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(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Ashley Smith (left), who was sworn in Wednesday as the new Cattaraugus County district attorney, receives a gift from County Legislator Ginger Schroder on Dec. 10 for her service as county attorney.

Ashley Smith is sworn in as Cattaraugus County district attorney

January 2, 2026

LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County has a new district attorney — Ashley Smith, who served as county attorney since 2020. Smith was sworn in Wednesday morning by Cattaraugus County Court

(Olean Fire Department) Olean firefighters responded to two fires on New Year's Day, including one at Paul Brown Motors on East State Street. No injuries were reported.

Olean firefighters respond to two fire reports on New Year’s Day including Paul Brown Motors

January 2, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — No injuries were reported on civilians or Thursday when Olean firefighters responded to two 911 fire calls. At 12:49 p.m., the fire department

Late-game execution hinders Bona men’s hoops as it drops A10 opener to VCU

December 31, 2025

By SPENCER BATES batesoleanstar@gmail.com RICHMOND, VA — With just over eight minutes to play, the St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team held a seven-point lead over reigning Atlantic 10 champions VCU.

(City of Olean/Facebook) Outgoing Olean Mayor Bill Aiello posted a final statement on the mayor's Facebook page Wednesday thanking the people of Olean for his 12 years in office.

Aiello issues last statement as mayor, thanking people of Olean

December 31, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Outgoing Olean Mayor Bill Aiello issued his last statement as mayor on Facebook shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday. Aiello’s term ends at midnight

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The Highland Hose Co. of Derby in Erie County won second place in the Best Appearing Fire Company competition at the 116th Southwestern Association of Volunteer Firemen in West Valley on Aug. 30.

Southwestern Assn. of Volunteer Firemen holds its 116th Convention in West Valley

August 10, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star WEST VALLEY — More than 30 departments from four Western New York counties brought the Southwestern Association of Volunteer Firemen (SWAVF) to the northern Cattaraugus County

Ricki Miller/Olean Star The Domestic Building at the Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds was full of displays including firearms, fishing equipment lazer-cut images in wood and hunting accessories at the annual Sportsmen's Rendezvous in L:ittle Valley Friday. It is open through Sunday.

Buying, selling and storytelling at the Sportsmen’s Rendezvous

August 10, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — The three-day Sportsmen’s Rendezvous sponsored by the Cattaraugus County Trappers Association opened Friday at the Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds. There are indoor booths and

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The front of an East Otto fire truck is draped in a black bunting Wednesday in memory of Tim Lexer, a beloved local firefighter and former chief and a 911 dispatcher who died last week in an accident near his home. Police and fire vehicles escorted the hearse bearing Lexer's body from a funeral in Little Valley.

East Otto community honors Tim Lexer, dispatcher and firefighter

August 8, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star EAST OTTO — The East Otto community turned out Wednesday for fallen firefighter and dispatcher Tim Lexer as his body was escorted from a Little

Cattaraugus County Undersheriff Eric Butler

Acting Sheriff Butler nominated by GOP for Cattaraugus County Sheriff

August 7, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ELLICOTTVILLE — Acting Cattaraugus County Sheriff Eric Butler was nominated by Monday by the Cattaraugus County Republican Committee to run for sheriff in November. Republican Chairman