State approves $8 million in water grants for Barre, Kendall and Clarendon

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 December 2025 at 5:25 pm

File photo by Tom Rivers: Barre will be able to build a new water tank in the Pine Hill area after being approved for a $2,097,940 grant from the state today. This photo shows the current 150,000-gallon water tank behind the firehall on Route 98. The new tank will be 250,000 gallons and will boost water pressure and allow for possible expansion of the water system on the western side, linking with Shelby.

Three towns in Orleans County have been approved for grants from the state for water infrastructure.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced nearly $8 million in grants for three towns – Barre, Clarendon and Kendall.

The grants are among $453 million approved for water infrastructure projects across New York State through the Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grant programs.

“New York families should not be burdened by rising water bills and outdated systems,” Governor Hochul said. “With this funding, the State is helping communities take on essential projects without passing unsustainable costs to residents and businesses. These investments will protect public health, support local economies, and help ensure reliable, safe water for years to come.”

The grants for Orleans County municipalities include:

• Town of Barre – $2,097,940 for water storage tank and pump station improvements.

Town Supervisor Sean Pogue said the grant will go towards a second water tank in town, with the new one in the Pine Hill area. The project also includes pump station upgrades.

Pogue said the exact location of the new water tower is to be determined. It will be a 250,000-gallon tank, which is bigger than the 150,000-gallon behind the fire hall on Route 98.

Barre also is waiting word on whether it will be approved for a grant for Water District. No. 10 through the Community Development Block Grant program.

• Town of Clarendon awarded $928,000 towards Water District No. 14 , which includes a section of Route 237, Boots Road, Merrill Road and McAllister Road. The project will link some water districts and close some dead-end lines while expanding public water access.

• Town of Kendall – $5 million for Water District No. 11, which covers 76,700 linear feet (nearly 15 miles) on Roosevelt Highway and Lakeshore, Petersmith, Norway and Center roads.

Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata said the project loops districts improving water flow and bringing more public water to residents.

“There are streets where half are with water half are without,” he said. “We’re trying to complete the puzzle. This will be the second largest water district in the town.”

The town and residents had wells tested, completed income surveys and took other steps to secure the grant.

“They deserve it,” Cammarata said about the need for the new water district. “We’re very thankful and very appreciative.”

Kendall also putting in a new sewer district that is currently under construction.

“We’re moving in the right direction to give our residents more reasons to work here and stay here and be part of our community,” he said.

Loved ones remembered at annual community service

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 December 2025 at 2:36 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Josh Mitchell, a funeral director with Mitchell Family Cremations & Funerals, lights candles in honor of loved ones of people who attended a “Service of Remembrance & Hope” on Thursday evening at the First Baptist Church of Albion.

The service was presented by Mitchell Family Cremations & Funerals and the Albion Ministerium.

About 25 people attended. They wrote names of loved ones who were recognized by lighting candles and also by having those names read out loud during the service.

Gary Simboli, a retired music teacher at Albion, performs, “Mary, Did You Know?” during the service.

The Rev. Dr. Brenda Bierdeman, a minister at the Albion Free Methodist Church, reads scripture from Psalm 61:1-4, and Psalm 62: 1-2. “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken,” part of the passage states.

Erin Moody sings “Christmas in Heaven” during the service. He lit a candle in honor of his son Brennan, who passed away from a car accident when he was 17 on June 18, 2019.

Holiday event for veterans is much appreciated

Posted 19 December 2025 at 1:02 pm

Editor:

The Orleans County Veterans Affairs deserve thanks for providing a wonderful event on Tuesday night at the White Birch.

Honoring so many Orleans County veterans with this kind of event is a great way of thanking these veterans who gave years of service. Many were never recognized or honored in the past.

Please continue because these veterans are very grateful.

Jeanne Crane

Waterport

Community Action gives out food and gifts to more than 300 families

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 December 2025 at 8:14 am

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Community Action staff and volunteers pose in a room at the Main Street Corner Thrift Store in Albion, which is filled with gifts and food for 131 families. Gifts were distributed on Thursday. From left are Ryan Lasal, director of Community Planning at CAOG; Nicki Targa, Emergency Services assistant; Kristina Ettinger, director of Community Services; and Maria Morgan, a volunteer.

ALBION – Three hundred and forty-one families will enjoy Christmas dinner and celebrate with gifts, thanks to Community Action of Orleans and Genesee counties and generous contributions from the community.

