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Special awards highlight Block ‘M’ Banquet
Contributed Photos – Seniors receiving scholarships at this week’s Block ‘M’ banquet included, in front, Carter Woodworth, Brody Fry, Eva Lacy and Ryleigh Culver. In back are Addy Paul, Riley Tompkins, Ryder Jones, Cam Kenward and Cole Callard. Missing is Sophia Goyette.
Current student-athletes and alumni shared in earning honors at the annual Medina High Block ‘M’ Banquet held this week at White Birch.
The honored alumni was the new quartet of Mustang Hall of Fame inductees Karl Barna (Football), Levi Pace (Football, Basketball), Kurt Rosentreter (Wrestling) and Steve Kenward (Cross-Country).
Heading the list of current honorees were seniors Brody Fry and Sophia Goyette who received the Babe Ruth Award and freshmen Bryson Ford and Payton Denniston who received the Russell Houserman Award.
Goyette and Ethan Carson also received the Mustangs Heart Award.
A number of seniors also received scholarships including the following:
Larry Decker Memorial Scholarship – Brody Fry, Addy Paul, Ryleigh Culver, Riley Tompkins and Eva Lacy.
Chad Kroening was honored as the Fan of the Year.
Boice/Ossont Scholarship – Ryder Jones and Cam Kenward.
Kyle Barna Memorial Scholarship – Cole Callard and Carter Woodworth.
Bev Sargent Scholarship – Addy Paul
Gary Gross Memorial Scholarship – Brody Fry.
N-O League Scholarship – Cam Kenward and Sophia Goyette.
Pony Awards were presented to the following student-athletes by sport:
Football – Brody Fry; Boys Soccer – Cole Callard; Girls Soccer – Honesty Hill; Cheerleading – Mahri Owen Harmer; Volleyball – Addy Paul; Golf – Tyler Allen; Field Hockey – Sophia Goyette; Boys Cross-Country – Ryder Jones; Girls Cross-Country – Talie Rupp; Tennis – Eli Bieseninger; Lacrosse – Cole Callard; Wrestling – Reece Senske; Unified Bowling – Michael Merlin and Matthew Kennedy; Softball – Eva Lacy; Baseball – Carter Woodworth; Unified Basketball – Alexis Lowe; Boys Basketball – Jerrell Nealy; Girls Basketball – Honesty Hill; Boys Swimming – Bryson Ford; Girls Swimming – Sophia Goyette; Boys Track – Riley Tompkins and Gordon Young; Girls Track – Aurora Owczarczak; Winter Cheerleading – Kylee Howard.
The Fan of the Year Award was presented to Chad Kroening.
The special award honorees included, from left, Ethan Carson (Heart of the Mustangs Award), Payton Denniston (Houserman Award) and Brody Fry (Babe Ruth Award). Missing are Bryson Ford (Houserman Award) and Sophia Goyette (Babe Ruth and Heart of the Mustangs Awards).
The Mustangs new quartet of Hall of Fame Honorees, from left, Karl Barna, Levi Pace, Steve Kenward and Kurt Rosentreter.
Heminway appreciates support for ‘new path forward for Shelby’
Editor:
You, the residents and taxpayers of Shelby, have made your desires known in the June 24th Republican Primary election. By a more than 2-to -1 margin you have made a choice for a new path forward for Shelby.
While we still have a November election to go through, the Primary is when democracy really works. In this case, the people you elected did not get the endorsement of a divided Republican Committee.
The results will place me, Eddie Zelazny, and Larry Waters on both the Republican and Conservative lines, virtually assuring that we will be sworn in on January 1, 2026. In the meantime, unless there are some resignations, Eddie and Councilwoman Linda Limina will have to hold the fort against the actions of the current 3-to-2 majority.
Thank you to all, from those early supporters who pushed me to run, to those that helped with the campaign, to the Conservative Committee who put some wind in our sails with their endorsement, to those that attended board meetings, to everyone who said they have had enough and wanted a different voice in their local government.
