Photos by Ginny Kropf: A house at 212 Prospect Ave. was reduced to rubble after a fire this morning.

MEDINA – Three people are homeless in a fire early this morning, which completely destroyed an apartment house at 212 Prospect St. and displaced at least five people in the house next door.

Medina Fire Department received the call at 4:20 a.m. and arrived at the scene at 4:24 a.m., said Medina Fire Chief Steve Cooley.

“The house was fully engulfed and three people were outside when we arrived,” Cooley said. “When the ambulance arrived, they said fire was coming from every window.”

A dog and cat were also lost in the fire.

Considerable damage was done to all three stories of the house next door and some damage to a house across the street.

The houses in that location are 20 feet apart, and Cooley said had they not responded as quickly as they did, an entire block of homes could have been destroyed. The fire was extinguished in an hour.

He said indications are the fire started on the front porch.  Cooley said they received assistance from every department in Orleans County and addition help from Niagara County.

Cooley praised all the responders, saying they did a great job of getting the fire extinguished.

Fire Chief Steve Cooley said the fire could have wiped out a block of houses if firefighters hadn’t responded so quickly.

Brett Sobieraski and team of runners complete 1,600 laps at local tracks in past 8 days, raising $25,000 for Community Action

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Brett Sobieraski holds the American flag high while leading a pack of runners around the Albion High School track this morning in the final lap of an 8-day, 400-mile benefit for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee.

Renee Hungerford, the Community Action chief executive officer, is next to Sobieraski for the final lap. She sang the national anthem right before the final, celebratory 400 meters.

Sobieraski is a retired Rochester police sergeant. He lives in Carlton. He has done endurance challenges before to raise money for fallen police officers and the Special Olympics. This time he wanted to help Community Action, an agency he said serves local residents in many different ways, He set a $20,000 fundraising goal. By the end of the run at 11 a.m., the fundraising was at $25,000.

Sobieraski, 60, has been mostly sidelined the past three days due to severe blisters and an infection in his feet. He thanked other runners for stepping up and wearing his watch that records the laps and distance. He completed more than 275 miles of challenge himself.

Hungerford said that similar to what happens at Community Action, with the agency assisting people through challenges. Community Action is facing a $900,000 cut to the Head Start program, but Hungerford said the agency will persevere.

Jaxon Francis is ahead of Tanner Beecher and other members of the Albion youth football team which came out to do a few laps around the track today.

Jeff Atwell (left), manager of weatherization for Community Action, walks around the track with Jim Babcock, who recently had back surgery. Babcock completed more than a mile both Friday in Holley and today in Albion.

Brett Sobieraski hugs Todd Arnold after he ran for about an hour and half this morning.

Orleans County District Attorney Susan Howard walks with Sobieraski around the track this morning. Sobieraski works as an investigator with the Orleans County major Felony Crimes Task Force, which Howard oversees.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Brett Sobieraski, far right, is shown running with two police officers and Roger Bolton of Albion during a massive downpour in Albion a week ago. That rain would lead to extensive blisters that became infected Sobieraski’s feet, forcing him to back off his goal of completing 400 miles for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee.

However, other runners have stepped up and wore his watch that tracks the miles. The distance adds up to 388 miles with the final 12 this morning in Albion at the high school track beginning at 8 a.m.

Nearly 1,000 people have joined Sobieraski at the local high school tracks over the first seven days. Friday’s run was at Holley and more than 150 people joined him, including Holley teen Hayden Keiffer, who presented Sobieraski $100 that Hayden collected from neighbors and friends.

Sobieraski aimed to bring awareness of the many programs offered by Community Action. Friday’s run in Holley highlighted the Eastern Orleans Community Center.

He also wanted to raise $20,000 for the agency that serves people in Genesee and Orleans counties.

