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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

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) Paul Mahar (left) and his brother Tom stand beside a Park and Shop sign that once hung on its former West State Street store in Olean. They and their brother Jim have decided to retire. They lease the remaining Park and Shop store on Front Street in Olean to Jim Mahar’s son, Jim Mahar Jr.

Mahar Brothers to close Portville Park & Shop at end of month

February 4, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star PORTVILLE — The Portville Park and Shop store will close

(City of Olean) This an artist’s rendition of the planned redevelopment of Marcus Park including an inclusive playground, dog park, softball field and picnic area. There is also a shared use path to the nearby Allegheny River Valley Trail.

Olean’s Marcus Park to get new playground, dog park, picnic area

February 3, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — The city’s Marcus Park is about to get a $2

Allegany-Limestone considering Hinsdale boys for football team

February 3, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ALLEGANY — As the Allegany-Limestone boy’s football team heads back to playing

(Head Start photo) More than 20 children and their families were shut out of Cattaraugus and Wyoming Counties Project Head Start for the past two days due to an federal executive order pausing federal grants.

Cattaraugus-Wyoming Co. Head Start Program remains closed for a third day

February 1, 2025

RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — The Cattaraugus and Wyoming Counties Head Start Program remained closed