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) 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

(Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office photo) Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Deputy Justin Grimm stands with his K-9 partner Lex, a specially trained German shepherd, outside the Sheriff's Office in Little Valley. The Seneca Nation donated funding for the department's latest K-9.

K-9 Lex is welcomed as county’s newest police dog

February 10, 2025

LITTLE VALLEY — The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol’s newest K-9 member, Lex, is

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