By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 April 2026 at 12:23 pm
ALBION – A Medina man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to attempted criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and could face up to five years in state prison when he is sentenced on July 1.
Reginald Kendrick, 50, was charged after law enforcement on Nov. 12 seized a loaded unbranded polymer “ghost” semi-automatic 9 mm pistol with an extended 30-round magazine.
He initially faced charges of second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in Orleans County Court.
Kendrick is a prior felon after being convicted of selling cocaine in October 2016. Kendrick, in court on Wednesday, admitted he had a loaded pistol.
District Attorney Susan Howard said the gun was tested by a Niagara County lab and determined to be operable.
In another case in County Court on Wednesday,
• Corey Wilson Jr., 19, of Albion was arraigned on four counts of drug charges, including three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree.
He was charged by law enforcement after a traffic stop on July 21, 2025 in the town of Gaines. He allegedly had two containers of cocaine, including one with 2.17 ounces of cocaine.
Wilson pleaded not guilty to the charges on Wednesday.
Over the last few months, our community has united in shared opposition to the proposed STAMP data center complex from STREAM US Data Centers and Apollo Global Management.
At this point, the concerns of GLOW Region residents are well-known: air and water pollution, noise, harm to our wildlife and birds, increased electricity rates and decreased property values, a loss of the rural and peaceful way of life that we so value here, and the threat of bad corporate actors – deeply tied to the Epstein files – that do not care about us.
The propaganda and spin from STAMP developer GCEDC and STREAM are well-known too. They dismiss our fears and try to sweet talk us with promises of jobs and tax revenues. When we point out all the ways that this data center complex would clearly not be a good deal for Genesee County, they say we don’t understand what we’re talking about.
Now a third-party expert has weighed in, and what do they say? The Applied Economics Center, a non-profit consulting group that offers expert services in the areas of energy, environment, and consumer protection, reviewed the financial incentives applications from STREAM and produced a report that addresses the claimed costs and benefits for the local community. The data center would not be a good deal for Genesee County or the GLOW Region. Here are some of their key findings:
• STREAM does not provide any supporting materials for its cost-benefit analysis (CBA), which fails to meet standards expected in a public decision-making process and is insufficient to determine whether the proposed project would provide net benefits for the local community.
• STREAM failed to address potential costs associated with the project, including: effects on property values, effects on tourism and recreation, utility bill impacts, public health impacts, the cost of public infrastructure required for the project, or the local disturbances associated with project development such as placing cables and fiber optic lines.
• STREAM’s job creation estimates exceed values found in publicly available data and information, average publicly available estimates indicate that the proposed project would create about 4,100 fewer direct temporary jobs than the company claims, and 1,300 fewer indirect temporary jobs than the company claims.
• STREAM has requested a local sales tax abatement and mortgage recording tax abatement, which – taken together – are worth 25 times more than the benefits provided by the proposed PILOT/Host payments. In other words: STREAM has requested tax abatements worth 25 times more than the promised benefits.
• STREAM’s proposed data center may negatively impact local tourism and recreation, which are an integral part of the community and economy.
Mic drop. Thank you, AEC, for validating what we already knew.
Genesee County has said “No” and will continue to say “No” to this terrible deal. We’re still in a critical decision-making phase. Join me to voice your opinion: I’ll be at the Supplemental Public Hearing on April 16 at 4 p.m. and the Site Plan Hearing on April 20 at 6pm, both at the Alabama Fire Hall. (The April 20 hearing has been postponed.)
I’ve already submitted written comments to GCEDC and I will submit more before the April 17 midnight deadline. For more info, see STOP the STAMP Monster Data Center on Facebook and follow Allies of TSN on Facebook and Instagram.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 April 2026 at 10:16 am
Mayor seeks assistance from state and federal governments
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Village of Holley has made several improvements to its police station in recent years but the back wall of the village-owned building next door is in grave condition, and faces $150,000 in emergency repairs, Mayor Mark Bower said.
HOLLEY – Village officials are facing an unexpected emergency repair on the back wall of the building that is connected to the police station on Thomas Street.
Mayor Mark Bower said the entire back wall of the building that is part of the police station needs to be replaced. The village had a structural engineer and contractor look at the back brick wall and the damage was worse than expected. The extensive water damage was revealed when the beadboard and paneling were removed.
The Village Board was expecting to spend $17,000 to $20,000 on the project, but now it will take an estimated $150,000 to fix the problem.
Bower said he has reached out to offices of Congresswoman Claudia Tenney and Assemblyman Steve Hawley to see if the state and federal governments have any funding to help with an emergency repair. He also is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office in Batavia for financial assistance.
