By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 July 2026 at 11:13 am
Town Board seeks to make the positions be appointed
Photo by Tom Rivers: Dale Root, the Shelby highway superintendent, speaks during Tuesday’s Town Board meeting, going over a monthly report for the Highway Department.
SHELBY – The Town Board will give voters the chance to decide whether the town keeps the town clerk and highway superintendent as elected positions or instead changes to having those officials be appointed by the Town Board.
The issue will be on the ballot during the Nov. 3 election, with each position its own referendum. In Orleans County, all 10 towns currently have the town clerk and highway superintendent as elected positions. In the four villages, the clerk and DPW superintendent are appointed.
During a June 30 public hearing, many of the speakers opposed the change proposed by Shelby, saying it would take away residents’ voting rights to pick the officials in those two jobs.
But Town Board members say residents will still have in a say in how those jobs are filled by who they elect to be on the Town Board.
Town Supervisor Jim Heminway said the appointment process would better ensure highly qualified people would serve as town clerk and highway superintendent.
Some of the speakers during the June 30 public hearings said the local Republican Committees in Orleans County are ultimately the ones that decide who serves in the key town positions.
Republicans have a 2-to-1 enrollment advantage over Democrats, making it difficult for a Democrat to get elected. It is also very challenging to run as an upstart Republican candidate without the committee’s backing, some of the speakers said.
Several town highway superintendents and town clerks also spoke at the hearing, saying it is better for the community to have elected people in those jobs, who ultimately answer to residents and not the Town Board.
The referendums will ask voters whether they support abolishing the highway superintendent and town clerk as elected positions and then create a hired office of town clerk and hired office of highway superintendent.
Town Councilman John Pratt said the voters will decide if the positions remain elected or not.
“It’s not taking your vote away,” Pratt said during Tuesday’s Town Board meeting. “You have a choice when you cast your ballot in November. The board believes you will get the most for your tax dollars by voting for this change. If you’re happy with the current system as it is, then vote against it (the change).”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 July 2026 at 10:42 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Aaron D’Angelo walks out of the courtroom in the Orleans County Courthouse this morning after being arraigned before Judge Sanford Church. D’Angelo is being held without bail in the Orleans County Jail.
ALBION – The man who allegedly stabbed two brothers in February, killing one and seriously wounding the other, was arraigned in Orleans County Court today.
Aaron D’Angelo, 36, of Medina was charged with murder and attempted murder after two brothers were stabbed on Feb. 7 in Shelby.
D’Angelo allegedly caused the death of Dale R. Lang, 65, who was pronounced deceased at the scene, 4643 South Gravel Road (Route 63).
His brother John Lang, 67, also suffered multiple stab wounds and was transported to Medina Memorial Hospital and then Erie County Medical Center. John Lang has recovered after being stabbed about 20 times.
D’Angelo was arraigned in county court this morning for second-degree murder, attempted murder in the second degree, first-degree assault, menacing a police officer and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.
He also was arraigned on a separate indictment from November for second-degree strangulation, and two counts of criminal contempt in the first degree, for allegedly choking his mother and violating orders of protection she had against him.
County Court Judge Sanford Church continued to have D’Angelo be held in the county jail without bail for the murder and attempted murder charges. For the charges against his mother, D’Angelo is being held on $50,000 cash bail, $100,000 bond and $200,000 partially secured bond.
Public Defender Joanne Best is representing D’Angelo. She asked for “reasonable bail,” saying he has always shown up for his court appearances.
D’Angelo has been in the county jail since his arrest. There was a 730 exam to determine his mental capacity and he was found to be competent, District Attorney Susan Howard said.
D’Angelo is next scheduled to appear in county court on July 29 for a conference.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Connor Jurs, 13, of Kent holds one of the fish he caught last year during the Danny Spierdowis Memorial Kids’ Fishing Derby. There were 67 participants last year. Prizes go to kids who catch the most fish by cumulative weight and also for the longest fish. There are different age divisions.
Press Release, Albion Sportsmen’s Association
ALBION – Free fishing. Free food and drinks. Lots of prizes.
What better way to spend a Saturday.
The 30th Annual Danny Spierdowis Memorial Kids’ Fishing Derby will be from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 1 at Albion Sportsmen’s Association on Keitel Road. Pre-registration begins at 8:30.
