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Tentative city budget calls for 6% tax hike; sewer, water rate increases

February 20, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Mayor Bill Aiello released a tentative $29.1 million budget for

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Funding for milling and paving Walkable Olean 3 (above) on East State Street was guaranteed Tuesday when the Olean Common Council transferred the funds from Walkable Olean 4 on South Union Street.

Paving funds moved from South Union to State Street

February 18, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Last fall, New York State agreed to mill and pave

(Cattaraugus County Museum) Katya Zinsli, a graduate of the Art Conservation Department at Buffalo State SUNY, led restoration efforts on the 37th Regiment Presentation Flag for the Cattaraugus County Museum.

County lawmakers glimpse past in restored Civil War flag

February 18, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County lawmakers got a glimpse into the past

(Photo provided) Cattaraugus County Attorney Ashley Smith announced Monday that Sheriff Eric Butler (right) and former sheriff Timothy S. Whitcomb have endorsed her Republican candidacy for district attorney.

Sheriff, retired sheriff endorse Smith for District Attorney: Whitcomb not concerned about Smith’s lack of experience

February 11, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — The Cattaraugus County sheriff and former sheriff

(St. Bonaventure photo) Captions: President Jeff Gingerich (left) presented Seneca President J. Conrad Seneca and First Lady Nicole Seneca with a framed print of the statement and a $1,000 donation to the Faithkeepers School. Fr. Stephen Mimnaugh, O.F.M., (right) read the Land Acknowledgment.

St. Bonaventure unveils Seneca Nation Land Acknowledgement at Bonnies game

February 10, 2025

ST. BONAVENTURE — As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen bonds with its neighbors

(Cattaraugus County Health Department photo) More than 140 million chickens in the U.S. have been killed in the past year after the bird flu virus (H5N1) was discovered on farms. No cases have been reported in this county.

No cases of bird flu found in county chickens, cattle

February 10, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — While no cases of bird flu have been

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Cattaraugus County Sheriff Eric Butler is critical of Gov. Hochul's proposed Local Cops, Local Crime Act that would prohibit local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE.

Sheriff calls Hochul ‘a fool’ over bill to ban NY law enforcement from ICE pacts

February 3, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced a bill last week that would

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Protesters wave signs along East State Street in Olean Saturday in a national ICE Out demonstration.

Demonstrators hold “ICE Out’ protest in frigid temperatures in Olean Saturday

January 31, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Despite frigid temperatures Saturday, more than 100 protestors

(Rick Miller/Olean Star file photo) A local protest 'ICE Out Everywhere,' will be held Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Lincoln Park. Photo was taken Jan. 17 at a demonstration protesting the death of Renee Good and the invasion of Venezuela.

Local demonstration Saturday to protest killings of Renee Good, Alex Pretti in Minneapolis

January 30, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — “ICE Out Everywhere,” part of a nationwide response

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Cattaraugus County lawmakers adjourned Wednesday in memory of Gerry E. Zimmerman, the former county director of Probation. He retired in 2019 and became a Lutheran minster.

Cattaraugus County lawmakers urge Gov. Hochul to resume gaming compact negotiations with Senecas

January 29, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County lawmakers urged Gov. Kathy Hochul