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) A few larger dead fish could be seen from the Five Mile Road bridge over Ischua Creek in the town of Franklinville on Tuesday. The state Department of Environmental Conservation said tens of thousands of fish and aquatic animals died in the creek recently and blamed it on organic material from the Great Lakes Cheese plant discharge of treated wastewater into the stream.

Great Lakes Cheese Co. plant pauses operations over Ischua Creek fish kill

September 4, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star FRANKLINVILLE — Great Lakes Cheese issued a statement over the weekend that

(photo provided) A Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinic will be held Sept. 13-14 at the Olean YMCA. Volunteers are still needed.

BonaResponds, Warming House to help with medical clinic Sept. 11-14

September 4, 2025

ST. BONAVENTURE — A Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinic is returning to Olean this month

(Rick Miller/OIean Star) More than 100 protested outside Lincoln Park Monday in the local Workers Over Billionaires demonstration.

Workers Over Billionaires focus of Labor Day protest outside Lincoln Park Monday

September 4, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — A Texas couple driving to their native New England took

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The Great Lakes Cheese facility north of Franklinville, has suspended discharge of treated water into Ischua Creek under order from the state Department of Environmental Conservation after a significant fish kill in Ischua Creek earlier this week.

Great Lakes Cheese identified as source of Ischua Creek fish kill

September 1, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star FRANKLINVILLE — The state Department of Environmental Conservation on Friday identified the

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Student cell phones and other internet-enabled devices will not be permitted during school which starts the 2025-26 school year next week. Local school districts will require students to keep cell phones in their lockers from bell to bell.

Area schools are prepared for state cellphone bank this week

September 1, 2025

By RICK MILLER OLEAN STAR Local students returning to area schools next week will be facing a

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Deputies (from left) Andrew Schumaker and Rachel Zimmer were presented commendations from County Legislature Chairman Andrew Burr (right) for their life-saving efforts involving a West Valley man in shock from numerous bee stings on July 26. Others are Sheriff Eric Butler (third from left) and Undersheriff Nate Root.

Life-saving deputies honored by Legislature

September 1, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Two Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s deputies who were instrumental in

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean Mayor Amy B. Sherburne on Thursday presented a $23.2 million budget for 2026-2027 that carries a $3.31 tax increase or 18.6%.

Sherburne’s first proposed budget contains 18.6% property tax hike

February 19, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star In her first proposed budget, Olean Mayor Amy B. Sherburne

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean Common Council President Vernon Robinson Jr., I-Ward 6, and Finance Committee Chairwoman Sonya McCall, D-Ward 4, at a recent meeting. The 2026-27 city budget was three days late, but was not addressed Tuesday because it was not on the agenda.

Sherburne expected to submit proposed 2026-27 budget on Thursday, four days after it was due

February 18, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Each Feb. 15, the Olean mayor presents a proposed 2026-27

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Members of the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Board discuss a proposed $6 million Olean brownfield cleanup project Tuesday.

Developer seeks IDA sales tax exemption on River Street brownfield cleanup

February 17, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ELLICOTTVILLE — A local developer is proposing a brownfield cleanup

(City of Olean) The John J. Ash Community Center on North Barry Street will now be open as a warming center Sundays for Code Blue events to give people somewhere to keep warm. It is already open other days in days where the temperature drops below freezing.

John J. Ash Community Center open Sunday for Code Blue event

February 14, 2026

John J. Ash Community Center open Sunday for Code Blue event By RICK MILLER Olean