By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 February 2026 at 9:53 am
File photo by Tom Rivers: Holli Nenni announced she is retiring in May after 38 years with the Orleans County DSS.
ALBION – A long-time employee in the Orleans County Department of Social Services will be retiring on May 26.
Holli Nenni of Albion has worked 28 years with DSS, including the past five years as DSS commissioner. Prior to that she was the deputy DSS commissioner the past 11 years.
Nenni first worked as a caseworker for 12 years before being promoted child support coordinator and then director of temporary assistance.
She has been leading a department with 70 employees. The DSS divisions include temporary assistance, child & family services, domestic violence services, and the child support and enforcement unit.
DSS partners with many local agencies and county departments – UConnectCare, Mental Health, Job Development and others – to help people overcome barriers and become self sufficient, Nenni has said.
Photos courtesy of Patti Singer: Paul Hess, a wildlife biologist with the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, points out the leaves still on a beech tree. Beeches and some oaks hold their leaves all winter, until new growth pushes them off in the spring.
Courtesy of Patti Singer, contributor to Friends of the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
BASOM – The sun was out and the temperature on this early January day was in the 40s. Along the Kanyoo Trail at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, a light breeze stirred branches of trees that were waiting for a few more months to pass.
James Ianni examines a black cherry tree.
“They’re just trying to survive and protect themselves,” says James Ianni, a biological science technician. “They already have their buds ready for spring. Their job right now is to stay alive so those buds are usable as rapidly as possible in the spring.”
Trees spend the end of one summer preparing for the next, and they need to protect that work.
“They do a lot of things in the fall to get ready for winter,” says Paul Hess, wildlife biologist. “They’ve got a lot of mechanics to prepare themselves for a New York winter.”
Deciduous trees drop their leaves so they don’t lose water and dehydrate. Hess said the trees also increase their sugar content, which acts like antifreeze for their cells. Beeches and some oaks keep their leaves through winter, a protective mechanism for those species.
“All the active growth in a tree is around the outside, near the bark,” he said. “What they try to do is keep those cells alive.”
Paul Hess shows a swollen area on an ash tree where emerald ash borers may have gotten into the trunk.
Trees enter a dormant phase the way some animals hibernate, is how Dave Shepherd, a volunteer at the refuge and a member of Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, explains the process on his Walks in the Woods programs. He give talks on identifying trees and the forest ecosystem. When he leads a walk in the fall, he talks about what trees do so they don’t freeze over the next few months.
“I ask people to think about a bear hibernating and what you know about how that works,” says Shepherd, who is certified as a New York State master naturalist through a program administered by Cornell University. “They bulk up in the summertime so they live off their fat reserves. The heart rate goes down.”
Trees break down chlorophyll and also store their energy, so “in a very broad sense, they are analogous,” Shepherd said.
Once temperatures get consistently warmer in March, the tree’s energy comes back through the trunk to the branches and into the buds.
Even though this January day seemed to catch the trees in a slumber, they offered plenty to Hess and Ianni as the two walked the Kanyoo Trail.
“There’s a bunch of stories to trees,” said Ianni, whose interest in photographing birds led him to appreciate trees.
“I thought they were cool because they’re weird and they don’t talk, and how do you understand things that don’t make sounds or talk. … They don’t move, so they’re easy to look for. You can walk right up to a tree … and stare at it and study it for a long time.”
He can tell by looking whether a tree is stressed, such as a cherry tree with tattered and broken limbs. Trees with wide, umbrella-shaped canopies grew when there was little competition for sunlight, unlike a tall, narrow tree.
(Right) James Ianni, biological services tech, describes the curled cups on the bark of a black cherry as looking like black potato chips. (Left) James Ianni points out larvae tracks near sapsucker holes on a dead tree.
Bark, besides being used to identify the species, can tell about the health of the tree.
Hess pointed out an ash tree that looked swollen in one spot where the bark was split and said that the invasive emerald ash borer might be killing the tree. He pointed out another tree with a gaping hole, which he said could be housing wildlife either in the cavity or elsewhere in the trunk.
