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) Peter Daich of Daich Coatings Corp. in Ontario, Canada, talks with Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency members Tuesday about his plans to buy the former SetterStix plant in Cattaraugus to manufacture natural, water-based coatings for sale in stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s. The IDA agreed to provide tax breaks for the $1.2 million project that will employ 15-20 people in two years.

IDA OKs tax breaks for new owner of SetterStix plant in Cattaraugus

September 25, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ELLICOTTVILLE — Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency members on Tuesday

(Rick Miller/OIean Star) Democratic candidate Aaron Gies of Olean spoke at Friday’s Cattaraugus County Democrat Committee dinner at HoliMont in Ellicottville. He’s seeking the nomination in the 23rd Congressional District.

Congressional primary candidates are scrutinized by county Democrats

September 22, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ELLICOTTVILLE — Cattaraugus County Democrats got a close look at

Rick Miller/Olean Star) Ploetz Pond off Route 219 north of Ellicottville is showing off its colorful leaves earlier thna usual this year.

Drought has trees changing colors earlier than usual here

September 19, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star If it seems that trees are changing color sooner than

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

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean High School Valedictorian Aila Shoup addresses classmates, parents, family and school officials during her Valedictory Address Saturday at the 142nd annual Commencement in the high school auditorium.

Olean High School graduates 116 seniors at 142nd annual commencement Saturday

June 24, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — One hundred sixteen Olean High School seniors graduated

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Degaweno:da’s, a Seneca activist, kayaks past the Fourth Street pumping station outflow on the Allegheny River on Thursday. The night before, 200,000 gallons of untreated sewage overflowed from the station into the river.

Senecas threaten legal action on overflows

June 24, 2024

SALAMANCA – Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong Sr. asked the legal department to look into

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Degaweno:da’s, a Seneca Indian member of Defend Ohi’yo, departed from the South Union Street canoe and kayak launch Thursday morning to thank Olean city officials for taking steps to stop sewage overflows into the Allegheny River. He later found heavy rains Wednesday night had produced record sewage overflows into the river.

Allegheny River paddle by activist upstaged by big sewage overflow

June 21, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — For the Summer Solstice Thursday, Degaweno:da’s, a Seneca

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) State Sen. George Borrello (left) speaks at the Right Thinkers meeting on agriculture Monday. At right is House Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson.

House Ag Committee chairman Thompson touts dairy bill that cuts $28B in food stamps, claims inflation hurting farmers despite drop in inflation

June 18, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ALLEGANY — The U.S. needs small and medium-sized farms to