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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) Members of the Cattaraugus County Legislature’s Public Works Committee were briefed Wednesday on the extent of damage from a water leak at the County Center on Tuesday. The building will remain closed until Monday. Committees met at the Public Works Facility about a mile from the County Center.

Cattaraugus County Center to stay closed until Monday over water leak

July 18, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — The Cattaraugus County Center, closed Tuesday afternoon due to a water leak, is expected to reopen on Monday morning. Just before 2

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Dan Spitzer (third from right) of Hudson Russ, an attorney for Alle-Catt Wind Energy, speaks Tuesday at a meeting of the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency where Alle-Catt was seeking tax incentives for its proposed 340-megawatt wind farm.

IDA accepts Alle-Catt application for $618.9 million in tax incentives; takes no action

July 17, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ELLICOTTVILLE — An application for tax benefits for the proposed $618.8 million Alle-Catt Wind Farm under consideration by the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency appears

(Photo provided) Cattaraugus County Republican Party Chairman Mark Heberling (left), met up with Lee Zeldin former GOP candidate for New York governor at the Republican Presidential Convention in Milwaukee on Monday.

Heberling likes JD Vance pick for VP; glad Trump survived brush with death

July 17, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star MILWAUKEE — Cattaraugus County Republican Party Chairman Mark Heberling on Tuesday praised the selection by former President Donald Trump of JD Vance as the vice

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The new Hinsdale Vietnam Memorial in Town Park was dedicated Saturday in front of about 150 people.

Hinsdale Vietnam Memorial dedication attended by 150

July 16, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star HINSDALE — Nearly 150 people attended Saturday’s dedication ceremony for the new Hinsdale Vietnam Memorial in Town Park — something everyone was long overdue. The