Pictured from left include Jeffrey Ghee, Brennan Callara, Erica Ghee and Terrence Wells

MEDINA – Four people in Medina have been charged today after law enforcement seized over an ounce of cocaine, as well as cocaine packaged for sale, methamphetamine pills and parafluorofentanyl.

The Orleans County Major Felony Crimes Task Force and the FBI, in a joint investigation, executed a search warrant at 746 Church St. in Medina. They also seized digital scales, packaging material and over $1,300 in cash, the Task Force said.

The following, all residents of 746 Church St., were charged:

• Jeffrey Ghee, 39, was charged with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, intent to sell (Class B felony); one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (Class B felony); one count of tampering with evidence (Class E felony);  one count of conspiracy in the fourth degree (Class E felony); and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree (Class A misdemeanor).

Ghee was issued an appearance ticket returning to the Shelby Town Court on Dec. 1. Ghee was taken into federal custody and transported to Rochester to appear in federal court.

• Brennan Callara, 29, was charged with: one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, intent to sell; one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree; one count of conspiracy in the fourth degree; and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree.

Callara was issued an appearance ticket returning for Shelby Town Court on Dec. 1.  He was transported to Orleans County Jail where he was held on a parole warrant.

• Erika Ghee, 47, was charged with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third  degree, intent to sell; and one count of conspiracy in the fourth degree.

Ghee was issued an appearance ticket for Shelby Town Court on Dec. 1. She was transported to Niagara County on an outstanding arrest warrant.

• Terrance Wells, 42, was charged with one count of conspiracy in the fourth degree.

Wells was issued an appearance ticket for Shelby Town Court on Dec. 1.

Assisting in this investigation was Orleans County District Attorney Susan Howard, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, the Medina Police Department, NYS DOCCS Office of Special Investigations, NYS Parole and the State Police.

Further arrests and charges are pending in this investigation, the Task Force stated in a news release.

ALBION – A Rochester man with no prior criminal history was sentenced to five years of probation in Orleans County Court for having cocaine in Albion.

Tamage Faison, 19, pleaded guilty on June 17 to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 5th degree for having cocaine on March 4.

He could have faced time in state prison, but County Court Judge Sanford Church followed the sentencing parameters in a plea agreement and gave Faison five years of probation. District Attorney Susan Howard also said she supported probation in this case.

“Thank you for the opportunity and for your consideration,” Faison said before he was sentenced.

In other cases in County Court on Wednesday:

• Javon Presley, 37, of Niagara Falls was arraigned on multiple charges after he allegedly broke into a Medina home on Feb. 14 and took a debit card and $970 in cash.

He was arraigned on second-degree burglary, fourth-degree grand larceny, third-degree robbery, and criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation.

He entered not guilty pleas to the charges. Presley has posted bail at $2,500.

• The judge found that Raymond Stanley, 50, of Holley violated terms of his probation and could face up to nine months in jail when he is sentenced on Nov. 18.

Stanley has been on probation for petty larceny. He acknowledged he was in an accident on an E-bike because he was “stoned” on April 23, missed four probation appointments, used cocaine, used marijuana three times, used alcohol, and went to Genesee County without probation permission.

• Eric McGill, 43, of Albion was offered a plea deal where he would face up to three years in state prison for making a terrorist threat and one year for criminal possession of a weapon in the 3^rd degree. The agreement would be a maximum three-year cap to satisfy the charges.

McGill, formerly of Medina, faces multiple charges from two incidents in June.

On June 13 during the Albion Strawberry Festival 5k/8k race on East State Street, McGill allegedly became angry that East State Street was temporarily closed to traffic due to the race.

He allegedly had a sledgehammer intentionally putting people in fear, according to the DA’s office. McGill allegedly threatened to knock out a recruit police officer that was assisting with traffic control. He also allegedly threatened to drive through the course.

