Albion’s version of “March Madness” is set for this coming Saturday, March 7, with holding of the fifth annual Albion Boys Basketball Sports Boosters 3 on 3 tournament.
The “Albion Madness” is a double elimination 3 on 3 basketball tournament for boys and girls in grades 5-12.
The tournament is scheduled to tipoff at 10 a,m. at the Albion High gym.
“We had over 100 sign up last year and we are hoping to be bigger and better this year,” said tourney organizer Jeff Radder.
The deadline for registering is this coming Friday March 6.
The Northshore Fury, an AAU basketball club representing Orleans and Eastern Niagara counties, is preparing for its upcoming spring season.
First up for the Fury will be an open tryout March 15th at the Orleans County YMCA in Medina from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for their 15U Boys team.
The Northshore Fury, a subsidiary of the Finger Lakes Fury Basketball Club, was established in 2025 by Kendall’s Varsity Coach Kevin Rhodes and featured local Junior and Senior High School players from Kendall, Holley, Albion, Medina and Roy-Hart.
This year’s team will be coached by Albion’s Joshua Dix and Holley’s Kevin McGuire.
March 15th’s tryout is open to 8th and 9th grade boys. In addition, 10th grade boys who are 15 years old as of August 31st, 2026, are also welcome. Interested players must be accompanied by a parent.
The Fury’s season will run from March 15th-June 20th and will include 5-6 weekend tournaments.
Player fee and other information can be obtained by contacting Joshua Dix at ocfuryhoops@gmail.com or by texting (585) 356-6215
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 1 March 2026 at 8:50 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Marcia Toussaint looks on as Brian Napoli, Ridgeway supervisor, presents a citation to her husband Jeff in celebration of his retirement from the board after 30 years of service. Toussaint was Napoli’s choice as deputy town supervisor for many of those years on the board.
MEDINA – Town of Ridgeway councilman Jeff Toussaint was honored at a luncheon Friday to celebrate his retirement after serving 30 years on the Ridgeway Town Board.
“I very much enjoyed my years on the board,” Toussaint said. “Whenever we looked at tough subjects, everybody always came together.”
Toussaint, who grew up on the family farm on Culvert Road, which he now runs, said public service ran in his family.
“My mom and grandpa both served years on the Medina School Board,” he said. “I was in my 20s when I was asked by the Republican Committee to run, but I was getting married and working on the farm, so I wasn’t interested. Then when Russ Rau stepped down, I was in my mid 30s and I interviewed with the other candidates and was approved and got elected. I never wanted to be a politician. I was never political in anything I did.”
He said one of the most satisfying things he helped accomplish during his years of service was getting municipal water for most of the town.
“At the time, some of the people weren’t in favor of it, but in hindsight, it was the right thing to do,” Toussaint said. “There are still a few spots which still don’t have water, but the town is working on it.”
Retiring Ridgeway Town Board member Jeff Toussaint, second from left, poses with his wife Marcia, daughter Andrea, son Matt and his wife Molly with baby Sloane.
Talk of dissolution of the Village of Medina was also a difficult time, as people had strong opinions both ways, he said.
Toussaint and his wife Marcia have three children: Matt, who works on the farm; daughter Andrea, a teacher; and son Aaron, who works in archeology.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better deputy than Jeff,” said Ridgeway supervisor Brian Napoli. “He’s been a big help during the 20 years I’ve served with him. We’ve had disagreements, but we always came to a compromise.”
“I never expected to be here 30 years,” Toussaint said. “It’s pretty amazing and I’m so appreciative the people kept voting me back in. I only worked under two supervisors during that time – J.T. Gidley and Brian.”
When asked why he decided to retire, he replied, “It was time.” As to what he’ll do now, he said he will occasionally come to a meeting to keep the others on their toes.
“And in a year or so, who knows what I’ll do,” he said.
The retirement luncheon was organized by Mary Woodruff, deputy supervisor; and board member Cliff Barber. Other board members are Jesse Cudzillo, the newest board member just voted in; and Duane Payne. John Olinger is the highway superintendent and Hannah Hill is the town clerk.
Woodruff’s granddaughter Andrea made and donated the cake for the retirement party, which included lunch catered by Avanti’s.
