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

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