Community Action’s Christmas giveaway has been an ongoing program to assist families struggling financially. This year saw one of the largest (if not the largest) number of requests.

Ryan Lasal, director of Community Programming at Community Action, gives a ham to Filamena Salyer of Albion. In addition to food for Christmas dinner, Salyer received gifts for her young son.

In Albion 131 families received gifts and food for a Christmas dinner, which included a ham. Holley gave out gifts and food to 36 families, while Genesee County filled 174 requests.

Every eligible family who applied received a box of food with a ham or turkey and food for a traditional holiday meal, said Ryan Lasal, director of Community Planning at CAOG. Children filled out a wish list and each child received a gift, Lasal said.

On Tuesday, Lasal and Kristina Ettinger, Community Services organizer, were assisted by Nicki Targa, Emergency Services assistant and volunteers Brittany Knight, her son Teddy and Maria Morgan. Morgan regularly works 21 hours a week volunteering, Lasal said.

Ettinger said by the end of the day on Tuesday, most all of the packages will have been distributed.

The distribution took place at the rear of Community Action’s Main Street Corner Thrift Store, where two rooms were filled with bags and boxes of gifts and food.

One resident who happily picked up his gifts was Dennis Massey of Albion.

“Getting this food means we won’t be hungry on Christmas,” he said. “This is a gift from God.”

Massey said there are four in his family who will now have a Merry Christmas. He said Community Action has helped him before and he was very thankful.

Brittany Knight volunteered to help with her son Teddy, 8.

“Community Action gave to us when we first moved here, and we wanted to give back,” Knight said.

While requests for holiday assistance were up from last year, Lasal said they were able to fill all requests because of the generosity of the community.

“A lot of organizations stepped up and adopted children,” Lasal said. “This is the most prepared we’ve been for the holiday.”

Last year, Community Action served a total of 244 families in both counties.

“When SNAP benefits were canceled, the community really rallied around our agency,” Lasal said. “We saw a big influx of donations and cash.”

He said they worked with Walmart to buy 160 hams and 130 turkeys.

Toys and gifts for children were made possible through donations from the Pirate Toy Fund of Rochester, Toys for Tots and a toy drive by Canalside Tattoo in Medina.

“A lot of community members just came in and dropped off presents, food and cash,” Ettinger said.

Filomena Salyer of Albion was another resident whose family will have a happy holiday because of Community Action.

“Getting food for Christmas and gifts for my son means a lot to me,” Salyer said. “I am very thankful for Community Action. By the grace of God they have been very generous to me. Our Christmas would be pretty bland without their support. I thank God for this place.”

Community Action of Orleans and Genesee gave out Christmas food and gifts to more than 300 families on Tuesday. Here, Dennis Massey of Albion, right, picks up his gifts and Christmas ham from Kristina Ettinger, director of Community Services; Teddy Knight, 8; and Ryan Lasal, director of Community Programming at COAG.

Medina Village Board asked to allow community garden on village property

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 December 2025 at 10:12 pm

Garden on municipal land would make site eligible for grant through Health Department

Photo by Tom Rivers: Megan Wakefield, leader of the Medina Community Garden, speaks during Monday’s Village Board meeting. Pictured, from right to left, include Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman, Deputy Mayor Jess Marciano, Trustee Debbie Padoleski and Village Clerk/Treasurer Jada Burgess.

MEDINA – The Medina Community Garden had a successful first year in 2025 despite the drought-like conditions, said Megan Wakefield, leader of the garden.

The site was in a backyard on Bernzomatic Drive, on the east side of the village. Wakefield said the garden produced crops despite a lack of rain for much of the growing season.

She would like to see the community garden in a more centrally located part of the village. She asked the Village Board to allow part of the green space on Park Avenue, between the village office and West Avenue.

Not only would that be in a more accessible location for the public, but Wakefield said it would also make the community garden eligible for grants through the local health departmet. To be eligible, the garden needs to be on municipal land, she said.

Mayor Merguerite Sherman commended wakefield for her efforts with the community garden, but the mayor said the village land by the village office is being eyed for an expanded parking lot especially if an addition in put on the fire hall at part of an existing parking lot.

Wakefield said she has scouted sites in the village for the garden that is on village-owned land, but 121 Park Ave. seems like the best location.

The grant from the health department could pay for raised beds, which Sherman and other Village Board members could make it easier to have the garden on village property.

