By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 2 January 2026 at 2:05 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s Jonas Rhodes drives in for a layup as Roy-Hart’s Matt Aquilina tries for the block. The action took place during the host Eagles win over the Rams this afternoon in the semifinals of the Kendall Tournament.
Pulling away in the second quarter, Kendall went on to defeat visiting Roy-Hart 62-47 in the semifinals of the Eagles Holiday Tournament this afternoon.
Leading by a narrow 11-9 margin, Kendall opened the second quarter with a decisive 15-1 run including 6 by Ryan Gaesser, 4 by CJ D’Agostino and a three by Sammy Conte to pull away to a 26-10 lead.
The Eagles led 30-15 at the half as Gaesser and CJ D’Agostino both had a total of 7 in the period.
Kendall maintained an 18 point, 47-29, lead at the end of the third period. Jonas Rhodes had a three and a two and Jonny Conte a pair of baskets to lead the Eagles in the third period.
Roy-Hart opened the final period with an 11-4 run, including two threes by Vinny Fazzio and a pair of baskets by Matt Aquilina to cut the deficit to 11, 51-40, but the Rams could get no closer.
Vinnie D’Agostino finished with 15, CJ D’Agostino 12 and Gaesser 10 to lead Kendall. Jonny Conte added 8, Rhodes and Noah Morehouse 5 each, Caleb Opalecky 4 and Sammy Conte 3 for the Eagles.
Aquilina finished with a game high 18 and Fazzio 16 to pace Roy-Hart. Jakob West chipped in with 8, Tysen McCaa 4 and Tyler Rothwell 1 for the Rams.
Kendall will now face Northstar in the championship game at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Roy-Hart will play in the 1 p.m. consolation game. Northstar downed Livonia 66-58 in the other semifinal.
Vinny Fazzio puts up a shot for Roy-Hart.
Kendall’s Sammy Conte grabs a rebound away from Roy-Hart’s Matt Aquilina. Backing up the play for Roy-Hart are Tysen McCaa (3) and Vinny Fazzio (5).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 January 2026 at 12:28 pm
State-wide the cases decline but hospitalizations are up
The flu continues its rampant spread locally and state-wide. A week ago it was big news in New York when the number of confirmed flu cases was the most since 2004, when the state began to weekly track flu cases.
The number of new flu cases is down a week later, from 72,133 to 49,153. That is a 32 percent drop.
However, the number of people hospitalized by the flu has increased 24 percent from 3,666 a week earlier to 4,546, according to the state Department of Health.
The DOH also is reporting a pediatric death from the flu this week. There have now been two pediatric deaths from the flu thus season, according to the state DOH.
While the new cases were down statewide, in Genesee and Orleans counties the new cases increased from 217 for the week ending Dec. 20 to 224 in the week ending Dec. 27, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.
In Genesee and Orleans, both counties show the number of younger people getting the flu is declining, but still high. In Orleans the flu cases for people 0-19 dropped from 571.3 per 100,000 to 440.4, while the cases for people 60 and older went from 76.5 per 100,000 people to 181.7 per 100,000. In Orleans, the overall rate of new flu cases per 100,000 people is 196.5, the same as the previous week.
In Genesee, the cases for 0-19 year olds dropped from 553.9 per 100,000 people for the week ending Dec. 20, to 446.2 for the week ending Dec. 27. The cases for people 60 and older increased from 249.3 to 324.1 during that time period. Genesee’s overall flu rate is at 252 per 100,000 people, up from 239.9 the previous week.
State health officials said flu typically peaks in January so the cases may continue to rise.
The Department of Health encourages people to get the flu shot, and take antivirals if it’s been less than 48 hours since symptoms began.
People are also urged to wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
People are advised to stay home when sick, and avoid close contact with people who are ill.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 January 2026 at 10:57 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: The former Medina Savings and Loan, which has been a Generations Bank site since 2018, is now ESL Federal Credit Union, effective Jan. 1. The bank is located on Maple Ridge Road.
MEDINA – ESL Federal Credit Union is now officially open in Medina after acquiring the assets of Generations Bank.
The two organizations announced an acquisition deal in September 2024. Generations merged with the former Medina Savings & Loan in 2018.
Completion of the deal allows ESL to significantly grow its presence throughout Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region, adding eight new locations.
ESL now has 33 full-service branches throughout the Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes region including a new branch presence in Cayuga, Orleans and Seneca counties while expanding its footprint in Ontario County. ESL now holds more than $9.8 billion in assets and has more than 1,000 employees.
