverbanks, saying clearer rules would let the city clear sites faster while connecting residents to shelter and services. Council President Lawrence "JR" Bennion referred the resolution to the council's next meeting for further discussion. A resident who has organized past encampment cleanups told the council he had volunteers ready to begin one that weekend using city-supplied trash bags.
Ellicottville/Nonprofits
The Rotary Club of Ellicottville has announced its third annual Chili Cook-Off fundraiser for Saturday, Sept. 26, from 4 to 7 p.m. upstairs at Madigan's on Washington Street. Attendees can sample unlimited chili from local cooks for $15 at the door, with a winner chosen by People's Choice vote, alongside live music and raffles. Home cooks and restaurants can enter the competition for a $25 fee, which includes a tasting ticket. Proceeds support the club's food pantry contributions, youth leadership programs, scholarships, mental health initiatives, and community beautification projects.
Allegany/Communal
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.