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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

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Mike Spors, a knife collector from Janesville, WI, buys and sells pocket knives, hunting knives and straight razors. He said attendance was good on opening day of Village of Knives at the Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds in Little Valley.

Village of Knives opening day showcases county’s cutleries

July 15, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — The “Village of Knives” exhibit at the

(Cattaraugus County Health Department) Aerial spraying of mosquito larvicide over wetlands in Cattaraugus County reduced the numbers of adults mosquitoes, but they are headed back up, which could lead to additional spraying.

Another mosquito larvicide spraying may be needed

July 12, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — After finding as many as 1,800 mosquitoes a

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The new Hinsdale Vietnam Memorial in the park in front of the Hinsdale Fire Department remains covered until Saturday’s dedication.

Hinsdale Vietnam Memorial dedication Saturday morning

July 11, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star HINSDALE — The new Hinsdale Vietnam Memorial will be unveiled

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean alderman voted 4-3 to add $205,000 for paving the section of South Union Street in Walkable Olean IV, by taking the cost from the $2.9 million project’s contingency. The project includes a roundabout at South Union and Greene streets.

Olean alderman vote 4-3 for Walkable Olean IV paving

July 10, 2024

By RICK MILLER OLEAN Star OLEAN — The Olean Common Council reluctantly agreed Tuesday to