RIDGEWAY – On Saturday at approximately 5:51 p.m., an Orleans County Sheriff’s Lieutenant James White initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle on Ridge Road in the Town of Ridgeway.
During the stop, the operator, identified as Dean E. Smith, 62, of Lockport allegedly displayed signs of impairment. Further investigation revealed that two children, ages 6 and 10, were in the vehicle at the time of the stop.
Standardized Field Sobriety Tests were administered. Smith was subsequently taken into custody. Following a Drug Influence Evaluation, Smith was charged with the following:
Aggravated DWI with a Child Passenger Less than 16 (Leandra’s Law) – Class E Felony
Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs – Unclassified Misdemeanor
Endangering the Welfare of a Child (2 Counts) – Class A Misdemeanor
Move From Lane Unsafely – Traffic Infraction
Smith was transported to the Orleans County Jail for Centralized Arraignment (CAP) Court. Lt. White was assisted by Deputy Michael Borrell.
Sheriff Bourke and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office remain committed to impaired driving enforcement, striving to prevent tragedies and make our roadways safer for all those that live in, work in and visit Orleans County.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 June 2026 at 9:53 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Members of Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association get a close look at the ox Carol Culhane painted for them in her basement. From left are John Richmond, OONA president Ken Martin, Culhane, Martin’s wife Anne, Sally Leonard and Cheryl Giacherio. The ox is expected to go to the Orleans County marine park on Route 98.
POINT BREEZE – In her illustrious career as an artist, Carol Culhane has painted wildlife, landscapes, airplanes, horses, murals, portraits and vehicles. Now she has turned her talent into painting oxen, chosen last year as the mascot for Orleans County’s bicentennial celebration.
A request from the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association to paint an ox sent her on a historical journey to trace the area’s landmarks from its early years to now.
Photos by Tom Rivers: The ox was on display on Saturday at Carlton’s Hometown Days festival outside the Carlton Rec Hall.
Her hand-painted work of art chronicles the story of the Oak Orchard River from Lake Alice to Lake Ontario back centuries to the current time.
On the left side of the animal, the river is depicted as it may have appeared long ago, before the construction of Waterport Dam and creation of Lake Alice, then known as the “Waterport Pond.”
There is also the Waterport Trestle, Point Breeze Hotel (originally known as the Orleans House) on the east side of the river, the Oak Orchard Inn on the west side and the original lighthouse at the end of the pier on the west side of the harbor.
On the right side of the ox are the “today” features – boating, fishing and kayaking; the hydroelectric site; charter boats and marine activity; breakwalls; the modern lighthouse; and wildlife.
Culhane incorporated wildlife into the design on both sides, to create interest by children. A great blue heron, turtles, lily pads, wetland vegetation and more represent the wildlife which has long depended on the Oak Orchard River ecosystem.
To be sure she was historically correct, Culhane visited Orleans County Historian Catherine Cooper and read several publications, including Arad Thomas’s Pioneer History of Orleans County and Dee Robinson’s Historical Amnesia.
Members of OONA recently visited Culhane’s basement to see their finished ox. This included OONA president Ken Martin and his wife Anne; Cheryl Giacheriz; Penny Miller, president of Orleans County Marine Park, through whom the Go Art! grant was received to fund oxen for OONA and Orleans County Legislature; John Richmond; and Sally Leonard, both Point Breeze residents.
“The ox has a lot of interesting historic details,” Martin said of the OONA ox. “It came out well.”
In addition to dedication of the OONA ox, several visitors came to view the work, including the builder of the fiberglass oxen, Patrick Keough and his wife Gaye from Nebraska. They deliver the oxen throughout the country, in addition to other animals they build. He was going to deliver an ox to Kendall that day, also.
Culhane said the oxen took many hours of work, but she is honored she was asked to do them.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Carol Culhane shows an ox with portraits of pioneers to Isabella Zasa, digital content creator and tourism assistant for the Orleans County Tourism Department, and Catherine Cooper, the county historian. This ox is expected to go in the historian’s office in Albion.
Orleans County historian Catherine Cooper, left, and artist Carol Culhane hold historical reference books Culhane referred to when painting bicentennial oxen for the county and Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 8 June 2026 at 9:42 am
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Cole Callard goes high for a header for the Medina Mustangs FC during Sunday’s tie game with the Sporting Cavs at Vets Park.
The Medina Mustangs FC saw the Sporting Cavs score a goal in the final minute to earn a 2-2 tie in a Buffalo District Soccer League Championship Division game at Vets Park Sunday evening.
