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(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Cattaraugus County Administrator Jack Searles sits behind his desk in Olean. Searles is planning to step down in June and retire after almost 22 years in the post. He is in his 46th year of working for the county.

Jack Searles to step down as county administrator in June

April 9, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Cattaraugus County Administrator John “Jack” Searles plans to tell county

City of Olean

Common Council to vote on $19.8 million city budget Tuesday

April 8, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Finance Committee Chairman Sonya McCall hopes to pass the 2025-26

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) State Sen. George Borrello (at podium) speaks at a press conference by Republican state lawmakers from Western New York over plans for early release of some non-violent inmates due to correctional facilities staffing shortages. On the left are Assemblymen David DiPietro and Paul Bologna. Senate Minority Leader Robert Ort is on the right.

Republican lawmakers blast plan for inmates early release

April 6, 2025

RICK MILLER Olean Star GOWANDA — Republican state lawmakers from Western New York blasted state

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Demonstrators line East State Street in front of Lincoln Park Saturday following a similar anti-Trump protest on West State Street earlier.

Two Olean demonstrations draw almost 300 Trump protestors

April 6, 2025

Rick Miller Olean Star Sign-waving demonstrators protesting a number of President Trump’s potential cuts including

(Olean YouTube Channel) Carlos Andres, 43, of Salamanca, is led from the March 25 Olean Common Council meeting where he was charged with disorderly conduct. He was to appear in Olean City Court Thursday, but was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Wednesday.

Charges arising out of City Council meeting dismissed in the interests of justice; Carlos Andres detained by ICE

April 4, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — A disorderly conduct charge against a man who attempted to

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Joe Augustyn of Olean spent the first day of trout fishing on the bank of Ischua Creek in Hinsdale.

First day of trout fishing is a dwindling tradition

April 3, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star For decades, Joe Augustyn of Olean has been among the Cattaraugus County

(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

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) John Burrell, the last of the Case Family making knives in his Ellicottville shop, displays a collectible knife is a glass topped rosewood case.Burrell, the mayor of Ellicottville, and dozens of others will be selling their knives this weekend at Village of Knives at the Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds. Burrell will also be selling knives of his late wife, Sheila.

‘Village of Knives’ celebration in Little Valley this weekend

July 10, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ELLICOTTVILLE — The Village of Knives Celebration this weekend at

Dr. Kevin D. Watkins, Cattaraugus County Public Health director.

Spraying mosquito larvicide in June paid off with big drop in adult mosquitos

July 8, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Complaints about mosquitoes in late May and early

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The new Memorial Trail in the Valentine Flats area of Zoar Valley opened Wednesday. Above is an example of the trail going around a tree, although scores were cut to construct the trail.

New handicapped accessible trail opens at Zoar Valley

July 7, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star GOWANDA — A new handicapped accessible trail opened Wednesday at