News – Olean Star

Always Local. Always Free. Olean Local News

Always Local. Always Free.

CONTACT US: Oleanstar@gmail.com

Latest News

(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,

Former probation director pleads not guilty to indictment charging he possessed child pornography

September 19, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Former Cattaraugus County Probation director Michael R.

(DEC graphic) This DEC map of the Great Lakes Cheese plant in Franklinville and Ischua Creek was shown at the Cattaraugus County Board of Health on Wednesday. Organic waste in treated water from the plant has been bland for a significant fish kill in the creek.

Watkins says local wells tested near Olean Creek not found contaminated

September 18, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star FRANKLINVILLE — While the discharge of organic material into Ischua Creek from

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The state Department of Environmental Conservation on Monday announced a $475,000 fine against Great Lakes Cheese for its August discharge of contamnants into Ischua Creek, which killed tews of thousnads of fish and othe aquatic life.

DEC will require cheese plant to pay to restore Ischua Creek

September 18, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star FRANKLINVILLE — Great Lakes Cheese will be required to restore

Former Cattaraugus County Probation Director arrested on child pornography charges

September 11, 2025

OLEAN STAR UPDATED 11:42AM Michael R. Sharbaugh, 53, formerly of Limestone, New York was arrested