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(Photo provided) Ward 6 Alderman Vernon Robinson Jr., was elected Olean Common Council president Tuesday, succeeding Alderman John Crawford, D-Ward 5, who resigned as president.

A poor kid from Washington D.C., Robinson is new council president

August 15, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Ward 6 Alderman Vernon Robinson Jr. has come a long

(City of Olean YouTube) Outgoing Olean Common Council President John Crawford (left) hands gavel to Ward 6 Alderman Vernon Robinson Jr., who was elected the first Black common council president. Crawford has taken a new job and stepped down as council president, but will continue as Ward 5 alderman.

Vernon Robinson Jr. elected first Black council president

August 13, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Ward 6 Alderman Vernon Robinson Jr., was elected

(Photo provided) Stan Cizdziel of West Valley, who was in anaphylactic shock after getting stung repeatedly by bees on July 26 while cutting trees hugs Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Deputy Rachel Zimmer last week, thanking her for rushing to the scene with an Epi-pen that brought him out of shock. At left is Sheriff Eric Butler.

Cattaraugus Sheriff’s deputies save lives with EpiPen program

August 12, 2025

On July 26th, Stanley Cizdziel was cutting trees with a friend when they encountered a

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Steve Langert of Pleasant Valley holds a Triumph Master Grip trap, a collector’s item he values at $550 at the 45th annual Cattaraugus County Trappers Association Sportsmen’s Rendezvous last weekend at the county fairgrounds in Little Valley.

Sportsmen’s Rendezvous boosts trapping, hunting and camaraderie

August 12, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — For those who think fur trapping is

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean Mayor Bill Aiello and Mari Howard, InTandem CEO, were joined by other officials and individuals Thursday in a groundbreaking ceremony at Olean’s Marcus Park. The park is about to get a $2 million make-over.

Groundbreaking held for $2 million make-over of Olean’s Marcus Park

August 12, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Groundbreaking was held at Marcus Park Thursday for

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Graph shows the number of Legionnaire’s disease cases in Cattaraugus County over the past decade. A county resident with Legionnaire’s disease is hospitalized in Buffalo.

Cattaraugus County man stricken with Legionaire’s disease is hospitalized

August 12, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — A Cattaraugus County man stricken with Legionnaire’s Disease

(Cattaraugus County Museum) Katya Zinsli, a graduate of the Art Conservation Department at Buffalo State SUNY, led restoration efforts on the 37th Regiment Presentation Flag for the Cattaraugus County Museum.

County lawmakers glimpse past in restored Civil War flag

February 18, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County lawmakers got a glimpse into the past

(Photo provided) Cattaraugus County Attorney Ashley Smith announced Monday that Sheriff Eric Butler (right) and former sheriff Timothy S. Whitcomb have endorsed her Republican candidacy for district attorney.

Sheriff, retired sheriff endorse Smith for District Attorney: Whitcomb not concerned about Smith’s lack of experience

February 11, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — The Cattaraugus County sheriff and former sheriff

(St. Bonaventure photo) Captions: President Jeff Gingerich (left) presented Seneca President J. Conrad Seneca and First Lady Nicole Seneca with a framed print of the statement and a $1,000 donation to the Faithkeepers School. Fr. Stephen Mimnaugh, O.F.M., (right) read the Land Acknowledgment.

St. Bonaventure unveils Seneca Nation Land Acknowledgement at Bonnies game

February 10, 2025

ST. BONAVENTURE — As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen bonds with its neighbors

(Cattaraugus County Health Department photo) More than 140 million chickens in the U.S. have been killed in the past year after the bird flu virus (H5N1) was discovered on farms. No cases have been reported in this county.

No cases of bird flu found in county chickens, cattle

February 10, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — While no cases of bird flu have been