Wakefield was asked about land by the compost facility and dog park on North Gravel Road, but she said that location would be too far for many community members.

She was also asked about village land behind the Medina Theater. Wakefield said she would look at it, including with the potential for raised beds.

Board members said they support the garden and want to try to find a suitable location.

Wakefield said the community garden can help many residents facing food insecurity.

Akron tops Albion in N-O swim, wrestling

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 18 December 2025 at 9:34 pm

Akron swept to a doubleheader victory over host Albion in a Niagara-Orleans League swim meet this afternoon.

The TigerSharks won the boys’ meet 44-39 and the girls’ competition 55-35.

The Akron boys had a pair of individual event double winners in Evan Iversen (200 Free and 500 Free) and Aron Gehl (200 Individual Medley and 100 Breaststroke).

The Albion boys had Justin Kania double in the 50 Free and 100 Free and Nathan Wehling win the 100 Backstroke.

The Akron girls had Aurora VanDusen win both the 50 Free and 100 Breaststroke.

Keira Sidari was a double winner for the Albion girls in the IM and 100 Free as Victoria Rotoli won thr 500 Free.

N-O Wrestling
Akron nips Albion
Akron edged Albion on a criteria decision points (most forfeits) in a Niagara-Orleans League wrestling match this evening after the contest finished deadlocked at 39-39.

Albion got pins from Elizabeth Colmenero (103), Stryker Sanders (118), Drake Schomske (126), Corbin Piccirilli (132) and Kaiser Allport (157) as well as an overtime decision win by Jaxon Lynch (150).

Girls Basketball
Wilson 64, Barker 24
Defending champion Wilson posted a 64-24 win over Barker in a Niagara-Orleans League girls basketball game this evening as Rowan Simpson scored 25, Abbie Faery 12 and Lucy Madan 8.

Elise Monaco led Barker with 13.

Byron-Bergen scores G-R win at Holley

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 18 December 2025 at 9:17 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Holley’s Avante Walker drives to the basket ahead of Byron-Bergen defender Joseph Brumsted during the Hawks home court loss to the Bees this evening.

Improving to 4-1, Byron-Bergen posted a 52-39 win at Holley this evening in a Genesee Region League boys basketball game.

Byron-Bergen jumped out to an 11 point, 17-6, first quarter lead as Cody Carlson hit three threes and Adam Cardenas made three baskets.

The Bees went on to lead by margins of 15 (32-17) at the half and by 24 (49-24) at the end of the third quarter.

Cardenas finished with a game high 21 points on seven threes and Carlson had 16.

Avante Walker scored 17 and Cam Mosier 16 for Holley which slips to 1-4.

Holley’s Blake Coleman puts up a shot between Byron-Bergen defenders Joseph Brumsted (3) and Cody Carlson (2).

Master Gardeners ready for monthly ‘Master Your Garden’ class series

Posted 18 December 2025 at 5:41 pm

Photos courtesy of Orleans County master Gardeners: Master Gardener Michael Klepp shows participants the components of a handheld pruner in his 2025 Purposeful Pruning class.

Contributed by Katie Oakes, Orleans County CCE Master Gardener Coordinator

KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County Master Gardeners have set the schedule for 2026 for the “Master Your Garden” monthly educational classes. The classes are held on the first Saturday of every month at 10 a.m. in the “Buzz” Hill Education Center at the Orleans CCE office in Albion.

The series kicks off on Jan. 3 with “Smart Garden Research” taught by Master Gardener Julia Bender. In the class, she will show participants how to navigate the overwhelming world of online gardening advice with confidence, how to identify trustworthy sources, spot red flags in gardening content, and build a toolkit of reliable websites and resources.

Other topics include hydroponic growing, nature journaling, flower arranging, composting, container gardening and more! Check out the full lineup with class dates and details on the Orleans County CCE Master Gardener Facebook page here.

“We developed the Master Your Garden series to share accessible, practical gardening knowledge with our Orleans County community,” said Julia Bender, Master Gardener volunteer and chairperson of this educational series. “Whether you’re looking to gain confidence or connect with fellow gardeners, we hope you’ll join us in making 2026 your best growing season yet!”

Classes are offered at an optional $5 donation fee and are held in the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension Education Center, 12690 State Route 31, Albion. Pre-registration is encouraged to properly prepare for seating and materials, however, walk-ins are always welcome, especially with the first class being so close to the holidays. To register, call (585) 798-4265 ext. 125 or email klo54@cornell.edu.