Mary Woodruff and Cliff Barber, standing, welcome family, friends and co-workers to a retirement party for Jeff Toussaint, who just completed 30 years as a member of the Ridgeway Town Board. Among the guests were, from left, Patty and Gus Blackburn, Duane Payne, Dan Wolfe, Mark Goheen and assessor Julie Cecchini (with her back turned).
ALBION – Albion Central School District’s Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) applications and kindergarten registration packets are now available for the 2026-27 school year.
The district plans to once again offer a morning and afternoon UPK program at the Albion Elementary School. Applications can be picked up from the District Office or the Elementary Main Office. They can also be printed from the ACSD website. Applications must be returned by 4 p.m. on Friday, May 1, to the registrar at the District Office.
The Albion UPK program is a New York State grant-funded education program, so there is no cost to enroll. To be eligible for the Albion UPK program, children must be four years old on or before Dec. 1, 2026 and must reside in the Albion Central School District.
There are 72 half-day UPK seats available for the 2026-27 school year with 36 students to be placed in the morning session and 36 in the afternoon session. Please note, if the District receives more applications than seats available by the deadline of May 1, there will be a lottery drawing.
If there are 72 or less applications, all students will be placed in the program. Families will be notified of either placement or the lottery process within the first week of May. For subsequent applications received, students will be placed based on availability within the program. A waitlist will be developed if the program becomes full after May 1.
Registration for kindergarten is also open. If your child is already enrolled in Albion’s UPK program, they are automatically registered for kindergarten and parents don’t need to complete any other paperwork.
A letter will be sent from the elementary school inviting parents/guardians and the student to the kindergarten screening process, which will be held in late June. If you are new to the district, or have a child who was not enrolled in Albion UPK and did not receive a registration packet in the mail, you may pick one up from the District Office or the Elementary Main Office.
Packets should be returned to the registrar at the District Office by 4 p.m. on March 30. A letter regarding kindergarten screening will then be mailed after all paperwork is received.
More information including printable UPK applications and kindergarten registration packets are available on the Albion CSD website, https://www.albionk12.org/page/registration. Please contact the registrar’s office with any questions at 585-589-2051.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 28 February 2026 at 7:44 pm
Lyndonville and Kendall were both defeated in Section V girls basketball quarterfinal round playoff games today.
In Class D, top seeded Avoca-Prattsburgh downed No. 8 Lyndonville 57-33.
Isabella Groves scored 13 and Alexa Robinson 11 to lead the Lady Tigers as Lilly Raduns added 3 and Hannah Fox, Emily Dill and Braelynn Dillenbeck 2 each.
In Class C1, top seeded Letchworth downed No. 9 Kendall 51-19.
In a Section VI Class B contest Eden defeated Akron 44-40.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 28 February 2026 at 7:27 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Jerrell Nealy drives to the basket against Southwestern defenders Carter Casselman (24) and Oscar Harris (0) during the Mustangs sectional semifinal victory over the Trojans at SUNY Fredonia this afternoon.
Putting together a big fourth quarter scoring surge, No. 5 seed Medina rallied to down No. 9 Southwestern 62-52 in the semifinal round of the Section VI Class B1 boys basketball playoffs this afternoon at SUNY Fredonia.
The victory propels Medina into the Class B1 championship game on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at SUNY Fredonia against No. 2 Olmsted which downed No. 6 Springville 49-34 in the other semifinal.
Trailing 44-40, Medina rallied with a big 22-8 fourth period scoring edge to claim the victory as seven players contributed to the point production during that stretch.
A three by Kolton Fletcher followed by baskets by Jayzon Wills and Kendrick Russaw ignited that decisive uprising rallying Medina back into the lead for good at 47-46.
Keeping the momentum, the Mustangs then got baskets from Christian Moss and Russaw, a free throw by Wills and a three-point play by Avion Johnson to hike the lead to five at 55-50.
Preston Woodworth puts up a shot for Medina as Oscar Harris defends for Southwestern.
The Trojans could get no closer than 55-52 after that as the Mustangs put a lock on the victory with a 7-0 closing run. Jerrell Nealy had a basket and two free throws and Preston Woodworth three from the foul line during that closing run.
Nealy finished with 17 and Woodworth 15 as Moss added 8, Wills 7, Russaw 6 and Hadrian Batista, Johnson and Fletcher 3 each.