“We’re excited to complete the acquisition of Generations Bank, marking a significant milestone for ESL and for the communities we serve,” said ESL President & CEO, Faheem Masood. “We look forward to building new relationships with employees, customers, local businesses and partners that are now part of our shared home. We also commit to investing in the people and places across Cayuga, Ontario, Orleans, and Seneca counties.”
Conversion of Generations accounts is expected to take place on Feb. 1. Post closing, the credit union membership grows to approximately 459,000 total members, and nearly 18,200 businesses.
The deal required regulatory approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Company (FDIC), National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), with all regulators providing approval in 2025.
Before ending its presence in Medina, Generations Bank officials on oct. 21 presented $50,000 in donations to nine organizations in the community. The grant recipients included Community Action of Orleans and Genesee (Albion), East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company (Medina), Knights Kaderli Memorial Fund (Medina), The Lee Whedon Memorial Library (Medina), Medina Emergency Food Pantry (St. Peters Lutheran Church), Operation Honor (Medina), Orleans Community Health Foundation Inc. (Medina), Orleans County YMCA (Medina), and People for Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) of Orleans County (Albion).
Governor cites affordability measures with Middle Class tax cut, higher minimum wage, and expanded Child Tax Credit
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
Kathy Hochul
With the new tax year beginning today, Governor Kathy Hochul is informing New Yorkers about a number of tax relief and affordability measures that will begin in the new year.
The Governor is also announcing that in her upcoming FY2027 Executive Budget proposal, she will put forth legislation that eliminates state income taxes on up to $25,000 of tipped income in tax year 2026, which follows federal guidance.
This effort is a continuation of the Governor’s Affordability Agenda. Since taking office, the Governor has advanced policies that have put over $9 billion back in the pockets of New York households through tax relief efforts.
“As we welcome in the New Year, affordability remains my top priority and I am doubling down on my commitment to put money back in New Yorkers’ pockets,” Governor Hochul said. “Starting today, tax rates for the vast majority of lower and middle-class New Yorkers will be cut, families with children will see a sweeping increase in the child tax credit, and minimum wage workers across the state will see their wages go up. I’m kicking the new year off with a proposal of no state income tax on tips, continuing my efforts to make New York more affordable for hard working New Yorkers.”
Over the last 5 years, the costs on everyday essentials like groceries, insurance, utility bills, and goods and services has increased significantly, and Governor Hochul has heard directly from New Yorkers how difficult it can be to make ends meet. As a result, the Governor created her Affordability Agenda, which has delivered over $9 billion in tax relief to New York’s individuals and families since taking office. This most recent proposal of No Tax on Tips, is the latest in a series of efforts to put money back in New Yorkers pockets.
Middle Class Tax Cuts
In the FY 2026 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul secured a middle class tax cut, which, beginning January 1, 2026, will deliver nearly $1 billion in tax relief to more than 8.3 million New Yorkers. This will provide savings to taxpayers earning up to $323,000 for joint filers. When fully phased in, the middle class tax cut will deliver hundreds of dollars in average savings to nearly 77 percent of filers — representing three out of every four taxpayers.
Sweeping Increase in Child Tax CreditIn the FY2026 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul continued her efforts to expand New York’s child tax credit, providing critical financial support for more than 2.75 million children statewide. This latest expansion doubled or in many cases, tripled the current credit, offering up to $1,000 annually per child under four and up to $500 per child aged four to 16. This latest expansion marked the largest increase in the credit’s history, significantly surpassing the previous maximum of $330 per child. The expansion will be phased in over two years, with New Yorkers receiving expanded benefits starting in 2026 for children under four and extending to older children in 2027.
Increasing the Minimum Wage
Included in the FY2024 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul created a transformative plan to help low-wage New Yorkers keep up with the rising costs of living by increasing New York’s minimum wage for three years and tying future increases to inflation. Beginning January 1, 2026, New York State’s minimum wage increased to $17.00 per hour in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island, and $16.00 per hour in the rest of the state. Starting in 2027, the minimum wage will increase annually at a rate determined by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earned and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the Northeast Region — the most accurate regional measure of inflation.
Governor Hochul’s Affordability Agenda
This announcement builds on Governor Hochul’s Affordability Agenda which delivered a $2B Inflation Refund program, delivering up to $400 to over 8.2 billion New Yorkers, and universal free school meals, saving parents and families up to $1,600 a year.
In rural areas like Congressional Districts 23 and 24, farmers rely on undocumented immigrants, especially year-round operations like dairy farmers, because those workers are largely ineligible for the H-2A visas.
While immigration was one of the major issues Republicans campaigned on last year, they have not proposed any comprehensive plans. Farmers want legal farm workers; they want changes to the immigration process.
