Photo by Tim McMurray

ALBION – It was a big haul of trash today with 342.5 pounds picked up along the railroad tracks in Albion. That is a new record high since the Albion Rotary Club and Rotary Interact started the annual cleanup in 2021. This year students from the Albion National Junior Honor Society joined the effort and helped set the new record, eclipsing the 307 pounds from last year.

Photos by Tom Rivers

The trash was picked up as part of the Erie Canal Cleanup efforts around the county and state today.

Three high school students – Gideon Pask, Nisi Beltran Roblero and Julia Graham – are picking up garbage near the railroad tracks close to West Academy Street.

The volunteers filled about 25 big trash bags in area just east of Platt Street going along the railroad tracks to West Academy Street.

Rotary Club members Mike Schmackpheffer and Sandra Walter work on an area east of Platt Street.

Tim Archer, the Interact Club advisor, teams with students Ayme Vallejo-Morales and Cordelia Rivers in getting trash along the tracks.

Albion mayor Tim McMurray helped haul about 25 bags of garbage to the drop area by Tinsel/The Lockstone where it will be picked up by Canal Corp. workers.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Gregory Hallock, executive director of the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council, presents a “Lifetime Achievement” award to Lynne Menz on Friday at GO Art! in Batavia. Menz received the award for her many years of working on arts and cultural events in Orleans County.

BATAVIA – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council has recognized an organization and a long-time community member for their efforts to add cultural programs to Orleans County.

GO Art! each year presents Genean awards to people and organizations that are committed to cultural life in Genesee and Orleans counties. The awards were presented on March 28, but Lynne Menz, the Lifetime Achievement winner from Orleans County, was unable to attend the program that evening.

On Friday, when GO Art! was announcing its grants to cultural programs for 2026 in Orleans County, Menz also was presented with her Genean Award.

Menz, a Point Breeze resident, worked for many years with the Orleans County Tourism Department, and has been a very active volunteer with the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association, Friends of the Orleans County Marine Park, Oak Orchard Lighthouse Association and Medina Sandstone Society.

Menz helped her father, the late Bill Menz, raise community support for a bronze statue of a soldier outside the YMCA in Medina, which formerly was used as the Medina Armory to train soldiers.

She is doesn’t with her projects. She is leading the Friends of Orleans County Marine Park in hosting a popup and jam on Sept. 12, a marketplace at the park on Route 98 with vendors and music.

There will also be a new fisherman selfie sign at the park for anglers to pose with fish.

Provided photo: Jodi Fisher, program director for GO ART!, presents the “Organization of the Year” award to the Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events Inc., a not-for-profit organization. This award was presented on March 28 to G-ACRE leaders, including Ron Albertson, center, and John Grillo, Albion’s recreation director for the past 50 years.

G-ACRE runs the annual Rock the Park – Albion Summer Music Festival, featuring bands and performers all day in an August celebration.

G-ACRE also has been a fundraising arm for recent improvements at Bullard Park, including new basketball and pickleball courts, a spray park, pavilion, disc golf course and other improvements.

The full list of Genean Awards includes:

• Lifetime Achievement in Orleans County: Lynne Menz
• Lifetime Achievement in Genesee County: Maryanne Arena
• Supporter (of the Cultural Sector) of the Year: Raeann Engler
• Individual Artist of the Year: Bill Schutt
• Honorable Mention: Lily Renz
• Organization of the Year: Greater Albion Community Recreation & Events, Inc. (G-ACRE)
• Volunteer of the Year: Andrea Hofmaster

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.”

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.

Chris Marsaw, who recently moved to Albion, named ‘Firefighter of the Year’

Photos by Tom Rivers: Jodi Marion, a member of the board of directors for the Albion Fire Department, receives the President’s Award from Albion FD President Scott Papponetti on Saturday during the banquet for the Albion Fire Department and Albion Joint Fire District. Marion was congratulated by, from left: Assistant Fire Chief Matt Francis, Fire Chief Jeremy Graham, and Scott Papponetti, president of the Albion FD. Marion was praised for her work behind the scenes throughout the year. She also did a lot of work planning Saturday’s banquet at the Carlton Rec Hall.

