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(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

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean Mayor Amy B. Sherburne said tranparency is important to her proposed $23.2 million budget with its 18.69% tax levy hike.

Sherburne says budget transparency essential to overcome challenges

February 23, 2026

In a letter to Olean aldermen and city residents Mayor Amy B. Sherburne emphasized transparency

(Photo provided) Former Salamanca Mayor Michael R. "Smitty' Smith said he plans to run for mayor as an independent.

Former Salamanca Mayor Mike ‘Smitty’ Smith plans to seek office as an independent

February 23, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star SALAMANCA — Former mayor Michael R. “Smitty” Smith announced on

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean Common Council Finance Committee Chairwoman Sonya McCall is looking forward to reviewin g the proposed $23.2 million budget submitted by Mayor Amy B. Sherburne starting Thursday.

McCall stresses need to balance tax hike with desire to provide services

February 22, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Common Council Finance Committee Chairwoman Sonya McCall, D-Ward 4, said

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Members of the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency met in its Ellicottville offices on Tuesday.

Cattaraugus County IDA OKs $9.6 million in tax inducements, does not approve Alle-Catt PILOT

March 26, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ELLICOTTVILLE — Tax breaks for business expansion projects in Olean, Allegany and

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca at his inauguration last November at the Seneca Allegany Casino and Event Center in Salamanca.

Seneca president, councilors meet with governor who will issue apology over state role in Thomas Indian School abuse

March 26, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca and Seneca tribal councilors met earlier

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Construction work on Walkable Olean 4 — South Union Street from Franchot Boulevard to State Street — resumed Monday by Millennium Construction.

Walkable Olean 4 construction resumed on South Union Street Monday

March 26, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Millennium Construction resumed work Monday on Walkable Olean 4 —

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Bob Wright of Wright’s Farms, Farmersville, keeps watch over the wood-fired evaporator boiling down maple sap into syrup in the farm’s sugar house on Laidlaw Road. The farm has been making maple syrup since 1840.

Wright’s Farms has been in maple business since 1840

March 26, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star FARMERSVILLE — Wright’s Farm on Laidlaw Road in Farmersville has been producing