The derby is open to Orleans County residents only, ages 16 and under, with prizes given to all entrants and special prizes awarded to the winners in all age groups and categories. Last year, 18 children won fishing poles and all entrants received gift bags of tackle and candy.
The not-for-profit club provides drinks and lunch to all the children and parents.
The derby is named in honor of Danny Spierdowis, who died at age 19 in a car crash Jan. 20, 1990.
Anyone wishing to participate in the derby must register by July 28 by calling or texting Scott DeSmit at 585-815-5150. You can also email him at desmitmail@yahoo.com. Please provide the names and ages of the children and the number of adults attending.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 July 2026 at 10:31 pm
An air quality alert has been issued beginning midnight tonight through midnight Wednesday night for Orleans County due to wildfire smoke from northern Minnesota and Canada.
The air quality alert much of Western New York, Central New York and eastern Lake Ontario region.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued the advisory due to an Air Quality Index value of 135 for fine particulates in the outdoor air. The higher the AQI value, the greater the health concern, the DEC said.
When pollution levels are elevated, the State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects.
“People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease,” the DOH said. “Those with symptoms should consider consulting their personal physician.”
The highs the next few days include 89 on Wednesday, 86 on Thursday, 83 on Friday and 85 on Saturday.
Group seeks stronger environmental review at STAMP
Press Release, Allies of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation
Allies of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation welcomes Governor Kathy Hochul’s one-year moratorium on new hyperscale data center construction in our state. We agree that more study is needed to assess the impacts of these facilities on our shared environment – our waters, air, and plant and animal species – and on our utility rates, electrical grid, and quality of life.
The moratorium pauses permitting for data center project applications, like those of STREAM’s proposed data center at STAMP, that have not yet been deemed complete by NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). During the pause created by the moratorium, the Department of Public Service and DEC will carry out a General Environmental Impact Study in relation to data centers in the State, in order “to assess the potential environmental impacts of the construction and operation of data centers in the State, including energy demand, water use and quality, air quality, disproportionate impacts on disadvantaged communities, and noise levels.”
We urge GCEDC, the STAMP developer, to use the moratorium pause to conduct its own Environmental Impact Study of the possible impacts of data centers at STAMP, something DEC first called upon GCEDC to do over six months ago, but which GCEDC has thus far refused to do.
Over the last many months, residents of the GLOW Region and our statewide allies have powerfully and repeatedly called on local and statewide decisionmakers – including Governor Hochul – to stop the STAMP data center. We have demanded that they listen and take action in response to our overwhelming opposition. This moratorium is an appropriate response to our community’s serious concerns about hyperscale data centers and the impacts they will cause on our neighborhoods, our way of life and cost of living, and our environment.
We know who would profit from this data center: Big Tech, Private Equity, and GCEDC – not Genesee County residents or the Tonawanda Seneca Nation. We will continue to fight to protect our communities, our environment, and a livable future for us all.
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand also issued a statement in response to the one-year moratorium
“I applaud Governor Hochul for taking decisive action on data center construction. Today’s executive order sends a clear message New Yorkers deserve a say in how this technology impacts their lives and communities.
“This one-year moratorium is fundamentally about trust. Right now, New Yorkers aren’t convinced these massive facilities benefit them. Before we move forward, our communities need ironclad guarantees that their energy bills won’t spike, their water will be protected, and their air will remain clean.
“At the federal level, my mission is to ensure AI innovation benefits every American, not just a powerful few. That requires establishing clear, reliable rules of the road. We must build a framework that protects our kids from harmful algorithms and social media tools; shields seniors and consumers from AI-driven scams and fraud; and safeguards American jobs and livelihoods from displacement.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 July 2026 at 12:51 pm
Board said site has been overwhelmed by brush and construction material from outside village
Photo by Tom Rivers: A gate is locked to prevent access for people to dump brush at the village of Medina’s compost site on North Gravel Road next to Boxwood Cemetery. Medina officials said people were leaving construction materials and other debris.
MEDINA – The Village Board doesn’t anticipate reopening the compost site for brush dumping anytime soon.
The site has been closed for about six weeks for people to unload brush and lawn clippings. That was the intended use, but the site has been overwhelmed with construction materials and debris, as well as brush from people from outside the village.