Two days later on June 15, McGill allegedly contacted Orleans Correctional Facility and told someone there he wasn’t afraid to use a gun at the prison. He then allegedly showed up outside the prison and made a pointed gun gesture towards the prison.  and not afraid to use gun, made pointed gun gesture toward facility. He had a Byrna less-lethal pistol.

He was charged with displaying a dangerous instrument, making a terroristic threat, criminal possession of a weapon in the 3^rd and 4^th, and aggravated harassment in second degree.

McGill faced new charges from last week when he was entering the building and being screened to go into court. When he went through the metal detector, it alerted to metal. He was asked to take off his belt and allegedly got belligerent with security staff, throwing his belt at an officer and then allegedly took off running

He has been charged with criminal possession of a weapon and menacing. Those charges aren’t part of the plea offer.

Press Release, Orleans Community Connects

Provided photo: This swimmer enjoys the pool at Camp Rainbow on Townline Road in Ridgeway.

Orleans Community Connects is pleased to announce its support of Camp Rainbow through a grant that helped fund essential staff positions for the camp’s summer program.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support from Orleans Community Connects,” said Lisa Bors, vice president of Public Relations and Development from Arc GLOW. “The funding allowed us to maintain key staff positions that otherwise would not have been covered, helping us provide a safe, engaging, and memorable experience for our campers.”

This support enabled Camp Rainbow to employ two of its three lifeguards, a music counselor, a science counselor, a teacher, and a camp nurse. The funded staff members played a vital role in the camp’s daily operations, providing water safety supervision, educational enrichment, creative programming, and healthcare services throughout the summer.

“Orleans Community Connects is committed to investing in programs that positively impact children and families throughout our community,” said Nyla Gaylord, executive director of Orleans Community Connects. “We are proud to support Camp Rainbow and help provide the staffing needed to deliver high-quality educational, recreational, and health services to local youth.”

Through partnerships like this, Orleans Community Connects continues to strengthen community programs that promote youth development, learning, health and well-being.

File photo by Tom Rivers: People step inside the Mount Albion Cemetery chapel as part of a tour of the cemetery on Aug. 30. The chapel is getting a $225,000 restoration. The Medina Sandstone Society is helping to pay for a new floor for the building that was constructed in 1875.

Press Release, Medina Sandstone Trust

MEDINA – The Medina Sandstone Trust is accepting grant applications for programs that benefit the Village of Medina, Town of Ridgeway, and Town of Shelby communities.

Consideration will also be given to projects within the entire Orleans County area that focus on the preservation of historical structures, especially those constructed from Medina Sandstone. Grant requests generally range from $500 to $1,000, but larger requests will be considered for preservation projects.

Grant application forms can be obtained electronically by clicking here. Please contact us at sandstonesociety@gmail.com to request a physical copy.

Completed applications are due by Nov. 7.  They should be mailed to:

Medina Sandstone Trust

PO Box 25

Medina, NY 14103

or emailed to sandstonesociety@gmail.com.

Applicants must be a 501c3 nonprofit, municipality, or school district residing or working within Orleans County.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Congresswoman Claudia Tenney holds a press conference on Monday outside the Orleans County legislative chambers with Wayne County Sheriff Rob Milby, Genesee County Sheriff Joe Graff, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke and Orleans County District Attorney Susan Howard.

ALBION – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney has been holding roundtable discussions with law enforcement leaders across the 24^th Congressional District, including one in Albion on Monday.

Other roundtables discussions this week were held in Lyons on Wednesday and Canandaigua on Tuesday.

“Our sheriffs, police officers, prosecutors, and other law enforcement professionals understand the public safety challenges facing our communities because they confront them every day,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “Over three days and across NY-24, I heard directly from the men and women responsible for keeping our communities safe about the obstacles they face, the impact of policies coming out of Albany, and what they need to do their jobs effectively. Their experience should help shape public safety policy. I will continue working in Congress to ensure local law enforcement has the tools, resources, and support they need, and Albany should be listening to the people confronting these challenges on the ground.”

