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(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

Poor first half hampers Bona men’s hoops in narrow loss to Duquesne

February 14, 2026

By SPENCER BATES batesoleanstar@gmail.com ST. BONAVENTURE — With just over a minute left to play, the St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team held a slim lead over its oldest rival in

(City of Olean) The John J. Ash Community Center on North Barry Street will now be open as a warming center Sundays for Code Blue events to give people somewhere to keep warm. It is already open other days in days where the temperature drops below freezing.

John J. Ash Community Center open Sunday for Code Blue event

February 14, 2026

John J. Ash Community Center open Sunday for Code Blue event By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Continuing cold weather forecast for Sunday Code Blue protections offered by the

(Photo provided) Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski delivers Valentine cards from local school children to residents of The Pines in Olean.

Assemblyman delivers student-made valentines to area elder-care facilities

February 14, 2026

Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski delivered hundreds of hand-made Valentine cards from area school children to elder-care facilities Friday. “The Assembly Valentines for Seniors Program is a great way to bring the

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) A group of people skate on the synthetic ice surface at the Bill Flanigan Memorial Ice Pond, where a grand re-opening and ribbon cutting were held Friday in Salamanca.

Bill Flanigan Memorial Ice Pond grand re-opening held in Salamanca Friday

February 14, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star SALAMANCA — The City of Salamanca’s Bill Flanigan Memorial Ice Pond held its grand re-opening Friday. A community skate was held from 4-6 p.m. at