The board was considering allowing village residents to come to the village office and get a key to open a locked gate, but has decided against that.
The village DPW picks up brush the first Monday each month. It is usually a one-day job, but this month it took 2 ½ days to get all the brush piles around the village, said Jason Watts, superintendent of the Department of Public Works.
He wants to go at least another month with the gate closed at the compost site and gauge how much brush is left around the village. He expected there would be more than normal due to people being unable to use the compost site.
“Right now is prime time for brush with everyone cleaning up their yards,” Watts told the Village Board on Monday evening. “I feel bad for residents leaving brush and having it sit out all month.”
He urged people to have it out in time for the first Monday of the month. He said the DPW starts picking up from the east end of the village first and then works through to the west end.
Trustee Mark Prawel said he favors just having the DPW pick up the brush and not having any dumping by residents or people outside the village. The brush piles are burned at the compost site, which is a concern for some neighbors.
He said the site has too much brush and other materials already.
“I don’t see how we can open it up when we don’t have a solution for getting rid of what we have now,” Prawel said.
Village Board members said they expect residents will get used to leaving the brush by the curb and not dumping at the compost site.
Governor seeks to repeal sales tax exemptions for projects
File photo by Tom Rivers: A massive data center, totaling 2.2 million square feet, has been proposed for the STAMP site off Route 63 in the town of Alabama. Stream US Data Centers said it would spend $19 billion on the project. Stream is seeking $1.43 billion in sales tax exemptions – $715,944,000 locally and $715,944,000 to the state.
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
Governor Kathy Hochul today signed an Executive Order to create the nation’s first moratorium on new hyperscale data centers, establishing the strongest standards for data center development and creating a blueprint to support localities.
The Governor is temporarily pausing State environmental permits for up to one year in order to build a nation-leading regulatory framework that protects ratepayers, the environment, the energy grid and communities across the state.
“New York has always been at the forefront of innovation and change but we’ve also always guaranteed that New Yorkers benefit. As data center development threatens to hike up utility bills, deplete our natural resources, and create uncertainty for New Yorkers, it’s my responsibility to take action and lead,” Governor Hochul said. “New York will lead the way in creating the strongest standards in the nation for data center development, ensuring that when companies succeed because of New York, New Yorkers succeed too.”
New York State is experiencing unprecedented growth in demand for data center development driven by artificial intelligence and other computing operations. The increase in demand has led to proposals across the state for the construction and operation of data centers that could require massive amounts of energy and water to run and cool thousands of computer servers.
Earlier this year, the Governor directed the Department of Public Service (DPS) to begin the Energize NY proceeding, which will require data centers to either pay more for their energy or supply their own, allowing the state to keep energy more affordable for New Yorkers.
As part of that proceeding, the Governor is now also directing DPS to develop a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for data centers to ensure new data centers coming online are being held to consistent standards. During the development of this GEIS, which will take up to a year, a moratorium will be in place and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will not issue any discretionary permits not already deemed complete.
The state will use the GEIS to assess the potential environmental impacts of the construction and operation of data centers in the state, including their effect on energy demand, water use and quality, and air quality. Once the State finalizes these standards, the moratorium will be lifted, allowing new data center projects to proceed as long as they follow state, zoning code and other local approvals.
Dr. Kirk Scirto, a family medicine specialist at Tonawanda Family Care Center, spoke at public hearings on Feb. 3, 2025 at the Alabama Fire Hall. He called data centers “parasitic centers.” He said the constant noise from the data centers is comparable to the sounds of jet engines. The impact from the noise and light will have negative impacts on neighbors and wildlife, he said.
The Governor also directed Empire State Development (ESD) to issue a Community Investment Framework (CIF) within 60 days, which will provide clear guidance to local entities to help them negotiate community benefits as part of any large-scale data center deal, including local infrastructure improvements, child care investments, and direct financial support for their community.
The CIF will also establish frameworks that provide organized labor a seat at the table and prioritize prevailing wage standards and project labor agreements for data center construction, local hiring, apprenticeships and workforce development to maximize economic benefits. This framework will additionally include a formula to help communities assess where to begin investment negotiations. An outline of the CIF is currently available on ESD’s website, and the public is encouraged to submit feedback.
