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(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) 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

(Olean City Schools) Olean High School .

Andreano pleads not guilty to charges stemming from incident with student at school

January 22, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Olean High School Principal Jefrrey Andreano was arraigned in Olean

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean aldermen expressed concern Tuesday over the timeline of the city's levee reaccreditation. Unless FEMA certifies the levee system, more than 2,900 homes and businesses would be required to purchase flood insurance. From left are Aldermen Soyna McCall, Jennifer Forney, Joseph Keary and Lawrence Bennion Jr.

Aldermen express concern over timeline of Olean levee reaccreditation

January 22, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Olean aldermen expressed concern Tuesday over the timeline for reaccrediting

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Protesters carrying signs demonstrate outside LIncoln Park in Olean on Saturday to mark the first year of President Trump's second term.

Olean demonstrators protest a year of Trump, ICE tactics

January 18, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Protesters demonstrated outside Lincoln Park Saturday afternoon to

(Rick Miller/Olean Star file photo) Rep. Nick Langworthy (right) listens as Olean Water Department Director Brad Camp points out damage to an exterior wall at the water treatment plant on River Street in October 2024. The congressman has secured a $1 million federal grant after the initial grant failed to make it through Congress.

Rep. Langworthy secures $1 million grant to replace wall at Olean water treatment plant

January 14, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy announced Tuesday that he has secured