Republicans like Claudia Tenney and Nick Langworthy vote against all reforms. Instead, they push enforcement and punishment. Newsweek reported (9/8/25) that Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids are putting an $8 billion farming business in New York at risk.
Democrats have proposed legislation to fix our broken immigration system. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) has proposed H.R. 3227 Farmworker Modernization Act of 2025. This act would provide a legal status for farm workers, protecting them from deportation and providing a stable labor force for the employers. It also streamlines and expands the H-2a visas to include year-round jobs and reduces bureaucratic delays.
Arizona Senator Rubin Gallego proposed the Securing the Border and Fueling Economic Prosperity Act in May this year. This act would bolster border patrol staffing and the use of advanced technology for drug detection.
Additionally, the legislation would overhaul the asylum system and address the root causes of migration. Our Congressional Representatives continue to squash immigration reform. They will not address the issue of immigration because having a campaign slogan is more important to our Republican representatives than solving real issues facing their constituents.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 January 2026 at 11:41 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Orleans Correctional Facility is shown on Feb. 28. Corrections officers went on strike at Orleans, the Albion Correctional Facility and nearly all of the 42 prisons in the state. The strike lasted 22 days.
Orleans Hub completed another year of covering local news in Orleans County. We started nearly 13 years ago on April 1, 2013 and haven’t a missed a day since.
Last year we reached 6,493,347 pageviews and averaged exactly 7,500 visitors to the news site each day.
We remain the county’s leading source for local news, covering community events, sports, local governments, county court and other breaking news in Orleans County.
The most-viewed articles tend to be tragedies or crime-related. They are a small percentage of the 3,422 articles we posted last year.
Here is the list of the 15 most-viewed articles in 2025:
Press Release, Independent Living of the Genesee Region
ALBION – Independent Living of the Genesee Region will host a Free Resource Fair on “Pathways to Stability” on Thursday, January 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hoag Library, 134 South Main St., Albion.
The event is open to the public and designed to connect community members with essential resources and services.
The fair will feature free clothing, smartphones and SIM cards (eligibility required), and access to local agencies and service providers, including housing support, healthcare, employment services and crisis resources.
Attendees must be 18 years or older to receive a free smartphone and must receive support through DSS or Medicaid. Required documentation includes a valid New York State ID, photo benefit card, and a current piece of mail.
Participating organizations include PathStone, Homeless Alliance of Western New York, RESTORE Sexual Assault Services, VA Suicide Prevention, GO Health, Genesee ACE Employment, the Child Care Resource Center, Cancer Services Program of GOWN, Rochester Regional Health – Healthy Living, Orleans County Office for the Aging, Living Opportunities of DePaul, and more.
For more information or to request accessibility accommodations, contact Rebecca Batt, Program Specialist, at (585) 815-8501, Ext. 417.
Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is part of the WNY Independent Living Inc. Family of Agencies, a peer-directed organization dedicated to breaking down barriers, promoting civil rights, and enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities.
WNYIL achieves this through relentless advocacy, strong partnerships, impactful programs, responsible practices, and the incorporation of individual life experiences. For more information, visit: www.wnyil.org.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 January 2026 at 9:48 am
File photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from March 25, 2023 shows Fran Gaylord, president of the Holley Fire Department, presenting a president’s award to Kevin Dann for all of his assistance, including helping to organize the department’s roster on the computer. Gaylord has retired East Battalion Deputy Fire Coordinator and Dann has been appointed to the part-time position.
HOLLEY – With the retirement of Fran Gaylord as the deputy fire coordinator for the east battalion, a long-time leader of the Holley Fire Department/Murray Joint Fire District will be stepping into the position at the county level.
Kevin Dann, a past Holley fire chief, starts today as the deputy fire coordinator in the position at the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.
Dann of Holley has more than 25 years of experience in the fire service. He is currently the assistant fire chief for the Murray Fire District and works full-time as a firefighter/EMT in the Town of Greece. He also works part-time as a public safety dispatcher for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
“Deputy Coordinator Dann will be a great addition and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team,” the Orleans EMO announced on its Facebook page.
“I would also like to congratulate Fran Gaylord on his well deserved retirement after over 25 years of service and dedication to residents of Orleans County,” Justin Niederhofer, EMO director, said. “You will surely be missed but I’m sure we will still see you running a pump at the next fire.”
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 1 January 2026 at 9:31 am
Already merged for girls soccer, Lyndonville and Barker will now also be merged for boys soccer this coming fall season.
Lyndonville currently fields modified and varsity boys soccer teams while Barker does not have a boys soccer program.
