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Holley gives big welcome to Seneca Chief

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 June 2026 at 9:17 am

Replica of famed boat headed to Medina today

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – The Seneca Chief carries of a contingent along the Erie Canal on Wednesday afternoon. Most of this group includes Brockport and Holley residents. They were guests on the Seneca Chief, a 73-foot-long replica of the famed boat that carried Gov. DeWitt Clinton on the Erie Canal in 1825 when it opened following eight years of construction.

Volunteers at the Buffalo Maritime Center worked for four years to recreate the Seneca Chief. The 73-foot-long replica received great fanfare last year as part of the 200th anniversary celebration of the Erie Canal. It went from Buffalo to New York City and spent the winter in Waterford near Albany.

The Seneca Chief is doing a “Back to Buffalo” tour this month. The boat was open for tours on Wednesday in Holley.

Because the replica has no engine, the 33-foot historic wooden tugboat C.L. Churchill is used to push and maneuver the vessel along the Erie Canal.

The Seneca Chief will be in Medina today. The schedule includes:

  • 3:30 p.m. – Seneca Chief arrives at Medina Canal Basin
  • 4 p.m. – Welcome ceremony
  • 4:30 p.m. – Visitor experience that is open to the public
  • 7 p.m. – Visitor experience public hours end

As part of the welcome ceremony in Holley, some water from the Erie Canal was scooped out of the canal and out in a barrel that will be used to water a white pine tree in Buffalo. Robbie Weit, a Holley elementary student in the red hat, scoops out the water from the canal in Holley.

This Holley group adds the water from the canal in Holley to the barrel. In back are Dan Man, president of the Murray-Holley Historical Society and Mayor Mark Bower. He is assisting Holley students Robbie Weit, Timothy Hendrickson and Vivian Applegate.

The Buffalo Maritime Center did a “Gathering of the Waters” ceremony at each stop last year and then used it to water a white pine tree in New York City.

This year the group is collecting water from each stop and it will be used to water a white pine in Buffalo. The white pine trees were planted as a symbolic tribute to the Haudenosaunee and a commitment to a sustainable future.

Dr. John Montague, president emeritus of the Buffalo Maritime Center, thanks the Holley community for welcoming the Seneca Chief on Wednesday.

Montague said hundreds of volunteers worked over four years to build the replica boat, which he said has helped unite communities along the canal.

“It’s worked out far beyond our dreams,” he said. “It astonishes me that we pulled this off.”

Members of a band, PSA, from Holley Central School performed while people toured the Seneca Chief.

The band members include lead singer Isla Schultz, Brody Williams on drums, Aidan Kelley on guitar and Kallan Babcock on bass.

Dave Viterna Group kicks off summer concerts at Marine Park

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 June 2026 at 8:30 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

CARLTON – The Dave Viterna Group performed Tuesday evening at the Orleans County Marine Park to kick off the summer concert series.

There were several hundred people at the concert. The band members include from left: Marty Hobbs, “Scooter” Scott Felice on drums and Dave Viterna.

Dave Viterna and his band have been sought after performers in Western New York for many years.

“Scooter” Scott Felice pounded the skins for about two hours during the concert on Tuesday.

The park is located on Route 98 in Point Breeze along the Oak Orchard River.

The schedule for the rest of the season includes:

  • June 30 – Something Else, playing pop covers
  • July 7 – SkyCats, playing classic rock, southern rock, country, blues, soul
  • July 14 – Feedback, playing Motown to country
  • July 21 – The Who Dats, playing dance rock
  • July 28 – No Concert due to Orleans County 4-H Fair
  • Aug. 4 – Stone Age Romeos playing Classic 70’s Vinyl and more
  • Aug. 11 – rain date
  • Aug. 18 – rain date

The concerts go from 6 to 8:30 p.m. There is a $2 admission charge.

The Clarendon Lions Club are back serving grilled items, including burgers, hot dogs and sausage. Clarendon Lions members Don Knapp, left, and Roger Boynton were assisted by Philip Molino, age 12.

There are other food vendors at the park for the concerts.

Job Corps students do much-needed masonry work on sandstone wall at Boxwood Cemetery

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 24 June 2026 at 10:53 pm

Provided photos – (Left) Iroquois Job Corps pre-apprentice students in the International Masonry Institute brick masonry program grind the Medina Sandstone on the wall at Boxwood Cemetery. From left are Michael Whitfield, Imani Palmer and Jayden Sharp. (Right) Iroquois Job Corps’ IMI brick masonry instructor David Gonzalez, right, shows Center director Eric Seppala the technique on how to point and finish the Medina Sandstone wall.

