Provided images: Local author Wendi Pencille and her dog Crush will be at Author’s Note Bookstore on April 25, where she will join several other artists in signing books to celebrate the store’s fifth annual Independent Bookstore Day.

MEDINA – Medina’s independent bookstore, Author’s Note, will join more than 2,000 bookstores around the country in celebrating Independent Bookstore Day on April 25.

In addition to games, activities and giveaways, the day’s festivities between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. will include visiting authors, Ed Ashton, Kate Hosford, David Neth and Wendi Pencille, who will sign books and greet readers.

Children’s author Kate Hosford of Brooklyn will sign books between noon and 1:30 p.m. She is author of seven picture books and two poetry collections, garnering awards such as an American Library Association Notable Book, a Bank Street Best Book of the Year, a Junior Library Guild Selection and a New York Times Best Illustrated Book.

Children’s author Kate Hosford will sign books at Author’s Note.

Her books have been published in eight languages. Her newest title, You and I are Stars and Night, celebrates the love between children and their caregivers through a magical bedtime adventure. In addition to her appearance at Author’s Note, Hosford will do a presentation at Royalton Hartland Community Library at 6 p.m. April 23, and at 5 p.m. April 24 at Author’s Note, following visits to Oak Orchard Primary School in Medina and DeSales Lower School in Lockport.

Ed Ashton has written several novels, including The Fourth Consort.

Ed Ashton, a celebrated speculative fiction author of Mickey 7, the novel on which the movie Mickey 17 was based, will sign books from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Ashton is also the author of the novels Three Days in April, The End of Ordinary, Antimatter Blues, Mal Goes to War and The Fourth Consort, as well as short stories which have appeared in venues ranging from the newsletter of an Italian sausage company to Escape Pod, Analog and Fireside Fiction. He lives in a cabin on the shore of an inland sea, where he enjoys cancer research, teaching quantum physics to sullen graduate students and whittling. His newest novels, After the Fall and the Fourth Consort released earlier this year.

David Neth has a new book out, This Time Around.

Author D. Allen, aka David Neth, is a local school librarian who will sign books at the bookstore between 10:30 and noon. D. Allen writes heartfelt small-town romance, such as the Montana Beach and Small Town Christmas series.  He also writes urban fantasy and superhero fiction under his own name. A school librarian with more than a decade in the book world, he lives in Western New York with his family. His newest novel, This Time Around, released this week.

Wendi Pencille is a local author who will sign books with her dog Crush from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Crush is the main character, cover model and inspiration for Pencille’s new book Crush Finds His Place. P

encille has spent the past 25 years as a therapy dog volunteer, working with children and adults with special needs. As the human sidekick to Crush, a remarkable St. Bernard and certified therapy dog, Pencille will admit he is the star of the team, while she is primarily the chauffer and treat dispenser.

Over the years, her eight therapy dogs have formed very special bonds with the people they visit. It is one of those relationships that was the inspiration for her first children’s book, Crush Finds His Place. Pencille shares her home in Medina with her family, four dogs, a cat and usually a foster dog or cat as well.

All of the visiting author’s books are available now for purchase or online order from Author’s Note. Reserving copies in advance is strongly recommended.

Independent Bookstore Day spotlights the vitality and creative richness that locally-owned independent bookstores bring to readers, authors and neighborhoods in ways chains and e-commerce sites cannot replicate, said owner and author Julie Berry.

This will be the fifth annual Independent Bookstore Day for Author’s Note and the 13th anniversary of the event sponsored by the American Booksellers Association. In 2025, more than 1,600 bookstores celebrated Independent Bookstore Day. This year, the number jumps to more than 2,000, signifying the ongoing flourishing of independent bookstores nationwide, Berry said.

“Every year, Independent Bookstore Day gets bigger and better,” said American Booksellers Association CEO Allison Hill. “It feels more meaningful than ever this year to celebrate what indie bookstores represent – human connection, diversity and inclusivity, independent thought and independence and the power of community and truth.”

Author’s Note self-chosen theme for the day is “Bookstore Joy,” celebrating the genuine happiness bookstores infuse into the life of their communities by sharing stories and fostering real connection and community.

