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(Olean Police Department) Markeel Hilson, 29, of Buffal was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance after a search warrant of his West Oak Street apartment on Jan. 16 allegedly found cocaine and fentanyl.

Man charged, cocaine, fentanyl seized after search warrant served at West Oak Street apartment

January 24, 2026

OLEAN — Members of the Olean Police Department’s Emergency Response team made an arrest recently

(Sheriff's Office Photo) Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Deputies Pence and Worner brought K9s Nitro and DJ when they spoke recently with Ellicottville BOCES criminal justice students.

Deputies’ K9s meet Elliicottville BOCES criminal justice students

January 24, 2026

ELLICOTTVILLE — Two members of the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office K9 corps and their handlers

Cattaraugus County Public Health Director Dr. Kevin D. Watkins (shown here at a recent Board of Health meeting in Olean) was surprised, along with other public health professionals, that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cut the number of childhood vaccines on the recommended immunization schedule.

Public health director surprised CDC cut number of childhood vacines

January 23, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Like most other health professionals, Cattaraugus County Public

(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) The Great Lakes Cheese facility north of Franklinville, has suspended discharge of treated water into Ischua Creek under order from the state Department of Environmental Conservation after a significant fish kill in Ischua Creek earlier this week.

Great Lakes Cheese identified as source of Ischua Creek fish kill

September 1, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star FRANKLINVILLE — The state Department of Environmental Conservation on Friday identified the

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Student cell phones and other internet-enabled devices will not be permitted during school which starts the 2025-26 school year next week. Local school districts will require students to keep cell phones in their lockers from bell to bell.

Area schools are prepared for state cellphone bank this week

September 1, 2025

By RICK MILLER OLEAN STAR Local students returning to area schools next week will be facing a

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Deputies (from left) Andrew Schumaker and Rachel Zimmer were presented commendations from County Legislature Chairman Andrew Burr (right) for their life-saving efforts involving a West Valley man in shock from numerous bee stings on July 26. Others are Sheriff Eric Butler (third from left) and Undersheriff Nate Root.

Life-saving deputies honored by Legislature

September 1, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Two Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s deputies who were instrumental in

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Only a few dead fish were visible in Ischua Creek from the Coal Chutes Road bridge on Thursday. The state Department of Environmental Conservation is investigating a significant fish-kill and aquatic animal die-off in the creek downstream from the village of Franklinville.

State agencies probe Ischua Creek fish-kill from Franklinville village

September 1, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star FRANKLINVILLE — The state Department of Environmental Conservation and Cattaraugus County Health