News – Olean Star

Always Local. Always Free. Olean Local News

Always Local. Always Free.

CONTACT US: Oleanstar@gmail.com

Latest News

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

(NYS Comptroller's Office) This graph shows the ratio of family and general practice physicians in Cattaraugus County compared to New York State and other counties facing a shortage of healthcare professionals.

Cattaraugus County is facing a healthcare professionals shortage

September 4, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Cattaraugus County is facing a shortage of public health professionals

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) St.Bonaventure University announced Tuesday it had its first enrollment in excess of 3,000 students in its 167-year history. This photo is from the May 2025 university commencement.

Bonaventure exceeds 3,000 enrollment for the first time in its 167-year university history

September 4, 2025

ST. BONAVENTURE — For the first time in its 167-year history, St. Bonaventure University has

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) People look over the vegetable selection at Living Acres Farm and Living Cultural Farm from Alfred Station Saturday at the last winter Olean Farmers Market at Canticle Farm’s North Farm on Old State Road in Allegany.

Olean Farmers Market ready to return to Lincoln Park Saturday

May 6, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ALLEGANY — The Olean Farmers market held its final winter farmers market

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Employees of PV Paving & Concrete LLC, Smethport, Pa., work on preparing the site for the new splash pad that will be adjacent to the swimming pool at War Veterans Park. The splash pad may not open by Memorial Day as was hoped.

New War Vets splash pad could open by Memorial Day

May 6, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — There is an outside chance that the splash pad in

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) A restored Nutty O’ St. Nick was unveiled in Lincoln Park near the Santa Claus House on Thursday. From left are: Mayor Bill Aiello, Greater Olean Chamber of Commerce director of Events and Operations Christine Pecherzewski, and Woodland in the City founders Bob and Amy Sherburne.

A restored Nutty O’ St. Nick returns to woodlot in the City

May 6, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Fresh from the repair shop, Nutty O’ St. Nick, the

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) This photo from the 2024 Allegany Old Home Days shows some of the carnival rides at Firemen’s Park. Old Home Days will not be held this year due to circumstances beyond the control of the Allegany Fire Department. A Community Day event will be held Aug. 23 instead.

No Allegany Old Home Days this year; community day planned

May 6, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ALLEGANY — There will be no Allegany Old Home Days next month,