The Medina goals were scored by Peter Martillotta, off an assist from Ethan Leonard, and by Cole Callard from Greg Husung.
The game was the home opener for Medina which slips to 1-3-1 at the halfway point of the season.
The Sporting Cavs are now 2-2-1.
Medina will next host the Williamsville Willies at 2 p.m. Sunday at Vets Park.
Peter Martillotta lets go with a shot that scored the first goal for the Medina Mustangs FC.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 June 2026 at 8:33 am
Students urged to pursue kindness, service in their lives, careers
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Nisi Beltran Roblero receives a blessing and prayer from Father Mark Noonan, priest of the Holy Family Parish. The Rev. Susan Thaine, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Albion, and Elder John Kubiniec of the First Presbyterian also offered a blessing to graduates during Sunday’s baccalaureate service at Holy Family Parish.
The service and blessings were optional for seniors, and 30 chose to attend the service at Holy Family which was organized by the Albion Ministerium.
Father Noonan urged the graduates to choose meekness over anger.
“The world is so much in need of people who will look out for others,” he said. “Never be afraid of the adventure of following God with your full heart.”
Julia Button lights a candle at the altar. Students were encouraged to strive to be a light in the world.
“The candle is a symbol of the light in you, of the light that God placed in you and that you carry with you into the world,” said the Rev. Marsha Rivers, who is pastor of the First Baptist Church in Albion and the Gaines Carlton Community Church.
Albion High School Select Choir members sang “Lakeside Lullaby.” In front from left include Lily Brigham, Kailee Anstey and Rosalie McCormick. In back are Adelaide Pettit, Gideon Pask, Yo’Hanel Harris and Julia Graham.
The Clarinet Choir, directed by Matthew Confer, played Variations & Fugue on the Theme by Mozart.
The Rev. Susan Thaine, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, was the keynote speaker. She delivered a message, “Overcome Evil with Good.” Thaine said the students are at “one of those threshold moments in life” at an area where the land meets the water. It is a moment of possibility. She urged them to orient their life towards a relationship with God, and strive to not let the world mold their thoughts, actions and sense of value.
Social media can give a warped view of what’s right and wrong, she said.
“Turn this world upside everywhere you go with the good manifested in your life,” Thaine said.
Kaitlynn Basinait reads a scripture, Ephesians 4: 21-25.
Other students who spoke at the service, sharing scriptures or a blessing, include Nisi Beltran Roblero, Gideon Pask and Abigail Kincaid.
Sister Dolores O’Dowd leads the group in a unison prayer.
“We look forward with hope, knowing your work is not yet accomplished. Our futures are not yet written, but our paths are secure, for you are our shepherd, and you guide us into life and love.”
The Rev. Marsha Rivers prays over Lindsay Crawford during the service at Holy Family Parish.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 7 June 2026 at 6:20 pm
File photo: Ed Shorey of Albion has been a frequent vendor at the Cobblestone Museum’s annual flea market. He sells fishing lures, which have been popular with the crowd. This year’s event takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 20.
CHILDS – The Cobblestone Museum’s annual flea market is scheduled this year from 9 .m. to 3 p.m. June 20 at the Cobblestone Church. Ample parking is available on the grounds of the Thompson-Kast Visitors Center across the street from the 1834 cobblestone church.
Vendors will be set up on the lawn around the church and nearby Ward House, according to Sue Bonafini, assistant museum director.
Small businesses, groups, organizations and individuals are still welcome to request a vendor’s application.
“We’re expecting sellers with household and holiday goods, collectibles, antiques, jewelry, a variety of merchandise hand-crafted from deer antlers, garden art, diamond art, wood and yarn crafts, baby items, workshop items, glassware, clothing and loads of books,” Bonafini said.
The Cobblestone’s Used Book Building has received two significant donations of books from an estate sale and an adult literacy organization. These items will be placed on display during the flea market for bibliophiles, bookworms or casual readers to purchase. There are titles from a wide array of genres, fiction and nonfiction, Bonafini said.
Many books are available for young readers, and Christmas books can be found in the Holiday Shoppe, which Bonafini said it bursting with Christmas-themed merchandise at highly affordable prices.
Collectors of Santas, angels or snowman and Dept. 56 Snowbabies are encouraged to stop and check out the selection. They will also find replacement lights, wrapping paper, holiday cards, ornaments and holiday décor of all kinds. Tabletop trees, Christmas mugs, holiday pillows, stockings and stocking stuffers are in good supply, Bonafini said. Merchandise is either brand new or gently used and all donated by members and friends of the Museum.
