By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 14 May 2026 at 9:40 pm
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Brett Decker, club manager at Shelridge Country Club, explains the rules to 112 golfers in their carts, waiting to tee off during a golf tournament to benefit the United Way of Orleans County. The organization is now known as Orleans Community Connects. This year’s tournament is June 5.
MEDINA – The annual charity golf tournament to benefit Orleans Community Connects (formerly United Way of Orleans County) is scheduled for June 5 at Shelridge Country Club, 10994 Telegraph Rd. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and tee-off is at 9 a.m.
“To community members, sponsors and golfers of all skill levels – you are invited to ‘Hit the greens and help the community’ at this major fundraising event,” said Dawn Winkler, financial manager for Orleans Community Connects.
This annual tournament plays a crucial role in supporting Orleans Community Connects’ efforts to give back to local organizations. One-hundred percent of all profits will benefit non-profits within Orleans County, helping fund vital programs that make a difference in the lives of residents.
“We are excited to see our friends and supporters at our first golf tournament as Orleans Community Connects,” said board president and golf chairman Dean Bellack. “The proceeds from this year’s tournament will go to the most deserving non-profits in Orleans County. If you have played before, please join us again, and if you have not had the opportunity yet, we are looking forward to meeting you. Let’s all Connect.”
Participants will enjoy a full day of golf, contests, prizes and community engagement. Each registration includes green fees and golf cart, lunch, beverages and dinner.
“Our golf tournament is absolutely essential to the success of our 2026 fundraising campaign,” said Nyla Gaylord, executive director of Orleans Community Connects. “By joining us on the course, participants are directly helping other non-profits in Orleans County that are doing incredible work on behalf of us all.”
For the first time, the basket raffle will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on the lower level of Shelridge. Drawings will start at 3 p.m.
Photo by Kim Remley: Green Orleans sponsored a discussion last week at Hoag Library about a proposed data center at the STAMP site in Alabama, NY. From left to right, David Giacherio (Green Orleans and Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association), Sarah Howard (Allies of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation), and Grandell “Bird” Logan (Tonawanda Seneca Nation).
Press Release, Green Orleans
ALBION – Approximately 50 Orleans County residents recently gathered at the Hoag Library for a Green Orleans sponsored presentation on the mega data center proposed for the STAMP site in Alabama, NY.
The evening was kicked-off by Dave Giacherio, a retired scientist and professor, representing Green Orleans and the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association. Giacherio posted a quote that set the tone for the evening’s presentation. It read: “Nothing that is vast enters the life of mortals without a curse” (Sophocles, circa 480 BCE).
Giacherio gave a broad-brush overview of artificial intelligence (AI), because the rush to build data centers around the nation is closely linked to AI. Data centers function as the “brains” for AI, carrying out the incredibly large number of calculations needed to answer AI queries.
He noted AI offers both great promise and great risks. The promise includes massive increases in efficiency and productivity across all of society, a revolution in healthcare, and large advances in science and technology. He gave an example where AI readily solved the extraordinarily difficult bio-science problem of protein folding.
The risks of AI include massive economic and social disruption (including huge job losses), societal risks from people using AI for criminal purposes, and the risks from AI itself acting against the best interests of humanity.
Giacherio gave examples where AI urged a young man to commit suicide, where AI provided instructions for preparation and dispersal of toxic pathogens, and where AI helped plan a school shooting.
The current rush to develop AI and build data centers does not include appropriate measures to ensure human safety. Giacherio claimed that what is needed is a pause in the manic rush to develop AI and data centers, and a reimagining and redirection of AI so that humans and their concerns are “in the loop.”
Sarah Howard of the Allies of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation focused on health and environmental concerns. Low-frequency noise, which is emitted by such hyperscale data centers can travel several miles and would be heard by some Orleans County residents.
Persistent exposure to noise, especially low frequency noise, causes physical health problems such as hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as emotional distress. This noise will also impact wildlife in the surrounding public-protected areas. Also, the 24/7 lighting will affect birds, including migratory birds (light pollution affects migratory fly-path navigation).