“The love people feel for Author’s Note and the way they light up when they walk through the door is the beautiful surprise I couldn’t have predicted before I owned a bookstore,” Berry said. “Every day I see anew how deeply our customers care for us. They’re glad we’re here. They feel at home here. They add so much joy to our lives. We hope, on this day especially, to reflect even more of that love and joy back to them.”

Throughout the day, in addition to meeting the authors, customers will share in games, including hunting for a Libro.fm Golden Ticket that will entitle the winner to a year of free audiobooks; crafts with children’s author Kate Hosford and a chance to pet Crush, Pencille’s therapy dog. Customers can win gift cards Author’s Note T-shirts and gift baskets. Several IBD-exclusive items supplied by the ABA will be available for sale or giveaway that day only.

Independent Bookstore Day isn’t only about the intangible benefits indie bookstores bring, but about tangible economic benefits, Berry explained. Local bookstores return two and a half to four times as much revenue to their local economies as chains do, while keeping jobs and revenue local and boosting local sales tax volumes.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the rise in online bookselling, chain stores and e-readers caused many people to predict the death of the independent bookstore, Berry reported. Yet, between 2009 and 2018, the number of independent bookstores rose nearly 50 percent. Harvard Business School researcher Ryan Rafaelli, in a landmark 2020 entitled “The Novel Resurgence of Independent Bookstores,” explained that indie bookstores thrive in an online-heavy book market by differentiating themselves along three lines: Community, Curation and Convening.

Berry continued to explain, “Community” refers to how local bookstores strengthen local economies and add vitality to shopping districts. “Curation” underscores how local book-buyers can select inventory that reflects the tastes and preferences of local shoppers, while “Convening” emphasizes the ways bookstores foster a shared sense of community amongst book-lovers by creating book-friendly spaces and hosting events, such as book clubs, story times and author readings to draw readers together.

For more information about Independent Bookstore Day festivities at Author’s Note, 519 Main St., or to reserve copies of the visiting authors’ books, visit AuthorsNote.com, e-mail info@authorsnote.com or call (585) 798-3642.

Bradley Pierce started taking college classes in the 6^th grade

Photos by Tom Rivers: Bradley Pierce will graduate from Albion High School on June 26, a year ahead of schedule. He will receive his degree from Genesee Community College on May 16.

ALBION – Bradley Pierce was in sixth grade when he took his first college class. He earned an A in computer information systems at Genesee Community College.

In the past five years, he has completed 63 college credits and will graduate from GCC on May 16. About six weeks later on June 26, he will graduate from Albion High School. The 16-year-old is headed to Rochester Institute of Technology to major in software engineering with a minor in AI.

Bradley is pulling off a rare feat of graduating a year early and having an associate’s degree before his high school commencement.

He has been precocious since a young age, even reading his father’s old college textbooks about computer science when Bradley was in elementary school.

During the Covid pandemic in 2020, schools turned to online learning due to the restrictions on having students in person at school. Bradley didn’t find the assignments challenging. He was bored and frustrated.

His parents, Kandace and Nick Pierce, shared their concerns with the Albion Middle School leadership. The principal suggested Bradley audit a college class.

The Pierce family talked to GCC, which was willing to try Bradley in the ACE program (Accelerated College Enrollment), which allows high school students to enroll in college-level courses and to earn college credits. GCC let Bradley try one course, not wanting to overwhelm him. Bradley had no problems, attaining a very high A in that first class, which was in the spring semester of sixth grade.

He took one or two GCC classes every semester after that, from seventh to 11^th grade, with a couple classes also last summer. (Bradley was considered a junior to start this high school year.) All of the college classes have been online, except for five that were taught by Albion teachers in person at the high school, allowing Bradley and his classmates to earn dual credits.

“I preferred the online classes because they are more intense,” he said. “I can go at my own pace.”

Bradley Pierce has used an accelerated schedule to complete a course load through high school and also Genesee Community College. He will attend Rochester Institute of Technology to major software engineering.

Bradley is finishing up his last GCC class this semester in discrete math, which is about theories, proofs, logical math and their applications to computer programming.

