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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

(Photo provided) Stan Cizdziel of West Valley, who was in anaphylactic shock after getting stung repeatedly by bees on July 26 while cutting trees hugs Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Deputy Rachel Zimmer last week, thanking her for rushing to the scene with an Epi-pen that brought him out of shock. At left is Sheriff Eric Butler.

Cattaraugus Sheriff’s deputies save lives with EpiPen program

August 12, 2025

On July 26th, Stanley Cizdziel was cutting trees with a friend when they encountered a hive of bees, Cattaraugus County Sheriff Butler reported. As they dropped the chainsaw and ran

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Steve Langert of Pleasant Valley holds a Triumph Master Grip trap, a collector’s item he values at $550 at the 45th annual Cattaraugus County Trappers Association Sportsmen’s Rendezvous last weekend at the county fairgrounds in Little Valley.

Sportsmen’s Rendezvous boosts trapping, hunting and camaraderie

August 12, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — For those who think fur trapping is a bygone era, several thousand people attending the 45th Cattaraugus County Trappers Association Sportsmen’s Rendezvous

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean Mayor Bill Aiello and Mari Howard, InTandem CEO, were joined by other officials and individuals Thursday in a groundbreaking ceremony at Olean’s Marcus Park. The park is about to get a $2 million make-over.

Groundbreaking held for $2 million make-over of Olean’s Marcus Park

August 12, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Groundbreaking was held at Marcus Park Thursday for the $2 million project — including an inclusive playground, dog park, ball field and restrooms.

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Graph shows the number of Legionnaire’s disease cases in Cattaraugus County over the past decade. A county resident with Legionnaire’s disease is hospitalized in Buffalo.

Cattaraugus County man stricken with Legionaire’s disease is hospitalized

August 12, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — A Cattaraugus County man stricken with Legionnaire’s Disease has been hospitalized in the intensive care unit at Buffalo General Hospital. Dr. Kevin D.