“Significant fractures in the brick wall and even the lintels themselves were so much worse than ever anticipated,” Bower wrote in an April 9 letter to Tenney’s office. “While we had nominally budgeted for labor and materials for the job, we are now facing more extensive repairs likely exceeding 150K.”
The police station is right next to the crumbling wall, but Bower said there is a stable wall separating the two sites and the police department should be able to continue to function at the site in the near future. However, he said the code enforcement officer would be justified in requiring the police department to vacant the premises giving the condition of the back wall to the adjoining property.
Bower said there isn’t an alternative site in the village for the police station if it was forced to leave its police station.
He would like the wall to be repaired as soon as possible. The building is from 1900, Bower said.
The village has made several improvements to the police station since 2022, Bower noted, including a new roof, gutters and downspouts, new fascia, doors and windows. The front of the building was repainted and the back one third of the property also has been repaired, Bower said.
“This is essential to the village operations due to the police station,” Bower said in stating his case for state and federal support for the repairs.
Did you ever go to work and get harassed? Did you ever go to work and get harassed even before you made it to the employee entrance, and right under a security camera.
Did you ever go to work and get harassed, right in front of management? Did you ever go to work and get harassed, by management right in front of a human resource representative? If you have had any of these experiences, did anything really become of it?
Perhaps you got over it and played the role of the bigger person. Maybe filed a complaint with management, HR, or the union? Documentation is important. Another possibility is that you just talked some about it to other like-minded team members?
But, if sadly you have ever had any of this happen to you, let me ask you this: Was any of that, according to your boss, a valid excuse to get out of work, or even not report to work? My guess is probably not. And while many of us often have opinions about our bosses, maybe Mr. Hawley shouldn’t forget who his real boss is, and go to work.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 16 April 2026 at 9:40 am
Contributed Photo – Aidan Paul
Medina High graduate Aidan Paul is off to a strong start on the mound for the High Point University baseball team.
Paul, who is a junior at High Point, has made 9 starts to date for the Panthers and has posted a 4-1 record with a total of 35 strikeouts in 42 innings of work. His won-loss record is second best among Panther pitchers.
In his most recent start, a 4-1 win over Radford, Paul allowed 3 hits and 1 walk with 4 strikeouts in 6 innings of work.
“An incredible job on the mound by Aidan, he did such a great job. He ran into a little bit of trouble in the second inning, ended up making a big pitch and getting out of that. All of a sudden he started to cruise for the next four innings. We played good defense behind him, and that was impressive,” said High Point Coach Joey Hammond in his post game comments.
His biggest strikeout total to date has been 6 in a 9-3 win over Presbyterian.
Paul had pitched for SUNY Niagara the past two years. He earned first team All-Region III honors his sophomore year as he helped hurl the Thunderwolves to a fourth place finish in the national tournament and a school record 52 victories.
High Point has compiled a 24-12 record to date including a 9-3 mark in the Big South Conference.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 April 2026 at 8:53 am
Photos courtesy of Tim Archer
ROCHESTER – A group of Albion High School students spent the school day on Wednesday at East High in Rochester as part of an urban/rural student exchange.
Students from East High will visit Albion on April 30 and experience some of “farm country.”
The Albion students are in the Rotary Interact Club. They were in classes at East High and students from both schools shared about their schools and lifestyles. The two schools have done this exchange for 12 years.
Emmaline Gailie of Albion, front center, and students from East High and Albion had lunch together on Wednesday.
Olivia Andrews, left, and Tra’Monie Walker of Albion, right, enjoy lunch with new friends from East High.
The students learned that despite the many outward differences, they were alike in many ways, said Tim Archer, the Interact Club advisor.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 15 April 2026 at 7:55 pm
Kendall pushed across a run in the top of the ninth inning to outlast host Livonia 6-5 in a non league baseball game this evening.
A triple by Vinnie D’Agostino drove in the winning run in the ninth for Kendall which improves to 7-0.
The Eagles rallied to tie the game at 5-5 by scoring three times in the seventh inning on an RBI single by Vinnie D’Agostino and a two-run double by Nic Cole.
Earlier, the Eagles scored once in the third on a triple by CJ D’Agostino and once in the fourth on an RBI single by Mikey Colucci.
Vinnie D’Agostino, who also picked up the win in relief, finished with 3 hits and CJ D’Agostino 2.