Landon Hooks took game high honors with 18 to lead Southwestern.
Southwestern held narrow leads of 14-11 at the end of the first period, 29-24 at the half and 44-40 at the three-quarter mark. Hooks hit three threes in the first quarter and later tallied 7 points in the third for the Trojans.
Moss hit two threes and Woodworth one for the Mustangs in the first quarter. Woodworth then had two more threes and Wills a pair of baskets in the second period while Nealy erupted for 11 points in the third stanza.
There was a total of four ties and six lead changes in the first half.
The Mustangs will take a 16-6 record into Wednesday’s B1 title contest.
Medina’s Christian Moss drives against Southwestern’s Jalen Edwards.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 February 2026 at 5:08 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The annual Ben Kirby Memorial Tournament in Albion has brought about 2,000 people to Albion for the two-day tournament that started Friday and concludes tonight.
The top photo shows the grades 5 and 6 teams from Albion and Buffalo United in the elementary school gym. Buffalo United won the game, 2 to 1.
There are 74 teams in the tournament, up from 65 last year. The teams can have six players on the court and most teams have three or four subs. Many of their parents attended the tournament.
Lena Grillo of Albion looks for a pass in a JV game against the Batavia YMCA. Grillo would score for Albion in the game.
There are teams from grades 3 and 4 to adults in an open division in the tournament. The teams are from Albion, Alexander, Attica, Batavia, Bloomfield, Brockport, Buffalo, Campbell Sanova, Canandaigua, Holley, Hilton, Kendall, Le Roy, Lyndonville, Palmyra Macedon, Pavilion, Victor and Warsaw in the tournament.
Peter Borello, one of the organizers of the tournament for the Albion Soccer Club, runs the scoreboard during a game in the elementary school gym.
Borello said a big group of volunteers put on the tournament. He estimated about 2,000 people attended the tournament on Friday and today.
Peter Borello holds a medal that will go to a winning team.
Renee Wolf, coach for Holley’s JV and varsity girls teams, gathers the JV team before a game against Attica this afternoon in the high school gym.
The Albion Soccer Club organizes the two-day tournament which honors the memory of Ben Kirby of Albion. He was a student at the Rochester Institute of Technology when he died in a car accident on Nov. 6, 2017. He was 21 at the time, in his senior year majoring in software development. Kirby played youth soccer for Albion and also on the school teams.
Some of the proceeds go towards a $500 Ben Kirby scholarship given to a student nominated by one or more of the teachers in the Albion High School. Three of the scholarships are awarded each year.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 February 2026 at 3:28 pm
Photo courtesy of Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company: Firefighters converge at the scene of a fire on South Main Street in Medina this morning.
MEDINA – Three people were safely rescued from a fire this morning on Sout Main Street in Medina.
The Medina Fire Department was dispatched to 824 South Main St. at 5:52 a.m. Firefighters encountered active fire and heavy smoke conditions near the entrances of two apartments of a large multi-unit apartment building.
Medina Police officers were first on the scene and attempted to slow the spread of fire with several fire extinguishers.
With reports of multiple residents still inside, firefighters deployed a 1¾’ hoseline and initiated fire attack, Fire Chief Steve Cooley said in a news release.
“After knocking down the fire at the doorway, crews made entry into an apartment under hazardous smoke-filled conditions,” Cooley said. “Firefighters quickly located and removed two occupants, a mother and child.”
Firefighters were then told a third person remained inside a bedroom. Lieutenant Adam Fisher and Firefighter Amanda Cassano re-entered the apartment with the protection of a hoseline and conducted a targeted search with the thermal imaging camera, locating and rescuing the third victim found in the bedroom, Cooley said.
Additional firefighters and Medina police officers conducted searches of the remaining smoke-filled apartments to ensure all occupants were accounted for. Medina firefighter-paramedics immediately began medical evaluations and treatment of the rescued residents, Cooley said.
“As additional firefighters arrived, crews completed primary and secondary searches, continued suppression efforts, and conducted overhaul to ensure the fire was fully extinguished,” Cooley said,
The Orleans County Fire Investigation Unit, assisted by the Medina Fire Department Investigation Unit, began determining the cause of the fire. The Erie County Sheriff’s Office accelerant detection K9 unit also responded to assist. The fire cause is under investigation.
