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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) Pastor Tyrone Hall of the Church Without Walls holds boxes of sneakers that have already been donated for Feet Heat 5, the church’s annual sneaker giveaway for area youths.

A few days remain to donate to CWOW’s Feet Heat Six

August 19, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — The Church Without Walls is making a last

Deputies said Olean driver had LSD, crack in vehicle

August 19, 2025

OLEAN — An Olean man was taken into custody by Cattaraugus County sheriff’s deputies Saturday

(Photo provided) Ward 6 Alderman Vernon Robinson Jr., was elected Olean Common Council president Tuesday, succeeding Alderman John Crawford, D-Ward 5, who resigned as president.

A poor kid from Washington D.C., Robinson is new council president

August 15, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Ward 6 Alderman Vernon Robinson Jr. has come a long

(City of Olean YouTube) Outgoing Olean Common Council President John Crawford (left) hands gavel to Ward 6 Alderman Vernon Robinson Jr., who was elected the first Black common council president. Crawford has taken a new job and stepped down as council president, but will continue as Ward 5 alderman.

Vernon Robinson Jr. elected first Black council president

August 13, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Ward 6 Alderman Vernon Robinson Jr., was elected