Notre Dame 26, Lyndonville 2
Exploding for 13 runs in the first inning on 6 singles, 4 walks and 2 errors, Notre Dame went on to down host Lyndonville 26-2 in a Genesee Region League game.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 15 April 2026 at 7:28 pm
Jumping out to a 9-0 lead after two innings, Barker went on to down visiting Albion 13-1 in a Niagara-Orleans League softball game this afternoon.
Barker scored four quick runs in the first inning on a two-run single by Naomi Bish, an RBI single by winning pitcher Madyson Flint and an error. Singles by Madelina Pavlock and Kaylee Stoll set up the threat.
Keeping the momentum, Barker erupted for five runs in the second inning on RBI singles by Bish and Fallyn Mescall, two bases loaded walks and a sacrifice bunt by Aine Davis.
Peyton Bradley hit a two-run homer in the third inning for Barker as doubles by Pavlock and Flint later highlighted a three run fifth inning.
Flint allowed 3 hits and struck out 9 in the circle
Flint and Pavlock both had 3 hits as Bradley, Stoll and Bish each had 2.
Albion scored in the fourth inning on a single by Sophia Bouchey.
Kendall 10, Holley 5
Kendall downed rival Holley 10-5 in a Genesee Region League game.
Brooke Rodas had 3 hits, including a double and triple, for Kendall as Izzy D’Agostino and Teagan Shaw both had 2.
The Lady Eagles jumped out to an early 6-0 lead by scoring three times in the first on a double by Rodas and a two-run error and three times in the second on a double by D’Agostino, a single by Shaw and a ground out.
Holley scored five times in the fourth to cut the deficit to 7-5 on two walks, two ground outs and a single by Skylar Gallagher who had a pair of hits on the day as did Madison Bonacci.
Kendall put a lock on the win by scoring three times in the sixth on a triple by Rodas, a single by Shaw and a ground out.
Medina 15, CSAT 3
Medina bested CSAT 15-3 in a non league game at Vets Park.
Up 2-0, Medina broke the game open with 6 runs in the second inning on singles by Lillian Maynard, Jenna Cecchini, Alexa Demmer and Harmoni Wilson and a three run error.
Samantha Heschke picked up the win in the circle scattering 5 hits and striking out 7.
Lockport 15, Roy-Hart 13
Abby Fox had 3 hits including a double, Grace Pearl 2 including a double and Peyton May a triple for Roy-Hart in the 15-13 non league loss to Lockport on Tuesday.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today highlighted the impact of the Trump Tax Cuts as Americans file their taxes, underscoring the significant tax relief and economic growth delivered to families, workers, and small businesses across the country.
This year, taxpayers are seeing the benefits from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law July 4th, 2025. A family of four with two children is expected to see up to $10,900 in increased take-home pay, along with an estimated 10% increase in average tax refunds.
For many working-class families earning up to $73,000, federal income tax liability has been reduced to zero, while the average tax cut for working families is approximately $2,300.
The legislation also delivered on key promises, including eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, Social Security, and auto loan interest, while permanently expanding the Child Tax Credit and standard deduction. In addition to direct relief, these policies are driving long-term economic growth, supporting more than 7.2 million jobs and contributing to an estimated $1.2 trillion increase in real GDP over the next four years.
“On Tax Day, families across Upstate New York are seeing the real benefits of commonsense tax relief,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The Trump Tax Cuts delivered meaningful results by lowering tax burdens, expanding the Child Tax Credit, and eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security. These policies are putting more money back into the pockets of hardworking Americans, strengthening small businesses, and driving economic growth in communities like ours.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 April 2026 at 3:08 pm
HOLLEY – The Village Board will hold a public hearing today at 5:30 p.m. on a tentative $3.6 million village budget that would increase taxes by 9.9 percent. The hearing will be in the village office in the old Holley High School.
This budget proposal follows the 2025-26 budget that raised taxes by 10.0 percent. Over two years, the budgets would represent a 20.9 tax increase or another $225,304 in the tax levy to $1,303,831.
The tax rate in the tentative budget is $21.51 per $1,000 of assessed property, which is up from the $19.54 rate for 2025-26.
The budget was brought up briefly during the monthly Village Board meeting on Tuesday. One resident, Mike Vendetti, said he is concerned about the rising taxes when residents face increases in some many other areas, including a recent jump in their electric bills.
Mayor Mark Bower responded that a village tax increase appears unavoidable.
“We absolutely do not have the revenue,” he said.
The tentative budget shows $3,601,258 in overall spending with $2,165,926 in the general fund, $983,883 in the water fund and $451,448 in the sewer fund.