Also, assorted merchandise will be sold at White Elephant tables to benefit the Cobblestone Museum.
A food tent will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or sold out, featuring Red Osier beef-on-weck with choice of roll, potato salad, baked beans and a pickle. A meal is $12 pre-sale or $14 that day.
Special docent-led tours will be available by donation during the Flea Market at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
The Museum’s Holiday Shoppe and Gift Shop are open during regular Museum hours throughout the open season, which is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Holiday-themed donations are accepted throughout the year from local citizens.
To reserve a beef-on-weck meal, request a vendor’s application or donate goods to the Holiday Shoppe or White Elephant sale, call (585) 589-9013.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 7 June 2026 at 5:31 pm
In a near instant replay of Saturday’s third round, a rash of bogeys on the back nine stymied Medina’s Melanie Green today on the final round of the U.B. Women’s Open at the Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, California.
Starting the day at 3 over par for the tournament, Green rallied back to even after birdies on 1, 9 and 10.
However, those gains were wiped out by a double bogey on 11 followed by bogeys on 13, 17 and 18 for a 2 over par round of 73 and a 5 over par 289 total for the tournament.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 June 2026 at 4:20 pm
McQuaid Jesuit rowers passing through Orleans County today on day 1 of week-long trek
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The McQuaid Jesuit crew team was out this afternoon rowing along the Erie Canal. They are shown in a photo taken from the Presbyterian Road canal bridge.
The group left Buffalo in the morning and is headed to Brockport on day 1 of an eight-day “Row for Hope” to Albany. The team is raising money for Rochester’s House of Mercy that serves people experiencing homelessness.
The journey will cover 368 miles over the eight days. The group left Buffalo in the morning and stopped in Medina just after noon for lunch. They will stay overnight in Brockport tonight.
There are 11 boys on the team making the trek across the canal. They plan to put in about eight hours a day of rowing. The schedule also includes camping at Palmyra, Weedsport, Brewerton, Rome and Glenville.
Provided photos: The Holley-Kendall Marching Band is shown today outside the Sherburne-Earlville Elementary School.
Press Release, Holley-Kendall Marching Band
The Holley-Kendall Marching Band’s had strong showings in the 58th Gorham Pageant of Bands and the 77th Sherburne Pageant of Bands.
58th Gorham Pageant of Bands
The Gorham Pageant of Bands has returned after a several-year hiatus following the Covid-19 pandemic and dwindling participation. The Pageant, hosted by the Marcus Whitman Band and Guard Boosters, has been a long-time tradition for many band programs in both Orleans County and Western NY.
The Holley HS Jazz Ensemble competed in the 58th Gorham Pageant of Bands Jazz Fest on Friday, May 29. Enrolled in the Small School Class (total K-12 enrollment less than 3,000 students), Holley HS competed against Perry HS and Mexico HS.
Waterloo Middle School was the only band in the Middle School category and Baldwinsville High School was the only band in the Large School Category. The evening was capped with a performance by a local professional jazz group: Bill Tiberio & the Canandaigua Jazz Project.
The Holley High School Jazz Ensemble won several awards at 58th Gorham Pageant of Bands Jazz Fest.
Holley performed a varied repertoire including “Can I Be Honest With You?” by Dave Mills, “Prayer Meetin'” by Matt Harris, and “Tiger of San Pedro” by John LaBarbera.
Small School Jazz Results: 3rd Waterloo HS; 2nd Perry HS; Best Rhythm Section; 1st Holley HS; Best Saxophone Section, Best Brass Section, Best Soloist (Jax Richards-Dyson, Piano).
Saturday, May 30th
On Saturday, the Holley-Kendall Marching Band took to the streets for the first time in Small School Parade Competition at the 58th Gorham Pageant of Bands. There were a total of 9 bands in the parade, 5 of which were competing in the Small School Class. In the parade, the Holley-Kendall Marching Band performed their 2026 Show titled “OZ”, which features song selections from the Wizard of Oz, The Wiz, and Wicked.
Junior Class: 1st – The Pride of Rochester, 77.5
Small School Class: 5th – Dundee, 76.5; 4th – Waterloo, 80; 3rd – Mexico, 90; 2nd – Holley-Kendall, 90.5; and 1st – Naples, 96.5.
Best Overall Drumline/Cadence – Naples
Best Drum Major(s) – Holley-Kendall
Best Color Guard – Naples
Exhibition: White Sabers Drum & Bugle Corps
The Holley-Kendall Drum Majors won first place at the Gorham pageant. From left include Riley Passer, Madison Hults and Layla Jones.