Master Gardener Julia Bender teaches a class on the Fall Garden for the 2025 Master Your Garden series.

Already lean District Attorney’s office faces county budget cuts despite heavy workload

Posted 18 December 2025 at 4:10 pm

Editor:

It has been an honor to serve our community as Orleans County District Attorney and lead the office in overseeing hundreds of cases in local and county courts including the Integrated Domestic Violence Court, Drug Court, Youth and Family Court.

Our lean staff is active 365 days a year participating in arraignments on new arrests to follow due process, provide justice and keep our community safe.

We have hundreds of cases pending in local courts and many active indictments in County Court. That doesn’t include all of the traffic cases we prosecute for our ten towns across Orleans County.

That’s why it’s so frustrating when Governor Hochul and state legislative leaders ask local prosecutors like us to do more with less.

The recent pressure of criminal justice reforms coming from the State Capital have made it even harder to carry out our mission. Mandates like discovery reform are usually unfunded and can cause serious delays in our ability to prosecute crime and secure favorable outcomes in a timely manner.

I applaud the Orleans County Legislature for unanimously passing a resolution calling on Albany to reform our state’s discovery laws. That’s an important step in telling our state government that we’re struggling to keep up with their unrealistic demands.

But we must also prioritize public safety right here at home and focus on what we can control.

This year, a critical Assistant District Attorney position was cut from the Orleans County budget. That prosecutor handled several justice courts, assisted in presenting cases to the grand jury, and oversaw the supervision of investigations being conducted by law enforcement for cases not yet arrested.

In fact, we recently recruited a young, highly experienced felony prosecutor who could have been a wonderful asset to our community. Sadly, the budget no longer funds this position.

I understand the need to keep taxes low and be responsible stewards of local tax dollars. We certainly shouldn’t take any cues from Albany or New York City on how to properly spend a dollar wisely. However, it’s incumbent upon our local officials to act accordingly when Albany politicians create an already burdensome system to make sure we have the proper tools to be successful.

It comes down to wants versus needs.

The District Attorney’s office needs to be available to assist law enforcement with oversight and advice for investigations, search warrants and subpoenas.

We need to be available for witnesses, victims, other agencies, and County Departments like the Sheriff’s Office’s newly-convened Threat Assessment Committee (TAC).

We need to reestablish this critical role in the District Attorney’s office so our staff can effectively seek justice for victims and hold accountable those who do harm.

When I took my oath of office, I pledged to uphold the Constitution and work tirelessly to secure justice and be an advocate for Orleans County residents. I will keep fighting for those values and our community.

Susan Howard

District Attorney of Orleans County

NY Farm Bureau lists state legislative priorities for 2026

Posted 18 December 2025 at 3:42 pm

Organization states support for nuclear energy, ‘strongly opposes’ all-electric mandates

Press Release, New York Farm Bureau

ALBANY — New York Farm Bureau has announced its state legislative priorities for 2026. These priorities are based on grassroots policy development over the course of the past year, which culminated at the organization’s State Annual Meeting earlier this month. Delegates from 50 counties discussed and voted on a number of wide-ranging issues at the meeting.

NYFB public policy staff identified NYFB’s priority issues as those listed below.

Support critical funding for current agricultural animal health, promotion, research and environmental programs in the final FY 26/27 state budget.
Support for a significant funding investment in the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Science to forward its mission of collegiate agricultural education, research and extension.
Extend the refundable investment tax credit and allow construction costs for farmworker housing to be eligible for the tax credit.
Move the administration of product marketing and research orders from Empire State Development to the Department of Agriculture and Markets.
Remove the requirement for overtime payment on the weekly consecutive 24-hour rest period when total work hours are still below the overtime threshold.
Support legislation that would develop a Clean Fuel Standard.
Support funding for the NY Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health to do research and promote education on temperature-related working conditions before any legislation (such as the Temperature Extreme Mitigation Program Act) is passed.
Support the exemption of agricultural businesses from Extended Producer Responsibility legislation until a cost-effective and practical agricultural recycling program is established and funded by the state.
Support mandating that fire, rescue, library and other ad valorem taxing districts use agricultural assessment values when calculating property taxes.
Support renewable energy policies that incorporate common-sense timeframes for adoption based upon grid capacity and support for the use of other energy sources including nuclear. Strongly oppose all-electric mandates and bans on the use of propane, wood burning, oil or natural gas appliances.