Wastewater discharge from the proposed data center will flow into a tributary of the Oak Orchard Creek via the Village of Oakfield wastewater treatment facility – inevitably impacting the $28 million/year sportfishing industry. The Orleans County coordinator of Sportfishing and the Seth Green Chapter of Trout Unlimited have expressed opposition and concerns.
Next up was Grandell “Bird” Logan of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation (TSN). Logan did a short review of the history of the Tonawanda Seneca people, noting that their territory has shrunk dramatically over the last centuries. He talked about the “Big Woods”, a section of old-growth forest on the reservation that is rich in plant and animal life, and which is culturally central both to the TSN and to other tribes around the country.
The STAMP site is adjacent to the TSN and the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. Logan explained that there is only a 400-foot buffer between it and the Tonawanda Seneca Nation’s federally recognized reservation territory.
He noted the risks of noise pollution, air pollution, and groundwater pollution from a gigantic data center so close to their homeland. Logan stressed that humans are not the only creatures that can be affected – the rich animal and plant life of the reservation could also be at risk.
The evening’s presentation ended with a vigorous discussion with the audience.
Green Orleans is a small grassroots organization committed to the preservation of our environment. The organization holds its meetings on the third Thursday of every month at 11:30 a.m. at the Hoag Library. All are welcome.
Community Heart & Soul initiative to prioritize action plan
Provided photos: Carlton Heart & Soul volunteers convene at a recent meeting.
Press Release, Rochester Area Community Foundation
The Town of Carlton and Village of Corfu were selected as the first communities in Western New York to launch Community Heart & Soul, a program that helps build stronger, more connected communities centered around what people love about where they live. Batavia will follow shortly after, launching later in 2026.
“My hope is that the Community Heart & Soul process encourages greater community involvement in village decision-making and helps restore the pride, character, and sense of identity that make our little village special,” says Ken Lauer, Corfu resident, Village Trustee, and owner of Buttercrumbs Bakery.
When people talk about small rural towns, the story often focuses on what’s been lost: like anchor employers, bustling main streets, and vital services. But that’s only part of the story.
Every small town also has strengths — including its people, traditions, quirks, and local legends — that residents don’t want to lose as they plan for the future.
Through a guided, two-year process, Community Heart & Soul will help residents identify the priorities, places and traditions that matter most, and work together to turn those shared values into action. The goal: to engage the entire community in shaping the future of their town.
“Most of our members are lifelong residents of Carlton,” says Peter Bartula, one of the volunteers with Carlton Heart & Soul. “We want to help our town to achieve the success that other Heart & Soul Communities have achieved.”
Developed and field-tested in more than 130 small cities and towns across the country, the Community Heart & Soul model empowers residents to dream together and access resources to make things happen. At the end of two years, communities will have identified common ground, prioritized ideas, and developed a plan for short- and long-term action.
Corfu Heart & Soul volunteers are shown in this picture.
In 2025, Rochester Area Community Foundation and the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo invited towns and villages with a population of 25,000 or less in Genesee or Orleans counties — areas served by both organizations — to apply. Six communities raised their hand to explore whether Community Heart & Soul was the right fit for their town. A $1,000 mini-grant for community engagement work was offered to communities who were not selected for the initial cohort, to honor residents’ efforts.
Community Heart & Soul and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr Foundation have committed expertise and funding towards the engagement process. These resources will help pay for marketing, materials, food, event supplies, coaching, and project coordination.
Staff members from Rochester Area Community Foundation and the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo will serve as “coaches,” guiding residents through Community Heart & Soul’s four phases: imagine, connect, plan, and act.
“Heart & Soul gives residents the support to turn their ideas into action,” says Sara Bukowiec, Director of Rural Community Impact at Rochester Area Community Foundation. “And it gives funders the opportunity to listen deeply and learn what’s most important to these communities.”