Tenney, during a press conference in Albion, said law enforcement agencies are often understaffed, especially in state prisons. She pushed back on the “Local Cops, Local Crime Act” that went into effect on Aug. 25 and banned 287(g) agreements where local law enforcement assist with federal civil immigration enforcement.

The ban on those agreements was championed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, who wants local law enforcement resources to not be diverted to helping ICE, which she said is carrying out unprecedented aggressive immigration enforcement.

“ICE can no longer commandeer locally-funded police to aid an out-of-control federal agency with an $85 billion budget,” Hochul said on Aug. 25 when the Local Cops, Local Crime Act took effect.

But Tenney, joined by law enforcement Monday at a press conference in Albion, said local police should be encouraged to cooperate with federal agencies. Tenney said the governor’s policies are making the state less safe.

The congresswoman said it should be “common sense” for the local law enforcement to cooperate with other agencies.

Wayne County Sheriff Rob Milby said the state action, banning 287(g) “convolutes things for our officers out there.” He said the new law from the state can lead to hesitation and a delayed response “which can get somebody hurt.”

The Wayne County sheriff is among 15 sheriffs who have filed a lawsuit against the state after the ban on 287(g) agreements was enacted by the state.

Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke said Orleans isn’t in a 287(g) agreement with ICE, and no ICE detainees are held in the County Jail. Orleans does have an agreement with the U.S. Marshals where that agency can keep people in the local jail.

Milby said it is clearly “overreach” from the state, dictating how local communities utilize their law enforcement resources. He called it a violation of “home rule.”

Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke said he feels fortunate to have strong backing for his department from the local County Legislature, Congresswoman Tenney, Assemblyman Steve Hawley and State Sen. Rob Ortt.

Bourke said his department will assist federal agents if requested.

“We are not trying to be immigration agents,” Bourke said. “But when a federal law enforcement operation is taking place and then request assistance, we certainly will help them.”

The roundtable discussions were closed to the press at the three locations this week. After speaking with law enforcement for about 90 minutes in Albion, Tenney held a press conference and restricted to questions to law enforcement issues with nothing to be asked off topic.

The congresswoman was asked about ICE enforcement and how the agricultural industry is vulnerable to losing employees who are critical to harvesting crops.

Tenney said she supports the legal guestworker program with H2A and wants it expanded for dairy farms. Her office is willing to farmers and their workers with visas.

“But if we have a criminal illegal alien who’s in this community, those are people that are a threat to our communities and are a threat to not only communities, farmers and other ag workers when we have someone that’s a gang member who’s actually trying to hide between the legal immigrants that are here,” she said.

Tenney said she wants law enforcement leaders and officers to have the tools to do their jobs, going after “bad people in our communities.”

“There seems to be sort of an anti-police sentiment that’s been going on for the last number of years in our state,” Tenney said in Albion. “That concerns me because we have rural communities that are also impacted by crime, and especially, one of the worst things that we face in our communities is the continued prevalence of illicit drugs, fentanyl and things, coming across our borders that are hurting our communities, killing our children, making our communities less safe.”

ALBION – Two people at the former Hemp House on Main Street in Medina were sentenced to five years probation and no jail time today for attempting to possess more than 10 pounds of marijuana.

Mitchell Kwandrans, 39, of Medina and Marcus Verratti, 41, both admitted in court on July 29 to attempting to possess more than 10 pounds of marijuana. They pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of cannabis in the first degree.

Kwandrans owned the Hemp House which was shut down by the NYS Office of Cannabis Management for possessing and selling unauthorized cannabis products. Verratti was an employee of the Hemp House. (A Niagara County lab weighed the cannabis at 10.16 pounds after it was seized by law enforcement on Nov. 5.)

County Court Judge Sanford Church agreed to terms of a plea agreement and sentenced both to five years of probation.

Both apologized in court today and each will need to pay $375 in court fees and fines.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Albion 8^th-grade students in Kamie Feder’s enrichment art class have been painting a patriotic mural the past three school days at Veterans Park in Albion at the corner of Linwood Avenue and Brown Street.