Two residents were transported to Strong Memorial Hospital. One occupant left the scene prior to transport, and another resident was evaluated for smoke inhalation but declined further treatment. No firefighters were injured at this incident.
East Shelby, Albion ladder, Middleport and Mercy EMS all responded to the scene with the Middleport Fire Company providing coverage at the Medina Fire Station to ensure uninterrupted emergency response within the village during the incident.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to all the agencies listed above including the Orleans County dispatchers and deputies, village code enforcement and the Red Cross,” Cooley said. “During this incident, an additional EMS call within the village was handled by Medina Fire Ambulance. We would also like to thank the manager of Dunkin’ Donuts for delivering fresh coffee to crews operating on scene.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 February 2026 at 11:37 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Workers from Upstate Tower Construction in West Seneca are shown putting up a 180-foot-high tower in Carlton on Feb. 5, 2024. The tower is next to the Town Hall and highway garage on Waterport-Carlton Road. The tower was paid for as part of $2,990,000 grant from the state to the county through the Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant. That grant pays for the new tower in Carlton, a new tower and equipment at the Orleans County Emergency Management Office on West Countyhouse Road in Albion, and two backup 911 dispatch consoles at the EMO site. A separate $11.5 million grant is paying for more towers and high-speed internet equipment.
ALBION – Two new towers for high-speed internet service will be built in Ridgeway and Carlton, and equipment also will be going on a grain silo in Clarendon.
Those projects are part of a build-out of the wireless internet system in the county. The county in November 2024 was awarded a $11,562,698 state grant to upgrade wireless internet service throughout the county.
The funding came through the Empire State Development’s ConnectALL Municipal Infrastructure Program. This will allow the county to increase wireless internet speeds from the current 25 Mega Bit Per Seconds (Mbps) to 100 (Mbps).
There are currently 19 towers for the high-speed internet system. The Orleans County Planning Board on Thursday gave its support for two new towers plus the equipment on a grain silo in Clarendon. Those additions should fill gaps in internet coverage.
The county approved a $11,216,500 contract from North Shore Networks LLC in Medina to implement the faster internet service. That company is led by Duston Ellis, who worked over a decade in Kentucky for Broadlinc, helping run a high-speed internet service in a rural area. Ellis moved to Medina to be near his wife’s family.
• The new 150-foot-high tower in Carlton will be a monopole at 961 Wilson Rd. near the Village of Albion Water Treatment Plant.
• The 150-foot-high tower in Ridgeway will be at 2490 Townline Rd. on land owned by Panek Farms. The tower will be on a site that is not being actively farmed.
• In Clarendon, an antenna array will be installed atop an existing 140-foot-high grain silo at 5122 Soth Holley Rd., near Glidden Road. The property is owned by Kevin Wolf, LLC.
The equipment includes four radios and a network cabinet. The radios will broadcast out at 90 degrees in each direction.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today released the following statement regarding Operation Epic Fury and the joint U.S. and Israeli military strikes targeting the Iranian regime.
“As the Department of War brilliantly executes Operation Epic Fury against the despotic Islamist Iranian regime, I pray for the safety of all our U.S. service members and allies in the region,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “I hope the brave Iranian people will take back their country from the brutal mullahs, and the people of Iran can have a future of peace and prosperity, instead of tyranny and terrorism.”
UPDATE at 1:23 p.m.: Gov. Kathy Hochul issued this statement:
“Following the U.S. military operations in Iran overnight, we are taking precautionary steps to protect New Yorkers. State Police are increasing their presence at religious, diplomatic, and cultural sites statewide in coordination with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. Additionally, in advance of the Jewish holiday of Purim, State Police remain alert and have already begun outreach to religious organizations to offer support.
“While there have been no specific, credible threats to New York identified, we continue to monitor online activity for any potential threats, and we encourage New Yorkers to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.”
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Intelligence Committee, released the following statement on U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran:
“I came to Congress in opposition to endless wars. Trump’s actions today risk exactly that again.
“Congress should return to session immediately to vote on a war powers resolution.
“The president lacks the constitutional authority – and in my opinion, the temperament and judgment – to act in such a reckless fashion.