The run has raised $24,000 going into the final homestretch. Click here to make a donation online or show up in person this morning.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Donning his ventriloquist hat, Mike Randall banters with his puppet Timmy during a performance Thursday at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library. (Right) Dudley the Duck and ventriloquist Mike Randall entertain with their antics during Thursday’s appearance at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

MEDINA – Children and their families who attended Lee-Whedon Memorial Library’s summer reading series program on Thursday got to see local television personality Mike Randall perform his magic/puppet show. Seventy children were signed up for the program, which was the first in the new section of the library.

Sawyer Green of Medina was one of the parents who came with her son Glenn, niece Norah Bennett, and nephew Zeke Bennett, 6, to see Randall perform.

“We come to the library all the time, and my oldest son and I saw Mike in Dickens and loved it,” Sawyer said. “Some of the kids have seen Mike at school and they are happy to be seeing him again.”

Mike Randall greets his young audience prior to a puppet/magic show he performed Thursday morning at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library. Sawyer Green of Medina brought her niece and nephew, Norah, 4, and Zeke Bennett, 6, and her son Glenn Green, 4, to see Randall.

Randall, who recently moved to Medina with his wife Kathy, presents a fast-paced program featuring puppets, magic, comedy, ventriloquism and audience participation.

A man of many hats , Randall has become one of Western New York’s most popular entertainers, having performed at many local events, including the Cattaraugus County Fair, M&T Plaza, Eastern Hills Mall Children’s Theater Series, the Toy Festival in East Aurora, Lewiston’s Wildlife Festival at the New York Power Authority, Cuba Garlic Festival, as well as schools and libraries throughout the area.

Mike Randall chose these four children to help with his dinosaur/archeology-themed show at Lee-Whedon. The children hold posters depicting things than archeologists might dig up, such as jewelry, pottery, bones and tools.

Randall’s first experience with magic was when he was 6 and saw a man who sounded like Harry Potter entertaining in the street with a deck of cards. He has loved puppets from the time he was a child, watching Howdy Doody and Paul Winchell. At the age of 7 he spent three months in the hospital, recovering from an automobile accident. The one thing which kept him from going stir crazy was a set of Disney hand puppets his grandmother had given him. He has loved puppets ever since.

In 1978 and ’79 he was hired as one of the 20 Marvelous Magical Burger-Kings, performing shows across WNY, northern Pennsylvania and southern Ontario, Canada.

Although he has received rave reviews for his fun-filled entertaining shows, Randall is best-known for his weather-forecasting and award-winning feature reporting for 40 years at WKBW-TV. He has interviewed celebrities such as John Candy, Steve Allen, Red Skelton, Gregory Peck, Willie Nelson and Robert Goulet. He was inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2017 and retired from WKBW in August 2023.

A native of Western New York, Randall is also a professional actor and playwright. His plays have won awards and been produced at theaters locally and nationwide. He has performed a variety of roles in theaters in Western New York and around the country. He continues to perform his critically acclaimed, one-man portrayal of Mark Twain Live! In 2017 he conceived, wrote, directed and starred in the holiday solo show, Charles Dickens Presents: A Christmas Carol, again receiving praise from area critics and theatergoers. His presentation of Dickens at the Medina Theater shortly after moving here, sold out.

The summer reading program with a theme “Unearth a Story” will continue at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library on Thursdays through Aug. 11.

Randall continues to do shows at such venues as libraries, schools and churches. His next public shows are July 30 at the Lancaster Library, Aug. 7 at Hoag Library in Albion and the Niagara County Fair on Aug. 6 and 8. In addition, he will read the Declaration of Independence Sept. 6 for the Medina Tourism’s  bicentennial celebration at State Street Park in Medina.

Caleb was picked from the audience to help Mike Randall with a trick.

(Left) Eleanor Davis of Medina is greeted by a dinosaur (who is actually her daughter) as she arrives at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library on Thursday morning to see Mike Randall do a dinosaur-themed puppet show. (Right) Magician/ventriloquist Mike Randall picked Autumn, 6, to help him with a magic trick during his appearance at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

Photos courtesy of Village of Holley

HOLLEY – The Village of Holley unveiled a new sign today for the Holley Community Garden that is located off State Street.

