Upstate, including GLOW region, no longer under drought watch
The DEC released this map that shows no parts of upstate are considered in a drought watch. Only the Long Island counties of Nassau and Suffolk are in a drought watch.
Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that all upstate drought regions have returned to “Normal” status.
In cooperation with the State’s Drought Management Task Force, DEC updated the drought status from “Drought Watch” to “Normal” in State Drought Regions II through VIII after assessing recent precipitation and elevated levels of ground and surface water. The Long Island counties of Nassau and Suffolk (State Drought Region I) remain in a Drought Watch.
“Precipitation and recent snowmelt have improved stream flows and groundwater levels, resulting in upstate drought regions returning to normal status,” said Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “DEC experts will continue to monitor conditions in coordination with the State Drought Management Task Force and update the public of any changes. DEC encourages communities and individuals to always be mindful of their water use and practice water conservation measures all year long.”
While regional hydrological conditions have notably improved, localized dry conditions may persist and despite encouraging hydrological conditions, New Yorkers are urged to continue reducing unnecessary water use and waste, fixing leaks, and choosing efficient water fixtures.
New York State drought Region IIA, which includes New York City and Westchester County, remains in normal status due to the satisfactory storage levels and refill probability of the New York City reservoirs. According to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the city’s reservoirs are at more than 95% capacity. DEC continues to work closely with DEP to monitor reservoir conditions and encourage responsible water use, especially outdoors, regardless of the hydrological conditions or season.
New York State encourages ongoing water conservation to ensure adequate supply for all emergency use. To protect water resources, homeowners are encouraged to voluntarily reduce water use and follow these tips:
- Reuse water collected in rain barrels, dehumidifiers or air conditioners to water plants.
- Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks.
- Fix leaking pipes, fixtures, toilets, hoses and faucets.
- Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry.
- Take shorter showers or fill the bathtub partly.
- Install water saving plumbing fixtures.
- Don’t run the tap to make water hot or cold.
- Wash cars less frequently.
State Drought Index
Drought stages are calculated using the State Drought Index, which evaluates whether several drought indicators have reached critical thresholds. DEC experts track and evaluate drought conditions based on stream flows, lake and reservoir storage levels, and groundwater levels.
These factors, and the duration of the dry period, season, and other information such as past and forecasted precipitation, weather patterns, and local conditions, are used by DEC to evaluate drought conditions across the state. The State Drought Index is attuned to the specific attributes of New York and may differ moderately from some national technical drought assessments.
DEC and the U.S. Geological Survey are partners in evaluating hydrologic conditions across New York State. In addition, DEC supports efforts by local governments and stakeholders to undertake water conservation measures based on specific local circumstances.
New Albion village trustee eager to work with village officials, staff and community
Editor:
To the residents of the Village of Albion, I would like to sincerely thank the people of our village for your votes, your confidence, and the opportunity to serve you as Village Trustee.
I do not take this responsibility lightly, and I am truly grateful for the trust you have placed in me. I am committed to serving our community with honesty, respect, and a genuine desire to do what is best for all residents.
I would also like to congratulate Tim McMurray on his election as Mayor and Kevin Sheehan on his election as Village Trustee. I look forward to working together in service to our village.
In addition, I am excited for the opportunity to work alongside William Gabalski, Greg Bennett, our village employees, and the residents of Albion as we move forward together. I believe that meaningful progress happens when people are willing to listen, collaborate, and work toward the common good of the community.
I also want to extend my sincere thanks to Joyce Riley and Angel Javier Jr. for their time and service on the board. Public service is not always easy, and I appreciate the time and effort they have dedicated to our village. I wish them both continued success in whatever comes next.
As we begin this next chapter, I encourage any and all residents to attend the next Village Board meeting on Monday, April 6, at 6 p.m. when the newly elected officials will be sworn in at Village Hall with the regular board meeting taking place right after. Community involvement matters, and I would love to see residents there as we continue working toward a stronger future for Albion together.
Thank you again for this opportunity to serve.
Sincerely,
Jami Allport
Village of Albion Trustee-Elect
Strong start for Green at Phoenix Tourney
Medina’s Melanie Green is off to a strong start at the LPGA Tour’s Ford Championship Tourament at Phoenix, Arizona.
Green fired a 3 under par opening round of 69 today.