The campaign was draining and of course it did not help that my door-to-door activity was during those 90+ degree days. After spending another hot day taking down the signs, cooler temperatures are a relief.
But the support I have received has made it all worthwhile. Now I am going to take some time to relax, reflect on the path forward, which will include continuing to attend meetings and take any opportunity I can to better educate myself on the upcoming role of your Town of Shelby Supervisor.
Jim Heminway
Candidate for town supervisor
Shelby
Judge orders Job Corps centers to stay open while lawsuit in court
Orleans County Legislature passes resolution in support of program
Provided photos: Students at the Iroquois Job Corps Center learn in programs for brick masonry, carpentry, electrical, commercial painting, clinical medical assistant and certified nursing assistant.
June 30 won’t be the day that Job Corps centers shut down. A federal judge on Wednesday said the centers don’t have to close while a lawsuit is in federal court.
Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer announced on May 29 that 99 privately run centers would go on “pause” due to what she said were low graduation rates and high incidents of violence. She said Job Corps is not cost-effective. She set June 30 as the date for the centers to close, with students to be sent home earlier on June 6.
But U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter said the Department of Labor can’t dismantle a program that Congress established and set aside funding to run. A preliminary injunction nationally will allow the centers to stay open while litigation continues.
The Job Corps program was founded in 1964 to help teenagers and young adults who struggled to finish traditional high school and find jobs. The program provides tuition-free housing at residential centers, training, meals and health care.
“Once Congress has passed legislation stating that a program like the Job Corps must exist, and set aside funding for that program, the DOL is not free to do as it pleases; it is required to enforce the law as intended by Congress,” Carter wrote in the ruling, according to the Associated Press.
Carter directed the DOL to stop removing Job Corps students from housing, terminating jobs or otherwise suspending the nationwide program without congressional approval, the AP reported.
The DOL said it was pausing the Job Corps, not shutting it down. But the judge disputed that.
“The way that the DOL is shuttering operations and the context in which the shuttering is taking place make it clear that the DOL is actually attempting to close the centers,” Carter wrote.
The judge said closing the centers harms students. They lose the progress they’ve made towards their education and certifications, with some plunged into homelessness. That is a big contrast from the “minor upheaval” described by government lawyers, he said.
County Legislature calls Job Corps ‘a vital resource’
The Orleans County Legislature on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution in support of keeping the Job Corps program open and at full capacity. The center has room for 225 students. The center assists students in earning their high school diplomas and learn skills in various fields – certified nursing assistant, clinical medical assistant, electrical, carpentry, bricklaying and painting.
County legislators said the Job Corps program for more than 60 years “has been a staple in assisting young adults obtain life skills, earn high school diplomas, receive on the job training in healthcare, construction and other in-demand fields.”
The Iroquois Job Corps has a $17 million impact annual economic impact locally, legislators said. Students also have completed many projects in the community at municipal buildings and parks in Orleans, Niagara, and Genesee counties, “thus saving the cost burden having been put upon the local property taxes.”
“Orleans County Legislators view the Iroquois Job Corps Center as a vital resource to the county by means of assisting up to 225 young adults at a time, employing 100 local residents, and providing an estimated $17 million annual economic impact on our local economy,” the resolution states. “The Orleans County Legislature does hereby oppose a ‘phased pause’ and closure of the Iroquois Job Corps Center in our County.”
Lynne Johnson, the Legislature chairwoman, has been a member of the community council at the Job Corps.
She said many of the students come from difficult circumstances and Job Corps helps them to learn skills and get jobs.
“They are contributing members of our society,” Johnson said.
The Medina Village Board also considered a resolution in support of Job Corps on Monday, but it failed to get three votes to pass. Mayor Marguerite Sherman and Trustee Jess Marciano wanted to state Medina’s support of the program.
“I think there is a lot of value to that program,” Marciano said.