A major goal of the initiative is to build relationships between communities and their local funders, opening the door to funding opportunities during Community Heart & Soul, and in the future.
“We are honored to help bring this innovative, resident-driven process to Genesee and Orleans counties. This opportunity reflects our enduring commitment to strengthen communities across Western New York as we connect people, ideas and resources to improve lives,” says Cara Matelliano, Vice President, Community Impact, Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.
Residents can learn more from Heart & Soul volunteers at these upcoming events:
• Village of Corfu Memorial Day Parade – Monday, May 25 at 12 p.m.
• Town of Carlton Hometown Days – Saturday, June 6 at 12 p.m.
People interested in participating in Corfu, Carlton or Batavia Heart & Soul should contact Paige O’Connor (poconnor@racf.org or 585.341.4332).
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 14 May 2026 at 8:44 am
Becky Winans creates mandala art – ‘Sometimes I paint all night, I love it so much’
Photos Becky Winans holds her granddaughter, while looking at three pieces of mandala art, which are part of her first show at Marti’s on Main Street.
Becky Winans of Medina wears a Mandala necklace she made.
ALBION – Becky Winans, a wife, mother and grandmother, never aspired to be an artist, and it wasn’t until 2019 that she realized her talent and “let loose.”
She currently has her first show at Marti’s on Main at 20 South Main St. There is an opening reception on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the art gallery.
Winans grew up in Millville, the former Becky Pask. Her great-aunt was Esther Boyle of Medina, an artist and art teacher for the Medina School District for many years.
“She left an impression on me which sparked an interest in painting lake stones, like we did together when I was a small child,” Winans said. “I took up painting in 2018 and started out painting stones I collected from the shores of Lake Ontario.”
Gradually, she began painting on small canvas, and then larger canvas. One of her prized artistic accomplishments was painting a wooden clarinet which had been given to her at a yard sale a couple of years ago. Then a friend gave her an old ukulele and she decided it was a perfect piece on which to create artwork. Both are included in her show.
“I’m always searching for unique things to paint and dabble at a bit with decoupage art,” Winans said.
A self-taught artist, Becky Winans of Medina looks at the clarinet she painted. It is part of her first show which will debut with an opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Marti’s on Main Street in Albion.
When she discovered mandala, she was hooked. The majority of her exhibit is mandala, an art form which Google calls “a geometric configuration of symbols.”
Gallery owner Kim Martillotta Muscarella said mandala was done by monks as a form of meditation.
Winans explains mandala requires intricate work – exact spacing, texture and consistency of paint. She sometimes uses acrylics and, at times, paint pens.
She builds each piece through layers of patterns and colors, allowing her intuition to guide her hand. Her style, she said, often features bright colors that evoke a sense of joy and happiness.
“I draw inspiration from the intricate patterns of nature and spirituality when creating mandala art,” Winans said. “The circular form of the mandala represents the universe and the interconnectedness of all things, illustrating the importance of balance, wholeness and unity in life. This concept profoundly inspires my creative process.”
The clarinet she painted took a lot of work, she said. She first disassembled all the keys, then painted them individually and put them back together.
“Sometimes I paint all night, I love it so much,” she said.
“Mandalas create a calming and meditative space for reflection,” Winans said. “My hope is that my mandalas instill a sense of peace, contemplation and perhaps joy as you immerse yourself in each piece, allowing for personal interpretations that resonate with you.”
Also exhibiting in Friday’s show is Mark Weld of Middleport and Cindy Meal of Lockport.
Weld is a self-taught artist and welder. He creates metal art and has exhibited in regional shows, including the Allentown Art Festival and the Adirondacks National Exhibition.
Meal began painting in 1997. She had been writing poems and short stories in her spare time, but needed something more. She wanted to somehow paint to communicate, and when a friend told her to do it, she did. She learned about plein art, but also strives to paint more creatively using expressionism, impressionism and abstraction.
