News – Olean Star

Always Local. Always Free. Olean Local News

Always Local. Always Free.

CONTACT US: Oleanstar@gmail.com

Latest News

Operation Warm Hearts and the Olean Rotary Club are partnering to help area families in need of diapers. The diaper drive ends Feb. 5.

Olean Rotary teams up with Operation Warm Hearts for diaper drive

January 25, 2026

OLEAN — Operation Warm Hearts and the Olean Rotary Club have joined forces once again

(Olean Police Department) Markeel Hilson, 29, of Buffal was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance after a search warrant of his West Oak Street apartment on Jan. 16 allegedly found cocaine and fentanyl.

Man charged, cocaine, fentanyl seized after search warrant served at West Oak Street apartment

January 24, 2026

OLEAN — Members of the Olean Police Department’s Emergency Response team made an arrest recently

(Sheriff's Office Photo) Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Deputies Pence and Worner brought K9s Nitro and DJ when they spoke recently with Ellicottville BOCES criminal justice students.

Deputies’ K9s meet Elliicottville BOCES criminal justice students

January 24, 2026

ELLICOTTVILLE — Two members of the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office K9 corps and their handlers

Cattaraugus County Public Health Director Dr. Kevin D. Watkins (shown here at a recent Board of Health meeting in Olean) was surprised, along with other public health professionals, that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cut the number of childhood vaccines on the recommended immunization schedule.

Public health director surprised CDC cut number of childhood vacines

January 23, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Like most other health professionals, Cattaraugus County Public

(Olean City Schools) Olean High School .

Andreano pleads not guilty to charges stemming from incident with student at school

January 22, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Olean High School Principal Jefrrey Andreano was arraigned in Olean

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean aldermen expressed concern Tuesday over the timeline of the city's levee reaccreditation. Unless FEMA certifies the levee system, more than 2,900 homes and businesses would be required to purchase flood insurance. From left are Aldermen Soyna McCall, Jennifer Forney, Joseph Keary and Lawrence Bennion Jr.

Aldermen express concern over timeline of Olean levee reaccreditation

January 22, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Olean aldermen expressed concern Tuesday over the timeline for reaccrediting

(City of Olean YouTube) Outgoing Olean Common Council President John Crawford (left) hands gavel to Ward 6 Alderman Vernon Robinson Jr., who was elected the first Black common council president. Crawford has taken a new job and stepped down as council president, but will continue as Ward 5 alderman.

Vernon Robinson Jr. elected first Black council president

August 13, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Ward 6 Alderman Vernon Robinson Jr., was elected

(Photo provided) Stan Cizdziel of West Valley, who was in anaphylactic shock after getting stung repeatedly by bees on July 26 while cutting trees hugs Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Deputy Rachel Zimmer last week, thanking her for rushing to the scene with an Epi-pen that brought him out of shock. At left is Sheriff Eric Butler.

Cattaraugus Sheriff’s deputies save lives with EpiPen program

August 12, 2025

On July 26th, Stanley Cizdziel was cutting trees with a friend when they encountered a

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Steve Langert of Pleasant Valley holds a Triumph Master Grip trap, a collector’s item he values at $550 at the 45th annual Cattaraugus County Trappers Association Sportsmen’s Rendezvous last weekend at the county fairgrounds in Little Valley.

Sportsmen’s Rendezvous boosts trapping, hunting and camaraderie

August 12, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — For those who think fur trapping is

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean Mayor Bill Aiello and Mari Howard, InTandem CEO, were joined by other officials and individuals Thursday in a groundbreaking ceremony at Olean’s Marcus Park. The park is about to get a $2 million make-over.

Groundbreaking held for $2 million make-over of Olean’s Marcus Park

August 12, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Groundbreaking was held at Marcus Park Thursday for