Trustee Scott Bielski said he had to abstain because his company works with the Job Corps and he didn’t think it was proper for him to vote on an issue where he has financial gain.
“I support the Job Corps 100 percent,” he said.
Trustee Deb Padoleski said she was uncomfortable with the village weighing in on the issue.
“It feels like political activism to me,” she said.
Trustee Mark Prawel wasn’t at the meeting.
Mayor Sherman said Job Corps students were planning to do projects at City Hall and the Village Office this year to gain work experience. Students in recent years built the pavilion at State Street Park and made several Buddy Benches at Medina parks.
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GO Art! offering 2 creative art camps this summer at fairgrounds
Press Release, GO Art!
KNOWLESVILLE – GO Art! is thrilled to present two art camps this summer at Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County!
GO Art!’s Summer Creative Arts Camps are tailored to students in grades K-6. Grade school students will create and maintain positive connections while enjoying hands-on exploration of various disciplines including culinary arts, visual arts, performing arts and literary arts.
Participants will build upon problem solving and critical thinking skills, while increasing their knowledge about different mediums and forms of art in a safe, inclusive and structured environment.
In the past we have done visual arts projects while learning about famous artists and art movements, created puppets and put on plays, played in the musical garden, learned about different styles of dance, as well as various arts and crafts projects.
The cost for a week-long camp is $150 per child. There is a 10 percent discount for 4-H youths, for a family with multiple enrolled siblings or for GO Art! members. Full and partial scholarships are also available.
The camps run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 4-8 and Aug. 11-15. They will be held at the 4-H Fairgrounds, 12690 State Route 31, Albion.
For more information, contact Go Art! at (585) 343-9313, by email at info@goart.org or through the website: www.goart.org.
Conservative Party chairman praises candidates for pulling off primary victories
Editor:
I would like to congratulate the four Conservative Party-endorsed candidates on their powerful message sending wins to the establishment and the status quo.
In Shelby, Jim Heminway for Supervisor, Larry Waters and Ed Zelazny for councilman. In Yates, Bill Jurinich – all were overwhelmingly chosen. The people have had enough. These candidates worked their tails off during the campaign. The Conservative Party played a small role, it was the quality of these candidates that the people voted for.
#1. They all were for many years attendees of town board meetings and workshops. When you do that it’s like being a fly on the wall. When you attend you may see some good, but you also see the absolute worst in the people that represent you. They do not see it because it’s usually a circle of people with their nose in each other’s back sides playing out an episode of the twilight zone with your money and without your say. You come away in disbelief, disgusted and feeling helpless.
#2. None of these candidates ran for election because they wanted to. They would have never been picked or slid in the back door. They saw what was going on with their own eyes and knew that no matter what they said, what they did, they had no voice, no recourse, no one that was representing them or the common man. They had to step up, and if they are the type of men I think they are they will hate every minute of it not wanting to be there forever.
#3. My advice to the candidates-elect. You have not been given power or control. You are now beneath those that elected you. You are a servant. You have been given a responsibly to the people of your town. Not to the government body to which you have been elected. Not to a committee to bow to if you want their endorsement. You have the free will given to you by God almighty and to God almighty and the residents, all of them, are the only people you are accountable to.
If you are going to go along to get along you do not belong in a public office. You are now a public servant, you serve, and you work for us. We the people. Never forget that. Always take the time to look in the mirror. The reflection you see should always be you, not the monster you replaced. So, on the lighter side always carry with you at all times wolfsbane and a crucifix to ward of the werewolf changes (the controlling monster within) and to not become a blood sucker (“a vampire” raising taxes).
To our Conservative-endorsed candidates. On to November 4th, with both lines. Then on January 1st, 2026. Show them how it’s done. Others just may step up and follow. Lord knows Orleans County needs it at all levels.
Paul Lauricella
Orleans County Conservative Party Chairman
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New ban on smartphones during school day starts in September
Information from press release from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
As the school year comes to an end this week, Gov. Kathy Hochul is highlighting a new era that will start in September with a ban on smartphones during the school day.