Mayor Mark Bower is shown removing a covering from the new sign. The village used a grant from The Community Heart and Soul Foundation to pay for the sign.

The Holley Community Garden started in 2017 through the County Health Department, Clarendon Lions Club, Myron Holley Garden Club, and Village of Holley employees and officials. Susan Persia was at the sign unveiling today. She was instrumental in starting the community garden nearly a decade ago.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board last week approved a bond resolution for the village to borrow up to $1.7 million for sewer system improvements.

The upgrades include replacing sewer system pump stations and upgrading the SCADA systems throughout the village.

The village is seeking grants to help with the costs, so the final money needed to borrow may be less than $1.7 million.

 Medina initially authorized a bond for a maximum $1,250,000 in Oct. 11, 2021. But the project has been modified and the anticipated costs are higher, prompting the Village Board to seek a higher serial bond.

MEDINA – The Medina Rotary Club is interested in developing a new baseball field at Pine Street Park in the village.

Carl Tuohey, a member of the Rotary Club, last week presented the proposal to the Village Board. He said the club has built up some funds and wants to put some of that money to a baseball diamond.

Tuohey said he expects Job Corps students could be part of helping to create the field.

Village Board members want Tuohey to work on planning the project with Jason Watts, the superintendent of the Department of Public Works.

Pine Street Park has become a more active site since new playground and splash pad were added in 2019. Donors contributed $150,000 to those upgrades.

File photo: Jonathan McManus takes the oath of office as a Medina police officer on Sept. 26, 2022. He has been appointed as sergeant in charge.

MEDINA – The Medina Police Department has a new leader while the village looks to appoint a police chief.

Sgt. Jonathan McManus was appointed sergeant in charge during a special Village Board meeting on July 16. McManus joined the Medina PD as a police officer on Sept. 26, 2022.

He will get an additional $400 a week stipend while leading the department until a police chief is appointed. McManus’s appointment as sergeant in charge was effective July 20.

The Village Board on July 13 accepted the resignation of Police Chief Christian Navas and Sgt. Jacob Reeves. They are both going to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

Navas had his last day in Medina on July 19 while Reeves’s last day was July 20.

Both left Medina to join the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office for significant boosts in pay, said Mark Prawel, a Medina village trustee and retired Medina police officer.

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

WASHINGTON, DC — Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) alongside Representatives Mike Carey (OH-15) and David Kustoff (TN-08) today introduced the Supporting Cinema Renewal, Enhancement, and Enriching Neighborhoods (SCREEN) Act, legislation to encourage private investment in movie theaters and help revitalize the Main Streets and commercial districts they support.

The SCREEN Act would establish a 30% federal tax credit for qualified movie theater revitalization projects. Eligible improvements include new seating, projection and sound systems, HVAC upgrades, and accessibility improvements.

The credit would apply to traditional theaters that have been in operation for at least five years, with a lifetime per theater cap of $250,000 for theaters with three screens or fewer, $375,000 for theaters with four to nine screens, and $500,000 for theaters with ten or more screens. The credit would be available for qualifying investments made through December 31, 2030.

“Strong Main Streets depend on strong local businesses, and movie theaters help bring people into our downtowns where they support restaurants, shops, and other small businesses,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “As theaters work to modernize and compete, they deserve the opportunity to invest in their future. The SCREEN Act encourages private investment, strengthens local economies, creates jobs, and helps preserve these important community gathering places for future generations.”

This legislation is supported by Cinema United, Marquee Cinemas, Saunders Theatre Properties, and Malco Theatres:

“This timely and important legislation will spur re-investment in one of America’s great Main Street enterprises – the local cinema. Jobs will be created, including local contractors and vendors that do the work, surrounding businesses in the community will benefit, and the result will be a better experience for fans that love seeing their favorite movie on the big screen. We applaud the sponsors of this bill. Because of their leadership, towns of all sizes, in all 50 states, will see a tangible and positive cultural and economic impact in their local communities.” – Michael O’Leary, President and CEO, Cinema United

Photo by Tom Rivers: Tim Archer speaks on May 16 at Pierce-Smith Pioneer Cemetery on Hulberton Road which includes the burials of a Revolutionary War soldier, Civil War vets and many early residents. Two historical markers were unveiled that day at the cemetery. Albion student Caleb Wolfe stands by Archer. In the back are regiment flags from the Revolutionary War. They were brought by the Rochester chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Press Release, Orleans County Historical Association

GAINES – As we continue to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, we hope you can join us for a special program on July 29 about Revolutionary War veterans buried in Orleans County.