Aleeah Vallejo is shown working on the silhouette of a soldier saluting. The mural is on the south side of the bathrooms at the park. Before Monday, this wall was bland and all white.

Nikko Russo is on a step ladder working on a bald eagle while Blair Daggett paints poppies for the mural.

Blair Daggett gives the poppies different shades of red. Blair also had the main design for the mural, which is 9 feet high and 36 feet long.

The mural shows a bald eagle, a silhouette of a soldier saluting, red poppy flowers, the American flag, and the message “Lest We Forget.”

This is the third mural in the community that has been painted by Feder and her students. In recent years, Feder and her students worked on a flower-themed mural at the former bathrooms at Bullard Park and also revamped a canal-themed mural on the Albion fire hall. Feder’s classes also have done many murals inside the middle school.

There are five students working on the mural today. During the three days, 11 different students have worked on the project.

The students and their teacher are shown by the mural after they had lunch and were getting ready to complete the large painting. From left include Blair Daggett, Nikko Russo, teacher Kamie Feder, Adalynn Saeva, Julianna Grier and Aleeah Vallejo.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) are offering their final 2026 free drive-thru rabies vaccination clinics in October.

The Orleans County Rabies Vaccination Clinic will be held on Wednesday, October 7, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at the Orleans County Fairgrounds (12690 State Route 31, Albion).

The Genesee County Rabies Vaccination Clinic will be held on Thursday, October 8, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia).

Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats and ferrets.

• Animals must be at least 3 months old.
• Each animal must be leashed or secured in a crate.
• Animals must be accompanied by an adult who can safely control the animal.
• Limit 4 pets per car maximum.
• Remember to bring proof of previous vaccination.

“We encourage all Genesee and Orleans County residents to take advantage of our last rabies immunization clinics of 2026 and ensure their pets are protected against rabies,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for GO Health. “Rabies continues to be a serious public health concern in both counties and is a preventable viral disease.”

To prevent the spread of rabies, the health department reminds residents to take the following precautions:

• Keep your pets up to date on their rabies vaccinations.
• Obey leash laws. Keep your pets under direct supervision and on a leash so they do not come in contact with wild or stray animals. If an animal bites your pet, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact the health department.
• Avoid contact with wild or stray animals. Do not handle, feed, touch, or attract wildlife (raccoons, skunks, bats, bunnies, rabbits, and foxes) or stray dogs and cats.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
• Prevent bats from entering living quarters. If you find a bat in your home, safely capture it and call the health department. DO NOT release it! For a video on how to safety capture a bat, visit https://bit.ly/CatchBatVideo

For more information about GO Health Programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org or contact your local health department at:

• Orleans County: 585-589-3278
• Genesee County: 585-344-2580 ext. 5555

Photos by Tom Rivers

BATAVIA – Anthony Hernandez Landaverde, a sophomore at Lyndonville, operates an excavator on Tuesday at the Genesee County Fairgrounds in Batavia. The excavator was one of the stations at the annual GLOW With Your Hands workforce exploration event.

There were about 1,200 students from the four rural GLOW counties at the event. In Orleans County, the participation included 45 from Lyndonville, 60 from Albion, 40 from Kendall, 40 from Medina and 20 from Holley.

Tanner Holliman, a Kendall student, is shown some lineman skills from Kevin Czuba of National Grid. The utility company shared about jobs with the company, including linemen, service work, stations work, material handlings and planning.

The workforce development staff, business and economic development leaders, and education officials from Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming have teamed to organize GLOW With Your Hands since 2019, to help students see high-demand careers in manufacturing, agriculture, skilled trades and healthcare.

The officials want to fill needed positions for local businesses and connect local students to careers in their communities.

Brunner in Medina had a team at GLOW With Your Hands for the first time to let students know about the company that manufactures brakes for big trucks and school buses. Brunners will be expanding and adding 30 to 40 employees at Medina because it will be producing lease rings at the site.