Hochul said the “bell to bell” is a shift to distraction-free learning, and an emphasis on students’ academic performance and mental health.
“I’ll never stop working to deliver the best results for our kids – and that’s why the era of smartphone distractions in New York schools ends today,” Hochul said today. “My team is working with key stakeholders across the state to ensure school districts finalize and publish their distraction-free policy by the Aug. 1 deadline. When students return this fall, New York’s distraction-free schools will deliver the best possible learning environments – and they’ll help give our kids their childhood back.”
New York State’s distraction-free school law will be in effect for the 2025-26 School Year. It applies to all schools statewide in public school districts, as well as charter schools and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES).
New York State’s Distraction-Free Schools Law:
- Prohibits unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire school day (from “bell to bell”), including classroom time and other settings like lunch and study hall periods
- Allows schools to develop their own plans for storing smartphones during the day — giving administrators and teachers the flexibility to do what works best for their buildings and students
- Secures $13.5 million in funding to be made available for schools that need assistance in purchasing storage solutions to help them go distraction-free
- Requires schools to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day when necessary
- Requires teachers, parents and students to be consulted in developing the local policy
- Prevents inequitable discipline
Students will have authorized access to simple cellphones without internet capability, as well as internet-enabled devices officially provided by their school for classroom instruction, such as laptops or tablets used as part of lesson plans.
The new state policy includes several exemptions to smartphone restrictions, including for students who require access to an internet-enabled device to manage a medical condition, where required by a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), for academic purposes, or for other legitimate purposes, such as translation, family caregiving and emergencies.
Governor Hochul pursued this initiative after engaging in a statewide listening tour with teachers, parents and students. Her report “More Learning, Less Scrolling: Creating Distraction-Free Schools” underscores the following:
- Smartphones distract students and inhibit learning and creativity
- Phone-free environments do not compromise student safety
- Phone-free environments support the mental health of students and teachers
- Open communication and direct guidance for all stakeholders is key for successful implementation
- Schools must address any parent concerns about staying in contact with their children during the day
- An effective distraction-free policy must focus on the entire school day, rather than solely on time in the classroom
- Schools can strengthen their distraction-free environment by connecting more students with in-person engagement like clubs, sports, arts and other programming
New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person said, “Bell-to-bell distraction-free schools aren’t a theory; they’re already working in districts across New York. With phones out of sight and minds fully in the moment, we’ve seen students’ joy, focus and friendships return. Now it’s time to scale it statewide. NYSUT is proud to stand with Governor Hochul in making distraction-free learning the law, and we’re ready to help school communities learn from each other and share what’s working so that every district is ready this fall. Our kids deserve nothing less.”
New York State School Boards Association Executive Director Robert S. Schneider said, “School boards take seriously the importance of reducing classroom distractions and identifying ways to support students’ responses to mental health challenges stemming from social media use and other pressures. Prior to enactment of this new law, school boards across the state have developed and strengthened policies related to student use of cell phones and internet-connected devices. This summer, school boards are reengaging in that previous work with local stakeholders in order to ensure that policies comply with this new statewide requirement in time for the new school year in September.”
Ortt, State Senate GOP tell governor to keep 100-foot rule for natural gas service
Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Robert Ortt
ALBANY – In response to the passage of S.8417 (Krueger) / A.8888 (Simon), the Senate Republican Conference, led by members of the State Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, penned a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul calling for a veto of this destructive legislation.
The bill, which passed both houses during the final hours of the 2025 Legislative session, would eliminate New York’s long standing “100-foot rule” for natural gas service.
This “100-foot rule” requires utilities to cover the cost of new gas service connections located within 100 feet of an existing main. S.8417/A.8888 repeals the 100 foot rule, which will result in shifting these costs, which range from $2,500 to $10,000 per building, to residents and businesses. The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) has also indicated eliminating the 100-foot rule could accelerate an unsustainable transition, pushing more customers to depend on an already overstressed electric grid without adequate generation or storage capacity.