MEDINA – Boxwood Cemetery Commission recently partnered with the Iroquois Job Corps to do much-needed masonry work on the cemetery’s Medina Sandstone wall, preserving it well into the future and saving the Cemetery many dollars.

On June 1, students in the International Masonry Institute’s brick masonry program began work to help restore the historic Boxwood Cemetery’s sandstone wall. The Preservation League of New York state and their program partners at the New York State Council on the Arts helped fund this project, as they have recognized the significance of Boxwood Cemetery, according to information from Job Corps Operations Director John Thomas.

Jacob Hebdon, chairman of Boxwood Cemetery Commission, reached out to Iroquois Job Corps to see if the center could offer any assistance with the project. IMI Brick Instructor David Gonzalez worked with Todd Bensley of Friends of Boxwood Cemetery and village of Medina historian.

Village historian and Friends of Boxwood member Todd Bensley, center, pose with International Masonry Institute pre-apprentice students from the Iroquois Job Corps, Michael Whitfield, left, and Jayden Sharp in front of the sandstone wall they recently repointed.

The students in the Brick Pre-Apprentice Program at Job Corps donated all of their professional brick masonry labor skills to assist with the preservation project at Boxwood Cemetery. The students worked a week, grinding, pointing and re-finishing the sandstone that had been worn down over 175 years and was crumbling in some areas of the wall.

“It has been a pleasure working with Dave Gonzales and his students,” Bensley said. “The quality of their work and their enthusiasm for the project are amazing.”

Bensley said by partnering with Job Corps, the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery has been able to stretch their dollars further, which means they can accomplish more in regards to the restoration of the cemetery.

“The work Job Corps has done repointing the walls will stand for years to come,” Bensley said.

Albion man admits to driving without license, causing $14K in damage to 2 police cars

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 June 2026 at 10:20 pm

ALBION – An Albion man admitted in Orleans County Court today that he was driving under the influence and without a license when he was driving recklessly in the village on May 18, crashing into two Albion patrol cars.

Timothy Ausman Jr., 56, of Albion pleaded guilty to two felonies in county court today, and faces a 1 to 3-year sentence in state prison when he is sentenced on Aug. 26.

Ausman pleaded guilty to aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and attempted criminal mischief in the second degree.

He has a previous DWI in 2010, which caused him to lose his driver’s license.

He appeared before County Court Judge Sanford Church this morning. Ausman agreed to pay $14,259 in restitution for damaging two Albion Police Department patrol cars. That restitution covers the cost of repairs, towing and getting decals replaced.

Ausman admitted that he intentionally drove into the patrol cars, intending to damage them, and said he had been drinking alcohol before driving on May 18.

Ausman has been in the county jail for about six weeks. Judge Church was asked by Public Defender Joanne Best to either reduce Ausman’s bail or let him be released on his own recognizance.

But Judge Church said he would keep bail at $10,000 cash, $20,000 insurance bond and $50,000 ten percent partially secured bail bond.

In other cases:

• Mohammed Ayash, 35, of Cheektowaga was arraigned for criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree and criminal nuisance in the second degree.

Ayash, owner of D-R Smoke Shop in Albion, was charged in September after undercover controlled buys by the Orleans County major Felony Crimes Task Force.

One of the numerous controlled buys was a chocolate bar infused with mushrooms (Psilocin) which is a controlled substance classified as a hallucinogen.

Ayash entered not guilty pleas to the charges in court this morning.

• Allan Bieber, 22, admitted to violating terms of his probation. Judge Church said they were substantial violations and revoked Bieber’s probation and will sentence him up to a year in the county jail on July 22.

Bieber in December was sentenced to 10 years of probation for third-degree rape for having sex with a 15-year-old girl at St. Joseph’s Park on South Clinton Street on April 25. Bieber is a first-time offender.

He has missed many of his appointments for probation, a job training program, sex offender counseling and mental health counseling. Those appointments are terms of his probation.

History talk this evening will offer Haudenosaunee perspective on 250th anniversary of country

Posted 24 June 2026 at 1:54 pm

File photo: Terry C. Abrams, a resident of the Tonawanda Indian Reservation, is shown speaking in may 2024 at the Cobblestone schoolhouse in Gaines. He was one of the presenters during the Leadership Orleans program. Abrams will speak today at 7 p.m. at the Gaines Basin Cobblestone Schoolhouse – 3286 Gaines Basin Rd. in Albion.

