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(Photo provided) Aaron Gies of Olean (right) was endorsed for the 23rd Congressional District seat by the Cattaraugus County Democratic Committee on Sunday. Also endorsed was Victoria Guite (left) of Genesee County for the 57th State Senate seat. Mandy Bushnell, Cattaraugus County Democratic Party chairwoman, is at center.

Gies receives endorsements for Congress from Democratic committees in five counties

February 24, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Democratic congressional candidate Aaron Gies of Olean announced

(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

Bradford City Administrator Eric Taylor swore in Austin Coleman as the newest firefighter for the Bradford City Fire Department during Tuesday evening’s Bradford City Council meeting. Star photo by Daniella Langianese

Bradford City Council focuses on downtown improvements, ends requirement for property sale inspections

May 17, 2024

By DANIELLA LANGIANESE Star News Staff Reporter dani@bradfordstar.com It was a busy meeting for the

Wind turbines like these in northern Chauatauqua County, visible from the Cattaraugus County town of Dayton, are at the heart of a challenge by Cattaraugus County to the state Siuting Board's power to override a county road use agreement with the Alle-Catt developer. (Rick Miller/Olean Star)

County challenging Siting Board ruling bypassing Alle-Catt road use agreement

May 17, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County is taking the New York

Dr. Kevin D. Watkins, Cattaraugus County Public Health director.

Right Thinkers panel to discuss ‘State of Health Care’ Monday

May 16, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ALLEGANY — The Right Thinkers will meet Monday, May 20,

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) M.J. Painting Contractor Corp. plans to begin construction of a $1.7 million facility at 350 Franklin St., Olean, a former brownfield, this summer.

M.J. Painting to begin construction of new Olean facility this summer

May 16, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ELLICOTTVILLE — M.J. Painting Contractor Corp., plans to begin construction