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(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The front end of competitor’s tractor lifts off the ground in Saturday’s Antique Tractor Pull at the 181st Cattaraugus County Fair in Little Valley.

Antique Tractor Pull starts off 181st Cattaraugus County Fair

July 29, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — The 181st Cattaraugus County Fair got underway Saturday under sunny skies and good crowds. The north end of the infield was taken

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Cattaraugus County Sheriff Timothy S. Whitcomb will step down on Aug. 2, after 34 years in the Sheriff’s Office, the last 15 as sheriff.

Whitcomb stepping down next Friday, capping 34-year career

July 26, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County Sheriff Timothy S. Whitcomb has resigned from the office he has held for nearly 15 years — effective next Friday,

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Stroehmann Bakery in Olean notified more than 80 employees on Wednesday that the plant would be closing in 90 days.

Stroehmann’s Bakery in Olean notifies employees it will close after 100 years in the city

July 25, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Bimbo Bakeries announced to employees Wednesday that the Stroehmann bakery on North Second Street in Olean would close in three months, furloughing more

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean Towne Centre is proposing a $40 million redevelopment plan for the aging Olean Center Mall, including demolition of much of the former Bon-Ton building to make way for a new entrance.

IDA initiates talks with city officials over millions in proposed tax breaks for Olean Center Mall redevelopment

July 25, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Talks are underway with Cattaraugus County lawmakers, Olean officials and the Cattaraugus County IDA on plans for tax breaks to help redevelop the

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

(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