Press Release, Orleans County Historical Association

GAINES – The signing of the Declaration of Independence, the subsequent Revolutionary War and the politics of the post-war years had a profound impact on the Native American population.

The Orleans County Historical Association has invited Terry C. Abrams, a resident of the Tonawanda Indian reservation, to speak on the topic ”The Haudenosaunee Perspective of NY 250” today at 7 p.m. in the Gaines Basin Cobblestone Schoolhouse (3286 Gaines Basin Road, Albion).

Abrams is the Curator and Collections Manager for the Niagara County Historical Society and a member of the Council on Iroquois Research. He lectures frequently on issues pertaining to Native American history.

This free event is open to the public. All are invited to attend.

Future History Talks

• July 1 – “Revolutionary War Veterans: Sharing their Stories.” The program will be at 6:30 p.m. at Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Hall and will be presented by Deborah Wood, the Murray Town Historian.

The following programs will begin at 7 p.m. at the Gaines Basin Cobblestone Schoolhouse:

• July 29: “Soldiers Who Served in the Revolution from Orleans County” with Tim Archer

• Aug. 26: “Songs and Stories of the Erie Canal” with Don Dwyer

• Sept. 30: “The Burned Over District Part II-The Fire Was Not Easily Distinguished” with Doug Miller

• Oct. 28:  “Neat Stuff from the Hoag Library History Collections” with Dee Robinson

Albion posts win; Lyndonville bows in 18U

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 24 June 2026 at 10:24 am

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion third baseman Gavin Boyce awaits the ball to try to make the tag for an out during Tuesday’s 18U home field win over Pavilion.

Nate Gibson hurled a no hitter for Albion.

Albion defeated visiting Pavilion 9-2 and Lyndonville dropped an 8-2 decision to visiting Alden/Attica in GLOW  18U Division baseball action Tuesday evening.

Nate Gibson pitched a no hitter with 18 strikeouts to highlight the victory for Albion.

Trailing 2-1, Albion took the lead for good by scoring three runs in the fourth inning on a triple by Gavin Boyce, a double by Elliott Trapiss and RBI singles by Gibson and Viktor Snyder.

Albion then put a lock on the win by scoring five times in the sixth inning on an error, singles by Alakai Colmenero, Trapiss and Snyder and a three-run double by Gibson.

Boyce, Trapiss, Gibson and Snyder each finished with a pair of hits.

Albion improves to 2-0.

Alden/Attica 8, Lyndonville 2
A big five run fourth inning scoring burst, which included three walks and a single keyed Alden/Attica to the win.

Kameron Kassay had two hits for Lyndonville as Austin Fonda and Quincey McClinsey each had one.

Quincey McClinsey gets set to bang out a base hit for Lyndonville.

BU rallies past Medina/Lyndonville U16

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 24 June 2026 at 9:59 am

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Amir Zimmerman goes high for a header for Medina/Lyndonville during Tuesday’s U16 game against BU at Vets Park.

Putting together a big second half rally, the undefeated (5-0) BU team nipped the Medina/Lyndonville U16 squad in a Buffalo District Youth Soccer League game Tuesday evening at Vets Park.

Medina jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the first half as Garrett Jones scored all three goals.

However, BU rallied with three unanswered goals in the second half to claim the win.

Girls U18
Greece blanked Holley 3-0 in a Rochester District Soccer League girls U18 Division game Tuesday evening.

Evan Stanton drives the ball up field for Medina/Lyndonville.

Aces rally for diamond win over Medina 15U

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 24 June 2026 at 9:43 am

A late scoring surge earned the Aces a 12-8 win over the visiting Medina Mustangs 15U baseball team Tuesday evening.

Trailing 7-6, the Aces rallied to outscore Medina 6-1 over the final three innings to claim the win.

Medina had moved into the lead at 7-6 by scoring three runs in the third inning on a double by Zach Graham, a wild pitch and RBI singles by Shawn Robertson and Kaiden Hockenberry and once in the fourth on a ground out off the bat of Graham.

Graham, Robertson and Hockenberry each finished with a pair of hits.

