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(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Norm Marsh, chairman of the Cattaraugus County Legislature's Development and Agriculture Committee, holds a caterpillar he used to predict the severity of the 2024-25 winter at the W.I.L.M.A. Wooly Bear Weekend.

W.I.L.M.A. Wooly Bear Weekend well attended at county fairgrounds

October 21, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Over 1,000 visitors attended the 12th annual W.I.L.M.A. (We

(Wellsville Sun) Cuba Police arrested two people last week in connection with an illegal marijuana growing operation at the former Farnsworth Cookie factory in Cuba.

Two arrested for having $4 million in drugs at former Cuba cookie factory

October 17, 2024

By Rick Miller Olean Star CUBA — Two local residents were arrested last week as

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) City aldermen heard a proposal for a $2.7 million upgrade of the Olean Municipal Building's 65-year-old heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems on Tuesday.

New City Hall HVAC system could cost taxpayers almost $3 million

October 17, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — City aldermen learned Tuesday that a planned modernization

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Members of the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency Board of Directors met Tuesday to discuss projects worth more than $12.3 million.

New ready-mix concrete plant Planned for Homer Street, Olean

October 17, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ELLICOTTVILLE — A Chautauqua County firm plans to build a

(Facebook) Olean Police and firefighters responded Tuesday night to a drive-by shooting on Seneca Avenue.

Eleven-year-old Olean boy shot in leg in Seneca Avenue drive-by shooting

October 16, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star UPDATE – OLEAN — An 11-year-old boy was shot in the leg

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Linda Mecca (right) removes a cover from the memorial for her husband Trooper Joseph J. Mecca Jr., is a memorial dedication ceremony Sunday in front of the Olean State Police Substation on Homer Street in Olean. Retired Sgt. Heidi Riley had just unveiled a memorial to her late husband Trooper Ross M. Riley. Both troopers' deaths were in the line of duty.

Memorial to fallen state troopers dedicated outside Olean substation

October 15, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Nearly 100 people attended the unveiling and dedication of a

The Olean Common Council approved a $29.1million budget for 2025-26 Tuesday 5-2. From left are Alderman Lawrence Bennion Jr., R-Ward 1, who voted against the budget; Mayor Bill Aiello and Council; President John Crawford, D-Ward 5, who voted to pass the budget.

Olean Common Council passes $29.1 million budget by 5-2 vote

April 9, 2025

By RICK MILLER Olean Star The Olean Common Council voted 5-2 Tuesday to adopt a

(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