From left to right include Justin Ennis, human resources for Brunner; Samantha Ford, human resources for Brunner; Brian Pitcher, forge manager; Michael Lang, engineer; Seamir Rahman, materials manager; and Josh Sanders, maintenance supervisor.

CNC Technical Solutions in Medina also had a display at GLOW With Your Hands and showed students its robot dog. CNC offers hands-on industrial training.

Kayleigh Hepper of Perry uses an auto-feed screw gun to hang drywall at one of the station’s on Tuesday. David Littlefield, an instructor with Rochester Davis-Fetch, a commercial interior contractor, led the station. Littlefield said the GLOW With Your Hands event did a great job showing students many different career opportunities in the local community.

 Students meet with businesses and organizations in one of the fairgrounds buildings. There were more than 70 employers, industry partners, post-secondary institutions and workforce organizations representing opportunities throughout Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

Since 2019, more than 6,000 students have attended GLOW With Your Hands.

Charles Augello, owner of Western New York Aerial AG, showed students his drone and highlighted how agriculture is embracing technology. Augello started his company last year. He is very busy, often doing 150 to 200 fill-ups a day and spraying herbicides and fungicides for local farmers.

The drone was in demand this year with so much wet weather. The mud often kept farmers from getting sprayers and equipment in their fields. Augello was able to use his drone with a 26-gallon tank to spray onions and other vegetables.

“We need more drone applicators in the area,” he said.

Students in the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering program at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES highlighted that program to other students. From left include Jackson Snook, a senior at Albion, and Brody Hazel of Lyndonville. In back is Mason Snook, an Albion senior.

Jackson said he enjoys making different parts of machines. The BOCES programs also has been a fun way to meet students from other nearby districts, he said.

The AME program teaches Computer Numerical Machining, Computer Aided Design and welding technologies.

Mason Snook said there is a lot of hands-on learning in the class.

“We spend about a half-hour in the classroom, then it’s about two hours of building things,” he said.

GLOW workforce officials said the local BOCES programs have seen a boost in enrollment partly through the GLOW With Your Hands events.

Browsery now has 75 vendors in Albion and Medina

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Staff at Medina’s Downtown Browsery have announced a grand opening Oct. 9, 10 and 11 to celebrate the store’s expansion. Pictured are David Sevenski, vendor and board president; Ruth Higgins, vendor and volunteer; and Erik Sinkora, vendor and store manager.

MEDINA – Taking a quote from Mary Poppins, “When one door closes, another door opens.”

Such is the case in Medina, where the closing of one store on Main Street has provided the opportunity for another to expand.

The Downtown Browsery at 413 Main St., of which Erik Sinkora is manager, has expanded its store into one next door which was recently vacated. They will celebrate a grand opening on Oct. 9 with a ribbon cutting at 9 a.m. Cookies and punch will be available and a coupon promotion will take place all week.

“We currently have three store fronts in Albion, and now have two here,” Sinkora said. “Our new space gives us room for 10 more booths and seven more shelving units.”

He said they have a waiting list for vendors in both stores. Currently there are more than 75 vendors in Albion and Medina. To become a vendor, one must also commit to volunteering a minimum of 10 hours a month in the store. Sinkora not only manages the store, he is also a vendor. He sells items made from alpaca items which comes from the alpaca he and his wife raise at Lake Shore Alpaca.

Sevenski has a booth selling Pyrex and vintage kitchen furnishings.

A day this week found Ruth Higgins volunteering. In her booth she sells Barbie items, kitchen boas, aprons and playing cards.

Other items to be found in the store are beer coaster clocks, steampunk lamps, quill greeting cards to benefit a mission for girls at risk, herbs, incense, pottery, comic books, cameo brooches, local honey and jams, spaghetti sauce from Albanese and maple products – just to name a few.

The Downtown Browsery opened in Albion in 2004 and utilizes three store fronts previously occupied by Landauer’s on North Main St. The Medina store opened in 2019 and continues to grow.

Information online reveals that consignment shops are surging in popularity among all age groups, due to economic inflation and rising costs. One site states, “With high household expenses, consumers turn to resale and consignment shops to find clothing, accessories and home goods at a fraction of traditional retail prices.”