Ianni walked up to a trunk stripped of its bark and studied insect holes. “You’ve got some sapsucker holes, probably from when it was alive.” Sapsuckers pop holes into a living tree to allow the sap to flow, which attracts insects, and come back to eat the insects and sap.
The direction of downed trees can indicate prevailing winds or a storm.
“If you’re out in the woods and wondering where the really strong winds come from, just look at the direction that the trees are lying down,” Ianni said. “And the growth habit of the branches. If you’re up hiking in the Adirondacks and you look at the trees and the right side of the tree doesn’t look as happy as the left side of the tree, then the right side of the tree probably gets more wind.”
The clues from individual trees tell the bigger story of the forest.
“They make the forest what it is and provide habitat and food for all kinds of other creatures that wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them,” says Hess, a birder who had his ear out for nuthatches and his eye on old nests. “You can look at individual trees as you’re walking around and see what you need about that individual tree. … But then also it’s kind of forest-for-the-tree sort of thing. You step back and you look at it as part of a whole system. There’s a whole lot more going on when you look at it that way.”
Patti Singer is a freelance writer and a retired reporter from the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
Provided photos: The varsity winter guard for Medina is shown in action during a competition on Saturday in Victor.
Information courtesy of Medina Mustang Band Boosters
VICTOR – The Medina Mustang winter guards are still practicing and performing despite the weather.
On Jan. 24 the guards competed in Orchard Park and Medina’s JV guard came in 3rd out of 4 in the cadet class with a score of 45.27. The varsity guard came in 2nd out of two with a score of 50.57.
This Saturday the guards traveled to Victor for competition. A total of 22 guards performed in various classifications. Medina’s JV guard tied for 1st place with Correy Indoor in the Cadet class but not scored.
Medina’s varsity guard performed in the A1 class and came in 4th with a score of 54.16..
The guards are under instruction from Melissa Jaeger along with assistance from Director Matt Jaeger, Assistant Director Kyla Leno, Andrea Busch, Katie Crooks and Kara Brown.
The guards will next compete on Feb. 7 in Batavia, Feb. 28 in Lancaster, March 7 in Greece and Medina’s home show on March 14. It’s always amazing to see these students perform at a fast pace utilizing their dance skills along with various pieces of equipment.
Medina’s junior varsity team also performed at Victor.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 1 February 2026 at 2:48 pm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Narby’s Superette and Tackle will open in the spring under new owners. Jonathan Ross, center, and his partner Tara Webb have purchased the business. They stand here in front of the store at The Bridges with Ross’ son Ryland.
THE BRIDGES – One of the oldest businesses in Orleans County is about to enter its next phase with new owners.
Narby’s Superette & Tackle, located on Route 98 at The Bridges, has been purchased by Jonathan Ross and his partner Tara Webb. They also own Route 18 Tackle near Hamlin and Ross has owned a fishing charter boat at Point Breeze for nearly 20 years.
Ross said he had been eyeing the Superette for several years, and finally made the decision to purchase it following death of Sharon Narburgh last June. Sharon and her husband Bill purchased the store in the mid 1960s. After Bill died in 1992, Sharon continued to run the store and the tackle shop until shortly before her passing.
Ross said with owning a tackle shop a few miles away, he was concerned who his competition might be.
“When the price was right, we made our move to buy it,” Ross said.
Ross has a 15-year-old son Ryland, who he hopes some day will take an interest in the business.
“I plan to teach him the ropes as he grows,” Ross said.
Jonathan Ross, his son Ryland and partner Tara Webb stand outside the tackle shop at Narby’s Superette, which Ross and Webb have recently purchased. Ross and Webb are also partners in Route 18 Tackle near Hamlin.
Ross and Webb have big plans for grocery store and tackle shop. Ross is known for his development of the highly acclaimed Hawk’s custom salmon tackle.
“Last September one of our customers won the LOC Derby with it,” Ross said.
Ross also purchased the Narby’s name, but he is not yet sure how he will incorporate it into naming the new business.
“We plan to get the grocery store stocked back up, along with fuel, and build the tackle shop bigger than it ever was,” Ross said.