Tigers Hall of Fame has new inductees

Contributed Story Posted 24 June 2026 at 9:24 am

Contributed Photos – Lyndonville Hall of Fame honorees, from left, Shane Price, Zach Johnson and Julie Donald.

Lyndonville High recently inducted several new members into the Tigers Athletic Hall of Fame.

The new inductees included the 1975 wrestling team, Zach Johnson (Class of 2019) and former baseball Coach Shane Price.

In addition, Julie Donald (Class of 1985), who was unable to make last year’s induction, was formally inducted.

The 1975 team won Lyndonville’s first Section V wrestling championship.

Coach Fred Large’s team went 13-3 and had 5 Section V Class C and 3 Genesee Region League champions. Four of those Class C champions attended the induction including Bob Large, Jim Bell, Jim Broadwell and Paul Suhr.

Johnson, a three-sport athlete, capped off his high school career with an outstanding senior baseball season. He registered 108 strikeouts and had a 0.69 earned run average as he earned both G-R and Class C Player of the Year honors.

Price guided the Tigers diamond squad for 20 seasons (2002-2022). His Tiger teams earned seven Genesee Region League, three Section V titles and reached the state semifinals in 2011. He was a four time Section V Class C Coach of the Year,

Donald, who was also a three sport athlete, excelled in softball both as a pitcher and a hitter. Her senior year she hit .386 and in the circle registered 47 strikeouts.

Members of the 1975 Tigers wrestling team include Ron Large, Mike Juirnich, Jon Neal, Bob Large, Mark Follman, Jim Bell, Jim Broadwell, Bill Juirnich, Paul Suhr, Norman Church and Steve Culmo.

Ploof sentenced to prison for threatening FBI agent

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 June 2026 at 9:16 am

Former Ogden police officer also was briefly chief deputy of Orleans County Sheriff’s Office

Steven Ploof

ROCHESTER – Steven Ploof, who briefly was chief deputy of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office in 2023, was sentenced to 14 months in prison on Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca.

Ploof, 48, of Greece was convicted of threatening to assault a member of the immediate family of a federal law enforcement officer with the intent to impeding that law enforcement officer while engaged in the performance of official duties, or with intent to retaliate against such law enforcement officer on account of the performance of official duties.

Ploof, who worked 16 years for the Ogden Police Department, resigned from the Orleans County in June 2023 after being put on administrative leave relating to suspected drug use, according to Channel 10 News in Rochester.

Ploof on September 15, 2025, went to the Ogden residence of an FBI special agent and his family. When he arrived at the house, Ploof placed two posterboard signs on the front porch. One sign read “Corrupt FBI AGENT!” and the other sign read “I Want To (expletive) Your Kids!”

Video of Ploof placing the two signs on the front porch was obtained from a residential security system, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Everardo A. Rodriguez, who is handling the case for U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo of the Western District of New York.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis II, the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Acting Chief Ryan Parina, the Ogden Police Department, under the direction of Chief Travis Gray, and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Christopher Bourke.

Kastenbaum concedes to Ellman in NY-24 Democratic Primary

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 June 2026 at 8:57 am

Photo by Tom Rivers: Alissa Ellman speaks during a candidate forum in Albion on June 4 at the Hoag Library. She is next to moderator Jim Renfrew and candidate Diana Kastenbaum.

Diana Kastenbaum of Batavia has conceded to Alissa Ellman of Lockport in the Democratic primary for the 24th Congressional District.

Ellman will move on to the general election against Claudia Tenney, the Republican incumbent.

Ellman, 42, is married with two grown daughters in Lockport. She grew up in rural Allegany County. She joined the Army National Guard at the age of 17, and deployed at age 19 to Afghanistan from January 2003 to June 2004 as a flight operation specialist.

She later returned to the Afghanistan with Halliburton from 2005-2008 managing flight line operations in Kandahar. In 2018, Ellman was diagnosed with a rare adrenal cancer, associated with toxic burn pit exposure during her service in Afghanistan. She was working at the Buffalo VA when her job was eliminated as part of DOGE cuts early last year.

The 24th district includes 14 counties. In Orleans County, Ellman received 216 votes compared to 207 for Kastenbaum. There are 119 absentee ballots in Orleans County that may still come in.

Kastenbaum issued this statement this morning to her supporters:

“I know this is not what we wanted,” Diana told her campaign team, “but this is how a democracy is supposed to function. We cannot waste time sulking over my loss; we must be pragmatic, and support whomever is willing to challenge Claudia Tenney and the broader MAGA movement in November. Alissa and I may disagree on approach, but we agree on the end goal: the preservation of our democratic values and a return to people-first politics.”

