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) Julia C. Groff, 31, of Richburg, is led into Bolivar Town Court Wednesday for a preliminary hearing on charges including two counts of attempted murder of a police officer. She was ordered held without bail until the case can be presented to an Allegany County grand jury.

Suspect in stabbing of troopers in Bolivar held without bail after Preliminary Hearing Wednesday

May 26, 2025

BOLIVAR — After a preliminary hearing on Wednesday,a Richburg woman charged with seriously injuring two

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Gov. Hochul addresses Seneca Nation members including survivors of abuse at the Thomas Indian School in the first visit to the Cattaraugus Territory by a sitting New York governor on Tuesday.

Governor Hochul visits Seneca Nation to apologize for New York’s role in Thomas Indian School atrocities

May 26, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star IRVING — Gov. Kathy Hochul came to the Seneca Nation’s Cattaraugus Territory Tuesday

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Sister Margaret Carney, St. Bonaventure University president emeritus, delivers the keynote address at the university's 165th commencement Sunday in Reilly Center

Sister Margaret Carney is St. Bona keynote speaker

May 26, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ST. BONAVENTURE — Sister Margaret Carney OSF, St. Bonaventure University president emeritus,

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Student speaker Samantha Simon speaks to the Jamestown Community College Cattaraugus County Campus graduating class, family and college staff and officials at commencement Friday at the Olean YMCA.

JCC graduates encouraged at 49th commencement Friday

May 26, 2025

BY RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Jamestown Community College empowers students through mentorship, hands-on projects and