An opening reception is from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, and the exhibit runs through June 13. Viewing is by appointment by calling (585) 590-9211, or communication may be sent to Marti’s on Main Street, P.O. Box 103, Albion, 14411.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 May 2026 at 8:17 am
District under tax cap for 17th straight year
MEDINA – School officials have put together a $47,998,851 proposed budget for the 2026-27 school year.
District residents will go to the polls on May 19 from noon to 8 p.m. in the Oak Orchard Primary School Gymnasium, 335 West Oak Orchard St.
The budget increases spending by 2.89 percent from the current $46,648,693. The tax levy, what the district collects in property taxes, would increase by 1.97 percent – from $9,170,809 to $9,351,474.
State and federal aid are at $36,556,210 and covers 76.2 percent of the budget. Property taxes represent 19.5 percent of the budget.
School officials provided these highlights of the budget:
Maintaining all existing programs, sports and extracurricular activities
Continued commitment to providing school supplies for all students
Review of current and future contractual obligations
Purchases 2 full-sized buses and one half-sized bus.
Support for district strategic priorities
Providing students with the most up-to-date programming and facilities
Development of a new 5-year staffing plan
Use of available reserves and fund balance to balance the budget
The budget is again under the tax cap – for the 17th straight year.
“The budget was developed with the Medina Central School District’s vision and mission in mind, guiding all budgeting decisions,” Board President Alissa Mitchell wrote in a letter to the community. “Additionally, the long-range fiscal planning of our Board of Education has allowed the District to submit a budget below the tax cap for the seventeenth straight year.”
There are three candidates for three open seats on the Board of Education:
Steven Blount – A physician assistant at Rochester Regional Health Medina Family Medicine, Blount has been on the board the past three years. Since 2023, he has earned a Doctorate in Health Administration and an MBA.
“I am running to ensure that our district operates with transparency and accountability while maintaining the excellence in education you have come to expect,” Dr. Blount state din the district newsletter. “I want to bring my experience in complex problem-solving and evidence-based practice to the Board to help navigate the challenges facing our schools, ensuring every child in Medina has the resources and support to reach their fullest potential.”
LuAnn Tierney – A retired teacher at Roy-Hart, Tierney currently is a track and field official for USATF, NCAA and NFHS. She has been on the Board of Education for six years.
“My goal is to help create an environment on the school board that is supportive of education, supportive of our staff, and our community,” Tierney said. “This will allow us to have the ability to weigh everyone’s opinion, come to consensus and respect the outcome. We have always worked to do our best to provide a quality education while keeping the tax rate increases to a minimum. We continue to explore new ways to improve and grow as a district.”
Mackenzie Sullivan – The nursing supervisor for Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital, Sullivan is a Medina graduate.
“I would like to serve in this role to help ensure that our standard of excellence continues well into the future,” she said. “As a parent of a current student in our district, I am also a personal stakeholder in the success of the Medina CSD. In my career as a registered nurse, I am well versed in NYS regulatory agencies and the struggles of navigating amongst them, bringing that experience and viewpoint to the board.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) on Wednesday held a virtual press conference slamming President Trump for causing the highest gas prices in years.
She called for an immediate and permanent end to the president’s war in Iran, which is directly responsible for raising costs for hardworking Americans.
“Every commute to work, every ride to a doctor’s appointment, and every carpool to school costs 50 percent more today than it did just a year ago due to skyrocketing gas prices. That is a direct result of President Trump’s reckless war with Iran,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The American people do not want this war; they want lower costs. President Trump must end the war once and for all and provide relief to Americans struggling with higher costs in his economy.”
The average cost of gas in New York state today is $4.59 per gallon—nearly 50 percent more than it was a year ago. In some parts of New York, gas is over $5.00 per gallon.
This is a direct result of President Trump’s war with Iran, which has caused the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a quarter of the world’s oil passes.
In a press conference, Senator Gillibrand reiterated her call for President Trump to end the war to provide relief to American consumers.