77th Sherburne Pageant of Bands
On Saturday, June 6th, the Holley-Kendall Marching Band competed in Class AA for the 77th Sherburne Pageant of Bands. A total of 25 Bands competed in the Parade ranging from Jr. High Bands, the High School Class D all the way up to AA.
Class AA Color Guard: 3rd (Tie) Holley-Kendall & Norwich, 83.00; 2nd – Mexico, 85.00; and 1st – Fonda-Fultonville, 87.00.
Class AA Parade: 5th – Sidney, 73.75; 4th – Fonda-Fultonville 82.375; 3rd – Mexico, 84.75; 2nd – Norwich, 88.75; and 1st – Holley-Kendall, 90.75.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 6 June 2026 at 8:06 pm
LPGA Photo – Melanie Green
Slowed by three bogeys on the back nine, Medina’s Melanie Green posted a 2 over par 73 today on the third round of the U.S. Women’s Open being played at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California.
Green, who started the day at 1 over, improved to even for the tourney with a birdie on 4.
However, bogeys on 11, 14 and 17 caused her to finish the day at 2 over par and 3 over par for the tournament with a 216 total.
She opened the tourney with a 1 over par 72 on Thursday and followed that up with an even par round of 71 on Friday.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 6 June 2026 at 7:51 pm
The Niagara-Orleans League had several winners at today’s Section VI track and field championships held at Alden.
Wilson’s Ryan Hough was a quadruple winner in the Class C competition as he captured the 110 Hurdles (:15.48), Long Jump (23-2), High Jump (6-4) and Triple Jump (45-3.25).
Akron’s Quinn O’Malley won the Class C Pentathlon (4:44.11).
Albion’s Sophia Wendt won the Class B Triple Jump (35-3).
HOLLEY – Previous columns have highlighted Orleans County ladies who braved the conditions of war to serve as teachers or nurses:
Civil War nurse Lydia S. Johnson of Lyndonville, Minnie Goodnow of Albion, a surgical nurse in France during World War I and Irene Gibson of Holley whose fluency in French qualified her to instruct French cadets in navigation during World War II.
Yet another candidate may be added to that list: Sara Shaw of Holley who served as a nurse in two wars and later had a distinguished career in the efforts to eliminate tuberculosis. Born on April 30, 1871, Sara was the daughter of Dennis and Ella (White) Shaw. She trained as a nurse at Bellevue Hospital in New York, a program established in 1873 which adhered to the principles of Florence Nightingale’s and emphasized strict hygienic standards.
In 1898, Sara joined the American Red Cross and was one of early volunteers for service in the Spanish-American War. She was one of nine nurses dispatched to a US Army camp in Tampa, Fla. to treat an outbreak of typhoid fever.
During the Spanish-American War, Nurse Shaw was stationed in Puerto Rico and Cuba. Conditions were far from ideal. Nurses worked 14-hour shifts and diligently tried to maintain sanitary conditions. They operated in makeshift tents, overcrowded buildings and finally, on board the S.S. Lampasas which became a hospital ship. She recalled the many deaths.
Sara Shaw of Holley responded to the American Red Cross appeal for nurses.
“It was necessary to bury the soldiers at sea, and one of our young doctors read the burial service, and the sisters held the Flag over the bodies.”
None of the nurses in that campaign were killed in combat, but 153 died of disease. Sara contracted typhoid fever and returned home to Holley to recuperate. While on leave, she was presented with a diamond ring by the Red Cross for her service in Puerto Rico and Cuba.
The American Red Cross was not officially recognized by the U.S. Army before the Spanish-American War, but the organization’s efficiency during that campaign made it clear to the Army that trained nurses were a necessity in war. Accordingly, each of the nurses who had served were recognized as members of the Army.
In March 1899, Nurse Shaw was one of a contingent of nurses serving officially with the U.S. 7th Army Corps who left for Manila in the Philippines, a journey of over forty days through the Suez Canal. Arriving in the middle of the Insurrection, the nurses set up a hospital in a convent in Manila where they dealt with epidemics of typhoid fever and malaria.
Following her return to the U.S., Sara worked as a private nurse for several years, then later accepted a position at Bellevue Hospital in 1909. Active again in World War I, she was appointed Chief Nurse of the Italian Commission of the American Red Cross in 1917. Shaw established a nursing center in Milan and supervised nurses in six Red Cross hospitals that served American servicemen in Italy and Sicily.