Within the general fund the tentative budget shows the DPW increasing from $782,267 to $870,855; the Police Department from $406,911 to $453,973; Village Office from $299,789 to $296,729; Code Enforcement from $71,280 to $72,313; Employee Benefits from $136,030 to $199,700; and Debt payments from $75,146 to $72,710.
Here are the tax levies and tax rates in recent village budgets:
What started as a vacation to Puerto Rico became something much more for Jennifer Stilwell of Albion, New York—it became her calling.
Walking the streets, she saw what many try not to see: dogs suffering, starving, and dying with no one to help them. For some, it’s a heartbreaking moment you carry home. For Jennifer, it was a moment that changed everything.
She couldn’t look away.
When she returned to New York, she didn’t just talk about making a difference—she built one. From the ground up, she created Make a Difference Rescue of WNY, earning her 501(c)(3) status and dedicating her life to saving dogs that would otherwise never get a second chance.
For the past 11 years, she has rescued, rehabilitated, and successfully adopted out over 2,300 dogs—a number that speaks not only to the need, but to her relentless commitment.
A few weeks ago, I visited her rescue on Ridge Road—and what I saw stays with you.
This isn’t just a shelter. It’s a place built on compassion, grit, and relentless heart.
Every dog that arrives has already been given a chance most never receive. In Puerto Rico, they are fully vetted, tested for disease, sterilized, and carefully quarantined before ever making the journey north. Jennifer works closely with a few trusted partners on the island who not only rescue these dogs but help socialize them and understand who they are—so they can truly thrive in a home.
But what stood out most wasn’t just the process—it was her.
You can see it in the way she moves through the rescue, in how she looks at each dog, in the quiet, constant effort it takes to do this work every single day. This is not occasional work—this is 365 days a year, unpaid, strictly volunteer. She cares deeply, and it shows.
Her love for these animals does not have borders.
And the dogs?
If you’ve ever met one of these rescues, you understand. There’s something different about them. A quiet gratitude. A connection. It’s as if they know they were given a chance—and they spend the rest of their lives giving that love back.
Make a Difference Rescue of WNY isn’t just saving dogs. It’s changing lives—both theirs and the people lucky enough to adopt them.
What Jennifer Stilwell saw on a distant island could have been just another sad memory.
Instead, she turned it into a mission.
And because of that, lives are being saved every single day.
If you are interested in adoption, you won’t be sorry. Reach out on Facebook, find them on Petfinder, and follow their journey online to see the lives being changed every day.
You can add that I was on vacation when I visited her rescue, and I am an Albion native .
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
As the weather gets warmer, more people spend time outside. During this time, it’s common to see wild animals and baby animals in yards, parks and wooded areas.
The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) remind everyone to be careful around wild animals, stray pets, and even young animals. Rabies is a serious disease that can spread to both animals and people, but it can be prevented.
“Rabies usually spreads through bites from infected animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes,” said Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director for GO Health. “Even though baby animals may look harmless, they can still carry rabies. Do not touch or feed wild or stray animals. If an animal looks sick or injured, call animal control for help.”
Rabies can be deadly if it is not treated quickly. If you are bitten, wash the area right away with soap and water and get medical care as soon as possible. All animal bites should be reported to the Genesee or Orleans County Health Departments.
To help prevent rabies, follow these tips:
Make sure your pets have their rabies shots and are up to date.
Stay away from wild animals, stray pets, and baby animals, even if they seem friendly or hurt. Report animals that act strange, such as being aggressive, confused, or overly friendly.
Keep your pets on a leash to stop them from coming into contact with wild or stray animals. If your pet is bitten, contact your veterinarian right away and report it to the health department.
Take steps to prevent bats from coming indoors. If you find a bat inside, safely capture it and contact the health department. Do not let it go. For help, watch the GO Health Minute on how to safely catch a bat: GO Health Minute.
Residents are encouraged to take advantage of our upcoming drive-thru rabies vaccination clinics for dogs, cats, and ferrets in Genesee and Orleans counties, offered at no charge. Remember to bring proof of previous vaccination.
Orleans County Rabies Clinics at the Orleans County Fairgrounds (12690 State Route 31, Albion, NY 14411)
Saturday, April 25, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, June 17, from 3:30 to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, August 19, from 3:30 to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, October 7, from 3:30 to 6 p.m.
Genesee County Rabies Clinics at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020)
Thursday, May 14, from 3:30 to 6 p.m.
Thursday, August 13, from 3:30 to 6 p.m.
Thursday, October 8, from 3:30 to 6 p.m.