Starting on the back 9, she registered a total of 5 birdies (on holes 11, 12, 1, 2 and 7) which more than offset a pair of bogies (on 10 and 3).
With some of the field still on the course the current tourney leader is Lydia Ko who had a 12 under par round of 60.
The tournament will continue on Friday and Saturday and conclude on Sunday. The field will be cut after Friday’s round.
Rams return veteran laden diamond squad
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s veteran contingent includes, in front, Isaac Smith, RJ Townsend, Gavin Heideman, Sean Mettler and Evan Poeller. In back are Jared Hy, John Brigham, Will Bundrock, Blake Stahl and Lincoln Murray.
Last spring an underclassmen dominated Roy-Hart team posted a 7-5 record in Niagara-Orleans League baseball competition,
Now, with the lineup returning virtually intact, the Rams are looking to challenge for top N-O diamond honors.
That veteran group includes seniors Gavin Heideman (pitcher/outfield/first base), Evan Poeller (infield/outfield/pitcher), Sean Mettler (shortstop/second base) and Isaac Smith (third base/pitcher) along with junior RJ Townsend (third base) and sophomores Will Bundrock (second base), Jared Hy (pitcher/outfield), Lincoln Murray (outfield), Blake Stahl (outfield) and John Brigham (first base).
Heideman was a first team N-O All-League honoree last spring while Poeller and Mettler were both second team picks and Townsend an Honorable Mention selection.
“It is a good veteran group but they’re still pretty young,” said Coach Jim Heideman. “Our pitching and defense should be ok we just have to be able to hit the baseball.”
The Rams will begin tuning up for the April 13 N-O home opener against Albion by visiting Sweet Home on April 1.
Orleans gets big payout from WROTB with Batavia Downs success
Photo by Tom Rivers: The video gaming center at Batavia Downs has been a money-maker for Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp., which shares its profits with 15 counties and the cities of Rochester and Buffalo.
Orleans County is seeing a near doubling in its share of the profits from Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp.
The county received $189,607 from WROTB in 2025, up from $101,097 in 2024.
WROTB is owned by 15 counties and the cities of Rochester and Buffalo. Batavia Downs Gaming has proven to be a money-maker for WROTB, averaging about $7.5 million in profit or “net win” a month with NYS receiving 39 percent of that total.
The WROTB revenues shared with the member municipalities increased from $6,705,049 in 2024 to $12,865,737 in 2025, a 92 percent increase.
“WROTB closed fiscal year 2025 with record-breaking results, marking the most successful year in the corporation’s history,” President and CEO Byron Brown wrote in a letter to Lynne Johnson, chairperson of the Orleans County Legislature.
WROTB paid out $251 million in winnings, up from $243 million. The organization also saw net win for the organization total $93 million, an increase of $4.7 million over 2024 and year-over-year growth of 5.4 percent, Brown said.
Orleans County was an original member when WROTB formed over 50 years ago. Since 1975, Orleans has received $3,180,777 from WROTB, Brown stated in his letter to Johnson.
Here are the revenues paid to Orleans County each year since 2020:
- 2020: $6,975 (Covid restrictions shut down operations for several months before reopening with restrictions.)
- 2021: $85,236
- 2022: $123,945
- 2023: $144,691
- 2024: $101,097
- 2025: $189,607
Albion mayor Javier, trustee Riley close out terms on Village Board
Photos by Tom Rivers: Albion village trustee Joyce Riley and mayor Angel Javier Jr. both are finishing four-year terms on the Village Board.
ALBION – The Albion Village Board meeting on Wednesday was the last one for Angel Javier Jr. as mayor and Joyce Riley as village trustee. They both are finishing four-year terms.
Javier, 36, didn’t seek re-election. He said he is moving outside the village and will be living in the Town of Albion. He wouldn’t have been eligible to be mayor.
Riley, 77, narrowly lost to Tim McMurray for mayor, 209 to 202, during the election on March 18.
Village residents also elected Jami Allport and Kevin Sheehan as trustees on the board with terms starting on April 1.
Riley, during Wednesday’s meeting, said she enjoyed the four years as trustee and has a deep admiration for the village employees.
“It has certainly been a learning moment,” Riley said about her time on the board. “Thank you for giving me these four years.”
With the election of McMurray, Allport and Sheehan, Riley said the village “is ready for a new look.” Her goal is the village will continue to offer all of its services, although “it may look a little different.”