Sara returned to work at Bellevue in June 1919 and was Director of Nursing in the Tuberculosis Clinic until her retirement in June 1940. Over the years, she maintained her connection with Holley and frequently returned to holiday with family members. Her death on Feb. 5, 1948 was the subject of a New York Times obituary. She is buried in Hillside Cemetery, Holley.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 6 June 2026 at 7:08 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s Andew Cole celebrates as he scores the game winning run for the Eagles in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Showing plenty of flare for the dramatic, Kendall pushed across a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to nip Beaver River (Section III) 1-0 in a state baseball tournament Class C Regional contest this afternoon at Frontier High School.
Mikey Colucci came through with a dramatic RBI single to give the Eagles the thrilling victory after singles by Andrew Cole and Sammy Conte and an intentional walk to Nic Cole had loaded the bases.
“I just tried to stay calm and focused,” said Colucci. “Getting that hit was a real adrenaline rush.”
“You couldn’t have drawn it up like that,” said Kendall Head Coach Tige Noni. “It’s awesome. It’s amazing.
Mikey Colucci bangs out the dramatic game winning RBI single for the Eagles.
“I knew we had it in us,” said Kendall’s winning pitcher Vinnie D’Agostino who allowed only 2 hits and struck out 10.
D’Agostino and Jacob Abrams both had doubles for Kendall’s other hits.
Beaver River did get two runners aboard in the third inning but D’Agostino registered a clutch strikeout to end the threat.
The Beavers also got a pair of runners aboard in the fifth frame but Sammy Conte at shortstop and Jonny Conte at second came up with a key inning ending out. On the key play, Sammy went to the ground to get the ball which he flipped to Jonny to get the out at second base,
The victory propels Kendall into this coming Friday’s state semifinal for just the second time in school history. The Eagles only other appearance in the state semi was in 1999.
Kendall improves to 23-2 on the season.
Note – More pictures will be posted on the HUB’s Facebook pages later today.
Kendall pitcher Vinnie D’Agostino celebrates after getting the final out in the top of the seventh inning.
HOLLEY – Festival visitor Evie is all smiles as she braves the Ultimate Ninja Warrior obstacle course. It was a popular attraction at this year’s JuneFest, which also featured craft and food vendors.
JuneFest took place on June 6 along Holley’s canal park path. The festival was made possible by funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program and was administered by GO ART!
Wendy Cruz, manager of Project Salus, a program of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee hands out free flowers. Young Carlee Dale happily experiences the booth. The pots came in four rim colors that each represented a different kind of person. For example, the red rim represented playfulness and a loving and nurturing spirit. The group also handed out free make-your-own flowers out of pipe cleaners that came in both daisy and sunflower varieties. Running with the tagline “Youth Voices Driving Change – Define Your Impact”, the project promotes positivity and finds resources for adolescents. It has afterschool programs in Lyndonville and Holley. Moving forward, Project Salus wants to do more community outreach focused on youths.
Alex excitedly receives a face painting of a rocketship, with glittery flames. Mary Jo Whitman of Far Out Faces WNY Face Painting creates the masterpiece.
Kevin Johnson of Clarendon Lions Club serves up grilled goodies. There were several food vendors at the festival. They were hard at work crafting great food and tasty beverages.
Christina Kelley and Stephanie Ridder of CK Designs sold keychains that could be custom-made with a large number of selections, as well as ready-made keychains.
Samantha and Mike were in charge of the Oak & Flora Shop booth. They had an array of nicknacks to purchase.
Lorraine of LD Designs poses with her selection of crocheted goods. There were many vendors selling delightful crocheted critters.
Dennis Lusk shows off the Lusk Tree Service booth. It included a large bucket lift.
Arianna gets a rainbow butterfly wing done by Mary Jo Whitman. Families had a wonderful time looking at all the sights and goods.
JuneFest featured several more booths. One of the vendors sold rocks ranging from blue calcite from the Adirondacks to geodes from Kentucky. Penna’s Crafts and Things provided samples of maple products from Carney Farms in Hornell and also sold crafts from Donald Penna’s shop.
Candy Mosholder’s Pink Zebra had wax melters that, when burned, produce a pleasant aroma. Author Debbie Patt was selling her book, Aurora’s Sweet Dream, about her dog. Esipova Youth Ballet Theater had a recruitment booth. It has a focus on Classic Ballet Rendezvous Style and accepts children ages three-plus, and it also offers adult classes.
HOLLEY – Previous columns have highlighted Orleans County ladies who braved the conditions of war to serve as teachers or nurses:
