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) 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

(Photo provided) Aaron Gies of Olean (right) was endorsed for the 23rd Congressional District seat by the Cattaraugus County Democratic Committee on Sunday. Also endorsed was Victoria Guite (left) of Genesee County for the 57th State Senate seat. Mandy Bushnell, Cattaraugus County Democratic Party chairwoman, is at center.

Gies receives endorsements for Congress from Democratic committees in five counties

February 24, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Democratic congressional candidate Aaron Gies of Olean announced

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean Mayor Amy B. Sherburne said tranparency is important to her proposed $23.2 million budget with its 18.69% tax levy hike.

Sherburne says budget transparency essential to overcome challenges

February 23, 2026

In a letter to Olean aldermen and city residents Mayor Amy B. Sherburne emphasized transparency

(Photo provided) Former Salamanca Mayor Michael R. "Smitty' Smith said he plans to run for mayor as an independent.

Former Salamanca Mayor Mike ‘Smitty’ Smith plans to seek office as an independent

February 23, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star SALAMANCA — Former mayor Michael R. “Smitty” Smith announced on

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean Common Council Finance Committee Chairwoman Sonya McCall is looking forward to reviewin g the proposed $23.2 million budget submitted by Mayor Amy B. Sherburne starting Thursday.

McCall stresses need to balance tax hike with desire to provide services

February 22, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Common Council Finance Committee Chairwoman Sonya McCall, D-Ward 4, said