The fire department, for example, now operates out of the Albion Joint Fire District rather than through the village budget with elected fire commissioners providing the oversight, not the Village Board.
Code enforcement officer Chris Kinter praised Riley for her work securing grants for the village. He also thanked Javier for his efforts as mayor.
John Grillo, the Albion recreation director, thanked both Riley and Javier for their service to the village.
After the meeting, Javier said he feels a sense of accomplishment during his four years as mayor.
“We brought in millions of dollars that is spread around through our water infrastructure and grants for the police and grants for our recreation department,” Javier said.
He also cited the land acquisition to allow for a future expansion of Mount Albion Cemetery. The village paid $250,874.58 to Patricia Nelson for the land that is next to Mount Albion’s southwest corner. That is about $7,000 an acre. The sale was finalized on Nov. 8, 2024 after about two years of effort.
A good chunk of Javier’s and Riley’s tenure involved the closing of the Main Street lift bridge. The bridge shut down to traffic on Nov. 14, 2022 for what was expected to be about 18 months for a major rehabilitation. But the project faced several delays and finally was complete on Sept.19, 2025.
The village dedicated the Erie Canal Park on Sept. 28, 2024. The new park includes a lamppost and a bench made from repurposed steel from the Main Street lift bridge when it was originally constructed in 1914. Bill Schutt, left, is the artist from Batavia who made the lamppost. A Go Art! grant paid for Schutt to make the lamppost. Albion Mayor Angel Javier Jr. is next to Schutt and then Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley is on the bench that was made by employees in the sewer plant, the Joint Pollution Control Facility. Village employees Ric Albright, Kyle Piccirilli and William Malone worked on the bench, which also includes a time capsule to be opened on Sept. 28, 2059. Albion students also were part of the day’s celebration which included the unveiling on a monument to the 15 people killed in the Main Street bridge collapsed on Sept. 28, 1859. A huge crowd gathered on the bridge that day to watch a tightrope walker.
Javier worries about the affordability in the village. He led a public hearing on June 11, 2025 to get a conversation started about possible dissolution of the village and consolidating many of the services in the village with the towns of Albion and Gaines. That idea has been seriously pursued at this point, but Javier said village residents might want to consider that in the future.
“I think it will be very difficult for any municipality at this time to operate,” he said after Wednesday’s meeting. “You’re really going to have to look at what your residents want. The residents are going to have to make a decision. If you want this it’s going to cost money. If you don’t want it, you’re going to have to tell the governing body.”
Javier said the village has been able to expand programs in youth recreation program through grants. He praised recreation director John Grillo for bringing in significantly more funding to expand that program. Other department heads also are being proactive pursuing grants, Javier said.
Overall, he counts many successes in Albion in the past four years.
“It was the village that did it, not necessarily me,” he said. “We all worked together to move forward.”
Sponsored Post
County Legislature approves expanded tax exemptions for low-income seniors
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature voted to increase the maximum exemptions for low-income seniors from 50 percent off their property taxes to 65 percent.
The Legislature approved the change on Tuesday. While the cap is going higher, the Legislature isn’t increasing the income limits for people 65 and older to be eligible for an exemption. That will remain at a $24,700 threshold.
Here are the new exemption levels based on income:
- $16,000 or less – 65 percent exemption
- $16,000.01 to $16,999.99 – 60 percent exemption
- $17,000 to $17,999.99 – 55 percent exemption
- $18,000 to $18,999.99 – 50 percent exemption
- $19,000 to $19,999.99 – 45 percent exemption
- $20,000 to $20,999.99 – 40 percent exemption
- $21,000 to $21,999.99 – 35 percent exemption
- $22,000 to $22,899.99 – 30 percent exemption
- $22,900 to $23,799.99 – 25 percent exemption
- $23,800 to $24,699.99 – 20 percent exemption
Gov. Kathy Hochul in December signed legislation to allow local municipalities to increase the size of the exemptions from a maximum 50 percent to 65 percent.
“No New York senior should lose their home because they can no longer afford their property taxes,” Hochul said on Dec. 6 in announcing the higher exemption levels. “By signing this legislation, we are working to make New York more affordable for our seniors on fixed incomes and empowering them to age in place, at home, in the communities they know and love.”
President Trump, popular culture unfairly show disrespect towards police officers
Editor:
In a recent Gunsmoke episode, a powerful cattleman attempts to take control of a water supply for a town of about 1,000 people. The Town Board passed regulations preventing this.
