Latest News

Olean alderman OK 40-year PILOT for new 60-unit apartment complex
By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — The Olean Common Council agreed Tuesday to a 40-year payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement for a new 60-unit apartment complex to be

Harmful algae blooms close lakes in Allegany State Park
By RICK MILLER Olean Star RED HOUSE — Both Red House Lake and Quaker Lake in Allegany State Park remain closed this weekend due to harmful algae blooms. Heading into the

Olean ice rink opens early for start of 2024-25 season
By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — The William O. Smith Recreation Center’s ice rink opened for the 2024-25 season on Monday — the earliest opening in its 45 years. Why

IDA OKs rail bike operation using its tracks in Village of Cattaraugus
BY: Rick Miller, OLEAN STAR CATTARAUGUS — A new way to enjoy the Cattaraugus County scenery will take off soon from the Village of Cattaraugus. The Cattaraugus County Industrial Development

NY high school softball seasons to be spurred on by a surplus of experience
By SPENCER BATES batesoleanstar@gmail.com On the other side of the shadows of the winter sports season, our local New York high school softball teams are looking to have big years.

Proposed Olean city tax rate is down by half to 9%; aldermen seek water, sewer director reinstatement
By RICK MILLER Olean Star The Olean Common Council’s line-by-line review of the proposed $23.2 million budget for 2026-27 has resulted in cuts and revisions that have pared a tentative

IDA grants $480,000 sales tax abatement for Olean brownfield cleanup by Benson to retain 1 job
By RICK MILLER Olean Star ELLICOTTVILLE — The Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) approved $480,000.00 in tax exemptions for a local developer Tuesday for a brownfield cleanup off River

Lens Martial speaks out after City Council rejects Mayor’s plan for outside auditing consultant
Current Olean Auditor Lens Martial submitted the following letter to the Mayor and the City Council. He has not received a response: Dear City Council Members and Mayor, Thank you