Kastenbaum acknowledged a Democrat faces an uphill challenge in a Republican-leaning district.

“It will be a challenge to win against Tenney in November, but Alissa is a fighter, and understands that people are fed up with the Republican status quo and want real change,” Kastenbaum said. “With the right support, Alissa has a real chance of becoming our next representative.”

Kastenbaum said she will stay active as a citizen.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with each and every one of you,” she said. “You are the lifeblood of American democracy, and a testament to hard work and perseverance. I hope to continue to work with you on the issues plaguing our community, even if I cannot do so from Washington.”

In Orleans, Dems back DiNapoli for comptroller and Ellman for Congress

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 June 2026 at 10:59 pm

Orleans County Democrats picked Tom DiNapoli for comptroller over two challengers. DiNapoli, the incumbent, received 285 votes compared to 81 for Drew Warshaw and 44 for Raj Goyle.

DiNapoli was the only state-wide office holder facing a primary challenge, and he won the primary handily, according to multiple media reports, including The New York Times.

Comptroller Tom DiNapoli issued this statement on Tuesday night:

“Tonight’s victory is a victory for every single working family in New York State, every public sector worker and first responder who relies on a secure pension, every student and senior who worries about the affordability crisis we’re facing.

“I want to thank all our voters, volunteers, endorsers, and especially my friends in labor who powered this campaign to victory. Our opponents tried over and over to derail our work with false attacks and reckless promises, but the people of New York once again have seen the value of steady, responsible leadership in these chaotic times.

“Now the campaign is over and we need to get back to the hard work that we do protecting taxpayers and retirees, investing in New York’s future, pushing back against Trump’s extremism, and helping working families get by in Trump’s terrible economy.

“Thank you to my family and friends, my tireless campaign team, and once again, every voter across New York. The Office of the State Comptroller will have four more years of steady, experienced leadership to serve every single New Yorker and every single corner of our State. Now on to the general election where together, we can defeat MAGA, to take back the House, take back the Senate and make sure we take back the White House in 2028!”

The race for the 24th Congressional District was much closer. In Orleans County, Alissa Ellman of Lockport received 216 votes compared to 207 for Diana Kastenbaum of Batavia.

There are 119 absentee ballots that could still be turned in. The turnout by today has been low. There are 5,036 registered Democrats in the county. Only 8.4 percent voted. That doesn’t include the outstanding absentee ballots.

The district covers 14 counties. The winner will face Claudia Tenney, the Republican incumbent, in the general election.

In Shelby, Parada and Seitz win GOP Committee spots

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 June 2026 at 10:51 pm

SHELBY – In a close race for two positions on the Shelby Republican Committee, John Parada received 66 votes and Steve Seitz, 62, for District 1.

They were ahead of Dale Root with 55 votes. There are only two outstanding absentee ballots.

The vote is close enough that there will be a recount on July 1, said Mike Mele, the Republican election commissioner for Orleans County.

Fred Seeman apparent winner in Clarendon town supervisor primary

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 June 2026 at 10:32 pm

CLARENDON – Fred Seeman holds a 15-vote lead over Marc Major in the Republican primary for Clarendon town supervisor. After the votes today, early voting and absentees received by today, Seeman is ahead, 170-155.

There are 16 absentee ballots they haven’t been turned in. They need to be postmarked by today and received by the Board of Elections one week from today to be counted.

Major has been the town supervisor for about a year. He was the deputy town supervisor and was appointed town supervisor after Richard Moy retired. Major was a town councilman for 12 years.

When Major became town supervisor, his councilman seat was open and Seeman was appointed to the position about a year ago.

Both were then elected in November, but for Major it was only a one-year term, forcing him to go through the election process again this year.

Major had the Republican Committee endorsement but Seeman forced a primary. He holds the lead today.

Seeman’s wife, Melissa Ierlan, is facing felony grand larceny charges for allegedly stealing about $100,000 from the Clarendon Historical Society, where she was president. Ierlan also was the town code enforcement officer, cemetery administrator and historian.

She is scheduled to appear in County Court on Friday morning.

In Clarendon, there were 326 votes today and with early voting and absentees turned in by today. (There was one write-in vote.)  There are 1,284 registered Republicans in the town for a turnout of 25.4 percent.