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Roy-Hart duo on Alfred U. football team
Contributed Photos – Two Roy-Hart graduates, Tysen McCaa, left, and Joey Reiter III, are freshmen members of the Alfred University football team. McCaa, a wide receiver, is majoring in Sports and Health Sciences. Reiter, a running back, is majoring in Business Administration. Last year they helped Barker/Roy-Hart capture the C North Division championship with a 6-0 record.
County declares Central Hall surplus property, will be sold by realtor
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Central Hall building at 34 East Park St. will soon be listed for sale by Woodroe Realty at a price is to be determined. The building is now vacant after the county historian’s office was moved to a spot next to Subway.
ALBION – The county will soon be putting a historic building in Courthouse Square up for sale. The County Legislature on Tuesday authorized Woodroe Realty to the list Central Hall for sale.
Woodroe was among six real estate businesses to submit proposals to the county for selling the building. Woodroe is accepting the smallest seller’s concession fee at 2 percent of the sales price.
The Legislature on Dec. 3, 2025 announced the county historian’s office and the Department of History’s artifacts would be moving to 2,000 square feet of space on the side of a plaza next to Subway.
The county’s Buildings and Grounds staff through the Department of Public Works has completed the move and renovations to the spot next to Subway.
Now that Central hall has been entirely vacated, the County legislature has declared the building as surplus and authorized it to be put up for sale.
The building used to include the County Treasurer’s Office but the treasurer moved to the former Bank of America site at 156 South Main St. in 2024. That is next to Subway.
The historian was working out of the top floor of Central Hall. County officials said the change to the site by Subway is a cost-cutting move that could save $90,000 to $110,000 a year in maintenance and other expenses once the building is sold.
The change also will make the historian’s office more accessible to the public, county officials said. The space is on the first floor and people won’t need to climb stairs to access the building.
Central Hall, a solid red-brick building, was a school from 1882 to 1934, and then was used as the post for the American Legion until the site was bought by the county in 1980.
The county has owned Central Hall the past 46 years. It was used by the treasurer until September 2024 and also previously was the offices for the Probation Department.
The county doesn’t have to pay a lease for the space for the historian’s office. The county approved the five-year agreement where it pays for the cost of utilities and to renovate the site.
The county also will plow the parking lot in the winter. The county already was plowing out the treasurer’s office and some of the spots in the lot that are used for the treasurer’s office.
The Legislature approved the lease with Nomax Albion, LLC, which is owned by Noah Michaels. He reached out to the county about leasing the space in exchange for plowing the parking lot for the plaza.
County, Sheriff’s Employees Association approve new 3-year contract
ALBION – Orleans County and about 50 people in the Sheriff’s Employees Association have approved a new three-year contract with raises from 2027 to 2029.
The union represents employees in the Sheriff’s Office who are not deputies, including 32 corrections officers, about a dozen public safety dispatchers and four clerical staff.
The current contract with the OC Sheriff’s Employees Association was ratified in 2022 and expires in December. The County Legislature today approved the contract following a vote last week by the union membership.
This was the third and final contract settled with county unions this year, following successful negotiations with the Deputy Sheriff’s Association and CSEA.
“The Legislature is very happy to conclude our third contract negotiation this year and we commend OCSEA for working collaboratively to reach a deal that is good for their members and fair to taxpayers,” said Jack Welch, the county chief administrative officer. “As with our previous contracts, both sides used a list of 13 comparable counties from across the state as a barometer for negotiations which helped move things along.”
When looking at those comparable numbers from the 13 similar-size counties, Orleans County was paying clerical staff, correction officers and dispatchers less than the median of the 13 counties, Welch said.
To address this, in 2027 the county compressed the 2026 salary schedule down to four steps. That move created approximately a 4 percent increase for the clerical staff, an 8 percent increase for the correctional officers and a 6 percent increase for the dispatchers in each step.
The county also agreed to 2.5 percent increase every six months beginning January 2028.
“The contract structure will bring Orleans County to the median wages of the comparable counties in a way that is manageable with our budget constraints,” Welch said.
Kendall girls soccer team improves to 6-0
Improving to 6-0, Kendall blanked Alexander 5-0 in a Genesee Region League girls soccer game this afternoon.