Additionally, the Governor is directing DPS to consider creating a New York Grid Acceleration Fund to require data centers to invest in the state’s aging grid infrastructure and energy needs so all New Yorkers benefit from responsible development. The fund could support the procurement of new clean energy supply and establishment of an insurance pool to which developers may need to contribute to protect against speculative large loads that create uncertainty and increase costs. DPS will also consider approaches to require data centers to fund new clean electric generation dedicated to their operations, including but not limited to customer-sited distributed energy resources and battery storage.
Finally, Governor Hochul is pursuing legislation to repeal sales tax exemptions for massive data centers across the state.
Since taking office, Governor Hochul has ensured New York is leading the nation in AI innovation and development. As part of her FY25 Budget, the Governor launched Empire AI, a nation-leading initiative to advance AI research for public good. This year, she launched the FutureWorks Commission to advise on policy and private sector actions to protect the security of workers while harnessing the economic benefits of AI for all New Yorkers. This blue ribbon Commission is composed of nation-leading experts, workers’ advocates, and business leaders, and will be charged with advising Governor Hochul on how to navigate the AI transition, so that the benefits of AI can be shared among New York’s families, workers, and small businesses — not just large corporations.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 July 2026 at 10:31 am
POINT BREEZE – For the second this summer, a concert at the Orleans County Marine Park has been rescheduled due to hot weather.
The Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association and Friends of the Orleans County Marine Park announced that the concert planned for this evening featuring Feedback has been rescheduled to Aug. 18.
The June 30 concert with Something Else also was rescheduled to Aug. 11 due to a heat advisory.
Today’s high temperature is forecast to reach 93 degrees with heat index values as high as 105 expected.
A heat advisory for Orleans County is in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 July 2026 at 9:00 am
Photo by Natalie Baron: Kids have fun at the bounce houses last year on July 16 during a countywide rec day at Bullard Park. The event returns tomorrow and kids can use the bounce houses and play other games for free.
ALBION – A big group of kids is expected on Wednesday for the annual County Wide Recreation Day at Bullard Park in Albion.
The park will have food, bounce houses, splash pad, games and other activities available for free from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be appearances by Hamburglar and Grimace, the McDonald’s mascots, and Patrick the Magician will perform at 11 a.m.
The Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern, Knights of Columbus and Salvation Army all covering the cost of the food for the children. The bounce houses, pony rides, face painting and magic show are all covered by the Village of Albion Parks and Recreation.
Last year 500 kids attended the Countywide Rec Day.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 July 2026 at 8:38 am
Village sets 6 p.m. Aug. 24 public hearing to ban overnight parking, trailers from using lot
Photo by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The Village of Medina Department of Public Works has put millings in a parking lot along Pearl Street. This land was donated to the village. The DPW removed concrete from the site and has put down the millings.
The site by Proctor Place is currently blocked off to vehicles. The Village Board has set a 6 p.m. public hearing on Aug. 24 for a local law that will ban overnight parking and trailers from using the space.
The village was given the 100-by-132 foot vacant lot at 115 Pearl St. It was donated by 415 West Avenue LLC, which is owned by Dr. Syed Shah, a cardiologist.
Dr. Shah initially offered the land for the Medina Fire Department but that lot isn’t a good fit for the fire department. The village instead will use it as a municipal lot.
The lot is between the Hometown Wellness Center at 119 Pearl St. and MDS Consultants at 105 Pearl St. The mural at Hometown Wellness was created in 2020 by Julian Montague, an artist from Buffalo who likes to paint large geometric patterns.
Jason Watts, the DPW superintendent, wants to allow the millings to settle for about a year before doing additional work on the space. By not having overnight parking in the lot, Watts said the DPW can more easily plow the site during the winter.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 July 2026 at 9:49 pm
File photos by Tom Rivers: Christian Navas was sworn in as Medina’s police chief during a Village Board meeting on Dec. 15, 2025. He submitted a letter of resignation, with his last day as chief on July 19.
MEDINA – The Medina Police Department is losing two of its leaders to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
Police Chief Christian Navas and Sgt. Jacob Reeves both submitted letters of resignation that were accepted by the Village Board this evening. Navas will be done on July 19 while Reeves’s last day is July 20.
