News – Olean Star

Always Local. Always Free. Olean Local News

Always Local. Always Free.

CONTACT US: Oleanstar@gmail.com

Latest News

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 file photo) Rep. Nick Langworthy (right) listens as Olean Water Department Director Brad Camp points out damage to an exterior wall at the water treatment plant on River Street in October 2024. The congressman has secured a $1 million federal grant after the initial grant failed to make it through Congress.

Rep. Langworthy secures $1 million grant to replace wall at Olean water treatment plant

January 14, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy announced Tuesday that he has secured

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Allison Fiut, an attorney for Harris Beach working for the City of Olean on the redevelopment of the Oleran Center Mall speaks to the Common Council Tuesday. The council later voted to use eminent domain to lift lease restrictions on mall stores to facilitate redevelopment.

Aldermen approve eminent domain resolution for mall to drop anchor stores’ lease restrictions

January 14, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — The Olean Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday to

(Assembly photo) Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski will hold a town hall meeting in Salamanca Feb. 17.

Sempolinski criticizes Hochul for not mentioning Seneca Gaming Compact in State of State Address

January 14, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ALBANY — As Gov. Kathy Hochul was winding down her

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Coni Coletti (right) of Rolling Scones Baking Company, rings up a sale for Carla Keirstead of Olean (left) as Barbara Casey of Olean waits her turn at the checkout at the Olean Area Farmers Market Winter Market at Miller's Farm Market on Olean-Portville Road.

Olean Area Farmers Market moves to winter quarters twice a month at Miller’s Farm Market

January 12, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — The Olean Area Farmers Market started its 2026