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(Rick Miller/Olean Star) While most maple sap is collected by tubing, you'll see some old-fashioned maple sap buckets hanging on trees soon as the 2026 maple syrup season gets underway in the coming weeks. Tuesday's temperatures aren't enouggh to get sap moving just yet.

One day of warm weather won’t thaw maple trees and get sap running

February 10, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star PORTVILLE — Maple producers across Cattaraugus County and Western New

(Photo provided) Olean Police are seeking to identify this man who died after being stricken in Olean on July 14, 2023. A gofundme page has been set up to pay for DNA tests and genealogy research on Olean's John Doe.

Gofundme page is started to identify Olean’s John Doe

February 10, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Almost three years after an unidentified man died in Olean,

(Assembly photo) Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski will hold a town hall meeting in Salamanca Feb. 17.

Sempolinski to host town hall meeting in Salamanca Feb. 17

February 9, 2026

SALAMANCA – Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski will hold his first town hall meeting of 2026 at

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The 29th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 13-15. Go online to birdcount.org.

Join in the Great Backyard Bird Count this weekend

February 9, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ELLICOTTVILLE — Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cattaraugus County is urging

(Olean Fire Department) Fire broke out at this house at 311 N. Sixth St., late Friday morning. There were no injuries. The cause remains under investigation.

City firefighters stretched thin responding to house fire on North Sixth Street Friday

February 6, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star City of Olean firefighters were stretched thin late Friday morning

Rick Miller/Olean Star) Cattaraugus County voters who wish to change their political party have until Feb. 14 to be able to vote in the June 23 primary.

Board of Elections notes Feb. 14 deadline to change party enrollment

February 6, 2026

LITTLE VALLEY – The Cattaraugus County Board of Elections reminds all registered voters that Saturday,

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Naturalist Mark Carra of West Valley leads a nature hike on reptiles and amphibians during the 67th annual Allegany Nature Pilgrimage in Allegany State Park last weekend.

Nature lovers flock to 68th annual Allegany Nature Pilgrimage in Park

June 5, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star RED HOUSE — More than 850 nature lovers attended the 67th annual

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean Mayor Bill Aiello has begun a one-year term as president of the New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials. Above, Aiello delivers the State of the City Address in January.

Aiello beings term as president of NYS Conference of Mayors

June 5, 2025

ALBANY — Olean Mayor Bill Aiello has become the 99th president of the New York

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Protesters along Second Street in Little Valley Friday wave signs at a car with people on the way to a fundraiser with Rep. Nick Langworthy at Ellicottville Brewing Company. Most eventually left before the congressman arrived.

Most demonstrators outside Langworthy fundraiser leave before congressman’s arrival

June 3, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — More than 30 demonstrators stood for about an hour

(Photo provided) Participants in their modeled designs (from left): Gordon Porter and Elsie Porter, both of East Concord; Sammy Kratochvil, Cattaraugus; Amelia Fuller and Savannah Fuller, both of West Valley; Leah Olejniczak, Randolph; Penny Kratochvil, Cattaraugus, and Miranda Ritter and Alicia Ritter, both of Conewango Valley.

‘Sew’ much fun at annual county 4-H Fashion Revue

June 3, 2025

LITTLE VALLEY — Nine Cattaraugus County 4-H members ranging in age from 5-17 showed