Senator Gillibrand has made clear that she will not provide a blank check for President Trump’s reckless war in Iran. She has voted yes multiple times on war powers resolutions to reassert Congress’ responsibility, demand accountability, and send a clear message that military force must be debated, justified, and authorized before American lives are put at risk. She has repeatedly called for the president to prioritize lowering costs at home rather than reckless foreign wars abroad.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Bill Lattin, retired Orleans County historian, and Sue Starkweather Miller, Village of Albion historian, lead a tour of Mount Albion Cemetery on Aug. 3, 2025.
Press Release, Orleans County Historical Association
ALBION – The Orleans County Historical Association (OCHA) once again welcomes the community to their monthly history talks and August cemetery tours.
The history talks are held from May to October on the last Wednesday of the month at 7p.m. in the Gaines Basin Cobblestone Schoolhouse on 3286 Gaines Basin Rd. The talks are free and donations are gladly accepted.
Many of this year’s presentations will spotlight the Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) of our country and state (NY 250).
The schedule includes:
May 27 – “DAR Celebrates 250 years of Independence” with Patrice Birner, Orleans County DAR
June 24 – “The Haudenosaunee Perspective of NY 250” with Terry Abrams, Niagara County Historical Society
July 29 – “Soldiers Who Served in the Revolutionary War from Orleans County” with Tim Archer, retired Service-Learning Educator, Albion School District
Aug. 26 – “Songs and Stories of the Erie Canal” with Don Dwyer, musician and storyteller
Sept. 30 – “The Burned Over District Part Deux! The Fire Was Not Easily Extinguished” with Doug Miller, retired history teacher
Oct. 28 – “Neat Stuff from the Hoag Library Special History Collections” with Dee Robinson, Hoag Local History Reference Librarian
The tour last summer at Mount Albion included a stop in front of the Civil War Memorial, a 68-foot-high tower in on honor of nearly 500 people from Orleans County who were killed in the Civil War.
The popular summer cemetery tours will once again take place this August. All tours begin at 6 p.m. at the cemetery main entrance. Rain or shine.
Aug. 2 – Maple Ridge Cemetery at 12055 Maple Ridge Rd (Rt 31A) Shelby with Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian
Aug. 9 – Boxwood Cemetery at 3735 N. Gravel Rd, Medina with Todd Bensley, Village of Medina Historian
Aug. 16 – Beechwood Cemetery at 1523 W. Kendall Rd. at Woodchuck Alley, Kendall with Emily Richardson, Kendall Town Historian; Dave Gaudioso, Kendall town councilman; and Bill Lattin, retired Orleans County historian.
Aug. 23 – Otter Creek Cemetery at 13252 Ridge Rd., Gaines with Adrienne Kirby, Town of Gaines Historian
Aug. 30 – Mt. Albion Cemetery at Route 31, Albion with Bill Lattin and Sue Starkweather Miller, Village of Albion historian
Provided photos: Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke is joined by his wife Suzanne in accepting an award on April 28 in Albany.
ALBANY – Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) New York, STOP–DWI and The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee hosted their Annual Law Enforcement Recognition Event on April 28 at the Albany Capital Center.
The Maureen McCormick Lifetime Achievement award was created in honor of Suffolk County Special Assistant District Attorney Maureen McCormick in 2022. These awards recognize the contribution for the lifetime commitment to keeping the roads of New York safe and for protecting our communities from the 100% preventable crimes of drunk and impaired driving.
The 2026 Maureen McCormick Leader of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Christopher M. Bourke.
Sheriff Bourke has committed over 40 years of service to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, serving as a Corrections Officer, Deputy Sheriff, Deputy Sheriff Lieutenant, and Undersheriff before being elected Sheriff of Orleans County.
During his time as a Deputy Sheriff and Lieutenant, Sheriff Bourke was known and respected as being proactive in impaired driving enforcement, routinely making DWI arrests.