Ryleigh Denning scored 3 goals as Charlie Fox and Mackenzie Cooper both netted 1.
Payton Vogt had 2 assists as Jersie Drake and Izzy D’Agostino both had 1.
Alden 2, Roy-Hart/Medina 1
Roy-Hart/Medina dropped a narrow 2-1 decision to Alden in a non league girls soccer game this evening.
Maria Trombley scored the Lady Rams goal off an assist from Ruth Walker.
Barker, Akron, Wilson score field hockey wins
League leading (5-0) Barker shutout Newfane (1-2) 5-0 and runner-up Akron (3-0) downed Roy-Hart (0-4) 7-1 in Niagara-Orleans League field hockey action this afternoon.
Elise Monaco scored 2 goals for Barker as Lilly Reyes, Milayna May and Naomi Bish 1 each.
Brooke Milhollen scored 2 goals for Akron which also got 1 tally each from Madigan Regan, Abigail Schlabach, Madison Gates, Brooklyn Gerstung and Scarlett Ranney.
Adella Dukes scored the Roy-Hart goal.
In the other N-O contest Wilson (2-3) blanked visiting Medina (0-3) 6-0 as Brynn Lepsch scored 3 goals, Taylor Ernest 2 and Katie Hardy 1.
Barker boys, Albion girls sweep X-C tri meet
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s Payton Wagner was the winner of the boys race at today’s tri meet at Medina. The start of the race is shown at the right.
The Barker boys and Albion girls both scored a sweep at a Niagara-Orleans League Cross-Country tri meet at Medina this afternoon.
The Barker boys defeated Medina 19-41 and Albion 17-41. Albion bested Medina 25-31 in the other portion of the meet.
Barker took four of the top five finishing spots as Payton Wagner was first, Grayson Prynn second, Logan Wagner fourth and Ethan Gancasz fifth.
Medina’s Cole Hughes finished third.
Barker is now 3-0, Albion 3-1 and Medina 1-2.
The Albion girls downed Medina 23-36 and Barker 15-50. Medina also topped Barker 15-50.
Barker’s Hannah Monaco was the race winner. Rounding out the top five were Aine Davis (Barker), Maddie Mark (Medina), Mirabella Strong (Barker) and Adele Mathes (Albion).
Albion is now 4-0, Medina 1-2 and Barker 0-3.
In another N-O meet, Newfane swept rival Wilson winning the boys’ meet 16-43 and the girls’ 15-50.
The individual winners for Newfane were Carter Braddell and Eden Hillman.
The Newfane boys are now 1-1 and the girls 2-0. Both Wilson teams are 0-3.
Barker’s Hamnah Monaco won the girls race the start of which is shown at the left.
GLOW YMCA showcasing programs Oct. 5-9 as part of Healthy Aging Week
MEDINA – GLOW YMCA has announced a weeklong celebration Oct. 5-9 across Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties to promote connection, wellness, education and healthy living at every stage of life.
Healthy Aging Week is a community-wide celebration designed to support and celebrate healthy aging at every stage of life, according to information from Erik Fix, president and CEO of the GLOW YMCA.
Throughout the week, branches in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties will offer educational presentations, wellness activities, community resources and opportunities for connection tailored to the needs of each local community.
In Medina, the YMCA will offer free coffee and snacks in the lobby on Monday.
On Tuesday, a group exercise pop-up class will introduce Tabata, an exercise which is done in intervals, said Andrew Houseman, director of the Medina YMCA.
A vendor fair on Wednesday will feature community resources, including a third-party membership information table, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee Weatherization, NYLife Insurance, a technology support booth, Medina Historical Society and hospital resources.
“This is a great opportunity to showcase our events,” Houseman said.
All activities are described on their Facebook page, he said.
Modeled after the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, but designed with adults in mind, Healthy Aging Week is more than a traditional senior event. It is an invitation for community members to experience the YMCA as a place where aging is celebrated, relationships are strengthened and healthy living is supported throughout every stage of life.
“Healthy aging is about more than fitness,” Fix said. “It’s about staying connected, informed and supported as we move through life. Healthy Aging Week gives each of our branches an opportunity to bring together local partners, resources and activities that respond to the needs of their community, while demonstrating that the Y is a place where people can grow stronger in spirit, mind and body at every age.”
