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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

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) David Smith (right), who was re-elected preident of the Cattaraugus County Board of Health Wednesday, is congratulated by Public Health Director Dr. Kevin D. Watkins.

Board of Health sees sticker shock in rising vaccine prices

February 5, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Members of the Cattaraugus County Board of Health

All Charges Dismissed with Prejudice.

OLEAN PRINCIPAL JEFF ANDREANO CLEARED OF ALL CHARGES: Prosecutor and Judge agree there was no proof to support charges against Andreano.

February 4, 2026

By: Eric Firkel Olean Star – firkeloleanstar@gmail.com City Court Judge George Panebainco dismissed all charges

(Olean YouTube Channel) Olean Common Council Finance Committee Chairman Sonya McCall, D-Ward 4 (right) and Alderman David Anastasia, D-Ward 7 atTuesday's meeting. The Council learned bed tax revenues since June 1, 2025 total $214,000.

Eye-popping bed tax revenue has aldermen raising eyebrows

February 4, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Members of the Olean Common Council heard brief updates on

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Cattaraugus County Sheriff Eric Butler is critical of Gov. Hochul's proposed Local Cops, Local Crime Act that would prohibit local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE.

Sheriff calls Hochul ‘a fool’ over bill to ban NY law enforcement from ICE pacts

February 3, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced a bill last week that would