He has managed his academic demands while also working three or four days a week at Save-A-Lot in Albion. He also had a job with the Village of Albion last year digitizing old public records. He is in the National Honor Society, Student Council and Yearbook Club at Albion.

“Bradley is a renaissance man,” said Tina Burgett, one of his teachers at Albion. “He is interested in many things and he is excellent at many things.”

Burgett first taught Bradley in fourth grade as his art teacher. She has also led his art classes in the middle and high schools.

She praised him for bringing a passion for learning in all of his subjects, including a pottery class were he made an exceptional bust.

“Art can be scary for someone who is focused on math and computers,” she said. “But he cares about the end product. I think he has an infectious excitement for the things he cares about. It’s been a blessing to be his teacher.”

Nick and Kandace Pierce knew their son Bradley was precocious when he was a little kid. He started cracking the Wi-Fi signal at age 8. He was reading college-level computer science textbooks in elementary school, and was writing his own computer programs. He also found security gaps in some on the popular online computer games, and he let operators know about those vulnerabilities, which he said were resolved.

Bradley made his own computer programming language, Scrybe. He created games on his graphing calculator in high school, including Tetris. He developed a Spanish conjugation program that is now available for other students.

Bradley’s father has a computer degree and is a self-described “electronics nerd.” He does electronics repair and works at Ace Hardware. Bradley’s mother is an intensive care nurse at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia.

Bradley has a brother Jacob who is in fifth grade and also enjoys computer programming, and loves chess.

The Pierces are from Oklahoma City. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce were on a vacation to Niagara Falls when they fell in love with Western New York. They moved to WNY in 2016, impressed with the quality of schools, the relatively low-cost living and the many healthcare options.

“We liked the old Victorian homes,” Mr. Pierce said. “There are no tornadoes and we like the agricultural landscape.”

Press Release, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

Treasury United States Mint: The Commission of Fine Arts on March 19 approved a design of a commemorative coin for the country’s 250th anniversary with an image of President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, with 1776 on one side and 2026 on the other.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) formally introduced new legislation to stop President Trump’s absurd practice of putting his face and name all over government property.

The Halting Unilateral Money and Building Labeling by Egotistical (HUMBLE) Presidents Act would bar the use of a sitting U.S. president’s name, image, likeness, or signature to decorate or designate federal property, assets, or currency. Gillibrand initially announced that she would be introducing this legislation on last month’s No Kings Day of Nonviolent Action.

“The president of the United States serves the people, not the other way around,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Right now, working families are struggling to afford groceries and sky-high health care bills. They want their president bringing down costs and putting money back in their pockets, not spending time and taxpayer dollars on self-promotion. The HUMBLE Presidents Act would force our leaders to focus on the issues that truly matter to American families, not their own personal brand, and I will work to get it passed through Congress.”

The HUMBLE Presidents Act would include prohibitions on actions such as hanging banners with a sitting president’s face on the side of federal buildings; naming a class of warships after a sitting president; tacking the sitting president’s name onto the name of an existing federal building; depicting a sitting president on a federally issued commemorative coin; or placing a sitting president’s signature on U.S. paper currency.

Specifically, the bill would:

• Prohibit the name, image, likeness, and signature of a sitting president to be used to designate or name any federal property or buildings, U.S. currency, and other federal assets.

• Prohibit the name, image, likeness, and signature of a sitting president to be used to decorate the exterior of any federal property or buildings, U.S. currency, and other federal assets.

• Prohibit federal funds from being used for either of the above activities.

Roswell mobile lung screening unit will be at Hoag on April 20, 21

Press Release, Hoag Library

ALBION – We’re pleased to share that the UR Medicine Mobile Mammography Unit will be returning to Hoag Library on June 5 (and March 30, 2027).

Appointments and registration are handled directly through UR Medicine. Additionally, the Roswell mobile lung screening unit will be at Hoag Library on Monday, April 20 and Tuesday, April 21, and the Red Cross will have a Blood Drive on June 13.

The mammography unit will be available from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on June 5 at the library, 134 South Main St.

Call 1-844-870-0002 or email mammovan@urmc.rochester.edu for more information.

For information on the lung cancer screening unit, click here or call 1-800-ROSWELL (767-9355).