They are also an unexpensive way for home crafters or small businesses to sell their wares. The Browsery charges by the square footage of a booth, and booths are available in all sizes. A shelf can be rented for less money.

Board president David Sevenski has filled this space at The Downtown Browsery in Medina with a collection of Pyrex and items found in a retro kitchen.

Sinkora said a lot of merchandise changes with the seasons, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.

A recent day found sisters-in-law Emma Weeks and Angel Hoy browsing the store with Emma’s mother.

“We come her quite often and always go home with something,” Weeks said.

The store is open seven days a week from Thanksgiving to Christmas, and from Tuesday to Saturday after that. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday.

Press Release, Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp.

BATAVIA – The Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation board of directors has indicated its intent to move forward with a recommended plan to consolidate its branch operations from eight locations to two, following a multi-year review of the branch network and its long-term financial sustainability. The board is expected to take formal action on the proposed plan.

Under the proposed Plan, WROTBC would retain its Wehrle location in Williamsville and Marway location in Gates. The Auburn, Clinton (Cheektowaga), Empire (Penfield), Jamestown, Lyell (Rochester) and River (North Tonawanda) branches are proposed to cease operations on or about Oct. 31.

The recommended plan comes after several years of reviewing the financial performance and changing needs of WROTBC’s branch network, culminating in an extensive analysis conducted in 2026. That review considered operating performance, wagering activity, property ownership and value, geographic coverage, customer accessibility, alternative wagering options and the long-term viability of the branch locations.

While Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has continued to grow, WROTBC’s traditional branch operations have faced ongoing financial challenges as technology and online wagering options continue to change how customers choose to wager. The six branches currently proposed for closure lost approximately $730,000 in 2025 and have already lost more than $700,000 through August 2026. Those losses are projected to reach nearly $1 million for the full year.

The proposed consolidation continues WROTBC’s efforts to address the changing financial and operational needs of its traditional branch network. From 2020 through 2023, the Corporation closed nine branch locations—six in 2020, two in 2022 and one in 2023.

“This recommended Plan was not a decision that was made quickly or easily,” said Byron Brown, president and CEO of WROTBC. “These branches have been part of their communities for many years, and we are grateful to the employees who have represented Western and served our customers every day. At the same time, we have a responsibility to make decisions that protect the long-term financial health of the Corporation and allow us to continue growing distributions and investing in our member municipalities.”

Under the plan, the consolidation is expected to improve the corporation’s financial performance and increase distributions to its participating municipalities, based on 2026 projections, while maintaining WROTBC’s physical presence in both the Buffalo and Rochester markets.

WROTBC recognizes that the most difficult aspect of this proposed transition will be the impact on employees. Thirteen employees would be affected by the proposed closures. Management is committed to working closely with the union throughout the process. It has invited the union to the bargaining table to negotiate in good faith over the impact of the plan on affected employees.

“We greatly appreciate the years of service and dedication these employees have given to Western and to our customers,” said Board Chair, Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney. “Our goal is to handle this transition with respect and to provide as many options as we reasonably can for the employees who are affected.”

Following any closures, the corporation expects to begin independent assessments of its owned branch properties. WROTBC anticipates marketing the affected properties for sale following those assessments, with estimated net proceeds of more than $2 million. The Corporation expects to use those proceeds to support future growth and capital needs.

“Western has changed considerably over the years, and how our customers choose to wager has changed with it,” Brown said. “This proposed plan would allow us to respond to those changes while putting the Corporation in a stronger position for the future.”

Editor’s Note: Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation is a public benefit corporation owned collectively by 15 Western and Central New York counties and the cities of Buffalo and Rochester. Orleans County is among the member counties. There was an OTB branch in Albion that was shut down back in February 2016. That site at 317 West Ave. is now owned by Oak Orchard Health.

MEDINA – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Orleans Community Health is promoting early detection and education to help combat this disease. In support of this effort, Medina Memorial Hospital is offering free 3D mammography screenings during October and November.

