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(Rick Miller/Olean Star) This is a mock-up of what the four new Welcome to Olean signs will look like once they are completed. They will replace temporary banners over signs that were vandalized four years ago.

New Welcome to Olean signs expected to be built soon

October 9, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — New entrance signs to the City of Olean

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Cattaraugus County Admnistrator Kelly Reed (right) brieas county lawmakers Wednesday on proposed changes in county retirees' health insurance benefits. Standing next to her is Human Resources director Kristine Phinney

County legislators approve changes to retirees health insurance for ‘as good or better’ coverage

October 9, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County lawmakers voted Wednesday to switch

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The Cattaraugus County Center in Little Valley.

County administrator insists Medicare Advantage will be ‘as good or better’ than retirees’ existing coverage

October 8, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County’s proposal to change the health

Cattaraugus County lawmakers plan to vote on a resolution Wednesday that would change retirees' health insurance. County CSEA officials are vowing to sue the county over the change, which was not negotiated.

Cattaraugus County union presidents blasts plan to change retirees’ health insurance coverage

October 8, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County government retirees are expected to

(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 fines Great Lakes Cheese $475,000 over damaging Ischua Creek discharge

October 7, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star FRANKLINVILLE — Great Lakes Cheese Co. has been hit with

The Seneca Nation has received a significant victory over New York State in its bid to have the Thruway crossing of the Cattaraugus Territory. A federal judge has recommended mediation.

Federal judge’s report faults state over use of Seneca land for Thruway, recommends mediation with state

October 4, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star A federal judge in Buffalo handed the Seneca Nation a

Operation Warm Hearts and the Olean Rotary Club are partnering to help area families in need of diapers. The diaper drive ends Feb. 5.

Olean Rotary teams up with Operation Warm Hearts for diaper drive

January 25, 2026

OLEAN — Operation Warm Hearts and the Olean Rotary Club have joined forces once again

(Olean Police Department) Markeel Hilson, 29, of Buffal was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance after a search warrant of his West Oak Street apartment on Jan. 16 allegedly found cocaine and fentanyl.

Man charged, cocaine, fentanyl seized after search warrant served at West Oak Street apartment

January 24, 2026

OLEAN — Members of the Olean Police Department’s Emergency Response team made an arrest recently

(Sheriff's Office Photo) Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Deputies Pence and Worner brought K9s Nitro and DJ when they spoke recently with Ellicottville BOCES criminal justice students.

Deputies’ K9s meet Elliicottville BOCES criminal justice students

January 24, 2026

ELLICOTTVILLE — Two members of the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office K9 corps and their handlers

Cattaraugus County Public Health Director Dr. Kevin D. Watkins (shown here at a recent Board of Health meeting in Olean) was surprised, along with other public health professionals, that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cut the number of childhood vaccines on the recommended immunization schedule.

Public health director surprised CDC cut number of childhood vacines

January 23, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Like most other health professionals, Cattaraugus County Public