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) 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

Rieman appeals ruling overturning conviction and ordering re-trail in Salamanca death case

July 24, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County District Attorney Lori P. Rieman has asked

(Rick Miller/Olean Star file photo) The Cattaraugus County Fair midway at the 181st county fair in 2024.

182nd Cattaraugus County Fair starts Saturday in Little Valley

July 22, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — This year’s 182nd Cattaraugus County Fair kicks off its

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) About 120 protesters attended a “Good Trouble” demonstration on East State Street on Saturday. They were protesting passage and signing of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” and cuts to Medicaid and food stamps.

Demonstrators protest GOP’s One Big Beautiful Bill Saturday

July 22, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — About 120 demonstrators protested along East State Street by Lincoln

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Former employees of the Great Valley Youth Camp stand around the flagpole and commemorative boulder during Saturday’s Great Valley Town Picnic at the now closed camp the town has turned into a park.

Great Valley Town Picnic proceeds sans time capsule

July 21, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star GREAT VALLEY — The third annual Great Valley Town Picnic