Both are leaving Medina to join the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office for significant boosts in pay, said Mark Prawel, a Medina village trustee and retired Medina police officer.
The resignations will leave the department with one sergeant, Jonathan McManus, who joined the Medina PD on Sept. 26, 2022.
Navas joined the department about a decade ago and was appointed police chief on Dec. 15, 2025.
Sgt. Jake Reeves gets helps with his collar brass insignia from then Lt. Christian Navas and then Police Chief Todd Draper on Dec. 17, 2024. Reeves’ wife Dana watches after Reeves took the oath of office for his promotion.
Reeves also joined the Medina PD in 2016. He was appointed to sergeant in December 2024. He also was the department’s K9 handler beginning in 2020 with Phoenix, a Belgian Malinois. But the Medina Village Board disbanded the K9 program in 2025 in a cost-cutting move.
Medina is in arbitration with its police officers, who have been without a new contract for three years.
The Orleans County Legislature in may approved a three-year labor deal with 24 members of the Orleans County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, which includes deputies, sergeants, criminal investigators and lieutenants.
The contract gave the members a significant boost in pay to bring the group to the average pay for deputies in smaller counties.
They were about $5,400 below the average base salary for their positions among 13 smaller counties. In Orleans, they currently have a base salary of about $75,000.
They will get a 6.6 percent raise in 2027, bringing the base pay to about $80,000, and will then receive 2.5 percent increases every six months – Jan. 1, 2028; July 1, 2028; Jan. 1, 2029; and July 1, 2029.
The Legislature approved the contract because many of departments in nearby counties are offering $100,000 to start.
The Medina Village Board went into executive session this evening to discuss how to fill the vacancies in the Medina PD, and how the department will be led in the interim.
Medina also saw its previous police chief, Todd Draper, retire and then join Orleans County in the Major Felony Crime Task Force as an investigator.
Provided photos: Pat Harrington, left, will be joined on Thursday at a concert in Medina by award-winning guitarist Hayden Fogle.
Press Release, Orleans Renaissance Group
MEDINA – With the ’26 Blue Thursdays summer concert series in Medina suffering three gig cancelations due to weather, the July 16 might be the one to break the cycle.
It also comes with a special announcement.
“We’ve just been notified that this week’s artist, Pat Harrington, will be bringing along a special guest – Award winning guitarist Hayden Fogle will be joining the Pat Harrington Trio on stage. We couldn’t be more pumped to have this incredible talent at BT in Medina,” said Chris Busch of medinaalive.com, one of the co-organizers of the event.
When he’s not touring nationally and internationally, Pat Harrington performs around his native WNY with the Pat Harrington Trio and the Pat & Owen Duo.
Harrington is best known for his blistering lead work with Grammy-nominated and multi-Blues Music Award winning band Victor Wainwright & The Train. Pat blends rock, jazz, and blues with “smoke-soaked solos” with improvisational fluency and high-octane blues. He has performed with artists including Bobby Whitlock and Gary Clark Jr. among others.
The Trio features Owen Eichensehr (drums) and Paul L. Yates (bass).
Hayden Fogle has surprised and entertained audiences across the world with his electrifying guitar playing abilities. He has been invited to perform with many nationally well-known musicians including Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Grammy® winning producer Tom Hambridge, Lee Ritenour, Robert Randolph, Davy Knowles, Donald Kinsey & Kinsey Report, Bob Margolin and several others.
Fogle was the Grand Prize winner in the 2018 Lee Ritenour/Yamaha Music International Guitar Contest (Blues Category). The contest included contestants from over 50 countries, and the judges included some of the world’s greatest guitarists including Lee Ritenour, Joe Bonamassa, Keb Mo, Pat Martino, Joe Satriani, and Vince Gill.
“This is going to be a high-octane gig featuring some of the best international guitar talent to be seen anywhere, right here in State Street Park,” said Busch.
The show will feature professional sound provided by Curly Pfalzer of Pro Sound and Lighting.
The concerts are free and open to the public. Shows run from 6 to 8 p.m. There are no rain dates.
A wide variety of food vendors and beverages will be available on site.
Event updates, any cancellations and venue information will be posted at ‘blue thursdays medina’ Facebook page.