The upstairs apartment, where the Narburghs lived, will become an Airbnb for fishermen, Ross said.
Information online from the Orleans County Historian states the first business to open on Narby’s site was a post office in 1877. It became G.D. Fowler’s General Merchandise in 1888. It was also a post office until 1915, with the exception of four years in 1894-97. Several other owners followed prior to the Narburgh’s purchase.
And now the store is about to embark on another new chapter.
“We are planning a grand opening in the spring,” Ross said. “We know we’re going to have longer hours during the busy season. This whole year is going to be a learning year,” Ross said.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 1 February 2026 at 10:13 am
Contributed Photo – Albion’s quartet of, from left, Justin Kania, Nate Wehling, Liam Leader and Logan Kast won the 200 Freestyle Relay at the annual Niagara-Orleans All League swim meet at Akron this past week with a time of 1:42.06. Kania was also an individual event double winner as he took the 200 Free in a time of 2:01.05 and the 100 Free in :54.80.
Contributed Photo – Medina had a pair of individual event winners at the N-O All-League meet as Bryson Ford, left, took the 50 Free in a time of :24.01 and Bradley Goyette took the 500 Free in 5:55.75. The girls All-League meet will be Tuesday at Newfane at 5 p.m.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 1 February 2026 at 10:04 am
For Medina the biggest boys basketball game of the season to date will be on Tuesday as the Mustangs host Niagara-Orleans League leading Wilson at 6:30 p.m.
Wilson is 9-0 in N-O action and holds a two game lead over Medina and Akron, both at 6-2.
A Wilson win will clinch at least a tie for the N-O title for the Lakemen. A Medina win will slice the Wilson lead to just one game and keep the Mustangs and Akron both in the title chase.
Medina’s week will also include a key contest at rival Albion on Friday. The Mustangs will then close out the season by hosting Akron on Tuesday February 10 and visiting Newfane on Friday February 13.
Weekly Schedule Monday Boys Basketball – Pembroke at Lyndonville, Notre Dame at Holley, Attica at Kendall, 7 p.m. Girls Basketball – Lyndonville at Global Concepts, 5:30 p.m. Wrestling – Holley-Kendall at Lyndonville, 5:30 p.m. (Elementary gym)
Tuesday Boys Basketball – Wilson at Medina, Albion at Roy-Hart, Akron at Barker, 6:30 p.m. Girls Basketball – Medina at Wilson, 5 p.m.; Roy-Hart at Albion, Barker at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; Wheatland-Chili at Lyndonville, Attica at Holley, Alexander at Kendall, 7 p.m. Swimming – N-O Girls All-League meet, 5 p.m. at Newfane
Wednesday Boys Basketball – Barker at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.; Wheatland-Chili at Lyndonville, Attica at Holley, Alexander at Kendall, 7 p.m. Wrestling – Medina at Lew-Port, 6 p.m.
Thursday Girls Basketball – Albion at Medina, 6 p.m.; Akron at Roy-Hart, Newfane at Barker, 6:30 p.m.; Elba at Lyndonville, Holley at Byron-Bergen, Kendall at Attica, 7 p.m.
Friday Boys Basketball – Medina at Albion, Roy-Hart at Akron, Barker at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; Elba at Lyndonville, Holley at Byron-Bergen, Kendall at Attica, 7 p.m. Swimming – N-O vs. G-R meet, 6 p.m. at Gates Chili
Saturday Boys Basketball – Roy-Hart vs. Starpoint at SUNY Niagara, 11:30 a.m. Girls Basketball – Medina at Barker, 12 p.m.; Wilson at Akron, 12:30 p.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 February 2026 at 10:01 am
Village also may pursue new street sweeper for DPW
ALBION – A member of the Village of Albion Planning Board said it’s long overdue for the village to update a comprehensive plan for zoning, land use, development and other long-term priorities.
Jeff Holler, a member of the Planning Board, said that board and a Comprehensive Plan committee have been working on a revised plan, but the village needs a planning professional to move the project forward.