“I think it is a positive,” said Lyndonville Athletic Director Jim Zeliff. ” We have a great working relationship with Barker and I think it helps us both. We have a solid program and this will give us some depth and stability for the future and it gives the Barker kids who want to play soccer an opportunity to do so.”
“Our goal is to have JV as well as modified and varsity teams and this gives us a chance to have all three levels,”Zeliff added. “I think it is important to have that middle level as it is easier for a player to move up from JV to varsity than to try and make the jump from modified to varsity.”
The new merged Lyndonville/Barker boys team will compete in the Genesee Region League and Section V for the playoffs.
The merged Barker/Lyndonville girls team competes in the Niagara-Orleans League and Section V.
The girls squad plays some of its games at both Barker and Lyndonville and that is also expected to be the case for the boys squad.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 January 2026 at 9:28 am
CLARENDON – Fred Seeman is due to take the oath of office for a new term as Clarendon town councilman on Friday.
Cecelia Pacheco Stevens
Seeman’s wife, Melissa Ierlan, serves as the town’s code enforcement officer. She is also administrator of the Hillside Cemetery, and a leader of the Clarendon Historical Society.
She was charged by State Police on Tuesday with two felonies – falsifying business records in the first degree and second-degree grand larceny with property value exceeding $50,000.
State Police haven’t released more information about the case and Clarendon Town Supervisor Marc Major has declined any comment.
Cecelia Pacheco Stevens ran for the Clarendon Town Board in November and lost to Seeman and Chris Caufield. Stevens, a Democrat, received 125 votes to 311 for Caufield and 310 for Seeman.
Stevens issued a statement on Wednesday evening asking Seeman to resign and not be sworn in for a new term.
This is the statement released by the campaign of Cecelia Pacheco Stevens:
The campaign of Cecelia Pacheco Stevens wishes to address recent developments affectingthe Town Board with care, respect, and a continued focus on the best interests of ourcommunity.
Recent news reports have indicated that Melissa Ierlan, a valued and longtime member of our community, has been arrested by New York State Police on felony theft charges. As with all legal matters, it is essential to state clearly and unequivocally that Melissa is innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. We recognize the many contributions she has made to our town and hope that due process proceeds fairly and justly.
Fred Seeman, her husband and a current member of the Town Board, has not been accused of any wrongdoing. There is no allegation that he was involved in or aware of the matters currently before the courts. However, the Town Board is entrusted with significant responsibility, including oversight of public funds and financial decision-making on behalf of residents.
At moments like this, community trust is paramount. While difficult, residents reasonably expect their elected officials to consider whether their continued service supports that trust. With this in mind, we respectfully urge Fred Seeman to consider resigning from the Town Board in the interest of transparency and public confidence.
The upcoming organizational meeting on January 2 at 9:00 a.m., when Fred is scheduled to be sworn into a new term, presents an appropriate opportunity for him to do so.
Should a vacancy occur, we strongly encourage the Town Board to appoint Cecelia Pacheco Stevens to serve our community. Ms. Stevens ran a positive, Clarendon-focused campaign, conducted herself with integrity, and continued to advocate for residents even after the November election. Appointing her would bring a new voice to the Board. A voice grounded in civic engagement, accountability, and respect for the public trust.
Our town deserves leadership that reflects both competence and confidence from the community it serves. We believe Cecelia Pacheco Stevens embodies those values and stands ready to serve.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 January 2026 at 8:46 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County Courthouse is shown on New Year’s Eve when snow made traveling difficult.
It’s going to be a frigid beginning to 2026. The morning has started in the teens and the forecast calls for a high of 20 today with an overnight low of 14, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
The forecast for Orleans County then calls for a high of 24 on Friday with an overnight low of 16, then 26 on Saturday with overnight low of 18.
Then it will be up to 28 on Sunday, 28 on Monday and 37 on Tuesday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 December 2025 at 6:35 pm
Construction will start soon on wind turbines, large solar project
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Barre Town Board held a year-end meeting on Tuesday that closed out the tenures for three of the five board members including Town Supervisor Sean Pogue and councilmen Dave Waters and George McKenna. Pictured from left include Dave Waters, Councilwoman Margaret Swan, Sean Pogue and George McKenna. Kirk Mathes, not shown, also is on the Town Board.
BARRE – The Barre Town Board closed out 2025 with a year-end meeting on Tuesday which was the last meeting for three of the five board members.
Town Supervisor Sean Pogue and councilmen George McKenna and Dave Waters all attended the final meetings of their terms. They will be replaced on the board on Jan. 1 by Steve Coville as town supervisor and David Allen and Wes Miller as councilmen.
McKenna and Waters were elected four years ago partly over their concerns about the siting of wind turbines in Barre.
That project is moving forward after being approved by a state agency – Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission. ORES needs to review all renewable energy projects more than 25 megawatts.
Pogue noted the Heritage Wind project by Apex Clean Energy should see the start of construction in early 2026 with 28 wind turbines with a capacity to generate 126 megawatts of electricity.
A second large-scale renewable energy project also will begin construction early in 2026. Hemlock Ridge Solar/AES is constructing a $400 million solar project that will be 82 percent in Barre and 18 percent in Shelby. That project will have a capacity to generate 200 megawatts of power.
The wind turbine project has divided many in the community. McKenna during his last meeting on Tuesday urged the Town Board to send a letter to ORES, asking for Apex to use a turbine model that would generate 6.0 megawatts per turbine, rather than 4.5 megawatts. McKenna said that would increase the power significantly for the project and result in more money for the town.
McKenna reiterated his concerns about the turbines’ placements and their impact on nearby residents with shadow flicker, sound, visibility and impacts on property values.
But the board was deadlocked 2-2 to send the letter to ORES. Mckenna and Waters voted to send along the letter and Pogue and councilwoman Margaret Swan opposed it. Kirk Mathes, the other board member, abstained because he is a landowner receiving money from Apex. A resolution needs at least three votes to advance.
Pogue said the issue with the size and siting of the turbines has be decided by ORES. Asking for a change to the project at the last moment could incur more expense for the town if the attorney needed to get involved. Pogue said the issues are settled and funds to town and other municipalities were agreed to as part of a host community agreement.
Pogue said the two projects will significantly cut the town taxes for property owners but that likely won’t happen for another two years when the projects are expected to be operational.
Pogue has been the town supervisor for eight years. He saw the construction of one water district, and the struggle to get another one built – Water District No. 10. Barre didn’t receive a grant in the latest effort for Water District No. 10 but was approved for funding for a new water tower in the Pine Hill area.
Barre has completed upgrades to its town hall and town park, and the town celebrated its bicentennial in 2018. Pogue said that bicentennial spurned community pride, and helped launch the Barre Betterment Committee which has continued community events, with a square dance in June, a lighted tractor parade in December and other activities.
“It’s been a roller-coaster,” Pogue said about the eight years as town supervisor. “I wouldn’t trade it at all. Yeah, there’s been sleepless nights. I lived the good, the bad and the ugly.”
He commended the board members he worked with over the years, including George McKenna and former councilwoman Kerri Richardson, who often questioned Pogue’s positions on the issues. Pogue also highlighted the efforts by board members Kirk Mathes, Dave Waters and Margaret Swan, and former members Richard Bennett, Tom McCabe and Lynn Hill.
“There are a lot of projects on the table that will improve things immensely for the town,” Pogue said. “Hopefully things will settle down and things will move along a lot smoother.”
McKenna, in his remarks at the meeting, said he felt compelled to serve on the board to be a voice for residents, especially with such large-scale renewable energy projects.
McKenna urged more community members to serve on town committees, the Zonings Board of Appeals, Planning Board, Board of Assessment Review and the Town Board.
“People need to be more involved,” McKenna said.
Waters thanked the town employees and board members for their service to the community.
He welcomed the three new members to the board and wished them well.
“I’m sure the new board members will keep us moving forward,” he said.
Bridget O’Toole, the town attorney, spoke during the meeting and said all of the board members have a love for Barre and have tried to do right for the town.
“You may have disagreed but I never questioned your focus on the residents,” O’Toole said. “I’ve seen that all of you deeply care about and love the Town of Barre.”
Because Coville and Allen are both starting on the Town Board on Jan. 1, they both are resigning from their positions on the Zoning Board and Board of Assessment Review. Those resignations were accepted by the Town Board during Tuesday’s year-end meeting.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 December 2025 at 4:02 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: These utility trucks are parked outside Dunkin’ Donuts in Albion today at 11 a.m. while crews were taking a brief break. National Grid brought in extra crews to get the power restored in the region.
National Grid has now restored electricity to all of its customers in Orleans County.
Orleans had about 4,000 customers without power on Monday afternoon after strong winds knocked down wires, branches and trees. That represented about 20 percent of National Grid’s 19,724 customers in Orleans County.
That total customers without power was down to 2,000 on Tuesday morning and 90 this morning.
Today, after 3 p.m., the last property had power restored. That site is on Marsh Creek Road in Carlton between Sawyer and Kent roads.
The flu continues its rampant spread locally and state-wide. A week ago it was big news in New York when the number of confirmed flu cases was the most since 2004, when the state began to weekly track flu cases.
Completion of the deal allows ESL to significantly grow its presence throughout Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region, adding eight new locations.