3D mammography is a highly effective screening tool that improves the accuracy of breast cancer detection, according to information from Scott Robinson, Orleans Community Health’s director of marketing.

Unlike traditional mammograms, this advanced technology captures multiple images of the breast, giving radiologists a detailed, layer-by-layer view. This results in better detection rates, especially for women with dense breast tissue.

With the added attention around breast cancer awareness in October, the Imaging Department at Orleans Community Health is now scheduling appointments on extended days, which includes Saturdays. This will allow for an additional 50-plus screenings to occur during the month.

To qualify for a free screening, an appointment to have a mammogram must be scheduled during October or November, Robinson said.

“Whether you already have an appointment or need to book one, this offer applies only during these months,” he said. “We strongly encourage all women, especially those aged 40 and older, to schedule their appointments now.”

For women who require additional testing, onsite ultrasounds are also available. The hospital’s dedicated team provides compassionate care in a supportive and comfortable environment, Robinson added.

To book a mammogram, call (585) 798-8055. Remember, screenings can be scheduled for any month of the year and do not need to wait for October. Anyone with questions is urged not to hesitate, but to call and ask for more information.

The bottom line is – Early detection saves lives.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Four friends enjoyed camaraderie and sampled ale at The Vintage Cigar on Medina’s Main Street during Ale in Autumn on Saturday. From left are Marie Bell of Akron, Jeannette and Don Geberling of Cheektowaga, and at rear is Marie’s husband Bob Arnold.

MEDINA – Saturday’s Ale in Autumn was about the most perfect day organizers could have hoped for. The day brought beautiful fall weather and a nearly sold-out event, according to Ann Fisher-Bale, coordinator for Medina Area Partnership, sponsor and organizer of the event that brought nearly 600 to the downtown to sample beer.

Tickets were sold for three different start times to participants who checked in at the Medina Senior Center. There, they were first ID’d by Pattrick Weissend and then had their tickets checked by Wendy Wilson and Bale, before getting a wristband from Sarah Fisher or Anne Joynt.

Pat Weissend (in blue Bills shirt) IDs for ticket holders checking in at the Medina Senior Center for Ale in Autumn on Saturday.

After picking up their souvenir glass and a goodie bag filled with snacks, pen, coupons and other items, participants proceeded to the back of the room to buy tickets on baskets which were available at each participating business. Ticket holders were also eligible to win a grand prize basket valued at $500.

John and Melissa Gorham have attended every Ale in Autumn, they said.

“It’s a chance to try different beers, and the snacks are usually very good,” John said.

Wendy Wilson checks tickets for Melissa Bunbrock of Gasport at the Senior Center on Saturday. Behind Wilson is Anne Joynt, Medina native who is running for New York State Supreme Court and volunteered to help. At Wilson’s left is Ann Fisher-Bale, event coordinator for Medina Area Partnership, which sponsors the event.

For Barb Gorham, it is a way to get out and about before the snow comes.

“And you always run into friends you haven’t seen for a while,” she said.

Melissa Bunbrock of Gasport said she has attended the event every year.

“It’s a great way to get together with friends and support local businesses,” she said.

A new business, Katie’s Dipped Delights, was being promoted by Katie’s husband Brian Wiesinger in front of the English Rose Tea Shoppe. Seated at left is Brian’s mom Carole. Katie makes four kinds of gourmet apples, using Honeycrisp they buy from Roberts’, Brian said.

At The Vintage Cigar, Joe Meyer and owner Jim Robinson poured ale for a steady stream of participants.

Robinson, whose wife Cindy runs the English Rose Tea Shoppe, said they participate in Ale and Autumn every year, at one store or the other.

“The weather is always good and people come in who didn’t know there was a cigar store in town,” Robinson said.

One group of friends sipping their ale in the store was Bob Arnold and his wife Marie Bell of Akron with Don and Jeannette Heberling of Cheektowaga.

