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(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

(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) Graph shows the number of Legionnaire’s disease cases in Cattaraugus County over the past decade. A county resident with Legionnaire’s disease is hospitalized in Buffalo.

Cattaraugus County man stricken with Legionaire’s disease is hospitalized

August 12, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — A Cattaraugus County man stricken with Legionnaire’s Disease

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Josh Graser of East Otto shows his holstein steer in the 4-H Market Animal Sale ring Saturday at the Cattaraugus County Fair.

4-H Market Animal Sale brings in record $322,661

August 6, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Last weekend’s Cattaraugus County 4-H Market Animal

(Cattaraugus County Fair photo) Riders stranded on the swing ride at the Cattaraugus County Fair Saturday night await volunteer firefighters and ladder trucks from Little Valley and Ellicottville. There were no injuries.

Last night of County Fair left swingers up in the air

August 6, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — The 183rd Cattaraugus County Fair wrapped up

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Aaron Gies of Olean, a St. Bonaventure theology professor who is a Democratic candidate for Congress, speaks at a rally in Lincoln Park on Saturday. It was part of a national “Rage Against the Regime” protest.

Democratic congressional candidate speaks at Rage Against Regime rally

August 4, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olear Star OLEAN — A local version of this weekend’s national 5051