Olean Star

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(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

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Sapraicone (second from right), met with Cattaraugus County GOP officials in Olean Friday. Others from left are Legislator Rick Smith of Olean; County Republican Chairman Mark Heberling and Legislator Steve Teachman of Olean.

Sapraicone visits Cattaraugus County in his bid to unseat Sen Gillibrand

August 7, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Mike Sapraicone sat in a booth at Green Acres last Friday with three Republican officials before heading off to his 11th county fair in

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Logan Goddard, 14, a 4-H member from Irving, speaks at the Cattaraugus County Fair Wednesday with county legislators and members of the Cornell Cooperative Extension board during a tour of the fairgrounds. His hog Fabio Sparklmane, lies at his feet.

County legislators tour fairgrounds, meet 4-H owners of animals to be auctioned

August 6, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Several Cattaraugus County lawmakers toured the county fairgrounds in Little Valley Wednesday with 4-H members and officials. The legislators and members of

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The line of customers stretched to the outside of Cummins Cider Mill when the iconic store reopened Wednesday after being closed for the past six years. The parking lot was full and cars parked on both sides of Route 417.

Cummins Cider Mill in Portville reopens after closing 6 years ago

September 6, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Times Herald PORTVILLE — Lines stretched outside Cummins Cider Mill when it reopened Wednesday after a six-year hiatus. The parking lot in front of the iconic cider mill

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) A great blue heron sits on a tree near the shore of the Allegany River as mist rises from the water's surface Wednesday. The city of Olean did not receive any replies from its request for proposals for a stormwater study to prevent sewage overflows into the river.

No reply to request for proposals to study Olean sewage for proposals

September 5, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — The city of Olean’s efforts to undertake a study to help prevent sewage overflows into the Allegheny River were dealt a temporary setback

Cattaraugus County Finance Chairman, Michael Martin Brisky

County 2023 budget audit shows a $2.9 million drop in fund balance, unassigned fund balance dropped by $6.6 million

September 3, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Cattaraugus County’s audit for the year ending Dec. 31, 2023 showed an expected $2.9 million drop in the general fund balance to $55.4 million. After the county

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) For a second time in six weeks, a water leak has forced the temporary closing of the Cattaraugus County Center in Little Valley on Monday. County legislators agreed Wednesday to pay up to $25,000 to remedy the damage and dry out the affected section of the building.

Another water leak closes Cattaraugus County Center

September 3, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — A water leak that closed the Cattaraugus County Center here for a second time in six weeks will cost the county up to $25,000