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(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean Mayor Amy B. Sherburne said Friday new state aid will help reduce the 18.6% tax rate in the proposed $23.2 million city budget.

Mayor not surprised at reaction to proposed 18.6% tax rate hike; new state aid to reduce it

February 21, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Olean Mayor Amy B. Sherburne wasn’t surprised at the negative

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean Mayor Amy B. Sherburne on Thursday presented a $23.2 million budget for 2026-2027 that carries a $3.31 tax increase or 18.6%.

Sherburne’s first proposed budget contains 18.6% property tax hike

February 19, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star In her first proposed budget, Olean Mayor Amy B. Sherburne

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean Common Council President Vernon Robinson Jr., I-Ward 6, and Finance Committee Chairwoman Sonya McCall, D-Ward 4, at a recent meeting. The 2026-27 city budget was three days late, but was not addressed Tuesday because it was not on the agenda.

Sherburne expected to submit proposed 2026-27 budget on Thursday, four days after it was due

February 18, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Each Feb. 15, the Olean mayor presents a proposed 2026-27

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Members of the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Board discuss a proposed $6 million Olean brownfield cleanup project Tuesday.

Developer seeks IDA sales tax exemption on River Street brownfield cleanup

February 17, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ELLICOTTVILLE — A local developer is proposing a brownfield cleanup

(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

(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

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy (at podium), flanked by public officials, announced a $108,594 grant to the Delevan Fire Department for new turnout gear. Others (from left) are: Cattaraugus County Acting Sheriff Eric Butler, Republican Party Chairman Mark Heberling, Delevan Fire Chief Jeff Holmes, Mayor John Stumpf and Yorkshire Supervisor Marcia Lexer.

Langworthy announced $108,000 grant to Delevan Fire Department for new gear

August 10, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star DELEVAN — U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy announced Tuesday the Delevan Fire

(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

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

(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