The cattleman threatens to overrun the village with thousands of cattle and his 30 cowboys. The village leaders call on their sheriff and their deputy to prevent this. “This is what we pay you for.”
US Marshall Matt Dillon points out to the village leaders that that’s impossible.
“They will need your backup.” Dillon helped them set up an ambush with many of the village men and some women, all with guns, helping the Sheriff, Deputy and Dillon.
The cattleman sent a thousand rampaging cattle through town to soften them up. He and his 30 cowboys followed, guns blazing. They we met by many villagers, armed and firing at them from behind barriers. They realized they were defeated and retreated.
* * * * * * * *
January 6, 2021: 185 US Capitol policemen were charged by approximately 1,500 rioters or more, some armed. They were urged on by the defeated, but then sitting President of the United States.
At least 140 policeman were injured. They tried to control things without using their weapons. One person, who’d broken through a door window and was starting to crawl through, was shot and killed.
About 15 policeman were hospitalized. Two died by suicide within 2 weeks; 2 more within 6 months. How were they to respond to violently protesting, but rioting American citizens? Urged on by the President? At least one of the rioters was so enraged they defecated on a Senator’s desk.
Over 1,300 of the rioters were convicted. So many hours were devoted to reviewing tapes, identifying perpetrators, assembling evidence, presenting it to the courts and sentencing in over 1,300 cases. Most of this work was wiped out by Trump pardons. The police, prosecutors and courts and all that work was disrespected and wiped out.
Trump gave $5 million to the family of the defendant that actually broke through a door window and was entering Congress chamber. But Trump awarded nothing to the injured police and their families.
He praised the rioters, but no mention of the police.
Assaulting policemen is OK, he seems to think.
I saw Trump recently complaining about making problems in the home “criminal matters.” To the contrary, domestic violence calls are among the most dangerous to police. Further, the NYS Legislature Republicans found that domestic violence is at the base of 50%+ of mass murders in our country. Many include police injuries and deaths. Again, Trump shows a disrespect for the police and women, the frequent victims.
We disrespect police when we expect them to enforce the law against the poor and minorities and women, but not against middle and upper class men. We unfairly expect police to show understanding and mercy toward them (not giving them a criminal record), but not so toward poor and minorities.
We show disrespect to the police, when we enjoy TV programs that present them as corrupt, rigid, buffoons or cruel. (Police are human and have the same problems that clergy, teachers, boy scout leaders, bank executives and employees have, about the same percentage as the average population, but most police are sincere and helpful and concerned about controlling crime, particularly violent crime. They need our respect and support.) I recommend Law & Order as a television show that represents police realistically and fairly.
Let’s be realistic and honest about what we want the police to do and support them.
Bob Golden
Waterport
Bob Golden worked 43 years in criminal justice, locally, state and private mental health, including 24 years as the Orleans County Probation director. His father was a police chief who was named the top chief in New York State in 1962.
Big last inning rally earns Medina a victory in the non league softball season opener
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina shortstop Savannah Jo Thompson gets ready to put the tag on JFK’s Danielle Odojewski during the Mustangs non league season opening win at Vets Park this afternoon.
Putting together a clutch last inning rally, Medina nipped visiting JFK 12-11 in a season opening non league softball game at Vets Park this afternoon.
Trailing 11-7, Medina rallied for five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to claim the win on a two-run error off the bat of Karlee Cau (which included driving in the tying run) and RBI hits by Savannah Jo Thompson, Molly Cook and Harmoni Wilson which plated the game winner.
JFK had rallied from a 7-6 deficit to take the 11-7 lead by scoring four times in the top of the sixth and once in the top of the seventh.
Earlier, Medina scored twice in the first inning on a triple by Lilah Class and a two-run homer by Samantha Heschke, three times in the third on two errors and a fielders choice play and twice in the fifth on an infield out and an RBI single by Isabelle Perez for a 7-6 lead.
Samantha Heschke delivers a pitch for Medina. She registered 8 strikeouts on the day..
Kendall ‘9’ romps in diamond opener
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Sammy Conte bangs out a two-run double in the first inning to help ignite Kendall to a 17-0 win at Barker this afternoon.
