Olean Star

Latest News

Man in the Middle: On a new team, Sherry leads thriving ‘Next Chapter’ Terrors

January 14, 2026

By HUNTER O. LYLE lyleoleanstar@gmail.com DUKE CENTER, PA – In just one year, a lot has changed for Jack Sherry. At the start of December in 2024, Sherry was suiting

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Allison Fiut, an attorney for Harris Beach working for the City of Olean on the redevelopment of the Oleran Center Mall speaks to the Common Council Tuesday. The council later voted to use eminent domain to lift lease restrictions on mall stores to facilitate redevelopment.

Aldermen approve eminent domain resolution for mall to drop anchor stores’ lease restrictions

January 14, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — The Olean Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday to help the Olean Center Mall owner to more quickly redevelop it into a multi-purpose, mixed-use

(Assembly photo) Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski will hold a town hall meeting in Salamanca Feb. 17.

Sempolinski criticizes Hochul for not mentioning Seneca Gaming Compact in State of State Address

January 14, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ALBANY — As Gov. Kathy Hochul was winding down her State of the State Address Tuesday Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski, R-Canisteo, realized she hadn’t mentioned a

TUESDAY ROUNDUP: Neff’s 24 falls in vain; Portville boys outgunned by Gowanda

January 13, 2026

KANE, PA — Despite Peyton Neff’s shooting showcase and 24 points, the Smethport girl’s basketball team was unable to steal a win on the road, losing to Kane 60-43. Throughout

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