News – Olean Star

Always Local. Always Free. Olean Local News

Always Local. Always Free.

CONTACT US: Oleanstar@gmail.com

Latest News

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The Town of Olean Zoning Board of Appeals denied applications for variances from Dugan Road Solar for a solar farm Wednesday. From left are attorney Joshua Lippes, board members Pam Dominsky and Josh Anderson and chairman Ken Heitman.

Olean Zoning Board of Appeals denies variances for Dugan Road Solar farm

March 12, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — The Town of Olean Zoning Board of Appeals

Cattaraugus Coutny Legislator R. Donald Benson (credit: cattco.org)

Opinion- Enough Corporate Welfare Benson: $480,000 is too much to “retain” one job

March 11, 2026

Letter to the Editor – Special to the Star, Dennis A. Cornell In February, Rick

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Democrat Aaron Gies of Olean (left) and Republican Jim King of Owego participated in a bipartisan town hall Monday night in Ellicottville. Gies is seeking the Democratic nod for the 23rd Congressional seat held by Rep. Nick Langworthy and King is trying to get on the primary ballot with the Republican congressman.

Democrat, Republican congressional candidates meet in bipartisan town hall in Ellicottville

March 10, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ELLICOTTVILLE — Two congressional candidates in the 23rd District met

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Clifford Karm (left) and his grandfather, Tim Resch, look on as Mike Peterson and Kendal Karn (left) keep an eye on the maple syrup evaporator at the CTK Farms facility on New Mexico Road, Cuba, on Sunday. Clifford started the business with 150 sap buckets and a dream six years ago.

Cuba maple producers CTK Farms began with 150 sap buckets and a 15-year-old’s dream

March 9, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star CUBA — It’s hard to believe, but CTK Farms maple

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) A ribbon cutting was held Friday at the new offices of CORE Learning Center in Blue Bird Square. From left are student Jacques Bourguignon, Mayor Amy B. Sherburne, Deputy Executive Director Sarah Mills, Mary Layman, data manager who oversees the Olean site and Deb Parrow, regional associate for adult education programs for the State Education Department.

CORE Learning Center for adult education moves to new offices

March 6, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — The CORE Learning Center is moving up. The

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Toni and Randy Sprague stand by the fireplace in the restaurant at Sprague's Maple Farms in Portville. They opened the restaurant that features their 100% pure maple syrup and free-range turkeys 25 years ago.

Sprague’s Maple Farms celebrating 25th anniversary of Portville restaurant

March 6, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star PORTVILLE — Sprague’s Maple Farms marked its 25th anniversary late

This is a screenshot from Facebook Thursday of law enforcement in North Olean someone suggested were ICE agents. Olean Police said that was not the case. It was a joint Federal-State Fugitive Task Force which made two arrests in the city of Olean.

Joint task force, not ICE, was seeking fugitives in Olean Thursday morning

February 27, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — A joint task force of federal and state

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Adam Chudy (right) of Westons Mills, was commended by Cattaraugus County Legislature Chairman Andrew Burr (center) Wednesday for saving a New Albion man from a fire Feb. 11. Chudy, a count snowplow driver, was working when he saw the house on fire and called 911 and helped the man from his house. At left is Public Works Commissioner Michael Prinino.

County snowplow driver commended for saving man from house fire in New Albion

February 26, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — A Cattaraugus County snowplow driver credited with

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Accountant Christopher Zera of R.A. Mercer & Co., presented an audit of the City of Olean's finances for 2024-25 Tuesday. While there were defiencies in reconciling financial data, the city's finances are sound, he said.

Olean aldermen hear audit report of city’s 2024-25 finances; set budget review starting Thursday

February 25, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star The Olean Common Council reviewed the independent audit of the

(Photo provided) Aaron Gies of Olean (right) was endorsed for the 23rd Congressional District seat by the Cattaraugus County Democratic Committee on Sunday. Also endorsed was Victoria Guite (left) of Genesee County for the 57th State Senate seat. Mandy Bushnell, Cattaraugus County Democratic Party chairwoman, is at center.

Gies receives endorsements for Congress from Democratic committees in five counties

February 24, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Democratic congressional candidate Aaron Gies of Olean announced