“We write to respectfully urge you to veto Senate Bill No. 8417 (Krueger) / Assembly Bill No. 8888 (Simon), which would eliminate New York’s long standing “100-foot rule” for natural gas service. This rule currently requires utilities to cover the cost of new gas service connections located within 100 feet of an existing main. The proposed legislation would shift these costs—ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 per building—to customers, placing an undue burden on homeowners, builders, and renters across the state,” the letter reads.
“This bill will only continue to drive up costs on New Yorkers who are already struggling with energy affordability,” said Robert Ortt, the State Senate Republican Leader. “Democrats’ delusional energy policies have once again gotten in the way of realistic solutions for hardworking New Yorkers. This is a bad bill that should have never been passed, and the Governor should do the right thing and veto it. Our Conference will continue to advocate for smart, realistic, cost effective energy solutions.”
“While we support the state’s commitment to a clean energy future, the path to that future must be practical, affordable and reliable. Policies that undermine affordability and energy security, especially for working families, will only erode public confidence and deepen economic challenges.
For these reasons, we respectfully urge you to veto S.8417 / A.8888 and preserve the 100-foot rule for gas service in New York State,” closed the letter.
Sandstone’s big rally nips Barre in key Albion Midget League 12U division game
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Barre’s Luke Snyder, left, and Sandstone’s Bryce Saxton bang out hits during Wednesday’s key Albion Midget League 12U Division game won by host Sandstone.
Rebounding from as much as an 8 run deficit, Sandstone rallied to edge visiting Barre 14-13 in a key Albion Midget League 12U Division baseball game Wednesday evening.
The win vaults undefeated (10-0) Sandstone into the drivers seat in the race to earn the top seed for the upcoming playoffs as Barre suffered its second loss.
Barre built up a big 11-3 lead as Luke Snyder hit a three-run double to highlight a 5 run first inning and later belted a three-run home run in the fourth frame.
Sandstone though came battling back to claim the narrow win by scoring 5 runs in the fourth inning to cut the deficit to 11-8 and 6 more in the fifth to rally into a 14-11 lead. Liam Skowneski had a three-run double to in fourth inning and Giovanni LaMartina a three-run double and Aiden Kelly a two-run single in the fifth to highlight the big rally.
LaMartina finished with 3 hits as Kelly, Bryce Saxton and Jayce Torres each had 2.
Tyler Bennett and Jace Wright both had 3 hits for Barre as Snyder and Hudson Armer 2 each.
Lady Rams have a split week in soccer
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Kennedy Boyle advances the ball for the Roy-Hart U16 team during Wednesday’s home game against ASA.
Snapping a season opening three game winless streak, Roy-Hart edged visiting Grand Island 1-0 Tuesday in a Buffalo Youth Soccer League girls U19 Division game.
Kylie Churchill scored the lone goal for the Lady Rams which are now 1-2-1.
In the girls U16 Division, Roy-Hart had a season opening three game winning streak snapped by the visiting ASA 2010 Girls team by a score of 4-1 Wednesday evening.
Maria Trombley scored the Roy-Hart goal in the first half as ASA answered with four second half goals to earn the win.
Medina accepting applications until July 3 for $270K in Small Project Fund
Photo by Tom Rivers: Part of Main Street in Medina, north of Center Street, is shown on Monday evening. This is part of the target area for Medina’s $4.5 NY Forward grant.
MEDINA – Building owners in the downtown have until 4 p.m. July 3 to submit an application for part of the $270,000 in the Small Project Fund.
This is money from Medina’s $4.5 million NY Forward grant. Medina and the state opted to carve out the $270,000 so more building owners could access some of the funds. Most of the $4.5 million goes to larger-scale projects.
The Small Project Fund supports building renovations, facade improvements, interior build-outs, permanent equipment acquisition for businesses, public art installations and other improvements.