Hoag also will be hosting the blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 13. To make an appointment call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or go to redcrossblood.org.

ALBION – A Medina man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to attempted criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and could face up to five years in state prison when he is sentenced on July 1.

Reginald Kendrick, 50, was charged after law enforcement on Nov. 12 seized a loaded unbranded polymer “ghost” semi-automatic 9 mm pistol with an extended 30-round magazine.

He initially faced charges of second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in Orleans County Court.

Kendrick is a prior felon after being convicted of selling cocaine in October 2016. Kendrick, in court on Wednesday, admitted he had a loaded pistol.

District Attorney Susan Howard said the gun was tested by a Niagara County lab and determined to be operable.

In another case in County Court on Wednesday,

• Corey Wilson Jr., 19, of Albion was arraigned on four counts of drug charges, including three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree.

He was charged by law enforcement after a traffic stop on July 21, 2025 in the town of Gaines. He allegedly had two containers of cocaine, including one with 2.17 ounces of cocaine.

Wilson pleaded not guilty to the charges on Wednesday.

Mayor seeks assistance from state and federal governments

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Village of Holley has made several improvements to its police station in recent years but the back wall of the village-owned building next door is in grave condition, and faces $150,000 in emergency repairs, Mayor Mark Bower said.

HOLLEY – Village officials are facing an unexpected emergency repair on the back wall of the building that is connected to the police station on Thomas Street.

Mayor Mark Bower said the entire back wall of the building that is part of the police station needs to be replaced. The village had a structural engineer and contractor look at the back brick wall and the damage was worse than expected. The extensive water damage was revealed when the beadboard and paneling were removed.

The Village Board was expecting to spend $17,000 to $20,000 on the project, but now it will take an estimated $150,000 to fix the problem.

Bower said he has reached out to offices of Congresswoman Claudia Tenney and Assemblyman Steve Hawley to see if the state and federal governments have any funding to help with an emergency repair. He also is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office in Batavia for financial assistance.

“Significant fractures in the brick wall and even the lintels themselves were so much worse than ever anticipated,” Bower wrote in an April 9 letter to Tenney’s office. “While we had nominally budgeted for labor and materials for the job, we are now facing more extensive repairs likely exceeding 150K.”

The police station is right next to the crumbling wall, but Bower said there is a stable wall separating the two sites and the police department should be able to continue to function at the site in the near future. However, he said the code enforcement officer would be justified in requiring the police department to vacant the premises giving the condition of the back wall to the adjoining property.

Bower said there isn’t an alternative site in the village for the police station if it was forced to leave its police station.

He would like the wall to be repaired as soon as possible. The building is from 1900, Bower said.

The village has made several improvements to the police station since 2022, Bower noted, including a new roof, gutters and downspouts, new fascia, doors and windows. The front of the building was repainted and the back one third of the property also has been repaired, Bower said.

“This is essential to the village operations due to the police station,” Bower said in stating his case for state and federal support for the repairs.

Photos courtesy of Tim Archer

ROCHESTER – A group of Albion High School students spent the school day on Wednesday at East High in Rochester as part of an urban/rural student exchange.

Students from East High will visit Albion on April 30 and experience some of “farm country.”

The Albion students are in the Rotary Interact Club. They were in classes at East High and students from both schools shared about their schools and lifestyles. The two schools have done this exchange for 12 years.

Emmaline Gailie of Albion, front center, and students from East High and Albion had lunch together on Wednesday.

Olivia Andrews, left, and Tra’Monie Walker of Albion, right, enjoy lunch with new friends from East High.

The students learned that despite the many outward differences, they were alike in many ways, said Tim Archer, the Interact Club advisor.

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today highlighted the impact of the Trump Tax Cuts as Americans file their taxes, underscoring the significant tax relief and economic growth delivered to families, workers, and small businesses across the country.

This year, taxpayers are seeing the benefits from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law July 4th, 2025. A family of four with two children is expected to see up to $10,900 in increased take-home pay, along with an estimated 10% increase in average tax refunds.

For many working-class families earning up to $73,000, federal income tax liability has been reduced to zero, while the average tax cut for working families is approximately $2,300.