Three pitchers combined for a no hitter and the offense pounded out 15 hits as Kendall romped to a 17-0 win over host Barker this afternoon in the season opening non league baseball game for both teams.
Nic Cole, CJ D’Agostino and Vinnie D’Agostino combined to hurl the no hitter registering a total of 10 strikeouts.
At the plate for the Eagles, Andrew Cole had 4 hits including two doubles and a triple, Jacob Abrams 3 doubles and Sammy Conte and C.J D’Agostino 2 hits each.
Kendall took charge at the outset erupting for 6 quick runs in the first inning on a two-run double by Sammy Conte, a two-run single by Andrew Cole an RBI double by Abrams and an RBI single by Vinnie D’Agostino.
The Eagles also had a big 7 run fifth inning to cap off the win as Abrams had a two-run double, Andrew Cole a two-run single and Nic Cole and Adrian Bucci RBI singles.
Kendall will next have two games and several scrimmages at Myrtle Beach.
Barker will next host Elba on Friday.
Kendall’s Jonny Conte slides safely into second base as Barker’s Keagan Schaal takes the throw.
Johnson Creek church hosting benefit April 18 to benefit Ugandan orphanage
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Pastor Joe Szalay, right, of Community Fellowship Church in Johnson Creek chats with Ken Ryan and Jim McHenry about an upcoming benefit for an orphanage in Uganda. All three are also musicians and will entertain in the benefit April 18 at the church on the corner of Johnson Creek Road and Route 104.
MIDDLEPORT – The Community Fellowship Church at 3146 Johnson Creek Rd. will sponsor an afternoon of food and music on April 18 to benefit an orphanage in Uganda.
The church’s pastor, Joe Szalay, said they learned of the orphanage three years ago from Steve Giroux, owner of several pharmacies in Western New York, including Middleport Family Health Center and Rosenkrans’ Pharmacy in Medina. Giroux and his wife had visited Uganda several years ago, where they learned of the orphanage and its pastor Paul Musisi. When Musisi visited here, Giroux introduced him to Szalay.
Musisi shared his life growing up an orphan himself. As a child he was asked if he wanted to go to church and he replied he did, because he knew he would get milk there. When Musisi grew up and became successful, he built a new orphanage, which is now home to 1,200 orphans. In addition, there are 150 widows there who help care for the orphans.
While Giroux and his wife were in Uganda, they helped feed the orphans, Szalay said. He said their allowance of food for one day is a small bowl with corn meal paste, a few beans and soup over that.
“We decided to make the orphanage our mission to start a fundraiser to ensure those children get two meals a day,” Szalay said.
This year the church has raised $2,000 in January, $1,500 in February and $1,500 to date in March for the orphanage, Szalay said. Their goal for the April 18 benefit is to raise at least $5,000, and hopefully $8,000. In Uganda, $25 will feed a child for a month.
Pastor Musisi will be visiting here in April and will preach at Community Fellowship Church on April 12. He will not be able to remain for the benefit, however. The public is invited to attend worship at 10:45 a.m.
Szalay, a son of the late Joseph and Carol Szalay of Harrison Road, Medina, has been pastor of the Community Fellowship Church for 12 years and praised the congregation.
“When they get going on something, the enthusiasm is contagious,” he said.
April 18’s benefit will begin with a spaghetti dinner from noon until sold out. Cost is $12 per person.
In addition, baked goods will be available for sale throughout the afternoon until gone.
A basket raffle is also planned from noon to 4 p.m., with tickets drawn at 5 p.m.
Music will be provided throughout the afternoon by Alexander James, Creekside Classic Country, Two Guys and a Beard, McHenry and Baz and Ken Ryan and the Professionals. In addition, Pastor Szalay plays guitar and sings in his own band, in which his sister Catherine Zagmester, formerly of Medina, plays bass guitar and sings backup. They will also entertain with a few numbers, Zagmester said.
Anyone who would like to make a donation for the orphanage in Uganda can send a check payable to Community Fellowship Church, 3146 Johnson Creek Rd., Middleport, and designated for Uganda orphanage.
Ridgeway faulted by state comptroller for overpaying $237K in health insurance over 7 years
RIDGEWAY – The state comptroller has released an audit of the Town of Ridgeway that faults the Town Board and Town Supervisor for overpaying health insurance premiums by $236,885 over seven years.
Town Supervisor Brian Napoli said the Town Board agrees with the findings and will implement recommendations from the comptroller’s office to ensure no overpayments in the future.