“I pray for the safety and well-being of our brave service members and American families in the region.
“America voted for lower costs, not forever wars.”
Contributed Story Posted 28 February 2026 at 9:43 am
Contributed Photo – Holley High graduate Matt Paeth has been selected for a prestigious honor by USA Wrestling, Paeth, who coaches at North Platt High School in Omaha, Nebraska has been chosen for the USA Wrestling’s Coach Apprentice Program this June in Lima, Peru . He will be coaching alongside Team USA at the U23 Pan-American championships.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 February 2026 at 8:59 am
ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board is recommending the Town of Yates approve a special use permit for Call Farms in Batavia for farmworker housing at 2162 Lyndonville Rd.
Call Farms has already built two barns near the property as part of a new seed potato operation. They would use an existing house for about 10 farmworkers who would be in the H2A guest worker program. The house is south of the Village of Lyndonville on Route 63 ina residential-agricultural district.
The house for farmworkers is not expected to result in a significant increase in traffic to the area, the County Planning Board said during its meeting on Thursday in Albion.
“It’s a positive thing for the community,” said Planning Board member Gary Daum of Lyndonville. “Call Farms is a first-class operation. They’re very conscientious.”
Call Farms isn’t planning any exterior work on the house, but will do a small amount of interior work and may need to enlarge the septic system if required by the Orleans County Health Department.
The Planning Board also acted on another referral from the Town of Yates. The board supported a special use permit for Kervin Stauffer to run a home business repairing hydraulic cylinders and heavy equipment, and could include part sales at 11916 Roosevelt Highway, which is in a residential-agricultural district.
Stauffer wants to build a 10-by-12-foot storage shed and 50-by-70-foot accessory structure for the business.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 February 2026 at 9:32 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s CJ D’Agostino goes in for a layup during the Dragons sectional quarterfinal loss to Pembroke at Oakfield-Alabama this evening.
Combining a fast start with a strong finish, No. 3 seed Pembroke downed No. 6 Kendall 59-46 in the quarterfinal round of the Section V Class C1 boys basketball playoffs this evening at Oakfield-Alabama.
Nolan Peterson scored 17, Lennox Kohorst 16 and Luca Baker 14 to spark Pembroke which will take a 20-2 record into Monday’s C1 semifinal against No. 2 Geneseo.
Vinnie D’Agostino took game high honors with 20, CJ D’Agostino 11 and Noah Morehouse 8 to lead Kendall.
Unleashing a barrage of five early threes, including two each by Peterson and Baker and one by Owen Schultz, Pembroke jumped out to a 17-5 lead at the outset.
Pembroke’s Owen Schultz (0) and Mason Weatherbee (11) try to block the drive to the basket by Kendall’s Vinnie D’Agostino.
The Eagles did close the opening period with a 9-2 run including 5 by CJ D’Agostino and 4 by Vinnie D’Agostino to cut the deficit to 19-14 but the Dragons went on to hold maintain a 10 point, 31-21, lead at half-time.
Kendall though came battling back with a 14-5 scoring surge to open the third period to rally back to within one at 36-35.
Morehouse hit two threes, Vinnie D’Agostino and Sammy Conte one each and Jonny Conte a two during that rally.
However, the Eagles could not pull even as the Dragons went back up 40-35 at the end of the third period and then put a lock on the victory with a 19-11 scoring edge in the decisive final period.
Kohorst spearheaded that late Dragons surge with 11 points including three huge threes as Barker also hit a big three.
Kendall finishes the season at 15-7.
Kendall’s Noah Morehouse looks to put up a shot as Luca Baker (5) and Lennox Kohorst (43) defend for Pembroke.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 February 2026 at 5:37 pm
An injury suffered during the recent sectional competition has forced Albion freshman Stryker Sanders (118) to withdraw from the state wrestling championships which began today in Albany.
“We made the decision to pull him,” said his father Albion wrestling Coach Mike Sanders. “He was hurt at the very end of his match at the sectionals (final 12 seconds). He dislocated his elbow. We rehabed and practiced through this week hoping he could go. The plan was to brace it and give it a go. But it flared up in warmups so we medically forfeited him out.”
Roy-Hart/Barker junior RJ Townsend lost his opening match by a 4-0 decision to Trey Parker of Susquehanna Valley.
