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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

(Photo provided) Tioga County Republican James King is seking to primary Rep. Nick Langworthy in a GOP primary.

King seeks GOP primary with Rep. Langworthy in 23rd Congressional District

February 11, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star A Tioga County Republican has declared his candidacy for Congress

(Olean YouTube Channel) From left, Olean Common Council President Vernon Robinson Jr., City Clerk Frank Caputo and Alderman David Anastasia at Tuesday's Common Council meeting.

Unconfirmed members of Olean Zoning Board of Appeals confirmed by aldermen

February 11, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — In a short meeting Tuesday, the Olean Common

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) While most maple sap is collected by tubing, you'll see some old-fashioned maple sap buckets hanging on trees soon as the 2026 maple syrup season gets underway in the coming weeks. Tuesday's temperatures aren't enouggh to get sap moving just yet.

One day of warm weather won’t thaw maple trees and get sap running

February 10, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star PORTVILLE — Maple producers across Cattaraugus County and Western New

(Photo provided) Olean Police are seeking to identify this man who died after being stricken in Olean on July 14, 2023. A gofundme page has been set up to pay for DNA tests and genealogy research on Olean's John Doe.

Gofundme page is started to identify Olean’s John Doe

February 10, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Almost three years after an unidentified man died in Olean,