“As Ridgeway taxpayers themselves, the Ridgeway Board is committed to using taxpayer funds efficiently and appropriately,” Napoli wrote in a Feb.19 letter to Melissa Myers, chief of municipal audits in Buffalo for the Office of the New York State Comptroller.
“In the future, we will be cognizant of these findings when updating, implementing, and monitoring policies,” Napoli wrote. “We appreciate the time and thorough efforts of the auditors that will assist the Town Board in the continued managing of the finances of the Town of Ridgeway.”
Napoli said the town’s work rules were updated in 2024 to begin the process of clearer and more definitive language regarding employee and elected official benefits. The state general municipal law allows towns to pay health insurance upon retirement to employees and elected officials, Napoli said. The town’s policies will be utilized in a proper way to administer those benefits, he said in his letter.
The comptroller’s office, in its report about Ridgeway, reviewed town health insurance payments since from Jan. 1, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2024.
The report (click here to see it) was filed March 13 and faulted town officials for the following:
Finding 1 – The comptroller’s office reviewed all health insurance premium payments paid by the Town for certain former officials totaling $198,102. “We determined the Supervisor approved payments of post-employment health insurance benefits for three former officials and their spouses totaling $179,325 that they were not eligible to receive,” the report states.
Finding 2 – The comptroller’s office reviewed health insurance premiums from January 2018 through December 2024 totaling $207,911 for one current Town Board member, the current Board member’s spouse and the Supervisor, to determine whether contributions were made in accordance with the Policies. “We determined the Supervisor did not ensure the Clerk collected health insurance premiums totaling $52,659 from one Board member who was required to contribute toward their health insurance premiums,” the report states.
Finding 3 – The comptroller’s office reviewed all disbursements made to individuals for reimbursement of health insurance premiums totaling $4,901 from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2024. “We determined that the Board issued reimbursement checks totaling $4,901 to a former Clerk’s spouse for Medicare Part B health insurance premiums over 31 months, from April 2021 through November 2023, without documentation authorizing the payments,” the report states.
Audit Summary
The Town Board did not authorize or monitor health insurance benefits for current and former officials, according to the report.
“Due to the lack of controls and oversight of health insurance benefits, the Town Supervisor did not ensure officials were eligible to receive post-employment health insurance benefits or paid all required health insurance premium contributions owed to the Town, and the Board did not have support to authorize health insurance premium reimbursements to a former official’s spouse,” the report states.
As a result, the Town incurred $236,885 more for health insurance premiums than it should have during the audit period. This amount accounts for approximately 34 percent of the Town’s total health insurance premiums over the seven-year period. When health insurance benefits are not provided in a manner consistent with Board-adopted policies, it may result in unnecessary costs to taxpayers, the auditors stated.
Recommendations
The comptroller’s identified 14 recommendations for the Town Board and Town Supervisor:
- Update the policy to provide clear guidance for who is eligible to receive post-employment benefits and require the Supervisor to develop procedures to help determine and verify eligibility for post-employment health insurance benefits.
- Consult with the attorney for the Town to review the current post-employment health insurance benefits being provided by the Town, and, if appropriate, discontinue post-employment health insurance benefits for officials who are ineligible for such benefits.
- Consult with the attorney for the Town to determine what action, if any, should be taken to recover the $179,325 in health insurance premium amounts paid by the Town that should not have been.
- Review all health insurance invoices monthly to verify all officials, including former officials, are authorized and eligible to receive post-employment health insurance benefits.
- Develop written procedures to ensure compliance with the Policy, including eligibility for post-employment health insurance benefits, and specify who is responsible for each part of the process.
- Review and authorize post-employment health insurance benefits for eligible officials prior to enrollment.
- Review the bookkeeper’s accrued sick leave conversion calculations for accuracy and verify the amounts are supported by leave records.
- Update the current Policy to provide clear guidance on what contributions are required of elected officials when they choose to receive health insurance through the Town.
- Consult with the attorney for the Town to determine what actions, if any, should be taken to collect the $52,659 in required health insurance premiums owed by the Board member.
- Periodically review the Policy and make necessary updates to help ensure the Policy is clear and consistent with the Board’s intentions.
- Review monthly health insurance invoices and payments, including officials’ health insurance premium contributions, to help ensure accuracy and compliance with the Policy.
