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(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) Three countywide offices will be on the ballot in Cattaraugus County in November, County Court judge, county clerk and coroner. Republicans apper to have selected their candidates, while Democrats have not announced their choices yet.

Cattaraugus County Court judge, county clerk on ballot this year

February 13, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — With two major countywide offices on the

Borrello, Sempolinski vote against Senate, Assembly add-ons to Hochul’s record state budget

March 13, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ALBANY — State Sen. George Borrello criticized the Senate’s one-house

Former Cattaraugus County Probation Director, Michael Sharbaugh

Former Cattaraugus county probation director receives maximum sentence under plea deal for possessing child porn

March 13, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — A former Cattaraugus County Probation Director was

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The Town of Olean Zoning Board of Appeals denied applications for variances from Dugan Road Solar for a solar farm Wednesday. From left are attorney Joshua Lippes, board members Pam Dominsky and Josh Anderson and chairman Ken Heitman.

Olean Zoning Board of Appeals denies variances for Dugan Road Solar farm

March 12, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — The Town of Olean Zoning Board of Appeals

Cattaraugus Coutny Legislator R. Donald Benson (credit: cattco.org)

Opinion- Enough Corporate Welfare Benson: $480,000 is too much to “retain” one job

March 11, 2026

Letter to the Editor – Special to the Star, Dennis A. Cornell In February, Rick