The legislation also delivered on key promises, including eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, Social Security, and auto loan interest, while permanently expanding the Child Tax Credit and standard deduction. In addition to direct relief, these policies are driving long-term economic growth, supporting more than 7.2 million jobs and contributing to an estimated $1.2 trillion increase in real GDP over the next four years.

“On Tax Day, families across Upstate New York are seeing the real benefits of commonsense tax relief,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The Trump Tax Cuts delivered meaningful results by lowering tax burdens, expanding the Child Tax Credit, and eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security. These policies are putting more money back into the pockets of hardworking Americans, strengthening small businesses, and driving economic growth in communities like ours.”

HOLLEY – The Village Board will hold a public hearing today at 5:30 p.m. on a tentative $3.6 million village budget that would increase taxes by 9.9 percent. The hearing will be in the village office in the old Holley High School.

This budget proposal follows the 2025-26 budget that raised taxes by 10.0 percent. Over two years, the budgets would represent a 20.9 tax increase or another $225,304 in the tax levy to $1,303,831.

The tax rate in the tentative budget is $21.51 per $1,000 of assessed property, which is up from the $19.54 rate for 2025-26.

The budget was brought up briefly during the monthly Village Board meeting on Tuesday. One resident, Mike Vendetti, said he is concerned about the rising taxes when residents face increases in some many other areas, including a recent jump in their electric bills.

Mayor Mark Bower responded that a village tax increase appears unavoidable.

“We absolutely do not have the revenue,” he said.

The tentative budget shows $3,601,258 in overall spending with $2,165,926 in the general fund, $983,883 in the water fund and $451,448 in the sewer fund.

Within the general fund the tentative budget shows the DPW increasing from $782,267 to $870,855; the Police Department from $406,911 to $453,973; Village Office from $299,789 to $296,729; Code Enforcement from $71,280 to $72,313; Employee Benefits from $136,030 to $199,700; and Debt payments from $75,146 to $72,710.

Here are the tax levies and tax rates in recent village budgets:

• 2026-2027 (tentative) tax levy, $1,303,831; tax rate (tentative), $21.51
• 2025-26 tax levy, $1,186,379; tax rate, $19.54
• 2024-25 tax levy, $1,078,527; tax rate, $17.87

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

As the weather gets warmer, more people spend time outside. During this time, it’s common to see wild animals and baby animals in yards, parks and wooded areas.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) remind everyone to be careful around wild animals, stray pets, and even young animals. Rabies is a serious disease that can spread to both animals and people, but it can be prevented.

“Rabies usually spreads through bites from infected animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes,” said Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director for GO Health. “Even though baby animals may look harmless, they can still carry rabies. Do not touch or feed wild or stray animals. If an animal looks sick or injured, call animal control for help.”

Rabies can be deadly if it is not treated quickly. If you are bitten, wash the area right away with soap and water and get medical care as soon as possible. All animal bites should be reported to the Genesee or Orleans County Health Departments.

To help prevent rabies, follow these tips:

• Make sure your pets have their rabies shots and are up to date.
• Stay away from wild animals, stray pets, and baby animals, even if they seem friendly or hurt. Report animals that act strange, such as being aggressive, confused, or overly friendly.
• Keep your pets on a leash to stop them from coming into contact with wild or stray animals. If your pet is bitten, contact your veterinarian right away and report it to the health department.
• Take steps to prevent bats from coming indoors. If you find a bat inside, safely capture it and contact the health department. Do not let it go. For help, watch the GO Health Minute on how to safely catch a bat: GO Health Minute.

Residents are encouraged to take advantage of our upcoming drive-thru rabies vaccination clinics for dogs, cats, and ferrets in Genesee and Orleans counties, offered at no charge. Remember to bring proof of previous vaccination.

Orleans County Rabies Clinics at the Orleans County Fairgrounds (12690 State Route 31, Albion, NY 14411)

• Saturday, April 25, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, June 17, from 3:30 to 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, August 19, from 3:30 to 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 7, from 3:30 to 6 p.m.