The village is looking for projects in the $25,000 to $50,000 range. They could be higher or lower. The maximum share from the grant is 75 percent.
Bigger projects could tap into the Small Project Fund but might not get the full 75 percent reimbursement rate.
Medina will form a selection community of downtown and community stakeholders to pick the projects for the grant funds.
The building owners have until Dec. 31, 2027 to complete the projects but they will likely be done well ahead of that because these are smaller-scale efforts, said Lauryn DaCosta of LaBella, who is working with the village to administer the grant.
The proposed projects will need to pass an environmental compliance and also get the State Historic Preservation Office’s approval. LaBella can assist in preparing bids and selecting contractors, she said.
Several downtown building owners have expressed interest in submitting an application, DaCosta said.
Applicants will be asked to detail the proposed building improvements, provide proof of their financial support for the project, state any conflict of interest (whether they work for the village or have family who are village employees), and provide other property information on ownership.
Completed applications can be dropped off at Village Hall (119 Park Ave, Medina, NY 14103) during business hours or e-mailed to Lauryn DaCosta at ldacosta@labellapc.com. Click here to see the application.
Dredging expected to start next week at Oak Orchard Harbor
File photo by Tom Rivers: Dean Marine & Excavating Inc. from Michigan is shown dredging the Oak Orchard Harbor on Aug. 26, 2021. While sediment was scopped from the harbor, there was an area for boaters to come and go.
POINT BREEZE – Dredging of the harbor at Oak Orchard is expected to start next week, Orleans County officials announced today.
The dredging should continue through the July 4th weekend, said Lynne Johnson, the County legislature chairwoman.
“Oak Orchard Harbor is an important part of our local tourism and recreation economy, so ensuring the safe passage of boats in and out of the harbor has always been a top priority of ours,” Johnson said. “That means dredging is required to maintain navigability and we thank the Army Corps for their efforts. We are excited this project will soon be completed.”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, awarded a $2 million contract to Michigan-based Dean Marine & Excavating to conduct dredging of Oak Orchard Harbor as well as Great Sodus Bay.
A total of approximately 15,000 cubic yards of material from Oak Orchard is contracted to be dredged and placed in designated open lake sites. The harbor was last dredged in 2021. That followed a seven-year stretch when it was dredged in 2014.
Dredging of these harbors ensures accessible depths for vessels traveling the Great Lakes and enables recreational boating which supports more than $24 million in business revenue and labor income to the transportation sector combined, the Army Corps stated in a news release.
“Great Sodus Bay and Oak Orchard Harbor are critical components of the Great Lakes Navigation System, supporting economic growth in the local economy and ensuring safe refuge for boats on Lake Ontario,” said Lt. Col. Robert Burnham, USACE Buffalo District commander. “We look forward to delivering these projects on time and within budget, ensuring their waterfronts continue serving the local community and the country.”
Dredging will focus on the mouth of Oak Orchard Harbor first, followed by the inside of Great Sodus Bay past its piers.
Oak Orchard Harbor is a shallow-draft harbor. Recreational boating facilitated by the harbor supports $6.8 million in business revenue, 94 direct, indirect, and induced jobs, and $6 million in labor income to the nation, the Army Corps said.
Great Sodus Bay also is a shallow-draft harbor on the southern shore of Lake Ontario. Recreational boating facilitated by the harbor supports $9.3 million in business revenue, 142 direct, indirect, and induced jobs, and $8.7 million in labor income to the nation.
Area gets reprieve today from heat
Photo by Tom Rivers: Canalside Community Church at right and the First Presbyterian Church of Albion in back are shown last evening on East State Street.
The temperatures will be cooler in Orleans County today after several days of a heat wave.
The high today is forecast for 71, about a 20-degree drop from the highs earlier this week.
There will likely be showers and a chance for a thunderstorm before noon, and then a chance for shower sin the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
Rain is in the forecast for Friday with a high near 85, followed by highs of 80 on Saturday, 81 on Sunday and 88 on Monday.
