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

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean Mayor Amy B. Sherburne said Friday new state aid will help reduce the 18.6% tax rate in the proposed $23.2 million city budget.

Mayor not surprised at reaction to proposed 18.6% tax rate hike; new state aid to reduce it

February 21, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Olean Mayor Amy B. Sherburne wasn’t surprised at the negative

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean Mayor Amy B. Sherburne on Thursday presented a $23.2 million budget for 2026-2027 that carries a $3.31 tax increase or 18.6%.

Sherburne’s first proposed budget contains 18.6% property tax hike

February 19, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star In her first proposed budget, Olean Mayor Amy B. Sherburne

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Olean Common Council President Vernon Robinson Jr., I-Ward 6, and Finance Committee Chairwoman Sonya McCall, D-Ward 4, at a recent meeting. The 2026-27 city budget was three days late, but was not addressed Tuesday because it was not on the agenda.

Sherburne expected to submit proposed 2026-27 budget on Thursday, four days after it was due

February 18, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star Each Feb. 15, the Olean mayor presents a proposed 2026-27

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Members of the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Board discuss a proposed $6 million Olean brownfield cleanup project Tuesday.

Developer seeks IDA sales tax exemption on River Street brownfield cleanup

February 17, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ELLICOTTVILLE — A local developer is proposing a brownfield cleanup