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) 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) Only a few dead fish were visible in Ischua Creek from the Coal Chutes Road bridge on Thursday. The state Department of Environmental Conservation is investigating a significant fish-kill and aquatic animal die-off in the creek downstream from the village of Franklinville.

State agencies probe Ischua Creek fish-kill from Franklinville village

September 1, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star FRANKLINVILLE — The state Department of Environmental Conservation and Cattaraugus County Health

(Photo provided) Rep. Nick Langworthy speaks at a press conference at Field of Dreams on Tuesday where he highlighted his sponsorship of the Energy Choice Act that would prevent state and local governments from restricting home energy heating by natural gas.

Langworthy blasts Hochul natural gas ban, promotes his Energy Choice Act bill

September 1, 2025

ALLEGANY — Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23) held a press conference Tuesday at a new home

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) New Cattaraugus County Legislator Brenda Hansen of Delevan is congratulated by Cattaraugus County Court Judge Ronald Ploetz after she was sworn in Wednesday.

New Cattaraugus county legislator seated; new vice chairman sworn in

September 1, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County lawmakers welcomed a new legislator Wednesday, Brenda

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) A large crane used to drive steel piling along the Allegheny River shoreline near the Olean Wastewater Treatment Plant sits near the levee outside the plant. More than 1,000 feet of the levee are being strengthened in a project paid for by New York State.

State project to stabilize levee near sewage treatment plant in Olean continues

September 1, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Work is continuing on the project to strengthen the Allegheny

Borrello, Sempolinski vote against Senate, Assembly add-ons to Hochul’s record state budget

March 13, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ALBANY — State Sen. George Borrello criticized the Senate’s one-house

Former Cattaraugus County Probation Director, Michael Sharbaugh

Former Cattaraugus county probation director receives maximum sentence under plea deal for possessing child porn

March 13, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — A former Cattaraugus County Probation Director was

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The Town of Olean Zoning Board of Appeals denied applications for variances from Dugan Road Solar for a solar farm Wednesday. From left are attorney Joshua Lippes, board members Pam Dominsky and Josh Anderson and chairman Ken Heitman.

Olean Zoning Board of Appeals denies variances for Dugan Road Solar farm

March 12, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — The Town of Olean Zoning Board of Appeals

Cattaraugus Coutny Legislator R. Donald Benson (credit: cattco.org)

Opinion- Enough Corporate Welfare Benson: $480,000 is too much to “retain” one job

March 11, 2026

Letter to the Editor – Special to the Star, Dennis A. Cornell In February, Rick