Holler said there are grant opportunities through the state Department of State that would pay for a planning firm to assist the village with the updated plan.
He has been pressing the Village Board at recent board meetings about applying for state grants for the comprehensive plan. That updated document would help guide development in the village with businesses, housing and other projects, Holler said.
Village trustees Tim McMurray and Joyce Riley said the board will out to its grant writer, G&G Municipal Consulting and Grant Writing, about pursuing a grant for the comprehensive plan.
During the board meeting on Wednesday, DPW Superintendent Jay Pahura said the village should be looking to replace a 30-year-old street sweeper, which is expected to cost $350,000 to $400,000.
Pahura was able to save $149,000 from last year’s CHIPS allotment from the state and expects to set aside a similar amount this year. That would give the village about $300,000 towards the new street sweeper, which he said can also be used for leaf pickup especially in high-traffic areas such as Route 31 and Main Street.
Village Clerk Tracy Van Skiver said there also are state grants to that could go towards the purchase. She will check those programs that have funded street sweepers for other communities.
The board also agreed to a policy update where employees in the village office will be paid if the office is closed due to weather or another emergency. This applies to employees scheduled to work on the affected day, and not people who may be on vacation or off.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 February 2026 at 9:25 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Joyce Riley was the Democratic Party line for mayor of Albion in the March 18 election. She also plans to run under an independent line, “Vote for Albion.” She is shown speaking at the Albion Republican Party caucus on Jan. 24.
ALBION – Registered Democrats in the Village of Albion have backed Joyce Riley for mayor in the upcoming March 18 election.
She will face off against Tim McMurray, who has the Republican line. There is still time for candidates to run under an independent line. They have until Feb. 10 to submit petitions signed by at least 100 registered voters in Albion.
Riley also intends to run as an independent under the “Vote for Albion” line.
Riley and McMurray both have been trustees on the Village Board for nearly four years. Riley ran for mayor in 2018 and lost a close race to Eileen Banker, 250 votes to 211. Kevin Doherty also received 153 in that election for mayor.
Riley was elected trustee in March 2022. She said Albion is on better financial footing, after working to establish reserves and build back its unfunded balances. That should help the village pay for equipment purchases in the future and guard against big tax increases.
“We’re on the cusp of turning things around,” Riley said.
Riley worked as a registered nurse and later supervised an ambulatory surgical unit in Washington, D.C., overseeing 200 employees. When she retired, she moved back to Albion in 2015.
Riley, 77, said she brings a lot of energy to the Village Board, and a willingness to do the research and planning to make decisions that are best for the community.
She is also hopeful for the village because so many people are engaged as volunteers.
“There are more people getting involved,” she said. “We have more collaborations.”
Riley is the lone candidate who will appear under the Democratic line. Republicans, in addition to backing McMurray for mayor, also supported Jami Allport and Kevin Sheehan for village trustee.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 31 January 2026 at 5:22 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Corbin Piccirilli works to score a technical fall win over Roy-Hart/Barker’s Remington Marohn during today’s Purple Eagle Duals Tournament.
Brockport captured top honors at Albion’s inaugural Purple Eagle Duals Wrestling Tournament today.
Brockport went 6-0 on the day defeating Roy-Hart/Barker 59-11, Gowanda 51-18, Wellsville 65-16, Orchard Park 52-24, Albion 50-24 and Dansville/Wayland-Cohocton 60-12.
Albion finished in a three way tie for second place with Orchard Park and Gowanda at 4-2.
The Purple Eagles defeated Wellsville 50-30, Gowanda 47-32, Roy-Hart/Barker 41-39 and Dansville/Wayland-Cohocton 60-18 but lost to Orchard Park 51-20 and Brockport 50-24.
Albion’s Elizabeth Colmenero in action against Gowanda’s Dane McNaughton.
Roy-Hart/Barker went 2-4 on the day defeating Dansville/Wayland-Cohocton 64-18 and Wellsville 48-34
Jackson Snook (285) went 6-0 on the day for Albion as Jaxson Lynch (150), Stryker Sanders (118) and Justin Mengs (110) all went 5-1. Drake Schomske (126). Alakai Colmenero (138) and Corbin Piccirilli (132) all went 3-3.
