Bob Clark

OLEAN -- Summer is just hitting its peak, and city officials are thinking about ice? The city of Olean Recreation Department is eyeing an Aug. 17 opening date for the city’s ice rink at the William O. Smith Recreation Center, said coordinator Kris Shewairy. “Summer’s already halfway over, from where I’m sitting,” he said. No fee increases for ice usage or admission charges were set this year during the city’s...

Communities across the region are hoping to make the nation’s 250th birthday on Saturday a blast. In the city of Olean, activities began Wednesday with a fire truck spray at War Vets Park, and tonight will feature the next concert in the city’s annual summer concert series, with Alex Cole performing country and rock hits from 6-8 p.m. The Fannie E. Bartlett House will host its Pie on the Porch...

BUFFALO -- An Olean man is facing decades in prison after pleading guilty to federal drug and gun ch... Your Privacy Choices

ISCHUA -- Federal officials announced more than $2 million in entitlement grants to help the Cattara... Olean Times Herald Local & Social

OLEAN -- Despite threats from wildfire smoke, hundreds turned out for the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce Paradise in the Park event Thursday. The event, an evolution of the Chamber's annual clambake, featured catering from The Century Manor, music, beverages and raffles.

BUFFALO -- Across the region, the effort raised $1.87 million in just under 29 hours. A total of 18 charities based in Cattaraugus and Allegany counties raised $24,604 from the effort. The event began at 7:16 p.m. on Wednesday and concluded at 11:59 p.m. Thursday. The largest amount raised by a local nonprofit was almost $4,400 received by Empire Animal Rescue Society of Salamanca. EARS is also the reigning champion...

OLEAN -- Wildfire smoke continued to billow across Western New York on Friday, affecting outdoor activities and drawing calls for action by local officials. AirNow.gov, run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, indicated an air quality index rating of 198 around noon on Friday, just below the threshold for “Very Unhealthy.” The state Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health issued very unhealthy air quality warnings through Friday for...

OLEAN — An menacing incident toward a city employee led to increased police patrols this week in public spaces. Olean Police Chief Robert Blovsky announced the arrest of Erika Netzell, 40, no permanent address, on Wednesday with second-degree menacing, resisting arrest and second-degree obstruction of governmental administration, all class A misdemeanors; and disorderly conduct and second-degree harassment, which are violations. Officials reported the charges came after a city employee in...

OLEAN -- A new thrift store and job training center cut its ribbon on Saturday as hundreds waited to get inside. Goodwill of Western New York cut the ribbon on its first Cattaraugus County store on Saturday morning. The store, at 2610 W. State St., is in the former Valu Home Center and includes retail space and a 1,200-square-foot area for workforce development training. “‘Wow!’ is all I can say,”...

Local sales tax collections were generally up across the state and region for the first six months of the year, the state’s fiscal watchdog reported. State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli reported that local sales tax receipts statewide totaled $2.61 billion in June, and $12.68 billion since the start of the year -- up 6.8% from the first six months of 2025. “New York’s local sales tax collections grew significantly in the...