ALBION – The Albion Joint Fire District and Albion Fire Department held its annual banquet on Saturday night and celebrated a busy year 2025 where firefighters responded to 692 calls.

It was the first year of the Fire Department operated under the Joint Fire District. The department used to be part of the Village of Albion. It started on Jan. 1, 2025 as its own taxing entity with its own board of commissioners.

David Buczek, vice chairman of the board of commissioners, thanks the volunteer firefighters for their commitment to the community. Buczek is joined by chairman Al Cheverie. They spoke during Saturday’s banquet at the Carlton Rec Hall.

Buczek thanked the members of the Albion Fire Department.

“The dedication and professionalism you bring to this community does not go unnoticed,” Buczek told the firefighters. “You show up day in and day out, often in situations most people hope they never have to face, and yet you do it with pride, skill and commitment.”

He thanked the families and loved ones of the firefighters for their sacrifices when firefighters respond and answer the calls for service.

The commissioners are pleased with the good working relationship with the fire department and the commitment to giving firefighters the tools and resources to serve the community, Buczek said.

“Investing in better tools, safer gear, new apparatuses and updated equipment. These aren’t just line items in a budget, they’re investments in our firefighters and in the safety of our community,” Buczek said. “When our crews are better equipped, they can do their jobs more effectively and more safely, and that benefits everyone.”

Kevin Sheehan, left, was recognized for his service as a fire commissioner. Sheehan was elected an Albion village trustee on March 18. He stepped down as fire commissioner on March 29 due to potential conflicts with both roles. The fire district rents the fire hall from the village.

Sheehan received a plaque from Al Cheverie, chairman of the fire commissioners, and David Buczek, the vice chairman.

The plaque stated: “With sincere appreciation and in recognition of your service as a commissioner of the Albion Joint Fire District from Jan. 1, 2025 to March 29, 2026.”

Marty Stirk receives the award as “Driver of the Year” from Fire Chief Jeremy Graham.

The Fire Department presented several awards on Saturday.

Chief’s Award – Fire Chief Jeremy Graham presented the “Chief’s Award” to deputy chief Steven Papponetti for his constant communication and commitment to the department in many ways.

Chris Marsaw, left, is congratulated by Albion Fire Chief Jeremy Graham after being recognized as the “Firefighter of the Year” for 2025 in the Albion Joint Fire District. Marsaw joined Albion as a firefighter about 1 ½ years ago after moving to the community and responded to 251 calls last year. He works as an EMT for Mercy Flight.

President’s Award: Scott Papponetti, the Albion FD president, recognized Jodi Marion with the award for her efforts behind the scenes and her work planning the annual banquet. Marion is on the department’s board of directors.

Officer of the Year: AJ Fisher, who is first lieutenant, and a frequent responder and leader of the fire department.

Firefighter for the Year: Chris Marsaw, who joined the Albion FD about 18 months ago after being a part of the North Greece and Lakeshore departments. Marsaw, 30, moved to Albion with his wife Kimmie and their two children. They were drawn by the affordable housing.

He joined the Albion FD and he said he was welcomed by the department’s leaders and other firefighters. He responded to 251 calls last year.

“He comes to everything,” said Fire Chief Graham.

Marsaw is an EMT who works for Mercy Flight.

“I like being able to help people,” he said. “Albion is great department. It’s a team effort.”

Top Responder: Jeremy Babcock who responded to 430 out of the department’s 692 calls.

EMT of the Year: Robert Toman, who responded to 321 calls in 2025.

Driver of the Year: Marty Stirk

Years of Service Awards:

• 5 years: Austin Genno, Brianna Pahura, Victoria Tabor, James Fisher and Emma Klaver
• 10 years: Allyson Irwin, Gary Rowley Sr., Jason Hapeman and Krystal Hughson
• 15 years: Fred Piano
• 20 years: Mike Dalle and Dustin Pahura
• 25 years: Dennis Hunt, Sarah Meisner and Charles Prentice
• 35 years: Charlie Monacelli
• 40 years: Dean Covis
• 45 years: James Pahura
• 50 years: Jim Passarell
• 55 years: Ed Walczak
• 60 years: Tom Fintak

Some members of the Albion Fire Department gather for a group photo at the department’s annual banquet on Saturday at the Carlton Rec Hall.