Roy-Hart/Barker had Luke Fay (144) go 5-1, Max Hickman (150) and Liam Silsby (215) 4-1, Oliver Klug (165) 3-2 and Max Liuzzi (103) 3-3.
Luke Fay of Roy-Hart/Barker works toward a win over Camdyn Struble of Dansville/Wayland-Cohocton.
Roy-Hart/Barker’s Max Hickman nears scoring a pin over Gavin Cross from Dansville/Wayland-Cohocton.
Contributed Story Posted 31 January 2026 at 3:51 pm
The Roy-Hart/Barker/Medina Knights Club Hockey team hosted the powerful Rochester club Friday and suffered a 7-4 defeat.
The visitors, entering the game with a 9-1-1 record, were in for a great contest.
The Knights took the lead very early in the game on a goal by Max Pilon (Medina) from Ryan Felicetti (Wilson). Within three minutes, Rochester answered with a hat trick from their top scorer, but Clayton Wagner (Medina) answered for RBM assisted by Sean Mettler (RH).
The 3-2 deficit remained through the remainder of the first and all of the second period.
In the third, the visitors scored, but the Knights eventually tied the game on goals by Mettler and Pilon with assists going to David Ward (RH), Wagner and Felicetti.
With seven minutes left in the game, Rochester got the game-winner from their top scorer and went on to score two insurance goals.
Rochester outshot RBM by a margin of 53-26.
Sunday morning, RBM will play their third game in six days, and their final home game against Hamburg at 11:35 a.m.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 31 January 2026 at 3:42 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Isabella Groves drives to the basket between Holley defenders Brynn Thomas (2) , Alexis Lujan (21) and Mia Thom (11). The action took place during the Lady Tigers win over the host Lady Hawks this afternoon.
Eight players contributed to the point production as Lyndonville downed host Holley 41-12 in a Genesee Region League girls basketball game this afternoon.
Isabella Groves scored 12 and Alexa Robinson 9 to lead the way for Lyndonville as Lilly Raduns added 5, Braelynn Dillenbeck and Leah Kenyon 4 each, Leah Costello 3, Emily Dill and Annalee Clark 2 each.
Brynn Thomas scored 5, Ali VanAmeron, Kyla Burne and Alexis Lujan 2 each and Mia Thom 1 for Holley which didn’t score a field goal until six minutes into the third quarter.
The Lady Tigers led 11-1 after the first quarter, 22-1 at the half and 27-6 at the end of the third quarter.
Medina 48, Maryvale 32
Building up a 26-9 half-time advantage, Medina went on to defeat host Maryvale 48-32 in a non league contest.
Samantha Heschke scored 15 and Caliyah St. Louis 14 to set the pace for Medina. Alexa Demmer added 8, Roswyn Oakes 7 and Tatianna Maxon and Emberlyn Oakes 2 each.
Holley’s Ali VanAmeron goes for a rebound against Lyndonville’s Isabella Groves and Hsnnah Fox (11).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 January 2026 at 11:25 am
File photo by Tom Rivers: The Village of Medina is accepting bids for a new pedestrian bridge over Oak Orchard Creek on Maple Ridge Road. The project also includes sidewalks in that area.
MEDINA – The Village of Medina is accepting construction bids for a pedestrian bridge over Oak Orchard Creek on Maple Ridge Road, a long-awaited project that also includes about a half mile of sidewalks.
The village in 2021 was awarded a $1,094,196 grant to construct the bridge and sidewalks as part of a multi-use path for pedestrians and bicycles. The funding was awarded by the state through a federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant.
That is covering 80 percent of the project. The remaining 20 percent will be paid locally from the village, Town of Shelby, Orleans County and Orleans Economic Development Agency.
The section of Maple Ridge Road by the creek has become busier with a housing development, several new businesses and also the GCC campus center. There are also about 200 available acres in the area being promoted for development by the EDA.