 “We’ve been coming to this event for years,” Don said. “We’ve come to every one.”

Jeannette said it was a great community building event.

“The shops change and it’s good to see the different shops and what they sell,” Don said.

Entertaining near Main Street TV and Appliances on Saturday were Kathy Vandemortel of Point Breeze and Laurence Sugarman of Pittsford. Vandemoreal plays fiddle, while Sugarman plays banjo.

Gabriella Albanese of Albion has also attended Ale in Autumn every year.

“I’m not a beer drinker, but my sister and a friend love the opportunity to go together and visit all the stores,” Albanese said.

Local musician Rob Robinson for the last several years has arranged to have buskers on the street entertaining during Ale in Autumn. It is an age-old tradition for musicians to perform on a street corner for money.  Saturday’s buskers included “The Last Call” singer (named Skinny) and his band who performed in front of Main Street TV and Appliance.

“We have been nearly every year,” said Skinny, who was born in Medina.

“I love coming here,” he said. “I love Medina.”

Just down the street Kathy Vandemortel of Point Breeze and Laurence Sugarman of Pittsford were entertaining – she on fiddle and he on banjo. Vandemortel has taken part in Ale in Autumn for three years, but this is Sugarman’s first appearance.

Winner of the Grand Prize worth $500 was Melissa Streiff.

Saturday’s buskers included “The Last Call” singer (named Skinny) and his band that performed in front of Main Street TV and Appliance. Standing in the center is Rob Robinson of Medina, also a musician, whose idea it was to have buskers.

Photos by Tom Rivers: This group poses for a fun photo at Alexandra Peracciny Photography, 426 Main St., which was also one of the pouring stations for the Ale in Autumn.

Dave Sevenski, right, pours a sample of an IPA from the Hamburg Brewery for Christopher Hare of Medina. They are at the Downtown Browsery. Hare was happy to be out and seeing so many people.

“It’s better than sitting home and watching college football,” he said.

Lezly Rosario, bartender for Mile 303 Cantina, serves Bells amber ale. The Mile 303 Cantina is run by Gali Rosario and Leonel Rosario Jr.

Daniel Sprague played his electric guitar near Rotary Park as one of the musicians in the downtown.

Rick Zucco of Niagara Falls also performed as a busker.

Press Release, Christ Episcopal Church

ALBION – Christ Episcopal Church is proud to announce the opening of Noah’s Bowl, its new community pet food pantry, designed to provide free supplemental dog and cat food to local pet owners experiencing financial hardship.

The new pantry aims to help reduce economic strain on pet owners and prevent animal surrenders by ensuring that families do not have to choose between feeding themselves and feeding their beloved companion animal.

“Times are tough for many in our community, and pets are cherished members of the family,” said Nicole Spohr, director of the pet project at Christ Church. “We want to offer a safety net, so families facing temporary hardship don’t have to part with their animals.”

The pantry will be open on the third Saturday of each month, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The pet pantry is a walk-up pantry and will be dispensed from our West Park Street entrance.  We ask everyone to be kind, courteous, and have “pawtience.”

To kick off our pet food pantry opening, we will be having a Pet Blessing this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Christ Church, 26 South Main St., Albion.

All pets must be on a leash or in a carrier and under the owner’s control.  A small distribution of pet food will be available while supplies last on this day.

Grand Opening & Distribution Details

Date: Saturday, October 17th, 2026

Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Location: West Park Street (side parking lot of Christ Church)

Requirements: limit of one pickup per household

Distribution: Cat – 3 lb. bag

Dog – Small dog – 2 bags of 3-lb. bags; Large dog – 3 bags of 3-lb. bags

How the Community can help

The pet food pantry operates on community support and donations. Noah’s Bowl is currently accepting donations of unopened, unexpired dry and canned dog and cat food.

If anyone would like to make a pet food donation, please call 585-589-5314. Monetary donations can be sent to Christ Church at 26 South Main Street, Albion, New York 14411, with “Noah’s Bowl” noted on the memo line. For more information, please call 585-589-5314.