During his time as Undersheriff from 2016 to 2020, Sheriff Bourke led efforts within the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office to implement and expand drunk and impaired driving community outreach. Some examples include Sheriff Bourke obtaining the agency’s first DWI simulator, expanding community outreach into local schools, increased sheriff’s office participation in prom season DWI simulations, and more.
Chris Bourke accepts the Maureen McCormick Lifetime Achievement award for his 40-plus year career in law enforcement and drunk driving enforcement.
Since being elected Sheriff, Sheriff Bourke has continued his commitment to drunk and impaired driving enforcement—the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with DRE Instructors and hosted an Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving class. In addition to numerous sheriff’s office personnel attending this course, it was also made available to other agencies within Orleans County. This training was the direct result of Sheriff Bourke’s personal mission to expand impaired driving enforcement training within Orleans County.
The Sheriff’s Office recently acquired the most updated DWI Simulator on the market, to more effectively educate young people about the consequences of drunk and impaired driving. Additionally, Sheriff Bourke made a commitment to re-establishing the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Drug Recognition Expert Program.
For many years, the sheriff’s office did not have any certified Drug Recognition Experts. Since re-establishing the program, the sheriff’s office has added two certified Drug Recognition Experts in the past two years. Under Sheriff Bourke’s leadership, there has been a 150 percent increase in DWI arrest by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office over the past four years.
Throughout his 40-plus year career with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Bourke’s rank has changed, his roles have changed, but what has not changed is his commitment to drunk and impaired driving enforcement.
Press Release, Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force
Donevan Harrison, left, and Tony Thompson both were charged with felonies.
ALBION – After an investigation into the sale and distribution of crack cocaine in the village of Albion, two people from Albion are facing felony charges.
The Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, the Albion Police Department and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant 431 West State St. Lot 29 in the village of Albion.
Police arrested:
• Donevan C. Harrison, age 39, of 431 West State St. Lot 29 is charged with 1 count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree (B felony).
• Tony Thompson, age 59, of 224 West State St. is charged with 14 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree (B felonies).
Harrison was arraigned in Orleans County CAP Court by Gaines Town Justice Charles Prentice and was committed to the Orleans County Jail pending a bail hearing in County Court.
Harrison was the subject of a search warrant execution and was arrested on drug charges on Jan. 21. Harrison was released on his own recognizance on Jan. 22 in County Court. Those charges are still pending.
Thompson was released on an appearance ticket pursuant to the New York State bail reform law. He is to return to the Albion Town Court on June 6 at 9:30 a.m.
Assisting in the investigation was District Attorney Susan Howard, the Albion Police Department, the Albion Police K9 Unit and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
Further arrests and charges are pending in this case.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 May 2026 at 10:04 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A group moves a transformer down Allen Road this morning in Albion. Personnel are escorting the vehicle, holding up wires.
The journey started at about 9 a.m. from near the railroad tracks in Albion and went south on Hamilton Street and then turned east onto Allen Road.
The transformer is headed to a solar project in Byron.
The load heads up Hamilton Street underneath utility wires.
The oversize load weighs 430,000 pounds and is shown on Allen Road. Motorists are expected to experience delays today and are urged to consider alternate routes.
Once on Route 98, the group with the oversize load will pass through Barre and part of Elba.
They will turn on Lockport Road in Elba and continue to North Byron Road, and then go on Searls Road to Tower Hill Road and then Byron Road in Byron. The entire trip is about 17 miles.
The height of this load will necessitate the lifting of most overhead wires and traffic control devices. The load will move into oncoming traffic to avoid overhead obstructions.
Route 98 will be closed for an undisclosed amount of time to all traffic from Old Orchard Road to Lockport Road.
The load heads south on Route 98 after making the turn off of Allen Road.
Another oversize load is expected a week from today.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 13 May 2026 at 8:03 am
ALBION – Albion Healthcare Center has announced that it has achieved Patient-Centered Medical Home certification, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to delivering high quality, patient-centered healthcare to the rural communities it serves, according to information from Scott Robinson, director of marketing at Medina Memorial Hospital.
