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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

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) A great blue heron sits on a tree near the shore of the Allegany River as mist rises from the water's surface Wednesday. The city of Olean did not receive any replies from its request for proposals for a stormwater study to prevent sewage overflows into the river.

No reply to request for proposals to study Olean sewage for proposals

September 5, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — The city of Olean’s efforts to undertake a

Cattaraugus County Finance Chairman, Michael Martin Brisky

County 2023 budget audit shows a $2.9 million drop in fund balance, unassigned fund balance dropped by $6.6 million

September 3, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Cattaraugus County’s audit for the year ending Dec. 31, 2023 showed an

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) For a second time in six weeks, a water leak has forced the temporary closing of the Cattaraugus County Center in Little Valley on Monday. County legislators agreed Wednesday to pay up to $25,000 to remedy the damage and dry out the affected section of the building.

Another water leak closes Cattaraugus County Center

September 3, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — A water leak that closed the Cattaraugus County Center

Police identify body of man found in Front Street dumpster

September 3, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Police have identified the body of the man