For more information on GO Health’s programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 April 2026 at 12:00 pm
Ryan Armstrong gets 4- to 8-year sentence, maximum as part of plea to manslaughter
Photos by Tom Rivers: Ryan Armstrong leaves Orleans County Court this morning after he was sentenced to state prison for second-degree manslaughter.
ALBION – Ryan Armstrong was sentenced to 4 to 8 years in state prison today in Orleans County Court. He is the driver of U-Haul who led police on a high-speed chase in two counties and plunged the U-Haul into the Erie Canal, causing the death of his passenger.
Armstrong, in County Court on Feb. 11, pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter for reckless conduct that led to the death Reginald Russell, 56, on Sept. 2, 2025.
Armstrong, 43, in court today said he was deeply sorry for his actions on Sept. 2 that led to Russell’s death. He apologized to Russell family. Several of Russell’s family members were in court this morning at the sentencing.
“I hope the Lord and the families involved will forgive me,” Armstrong said.
Assistant District Attorney Daniel Punch said Armstrong put “countless people at risk” in the high-speed chase from Brockport to Murray. He turned what could have been a simply shoplifting arrest into a death that has devastated the Russell family, Punch told County Court Judge Sanford Church.
Punch said Armstrong has an arrest record going back to 1999 and has chosen a life of crime with drugs, assaults and vehicle and traffic violations.
Public defender Joanne Best said Armstrong and Russell were both heavily under the influence of drugs on Sept. 2.
They were stealing items from the Walgreens in Brockport at about 6:30 p.m. that day. They were putting merchandise in a U-Haul truck when law enforcement were called.
Law enforcement and firefighters check the scene on Sept. 2, 2025 after a U-Haul went into the Erie Canal in Murray, just east of Bennetts Corners Road. Reginald Russell, 56, drowned in the canal.
Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies and Brockport police officers attempted to stop the vehicle once it was on the move but Armstrong refused, leading law enforcement on a pursuit throughout the west side of Monroe County and into Orleans County. Armstrong drove the U-Haul at speeds of 85 miles per hour from Clarkson into Ogden, back through Brockport and eventually onto a canal service road in Murray.
Police used spike strips in the area of Bennetts Corners Road, where one of the vehicle’s tires became deflated. Armstrong then drove onto the southside of canal pathway before driving the U-Haul into the water, just east of Bennetts Corners Road.
He then swam across the canal to the other side of the canal, and then fled on foot. He was apprehended on the northside of the canal through the aid of drone technology.
After the U-Haul plunged into the water, Russell exited the vehicle. Deputies could see he was struggling to swim. They jumped into the canal to rescue Russell, but lost sight of him when he went under in the murky water.
Best, the public defender, said Armstrong didn’t intend to cause Russell’s death.
“He has accepted responsibility because he knows his actions were reckless,” Best said. “He is very remorseful.”
She asked for the minimum possible sentence for 3 to 6 years in prison. She said Armstrong has been active in a counseling program in the Orleans County Jail and is in a much better position mentally after being off drugs for many months.
The charge of second-degree manslaughter would normally have a maximum of 7 ½ to 15 years in state prison. The plea agreement reduced the maximum to 4 to 8 years.
County Court Judge Sanford Church gave Armstrong the maximum in the plea deal. The judge noted Armstrong has a long criminal history, put many people in the danger in the high-speed chase and ultimately caused the death of Russell.
The judge also fined Armstrong $2,500 and assessed $375 in other court surcharges and fees.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 15 April 2026 at 9:44 am
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Led by this group of All League meet veterans the Medina boys track team will open the Niagara-Orleans League season at Barker on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. In front are sophomore Owen Sargent, junior Aleks Seefeldt, freshman Lukin Szatkowski, junior Jonathan Dix and junior Brandon Brueckner. In back are senior Hunter Walczak, junior Cole Hughes, sophomore Bryson Ford, junior Colvin Poole, sophomore Nate Surdel and freshman Jude Lacy. The Mustangs went 2-4 in N-O meets last spring.
The Medina girls track team will also open N-O League competition at Barker on Thursday. The underclassmen dominated Mustangs squad is led by this group of team captains. They include freshman Gabby Velez (Throws), freshman Cayla Seever (Sprints, Long Jump, 100 Hurdles), sophomore Payton Denniston (High Jump, Triple Jump 100 Hurdles), senior Rhoswyn Oakes (Jumps) and senior Aurora Owczarczak (Sprints). The Mustangs 31 member squad includes 10 freshman and 11 eighth graders.