NYFB will release federal legislative priorities by early spring.

New upholstery business in Albion has been busy reviving furniture, old seats

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 December 2025 at 8:28 am

Photos by Tom Rivers: Jon Rissinger and his wife Galina are shown inside Sew-It-Seams Upholstery, which they opened in October at 28 East Bank St.

ALBION – When Jon Rissinger was a kid growing up in Wyoming County, his parents were 4-H leaders. His mother taught him to sew as a kid as part of being in 4-H.

Rissinger, now 66, has turned that hobby into a busy new business in Albion. He opened Sew-It-Seams Upholstery on Oct. 1 at 28 East Bank St.

He works with leather, vinyl, cloth, cutting the materials to size and then sewing them together. Some of the projects have 40 different pieces to sew.

Rissinger likes to work with his customers to give new life to old furniture, and seats for cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles and boats. He also does hemming and zipper replacement.

“What intrigued me most about sewing is you can make whatever you want,” he said. “You connect two pieces together and you got a new product.”

Jon Rissinger creates a pattern for a new cover on a snowmobile seat. He makes new fabric for furniture, car seats, motorcycle seats, boat seat and snowmobiles. He also is skilled a chair caning.

Rissinger has previously worked as a hoof trimmer for the dairy industry for 15 years and he owned a computer repair shop in Castile. He moved to Albion 3 ½ years ago, drawn by a good deal on his house.

He has been doing upholstery projects the past decade and wanted more room for the business. The spot in downtown Albion has been a good fit.

“I’ve been self-employed for 30 years,” he said. “You get to meet a lot of people.”

Rissinger has four sewing machines, a serger, fabric cutter and other equipment. He is considering offer classes this winter for people who want to learn the sewing craft, upholstering and chair caning.

The business is open from noon to 6 p.m. from Monday through Friday. For more information call (585) 867-1536 or check the business’s Facebook page.

Jon Rissinger opened his business, Sew-It-Seams Upholstery, in Albion on Oct. 1 and he said he has been busy.

Holley and Kendall girls post G-R wins

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 17 December 2025 at 9:18 pm

Holley defeated Attica 44-36 and Kendall downed Alexander 55-32 in Genesee Region League girls basketball action this evening.

In another G-R contest, Wheatland-Chili topped Lyndonville 27-22.

Brynn Thomas had 16 points, 5 steals and 4 assists, Ali VanAmeron 10 points and 8 rebounds, Des McCormack 7 points and 7 rebounds and Kyla Burne 6 points and 5 steals to lead Holley.

Izzy D’Agostino led Kendall with 16 points as Payton Vogt added 9, Teagan Shaw and Sophia Picardo 8 each, Mia Price 7 and Stella Kwiatek 5.

Wheatland-Chili was led by Whitney Thrush with 12 points.

Alexa Robinson scored 8 and Hannah Fox 5 to lead Lyndonville.

Alexander/Pembroke wrestlers down Lyndonville; Holley-Kendall tops B-B

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 17 December 2025 at 8:45 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Ben Doolan works toward a decision win over Alexander/Pembroke’s Wade Franks during the Tigers home match this evening.

Six pins sparked Alexander/Pembroke to a 44-28 win over host Lyndonville in a Genesee Region League wrestling match this evening.

Aydaen Talmon (126), Austin Post (132), Jackson Waite (150), Ryder Reichert (157), Brody Heckman (175) and Joseph Severino (285) all registered pins for Alexander/Pembroke.

Justin Holmes (118) and Greyson Romano (190) both notched pins for Lyndonville which also got an overtime decision victory by Abby Alexander (110), a major decision win by Dom Hargrave (138) and a decision win by Ben Doolan (215).

The match was the league opener for both teams.

Holley-Kendall 46, Byron-Bergen 30
In the other G-R opener, Holley-Kendall bested defending champion Byron-Bergen 46-30.

Jayden Rivera (126), Brenden Eichas (138) and Immanuel Cornell (285) all registered pins for Holley-Kendall which also got decision wins by Carson Cady (118), Isaac Bartlett (132) and Miguel Vasquez (190) and three forfeit wins.

Lyndonville’s Abby Alexander in route to earning an overtime decision victory over Wyatt Whitmore of Alexander/Pembroke.

Lyndonville’s Dom Hargrave works toward a major decision win over Alexander/Pembroke’s Corbin Pierce.