Mayor Marguerite Sherman said the project will make it much safer for residents and cyclists along that stretch of Maple Ridge. The spot by the creek, in particular, has a very narrow space for pedestrians and cyclists. The bridge will be north of the busy road.
Contractors need to turn in their bids by 3 p.m. on Feb. 18 at the Village Office. At that time the bids will be opened and read aloud.
The sidewalks will go 200 feet east of the Intersection of Maple Ridge Road (NY 31A) and South Main Street (NY 63), and then to 1,900 feet east of the intersection of Maple Ridge Road (NY 31A) and South Main Street (NY 63).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 January 2026 at 10:31 am
Board could include election change as referendum on March 18 ballot
Photo by Tom Rivers: Jess Marciano, a Medina village trustee and the deputy mayor, speaks during Thursday’s board meeting about moving the village election from the third Tuesday in March to the third Tuesday in June.
MEDINA – The village could move back its election by three months to June. Holley, Brockport and other villages have their elections the third Tuesday in June, rather than the third Tuesday in March.
If that happens in Medina, the terms for trustees and mayor would start on July 1, rather than April 1. Moving the start back would give trustees and the mayor some time to adjust to the their roles on the Village Board rather than face the big task of putting together the village budget at the immediate start of their terms, said Jess Marciano, a village trustee who is suggesting the change.
The board has several extra meetings in April as it works with department heads to put together a budget that must be adopted by April 30.
“This is incredibly unfair,” Marciano said at Thursday’s board meeting.
The town and county elected officials begin their terms on Jan. 1, after the budgets have been adopted by the prior administrations. Board of Education members start their terms on July 1, after the budgets have been adopted.
If the Village Board terms started on July 1, instead of April 1, the Village Board members would have months to gain a deeper understanding of the village government by the time it’s budget season.
“It would give people more of an opportunity to get their feet underneath them before setting the village tax rate which affects everyone in the village,” Marciano said.
A later village election also would give candidates better weather to be collecting petitions to get on the ballot. Right now that needs to be done in early February. The candidates then go door-to-door campaigning in some rough weather.
A June election would give the process better weather conditions when more residents are also around to vote in person.
The board will need to decide next month if it wants to put the issue on the ballot for a referendum during the March 18 election. (This year’s election is the third Wednesday in March. It was moved back a day due to St. Patrick’s Day.)
Board members on Thursday said they were willing to discuss the issue more on Feb. 9 and Feb. 23. The board needs to decide by Feb. 23 if the issue will be on the ballot for March 18.
“I’m not sold on it, but I’m open to talking about it,” said Trustee Deb Padoleski.
Photos courtesy of Jennifer Stearns/Principal of Clifford Wise Intermediate School – Lee Teitsworth, senior vice president at Liberty Balloons in Groveland, brought a hot air balloon to Clifford Wise Intermediate School on Friday and let students go inside it. This group includes fifth- and sixth-graders. Teitsworth also spoke with third- and fourth-graders.
Information courtesy of Medina Central School
MEDINA – Students in grades 3–6 at Clifford Wise Intermediate School celebrated their academic efforts and success for Marking Period 2 on Friday with an unforgettable, sky-high experience.
As part of the celebration, Liberty Balloons visited the school with a presentation – “The Sky Is the Limit” – encouraging students to keep reaching for their goals while learning the science behind hot air ballooning. The interactive program combined motivation with hands-on learning, giving students a closer look at how hot air balloons work and the physics that allow them to soar.
Lee Teitsworth discusses the science behind hot air balloons taking flight.
Students first viewed an informational presentation explaining the principles of hot air balloon flight, including how heated air creates lift and how propane burners are used to control altitude. The excitement continued in the Wise gymnasium, where a real hot air balloon was fully inflated, on its side, indoors. Students were given the rare opportunity to sit inside the balloon, experiencing its size and structure up close.
To complete the experience, students briefly stepped outside—just under five minutes—to safely observe the lighting of the propane flames, a dramatic highlight that brought the science lesson to life.
Remax Reality and the Clifford Wise Student Council sponsored the event. For more information on Liberty Balloons, click here.
These third- and fourth-graders see a brief outdoor presentation.
