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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) David Smith (right), who was re-elected preident of the Cattaraugus County Board of Health Wednesday, is congratulated by Public Health Director Dr. Kevin D. Watkins.

Board of Health sees sticker shock in rising vaccine prices

February 5, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Members of the Cattaraugus County Board of Health

All Charges Dismissed with Prejudice.

OLEAN PRINCIPAL JEFF ANDREANO CLEARED OF ALL CHARGES: Prosecutor and Judge agree there was no proof to support charges against Andreano.

February 4, 2026

By: Eric Firkel Olean Star – firkeloleanstar@gmail.com City Court Judge George Panebainco dismissed all charges

(Olean YouTube Channel) Olean Common Council Finance Committee Chairman Sonya McCall, D-Ward 4 (right) and Alderman David Anastasia, D-Ward 7 atTuesday's meeting. The Council learned bed tax revenues since June 1, 2025 total $214,000.

Eye-popping bed tax revenue has aldermen raising eyebrows

February 4, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Members of the Olean Common Council heard brief updates on

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Cattaraugus County Sheriff Eric Butler is critical of Gov. Hochul's proposed Local Cops, Local Crime Act that would prohibit local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE.

Sheriff calls Hochul ‘a fool’ over bill to ban NY law enforcement from ICE pacts

February 3, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced a bill last week that would