Healthy Aging Week reflects the GLOW YMCA’s commitment to meeting people where they are and providing opportunities to remain active, informed and connected throughout their lives. By partnering with organizations in each county, the YMCA hopes to introduce community members to resources they may not otherwise know are available, while creating meaningful opportunities to build relationships.
Community members are encouraged to participate in activities at any GLOW YMCA branch throughout the week.
Roy-Hart welcomes full-time athletic trainer
‘You don’t have to play through the pain’
Press Release, Roy-Hart Central School
Hannah Songy
MIDDLEPORT – Originally from Texas and a recent graduate of Texas A&M University, Hannah Songy, MS, LAT, ATC, is bringing her passion, knowledge, and experience in athletic training to the Rams this year.
Songy earned her master’s degree in Athletic Training from Texas A&M in May, and Roy-Hart is her first professional position following graduation.
During her undergraduate and graduate years, she completed clinical rotations with a variety of athletic programs. Her experience included working with Texas A&M’s football team, Dance Science Program, and track and field team, as well as local high school athletes.
Songy serves as Roy-Hart’s full-time athletic trainer through UBMD Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. She provides athletic training coverage for nearly every Roy-Hart sport, with the exception of football, which is partnered with Barker and has its own athletic training coverage.
But for Songy, athletic training is about more than simply treating injuries when they happen. As fall sports enter their preseason schedules, Songy is working with teams on exercises focused on areas where athletes can build strength and reduce their risk of injury. She also uses recovery methods such as taping and bracing to support athletes as they heal.
“When we can prevent injuries and strengthen the muscles to make the injury easier to recover from, that is always the goal.” Songy said. “I want to do everything I can to support athletes the best way possible.”
She is particularly looking forward to building relationships with Roy-Hart athletes and supporting them throughout their seasons, while being visible and available to both athletes and coaches.
“I am going around, checking in with coaches to see if there’s anything they are concerned about with their athletes,” Songy said. “I want to remind them that I am here. You don’t have to play through the pain. I can help you.”
Moving from a Division I university to a smaller high school district has given Songy the opportunity to experience athletic training from a different perspective. At Texas A&M, she worked with very large, specialized athletic programs. At Roy-Hart, she works with a variety of sports and takes on a wider role with athletes and coaches.
“I can use the different skills I’ve learned in sports performance and physical therapy to teach athletes. It is all encompassing,” she said.
Although Songy is new to Western New York, she said the Roy-Hart community has made the transition a welcoming one.
“Everyone has been super excited for me to be here, and it’s been really nice.”
Medina ready for Ale in Autumn on Saturday at 20 downtown locations
File photos by Tom Rivers: At last year’s Ale in Autumn on Sept. 27, there were beer tastings at Modern Mercantile from Talking Cursive in Syracuse. They were served by Holly Lederhouse, left, and Bekah Osher.
MEDINA – The air is cooler; days are getting shorter; and Ale in Autumn is just around the corner. A sure sign of fall.
For 15 years, Ale in Autumn has heralded the season in Medina, originally started by the Medina Business Association, now known as Medina Area Partnership.
The event has regularly been a sellout, according to Ann Fisher-Bale, event coordinator for MAP, but tickets are still available for this week’s event, scheduled Saturday. Tickets may be purchased on MAP’s website, in person at A Lily and a Sparrow at 438 Main St. or at check-in.
Participants must check in beginning at 1 p.m. at the Senior Center at 615 West Ave. Start times are staggered at 1, 2 and 3 o’clock to minimize congestion. The event concludes at 6 p.m.
Check-in includes being ID’d, receiving a wrist band, getting a gift bag and commemorative beer glass, and the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes at each location. Someone will win the grand prize valued at $500.
Ale in Autumn is designed to encourage folks to shop, dine and/or stay in Medina, Fisher-Bale said. There will be 20 pourings in all.
Proceeds benefit Medina’s beautification efforts, scholarships to Leadership Orleans and Medina High School.
“This is a great way to experience Medina’s seasonal flavor with friends and visit participating businesses,” Fisher-Bale said.
A commemorative glass from the 2025 Ale in Autumn has a light beer, Oktoberfest, from Meier’s Creek Brewing Company in Cazenovia. This photo is inside the Medina Triennial Hub in the former NAPA building on Main Street.