Rock the Park brings about 1,000 to Bullard with proceeds going to park improvements

Photos by Tom Rivers: The band 7th Heaven fired up the crowd to close out the 10th Rock the Park music festival at Bullard Park on Aug. 2, 2025. The crowd was rocking for the concert. The organizers gave away 500 glow sticks to the attendees.

ALBION – The bands have been announced for the 11^th annual Albion Summer Music Festival, and this Rock the Park will feature some new faces to the amphitheater at Bullard Park and some long-time favorites.

This year’s music festival will be one day on Aug. 1, after recent festivals were for two days. The event takes a lot of effort from a team of volunteers, said Ron Albertson, the festival chairman. He said there is other entertainment going on in the community, including the Orleans County 4-H Fair.

The one-day event at Bullard Park will be a musical showcase.

“We have an incredible, incredible lineup this year,” Albertson said.

The performers include Knight Patrol, Songbirds, The Who Dats, V3, Mixed Experience and Bad Sign.

The band Bad Sign closed out the lineup of performers during last year’s festival on Friday night last festival. Bad Sign stepped in at the last second when there was a cancellation. Bad Sign plays blues, rock and southern rock. The band includes lead singer Erika Horning of Batavia, guitarist Erick Horning of Batavia, bass player Clint Worthington of Holley, drummer Joe Maino of Pembroke, and keyboardist Ron Bordinaro of Batavia.

Proceeds from the event have been used towards improvements at Bullard Park. Recently that included money towards a new pavilion and electrical upgrades. Rock the Park also was critical in the push to overhaul Bullard about a decade ago.

Proceeds initially went to a grant writer. Albion was successful securing a state grant for nearly $500,000 that resulted in the new amphitheater, splash park and pavilion. Other projects followed with new basketball courts, a walking trail and disc golf course.

The latest effort is focused on a new concession stand.

The non-profit organization, Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events, runs the Albion Summer Music Festival. The group has committed $5,000 towards the new concession stand, Albertson said.

GACRE also wants a new backstop fence on the baseball diamond as well as improvements to the playing field.

“We’re not done,” Albertson said. “We want to finish at Bullard Park.”

The music festival typically draws about 1,000 people with a $5 entry fee. Albertson said the organizers want to keep it affordable, and keep the amphitheater rocking.

The bands making their debut at the festival include Knight Patrol, a cover band that performs the greatest hits from the ’80s, and Songbirds, a Fleetwood Mac tribute act.

Local favorites include The Who Dats, V3, Mixed Experience and Bad Sign.

The band, V3, performed Friday evening at Bullard Park for the 10th Rock the Park/Summer Music Festival on Aug. 1, 2025. From left in photo include Jesse Neely on bass, lead singer Kole Moore and Alex Fitzak on guitar. V3 will be at this year’s event on Aug. 1.

Kevin Sheehan advised by attorneys he can’t serve in both roles

Photo by Tom Rivers: Kevin Sheehan speaks during a candidate forum on March 5. He was elected to the Albion Village Board on March 18. He was sworn in as a village trustee on April 6, the start of a four-year term.

ALBION – Kevin Sheehan believed he could serve as both an Albion village trustee and a commissioner for the Albion Joint Fire District.

He said the roles seemed separate. The Albion Fire Department used to be part of the village budget with the Village Board functioning as oversight of the fire department, setting and managing its budget.

But the fire department shifted to the Albion Joint Fire District on Jan. 1, 2025. Sheehan was elected to a three-year term as a fire commissioner on Dec. 10, 2024. The commissioners set the district’s budget, and the taxes for the district are collected as part of the Albion and Gaines tax bills in January.

On March 18, he was elected to a four-year as village trustee. Soon after that election he was advised by both the village attorney and fire district attorney that the two offices are incompatible and he can’t do both.

The sticking point, Sheehan said, is the fire district leases the fire hall from the village. In that role, the village has influence over the fire district’s budget. The Village Board works with the fire commissioners to set the rent for the building.

Sheehan wrote a letter March 27, resigning as fire commissioner, effective March 29.

He attended this evening’s fire district monthly meeting, and sat in the audience rather than at the table with the fire commissioners in the back of the fire hall.

Sheehan said he very much enjoyed serving as a fire commissioner and regretted he needed to step down from the position.

“Mr. Sheehan, it has been an honor and a pleasure to have you as a commissioner,” Al Cheverie, the chairman, told him at the meeting.

The fire district currently only has three out of five fire commissioners in office. The district has yet to allow Charlie Monacelli to take office. He was elected in December but has a past felony conviction for attempted burglary in the third degree in 2000. He was in prison for 4 ½ years and then was on parole until 2009. Monacelli wants to be installed as commissioner and has told the district he will pursue litigation if his civil rights continue to be violated with him being kept from the position. He insists arson is the only disqualifying charge to serve as a fire commissioner.

Cheverie, during this evening’s meeting, said the fire commissioners are under a “gag order” and can’t comment on the issue publicly.

He said the fire commissioners will discuss filling Sheehan’s vacancy next month, which likely will be done by appointment.

Cheverie also said the fire commissioners, who also include David Buczek and Derek Howes, need to divvy up Sheehan’s work on the fire district. Sheehan was on three committees: finance, building and legal.

At its meeting this evening, the fire commissioners:

• Approved two new members as firefighters – Kyle Sidari and Lisa DeCarlo.

• Approved paying $575 each to the top 10 responders to calls in 2025.

• Authorized Treasurer Victoria Tabor to invest fire district funds in treasuries which are like CDs. Tabor was authorized to put $380,000 from the “Apparatus Repair & Replacement Reserve” into a fund that will generate 3.75 percent interest if untouched until April 2027, 3.78 percent through October 2027, and a 3.80 percent annual percentage yield until April 2028.

The commissioners also authorized investing $50,000 from the “Building Repair & Replacement Reserve” into a fund with a yield of 3.44 percent through March 2027.

Students also place a dozen new Revolutionary War bronze flag markers

Photos courtesy of Tim Archer

MEDINA – These Albion students, Blake Doty (left) and Jeffrey Echevarria, put a refurbished historic marker back on Wednesday. This marker is at the Millville Cemetery in the town of Shelby.

Albion students repainted four historic markers, a process that started in the fall.

This marker is on North Gravel Road (Route 63) just north of the lift bridge and Erie Canal. It notes the location of the first commercial quarry for Medina Sandstone. It was established by John Ryan.

Students on Wednesday also put a refurbished historic marker in Ridgeway on Route 104 where a tavern opened in 1811. The road was the first Indian Trail route then a stagecoach route.

A fourth historic marker for the Gaines Basin Schoolhouse was finished last fall. That schoolhouse was built in 1832 and is one of the oldest cobblestone buildings in the region.

The students also placed a dozen new Revolutionary War bronze flag markers on graves that didn’t have the markers. Jeffrey Echevarria is shown at the Gaines Cemetery placing a marker for John Percival. The markers were donated by the Orleans Chapter DAR.

Press Release, Albion Fire Department

ALBION – The Albion Fire Department would like to extend its sincere appreciation to the members of our community who came out to support our Subway fundraiser on April 2.

Events like these play an important role in helping us continue to serve and protect the residents of Albion and Gaines.

We would also like to thank the staff at Subway for their partnership and hospitality.

The continued support from our community means more than words can express. It is an honor to serve such a dedicated and caring community.

Thank you again for standing with the Albion Fire Department.

We would also like to invite you on April 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the Recruit NY event at the  Albion Fire Department, 108 N. Platt St. We will have information and demonstrations throughout the day.

If you’re not sure if you want to join, you are still welcome to stop down and chat with us.

File photo by Eliott Neidert: This photo from February 2017 was taken by a drone and shows part of downtown Albion with the Orleans County Courthouse in the background.

Press Release, Village of Albion

ALBION – The Village of Albion is inviting local business owners to participate in an upcoming Comprehensive Planning Workshop on April 22 at 5 p.m., to be held prior to the Village Board meeting at the Village Office, 35 E. Bank St.

This workshop is an important opportunity for Albion’s business community to share ideas, concerns, and priorities that will help shape the Village’s Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan serves as a long-term roadmap guiding decisions about economic development, infrastructure, land use and community growth.

Village officials are specifically seeking feedback from business owners about:

• Current business conditions in the Village
• Barriers to growth and investment
• Opportunities for revitalization and economic development
• Infrastructure and parking needs
• Ideas to strengthen Albion’s downtown and commercial areas

Input gathered during this session will directly inform the goals and strategies included in the Comprehensive Plan. The Village encourages all business owners, whether long-established or newly opened, to attend and help shape Albion’s future.

“This is a valuable chance for the business community to have a voice in planning for the future of Albion,” said Nichola Ostrander. “Your insight is critical to creating a plan that supports local businesses and promotes sustainable growth.”

No registration is required. For more information, contact Nichola Ostrander at info@cmdgroup-usa.com.

Photos courtesy of Geno Allport

ALBION – A new team of Albion Village Board members took the oath of office and began their four-year terms on Monday.

The top photo shows the new Albion mayor, Tim McMurray, who is holding his granddaughter Celia. McMurray is joined at the swearing in by his daughter Kali, his girlfriend Erin Gallagher, and uncle Ron Albertson.

McMurray was elected on March 18. He previously served as a village trustee for four years. He is a Marine Corps veteran.

(Left) Jami Allport is a new village trustee. She took the oath of office while standing with her husband Geno and their daughter, Hensley. Mrs. Allport is executive director of the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern. (Right) Kevin Sheehan took the oath of office and was joined by his three grandchildren – Charlotte, Wrenyn and Jack. Sheehan is a retired plumber and pipe fitter and has served an Albion trustee, deputy mayor and code enforcement officer. He also is a commissioner for the Albion Joint Fire District.

File photos: Albion students played bingo with senior citizens and also joined them in rock painting on May 10, 2023 during Senior Citizens Day at the high school.

Press Release, Albion Central School

ALBION – Albion Central School District invites senior citizens, 55 and older, for our annual Senior Citizens Day on Wednesday, April 29th, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Albion High School gymnasium.

The school district would like to thank the senior citizens in our community for all they have done to support our students, teachers, and staff throughout the years.

We have a limited number of seats available for this free event. Kindly RSVP by Friday, April 17th, to the High School Student Council Advisor, Mrs. Sawyer Green, at (585) 589-2040, ext. 8414. You can also email sgreen1@albionk12.org to secure your reservation. Please leave a message with your name, phone number, and the number of seats you’d like to reserve.

Mrs. Green will call you to confirm your participation. We look forward to having you join us for this wonderful event hosted by Albion High School’s Student Council!

File photo by Tom Rivers: Kids displayed breakneck speed in hunting down Easter eggs on March 30, 2024. There were about 12,000 eggs scattered on the lawn.

ALBION – An Easter egg hunt with more than 10,000 eggs scattered about the Orleans Courthouse lawn has been canceled due to the muddy conditions and more rain in the forecast for Saturday.

The Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries was planning its fifth annual egg hunt for Saturday. The church teams with the Albion Masonic Lodge which serves up free hot dogs and fries.

The Masonic Lodge will still be offering free hot dogs, easter baskets and eggs full of candy to children beginning at noon on Saturday until they run out.

Jeff Holler, one of the leaders of the Masonic Lodge and the egg hunt, said there wasn’t enough time to secure an alternative site for the egg hunt. The land at other locations, including the school’s artificial fields, would need board approval and there isn’t enough time before the next board meeting.

Holler said Royal Body Shop and the Masonic Lodge will try to have a backup site ready in the future if torrential rains make the courthouse lawn off-limits.

Photos courtesy of Guin Panek

ALBION – A section of Eagle Harbor Road in Albion, north of Route 31, has been undercut from the flood on Tuesday night.

Otter Creek flooded over the road last night. The road has been closed due to the damage.

Local highway departments are out assessing the condition of local roadways, said Justin Niederhofer, the Orleans County emergency management director.

Water is backed up on the west side of Eagle Harbor Road in the town of Albion, north of Route 31 and the railroad tracks.