Genesee County Rabies Clinics at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020)

• Thursday, May 14, from 3:30 to 6 p.m.
• Thursday, August 13, from 3:30 to 6 p.m.
• Thursday, October 8, from 3:30 to 6 p.m.

For more information on GO Health’s programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org.

Ryan Armstrong gets 4- to 8-year sentence, maximum as part of plea to manslaughter

Photos by Tom Rivers: Ryan Armstrong leaves Orleans County Court this morning after he was sentenced to state prison for second-degree manslaughter.

ALBION – Ryan Armstrong was sentenced to 4 to 8 years in state prison today in Orleans County Court. He is the driver of U-Haul who led police on a high-speed chase in two counties and plunged the U-Haul into the Erie Canal, causing the death of his passenger.

Armstrong, in County Court on Feb. 11, pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter for reckless conduct that led to the death Reginald Russell, 56, on Sept. 2, 2025.

Armstrong, 43, in court today said he was deeply sorry for his actions on Sept. 2 that led to Russell’s death. He apologized to Russell family. Several of Russell’s family members were in court this morning at the sentencing.

“I hope the Lord and the families involved will forgive me,” Armstrong said.

Assistant District Attorney Daniel Punch said Armstrong put “countless people at risk” in the high-speed chase from Brockport to Murray. He turned what could have been a simply shoplifting arrest into a death that has devastated the Russell family, Punch told County Court Judge Sanford Church.

Punch said Armstrong has an arrest record going back to 1999 and has chosen a life of crime with drugs, assaults and vehicle and traffic violations.

Public defender Joanne Best said Armstrong and Russell were both heavily under the influence of drugs on Sept. 2.

They were stealing items from the Walgreens in Brockport at about 6:30 p.m. that day. They were putting merchandise in a U-Haul truck when law enforcement were called.

Law enforcement and firefighters check the scene on Sept. 2, 2025 after a U-Haul went into the Erie Canal in Murray, just east of Bennetts Corners Road. Reginald Russell, 56, drowned in the canal.

Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies and Brockport police officers attempted to stop the vehicle once it was on the move but Armstrong refused, leading law enforcement on a pursuit throughout the west side of Monroe County and into Orleans County. Armstrong drove the U-Haul at speeds of 85 miles per hour from Clarkson into Ogden, back through Brockport and eventually onto a canal service road in Murray.

Police used spike strips in the area of Bennetts Corners Road, where one of the vehicle’s tires became deflated. Armstrong then drove onto the southside of canal pathway before driving the U-Haul into the water, just east of Bennetts Corners Road.

He then swam across the canal to the other side of the canal, and then fled on foot. He was apprehended on the northside of the canal through the aid of drone technology.

After the U-Haul plunged into the water, Russell exited the vehicle. Deputies could see he was struggling to swim. They jumped into the canal to rescue Russell, but lost sight of him when he went under in the murky water.

Best, the public defender, said Armstrong didn’t intend to cause Russell’s death.

“He has accepted responsibility because he knows his actions were reckless,” Best said. “He is very remorseful.”

She asked for the minimum possible sentence for 3 to 6 years in prison. She said Armstrong has been active in a counseling program in the Orleans County Jail and is in a much better position mentally after being off drugs for many months.

The charge of second-degree manslaughter would normally have a maximum of 7 ½ to 15 years in state prison. The plea agreement reduced the maximum to 4 to 8 years.

County Court Judge Sanford Church gave Armstrong the maximum in the plea deal. The judge noted Armstrong has a long criminal history, put many people in the danger in the high-speed chase and ultimately caused the death of Russell.

The judge also fined Armstrong $2,500 and assessed $375 in other court surcharges and fees.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) recently penned a letter to Amanda Hiller, the acting tax commissioner in New York state, regarding an unusual number of constituents in his district claiming they have not received their tax returns yet.

Hawley noted that this growing issue is not isolated but rather part of a broader pattern affecting hardworking families across his district who rely on timely refunds to meet everyday expenses. As the cost of living continues to rise, delays of this nature only add unnecessary financial pressure on residents who have fulfilled their obligations on time.

“We have been receiving many phone calls, emails and Facebook comments from constituents stating they have filed their tax refunds over two months ago and still have not received their state tax refunds,” Hawley said. “What makes this more concerning is most of these individuals received their federal tax refunds within 10 days after filing.”

Hawley emphasized that the disparity between federal and state processing times raises serious questions about efficiency and accountability within the state’s tax system. He called on the Department of Taxation and Finance to provide clear answers and immediate solutions to ensure taxpayers are not left waiting indefinitely.

“Citizens of New York state are expected to file their taxes by a certain date, but the state has neglected to do its part by distributing refunds in a timely manner,” Hawley added. “These delays are causing financial strain for the taxpayers.”

Hawley hopes his letter will, at minimum, facilitate communication so his constituents will have more information than what has merely been posted on the state’s website.

Photos courtesy of Chris Busch: (Left) Tiny shovels for young students are ready and waiting for the village of Medina’s annual Arbor Day ceremony at 10 a.m. April 24 at the corner of Gwinn and William streets. (Right) The village of Medina will plant 51 trees this year. Here, they are shown lined up at the DPW waiting for planting.

MEDINA – The village of Medina will observe Arbor Day this year with the traditional tree planting ceremony on April 24.

As in past years, the second and third grades from Oak Orchard Primary School and Wise Intermediate School will take part in the ceremonial planting of trees, beginning at 10 a.m. at Gwinn and William streets. Gwinn Street between James Street and Frank Street will be briefly closed for the occasion.

“Fifty-one trees in all will be planted this year,” said Chris Busch, Medina’s forestry coordinator. “Trees will be planted on West Oak Orchard Street, West Avenue and Eagle, Gwinn and West Center streets.”

This flag indicates Medina has been designated a Tree City USA for 2026.

The ceremony, presented by the village of Medina Municipal Tree Board, will also feature the Oak Orchard Glee Club, directed by Andrea Busch.

Special guests welcomed to the ceremony include mayor Deb Padoleski and village trustees.

“We’d like to give an enormous thank you to School Superintendent Mark Kruzynski for Medina CSD’s continued participation in our annual Arbor Day celebrating, and for providing Mrs. Andrea Busch as a school-based resource,” said Mary Lewis, chair of the Tree Board. “The schools have been an important part of Medina’s Arbor Day tradition for more than 17 years. These young students are the stewards of tomorrow’s urban forest.”

The Tree Board’s focus continues to take a three-pronged approach – main arteries and central business district area/parks and high-need residential areas, according to Chris Busch.

“Though we’ve been planting trees for more than 17 years, the need for plantings in all of these areas continues,” Lewis said. “As old trees come down, new trees are planted. The new trees we’ve been planting in our parks are having a beautiful impact, and we’re beginning to make headway on our neighborhoods. There’s still much to be done. We wish we could do more.”

Science shows that trees in neighborhoods have a real and measurable impact in so many ways, Lewis continued.

“We have tons of feedback constantly from citizens about how much they appreciate the beauty of our tree-lined streets,” she said. “We get similar feedback from out-of-town visitors,  too. It’s very gratifying.”

Medina’s urban forestry program is once again a Tree City USA, recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation, Busch said. The annual Tree City award honors Medina’s commitment to community forestry, he said.

The Tree City USA Program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters, and the USDA Forest Service. Tree City USA is awarded annually to those communities who qualify and is a national designation.

Numerous peer-reviewed studies on the impact of neighborhoods with street trees show multiple positive benefits, including increased property values, slower/safer traffic patterns, lower air temperatures and absorption of harmful pollution. The studies also show tree-lined streets in neighborhoods lower blood pressure and improve overall emotional and psychological health, according to Lewis.

“Gifts and contributions from individuals and businesses are essential to our work,” Lewis said. “We’re deeply grateful for this support. It’s crucial to sustaining our future. Medina’s tree-lined streets are a big reason people choose to live or open businesses here, and those donations are what make it possible for us to continue our efforts.”

Tax-deductible donations can be made any time for general tree planting, memorial trees or for “trees on your street,” according to Lewis.

Additional information can be obtained at the village clerk’s office or by downloading the ReLeaf brochure online at www.villagemedina.gov or by contacting Lewis at mLewis.villagemedina@gmail.com.