These recognitions reflect Albion Healthcare Center’s dedication to providing accessible, coordinated and comprehensive care focused on improving the health and wellbeing of patients and families throughout the region.
PCMH certification is a nationally recognized distinction awarded to healthcare practices that meet rigorous standards for primary care delivery. The certification recognizes healthcare organizations that prioritize strong patient-provider relationships, coordinated care, quality improvement and enhanced access to services, Robinson explained.
In addition, the Albion Healthcare Center maintains the Rural Health Clinic accreditation, which highlights its role in expanding access to essential healthcare services in rural communities, the RHC designation supports the delivery of primary care services in underserved areas, while holping ensure patients have access to preventive care, chronic disease management and routine medical services close to home.
“These achievements demonstrate the commitment of our providers, nurses and staff to delivering exceptional care to our community,” said Alana Palone, clinic administrator at Orleans Community Health. “These accreditations reflect our continued focus on improving access, strengthening care coordination and providing compassionate, patient-centered healthcare.”
As a Patient-Centered Medical Home and accredited Rural Health Clinic, Albion Healthcare Clinic emphasizes:
Comprehensive care through a multidisciplinary healthcare team
Improved access to services, communication and coordinated treatment plans
Ongoing quality improvement and patient safety initiatives
Enhanced coordination between primary care providers, specialists and community resources
Expanded healthcare access for rural and underserved populations
These recognitions further support Albion Healthcare Center’s mission to provide high-quality healthcare services while strengthening the health of the communities it serves.
The Albion Healthcare Center initially opened in late fall 2012 as an urgent care, although it was never officially an urgent care, and the name was quickly changed to a walk-in medical center. It has been the Albion Healthcare Center for years now, according to Robinson.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 13 May 2026 at 7:53 am
MEDINA – Families across Orleans County are invited to celebrate the start of summer by attending the upcoming Children’s Wellness Fair, hosted by Orleans Community Health and Medina Memorial Hospital. The free community event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 30 at the park south of Medina Memorial Hospital.
Designed for children of all ages and their families, the Children’s Wellness Fair will feature a variety of fun, hands-on activities focused on health, safety and wellness in a welcoming outdoor setting, according to Scott Robinson, director of Community Partners at Orleans Community Health.
Attendees can enjoy bicycle helmet and safety education, doctor dress-up activities, face painting and crafts, stuffed animal check-ups, an obstacle course, snow cones, giveaways and more.
The event serves as a kickoff to summer, while encouraging families to stay active, healthy and connected to community resources, Robinson said. Hospital staff and community partners will be on hand throughout the day to engage with families and provide information in a fun and interactive environment.
“We’re excited to welcome families to Medina Memorial Hospital for a day focused on wellness, fun and community,” Robinson said. “This event is an opportunity to celebrate the start of summer while creating positive experiences for children and helping families learn more about healthy living and safety.”
The Children’s Wellness Fair is at no cost to attendees and no registration is required.
ALBION – Today from 9 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m., the State Police will be assisting with an oversized load escort which may disrupt traffic patterns beginning in Albion and ending in Byron.
The width of this load will obstruct oncoming traffic. Route 98 will be closed for an undisclosed amount of time to all traffic from Old Orchard Road to Lockport Road.
The height of this load will necessitate the lifting of most overhead wires and traffic control devices. The load will move into oncoming traffic to avoid overhead obstructions.
The weight of the load will keep speeds to around 5-10 mph with many stoppages.
The permitted route of travel will begin on Hamilton St. in the town of Albion proceed east on Allen Rd. then South on Oak Orchard Rd. (SR-98) to east on Lockport Rd. T/Elba and continue N. Byron Rd. to South on Searls Rd. to East on Tower Hill Rd. then South on Byron Rd. T/Byron.
It is recommended that if you encounter this load, move to the shoulder of the roadway, into a driveway or parking lot or seek an alternate route of travel to your destination. Lower your window and follow directions from State Police or escort vehicles.
Expect delays on those roads during business hours.
