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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

(Sheriff's Office photo) K-9 Rex lies with some of the drugs and paraphernalia discovered during a traffic stop by Cattaraugus County Sheriff's deputies on North 12th Street in Olean March 14. Two Allegany residents were charged.

Two from Allegany charged with drug possession, use in Olean

March 16, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Two Allegany residents were taken into custody on

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) St. John the Evangelist Church, 931 N. Union St., Olean, has been targeted for merger with St. Maruy of the Angels Parish by Bishop Michael Fisher.

St. John’s Parish Core Group appeals bishop’s merger decree

March 16, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — St. John the Evangelist Parish has appealed to

(City of Olean) Seneca Nation Tribal Councillor Tina Abrams scolds Olean Mayor Bill Aiello and Common Council members Tuesday for the city’s inaction on preventing sewage overflows into the Allegheny River in times of heavy rains.

Seneca Nation members scold Olean mayor, council over sewage overflows

March 15, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Nearly 30 members of the Seneca Nation of Indians —

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Members of the Randolph Future Farmers of America describe their efforts at rebranding local agriculture to members of the Cattaraugus County legislature on Wednesday, Farm Bureau Day.

Randolph FFA members tell legislators how they are rebranding local agriculture

March 15, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Members of the Randolph Future Farmers of America (FFA)