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) Ploetz Pond off Route 219 north of Ellicottville is showing off its colorful leaves earlier thna usual this year.

Drought has trees changing colors earlier than usual here

September 19, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star If it seems that trees are changing color sooner than

Former probation director pleads not guilty to indictment charging he possessed child pornography

September 19, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Former Cattaraugus County Probation director Michael R.

(DEC graphic) This DEC map of the Great Lakes Cheese plant in Franklinville and Ischua Creek was shown at the Cattaraugus County Board of Health on Wednesday. Organic waste in treated water from the plant has been bland for a significant fish kill in the creek.

Watkins says local wells tested near Olean Creek not found contaminated

September 18, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star FRANKLINVILLE — While the discharge of organic material into Ischua Creek from

(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 will require cheese plant to pay to restore Ischua Creek

September 18, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star FRANKLINVILLE — Great Lakes Cheese will be required to restore

Former Cattaraugus County Probation Director arrested on child pornography charges

September 11, 2025

OLEAN STAR UPDATED 11:42AM Michael R. Sharbaugh, 53, formerly of Limestone, New York was arrested

(NYS Comptroller's Office) This graph shows the ratio of family and general practice physicians in Cattaraugus County compared to New York State and other counties facing a shortage of healthcare professionals.

Cattaraugus County is facing a healthcare professionals shortage

September 4, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Cattaraugus County is facing a shortage of public health professionals

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The Hoots, Luke and Ange Marino, a country-rock duo from Nashville pitched in at Saturday’s Southern Tier Wounded Warrior concert at Bradner Stadium for Harper Grace, a Dallas native and American Idol alum, who was stranded by the airline computer snafu caused by a Crowdstrike update.

Cowboy hats, boots abound at Wounded Warrior concert

July 23, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — There were almost too many cowboy hats and boots

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Members of the Cattaraugus County Legislature’s Public Works Committee were briefed Wednesday on the extent of damage from a water leak at the County Center on Tuesday. The building will remain closed until Monday. Committees met at the Public Works Facility about a mile from the County Center.

Cattaraugus County Center to stay closed until Monday over water leak

July 18, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — The Cattaraugus County Center, closed Tuesday afternoon

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Dan Spitzer (third from right) of Hudson Russ, an attorney for Alle-Catt Wind Energy, speaks Tuesday at a meeting of the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency where Alle-Catt was seeking tax incentives for its proposed 340-megawatt wind farm.

IDA accepts Alle-Catt application for $618.9 million in tax incentives; takes no action

July 17, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ELLICOTTVILLE — An application for tax benefits for the proposed

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The new Hinsdale Vietnam Memorial in Town Park was dedicated Saturday in front of about 150 people.

Hinsdale Vietnam Memorial dedication attended by 150

July 16, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star HINSDALE — Nearly 150 people attended Saturday’s dedication ceremony for