Tim Archer will be our guest speaker for the Orleans County Historical Association. He will share stories and information he learned from his extensive research. He had help from two Albion Middle School students, Luci Borello and Sutton Sanders.

Archer said it wasn’t easy tracking some of these soldiers down – many cemeteries from that time have since closed, but the team was able to confirm 65 proven burials.

The July 29 program begins at 7 p.m. at the Gaines Basin Cobblestone Schoolhouse, 3286 Gaines Basin Road, Albion. There is no cost but donations are gratefully accepted.

2026 HISTORY TALKS REMAINING

August 26th – Songs and Stories of the Erie Canal, with Don Dwyer

September 30th – The Burned Over District Part II – The Fire Was Not Easily Extinguished, with Doug Miller

October 28th – Neat Stuff from the Hoag Library, with Dee Robinson

AUGUST CEMETERY TOURS

August 2 – Maple Ridge Cemetery with Catherine Cooper

August 9 – Boxwood Cemetery with Todd Bensley

August 16 – Beechwood Cemetery with Lydia Richardson, Dave Gaudioso and Bill Lattin

August 23 – Otter Creek Cemetery with Adrienne Kirby

August 30 – Mt. Albion Cemetery with Sue Starkweather Miller and Bill Lattin (The four American Revolution soldiers buried in the cemetery will be highlighted.)

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Todd Draper (right), the former Medina police chief, runs with current Medina police officer Dustin Meredith at about noon today at the Medina High School track.

Draper wore Brett Sobieraski’s  watch that tracked the laps and distance. Draper now works with Sobieraski in the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force. They are both investigators.

Brett Sobieraski has been hobbled by bad blisters and cellulitis in his feet. After 7 miles today he was advised by healthcare professionals to not keep running more today. Matt Jackson, the former Medina fire chief, stopped by to run laps and check on Sobieraski.

He already logged more about 250 miles the first five days of an 8-day run for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee. He set a goal of 400 miles. Although he won’t do all of those himself, he said others will ensure the 400-mile goal is reached.

Besides Draper filling in for Sobrieski, Roger Bolton, an ultra-marathoner from Albion, completed many miles around the Medina track.

Sobieraski said he expects to be back running around Holley’s track on Friday at 7 a.m. with a 55-mile goal for the day.

The Community Action 400 concludes Saturday with 15 final miles at the Albion High School track beginning at 8 a.m.

People are welcome to join him, walking or running around the track.

Sobieraski is trying to raise $20,000 for Community Action, which has faced budget cuts. Click here to make a donation online.

Julia Rohde, a star runner for Roy-Hart, completed some fast-paced laps around the track today in Medina.

Images from Orleans County Tourism: The Orleans County Courthouse was built in 1857-1858 in the Greek Revival style and has been a focal point of the square for almost 170 years. The dome with a cupola is a landmark for miles around. The Orleans County Clerk’s Office was built in 1882-1883 in the Eastlake Style. It was designed by Isaac G. Perry, the same architect of the “Million Dollar Staircase” in the State Capital of Albany

ALBION – There is a new brochure from the Orleans County Tourism Department that highlights the Courthouse Square in Albion. This district has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979.

Albion and the 1441 zip code has several nationally recognized historic districts with Courthouse Square, Mount Albion Cemetery, Downtown Albion, the Erie Canal, Cobblestone Museum and the Childs hamlet.