- Develop procedures to help ensure compliance with the Policy, including the collection of required health insurance premiums from officials, and specify who is responsible for each part of the process.
- The Board should consult with the attorney for the Town to review the reimbursement payments made to the former Clerk’s spouse and determine what actions, if any, should be taken to recover the $4,901 in reimbursement payments.
- The Supervisor should verify that all payments are adequately supported and made in accordance with the 2024 Policy before authorizing the payments.
Incarcerated man with razor blade at Orleans Correctional gets 2 to 4 more years in state prison
ALBION – An incarcerated man at the Orleans Correctional Facility had 2 to 4 years added to his sentence in Orleans County Court today.
Callin LeMon, 36, was sentenced for promoting prison contraband and criminal possession of a weapon.
LeMon on April 29, 2025 had a black ceramic razor blade and a leafy substance. He is currently serving an 8- to 10-year sentence for criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a weapon. He is from Ulster County.
County Court Judge Sanford Church gave LeMon the agreed upon sentence as part of a plea agreement.
In other cases in County Court today:
• Chantel Savage, a former inmate at Albion Correctional Facility, was arraigned for allegedly having a piece of iron and striking a corrections officer with it in the head on Jan. 1, 2025.
Savage was arraigned for assault in the second degree, promoting prison contraband and criminal possession of a weapon.
Her attorney asked for a competency exam and Judge Church agreed to have her assessed for whether she is mentally competent to aid in her own defense.
• Elizabeth Jackson, 31, an inmate at Albion Correctional Facility, was arraigned for promoting prison contraband and criminal possession of a controlled substance for allegedly having 20 pills of meth that were disguised to look like Flintstone vitamins.
Jackson is from Broome County and in prison for grand larceny in the third degree on a sentence of 3 ½ to 7 years.
• Jose Casiano, 69, of Gaines was scheduled to be sentenced to up to six months in the county jail plus probation after pleading guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree and driving while ability impaired.
But Casiano has been arrested twice in the past week. A stipulation of his plea agreement on Jan. 7 was not to have any additional arrests.
Casiano on March 20 was charged with criminal possession of a controlled in the seventh degree and on March 24 was charged with operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs.
Judge Church will have an Outley hearing on Friday with Casiano, a hearing for someone who is arrested after a plea agreement has been reached. Church said Casiano could be sentenced to up to 2 ½ years in state prison.
Old Medina High School Aud provides setting for vocal recording this Saturday
Photos courtesy of Medina Triennial: Tania Candiani, left, will lead the recording of “Two Waters” on Saturday in the auditorium of the old Medina High School on Catherine Street. Two Waters is a choral performance inspired by one of the Erie Canal’s most unusual engineering features: the aqueduct where the canal crosses directly above Oak Orchard Creek, a spot where two waterways flow past each other without ever meeting.
Press Release, Medina Triennial
MEDINA – This Saturday, in the long-abandoned auditorium of Medina High School, Mexican artist Tania Candiani will gather hundreds of local participants—many from across Western New York—for a four-hour, one-take collective vocal performance that will be filmed as part of a new installation for the Triennial.
The 25,000-square-foot building, closed as a public school since 1991, is reopening as the central exhibition site for the Medina Triennial, one of twelve locations across the village showcasing internationally recognized artist works this summer from June 6 to Sept. 7 along the Erie Canal.
Candiani, who represented Mexico at the 2015 Venice Biennale, is known for creating artworks that bring together technology, history, and community participation. Her projects often transform local stories, industrial heritage, and environmental data into immersive sound and video installations.
In Medina, she’s collaborating with composer Rogelio Sosa on Two Waters (2026), a choral performance inspired by one of the Erie Canal’s most unusual engineering features: the aqueduct where the canal crosses directly above Oak Orchard Creek—two waterways flowing past each other without ever meeting.
Participants—recruited through an open call—will perform simple vocal gestures such as breaths, hums, tones, and whispers that build into a collective soundscape inspired by the canal and the region’s history of labor and infrastructure. The filmed performance will later become one of the Triennial’s major installations.
The project reflects the Triennial’s broader focus on Western New York’s landscape, labor history, and waterways, and its theme, “All That Sustains Us,” which looks at the systems and communities that maintain and shape places like Medina.
To be part of the vocal collective, click here for more information. The deadline to register is March 26.
