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) A group of people skate on the synthetic ice surface at the Bill Flanigan Memorial Ice Pond, where a grand re-opening and ribbon cutting were held Friday in Salamanca.

Bill Flanigan Memorial Ice Pond grand re-opening held in Salamanca Friday

February 14, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star SALAMANCA — The City of Salamanca’s Bill Flanigan Memorial Ice

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Three countywide offices will be on the ballot in Cattaraugus County in November, County Court judge, county clerk and coroner. Republicans apper to have selected their candidates, while Democrats have not announced their choices yet.

Cattaraugus County Court judge, county clerk on ballot this year

February 13, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — With two major countywide offices on the

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Cattaraugus County Department of Motor Vehicle Offices in Little Valley, Olean and Delevan will be closed for large-scale upgrades from Friday through Tuesday. All state DMV offices will be closed during that time.

Cattaraugus County DMV offices to close Friday through Tuesday for upgrades

February 12, 2026

Cattaraugus County Department of Motor Vehicles offices will be closed for large-scale upgrades Friday through

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Cattaraugus County lawmakers held one of their quickest meetings ever on Wednesday — six minutes from beginning to end — including the Pledge to the Flag and prayer.

County legislators hold one of the quickest meetings on record

February 12, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County lawmakers held what may have