There are seven architecturally outstanding churches that surround the Courthouse Square: the Free Methodist Church (first one in the denomination), First Baptist Church, Canalside Community Church (formerly the Albion United Methodist Church), St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, First Presbyterian Church, Christ Episcopal Church and the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church.

The brochure also features notable residences in the Second Empire, Greek Revival, and Queen Anne styles.

The Orleans County Tourism posted this information about the new brochure:

Explore Albion’s Historic Courthouse Square

Orleans County Tourism has released an updated Albion Historic Courthouse Square Walking Tour brochure, providing visitors and residents with a refreshed guide to one of the county’s most significant historic landmarks.

Originally created by former Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin, the walking tour brochure has been redesigned in full color and features updated information. The self-guided tour highlights the history, architecture and significance of the buildings surrounding Albion’s Historic Courthouse Square, allowing visitors to explore the district at their own pace.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Albion’s Historic Courthouse District in Orleans County features one of the county’s most remarkable collections of 19th-century architecture and stands as a notable small-town public space, showcasing diverse architectural styles and a community’s ambition as it prospered from the Erie Canal. Centered around the iconic domed courthouse, the square features seven churches alongside stately residences representing a variety of architectural styles.

The updated brochure was created through a collaboration among former Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin, Village of Albion Historian Sue Starkweather Miller, current Orleans County Historian Catherine Cooper and Tom Rivers, editor of the Orleans Hub.

The cover photo is a drone shot at sunset of the Orleans County Courthouse taken by Elliott Neidert. It also features the stained glass window “Christ the Consoler” at the Pullman Universalist Church and showcases the historic 1877 Steer & Turner organ at Christ Episcopal Church.

Free copies are available at locations throughout Albion, including the Orleans County Tourism Office, Hoag Library, the Orleans County Clerk’s Office, Albion Village Hall, Assemblyman Stephen Hawley’s district office and the Downtown Browsery.

Those who live outside of Orleans County or are unable to visit one of these locations may request a copy to be mailed to them. Click here for more information.

Provided photo: Children will receive free bicycle helmets at this week’s Family Fun Day on Friday. The event is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. in the park south of the hospital.

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health recently announced Family Fun Fridays, a new summer series designed to bring families together through fun, active and educational experiences, while connecting them with local organizations and health resources.

Taking place every other week throughout the summer, these free events encourage children and families to stay active, learn healthy habits and discover programs and services available throughout Orleans County. Family Fun Fridays are part of Orleans Community Health’s ongoing Healthy Communities initiative, which focuses on prevention, education and community connection.

The Medina events take place in the park south of Medina Memorial Hospital, while one in Lyndonville will be at Yates Town Park pavilion. All Family Fun Fridays are free and open to the public.

This Friday’s event will feature Children’s Yoga, presented by Hometown Wellness. Children will be introduced to yoga through engaging, age-appropriate activities that promote movement, mindfulness, relaxation and overall wellness.

At the Aug. 7 event at Yates Town Park, families from across the area are invited to enjoy activities, games and opportunities to connect with local organizations serving children and families.

The Aug. 21 Family Fun Friday finale in Medina will conclude with another afternoon of family-friendly activities, community engagement and health and wellness resources.

Each event will feature interactive activities for children, along with information from community organizations which prove programs and services benefiting local families. Parents and caregivers will have the opportunity to learn about healthcare, wellness, education, recreation and other community resources available throughout Orleans County.

“Family Fun Fridays are about creating opportunities for families to spend quality time together, while promoting healthy lifestyles and introducing them to the many organizations that help make our community stronger,” said Scott Robinson, director of marketing for Orleans Community Health. “We hope these events become a fun summer tradition that encourages families to stay active, build connections and discover resources that support their health and well-being.”

Community organizations and Orleans Community Health departments interested in hosting an informational table or providing a family-friendly activity are encouraged to participate.

In addition to Family Fun Fridays, Orleans Community Health is currently planning a Children’s Wellness Fair in Albion, further expanding opportunities for children and families to access health education, wellness resources and community support.

For more information, contact Robinson at srobinson@medinamemorial.org or by calling (585) 798-2000.