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Akron wins Sect. VI Class C field hockey title
No. 2 seed Niagara-Orleans League champion Akron rallied to defeat top seeded Iroquois 4-1 in the Section VI Class C field hockey championship game this afternoon on the blue turf field at Alden.
Trailing 1-0, Akron pulled even on a second quarter goal by Mackenzie Tomporowski off a corner by Brooke Mulhollen.
Akron then pulled away to claim the title by scoring three unanswered goals in the second half on tallies by Madison Gates, Mulhollen and Scarlett Ranney.
Iroquois grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first quarter on a goal by Scarlett Cantie.
Improving to 16-1-1, Akron now advances to the state quarterfinals and a meeting with five time defending state Class C champion Whitney Pint on Saturday at Tioga High near Binghamton.
Bow Bending Believers to lead 8-week archery class at YMCA
Provided photo: Merle Fredericks, founder of the Bow Bending Believers, poses with a deer he downed with bow and arrow. He and his wife Mitzi will be teaching an 8-week class for youth on bow hunting, beginning in December.
MEDINA – The Bow Bending Believers chapter of the national Christian Bowhunters of America has announced its fifth eight-week NASP/Centershot archery glass, according to instructor/founder Merle Fredericks.
The eight-week class is scheduled to begin Dec. 7 at the indoor range located in the basement of the Medina YMCA, 306 Pearl St. The class will be from 6 to 8 p.m. every Monday through Jan. 25. The class is limited to 12 students (boys and girls) in grades four through 12.
Students will learn how to shoot a Genesis compound bow and compete with their peers, with emphasis on good sportsmanship. Trophies will be awarded to the top three archers.
In addition, the class will also include archery-related Bible devotionals, developing new friendships and snacks.
To register, call (585)765-2839 or e-mail FredericksMerle1979@gmail.com.
The sport has been a passion for Fredericks since he was introduced to deer hunting by his father at 11 years of age.
“That year, my father harvested his best whitetail buck ever, an eight-pointer that scored 238”,” Fredericks said. “I have been hooked on hunting ever since. Back then, you could not hunt deer in New York state until you were 16 years old. When I turned 16 in 1977, I became a deer hunter and I have hunted every deer season since then. In 1977 I married my wife Mitzi, and a few years after we were married, she took up deer hunting as well. She has been blessed to have harvested many nice whitetail bucks since then. In 2014 her first buck with a bow was a Pope and Young record book buck that scored 144”. She has taken a few nice ones since then.”
In 1985, Fredericks decided to give bow hunting a try, and he has now been bow hunting for 41 years. In 2005 he became a New York certified bowhunting education instructor, and is currently a master instructor.
“I have been blessed to hunt many big game animals all over the United States, and harvest many whitetail deer, mule deer, pronghorn antelope and black bear, with both archery equipment and firearms. Mitzi has also been a certified hunter for almost 15 years.”
After almost 25 years in law enforcement and retiring as sheriff from the Orleans County, he became a member of the Christian Bowhunters of America, and started a local chapter called “Bow Bending Believers.” Since then they have hosted game dinners at Oak Orchard Assembly of God Church. They brought in big name speakers, who presented a hunting seminar and shared the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“My passion is to ‘win souls for Jesus Chrust,’” Fredericks said. “Since 2003, we have hosted three national shoots, many 3D shoots and some youth events.”
In 2014 Fredericks was appointed by the board of CBA to serve as the executive director, a position he has held for 12 years. In 2011 he became an ordained minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In 20-21 he approached Jesse Cudzillo, then director of the YMCA in Medina, saying he was interested in hosting a youth archery event there. It took place in March and 20 kids learned how to shoot a bow and arrow and seven of them became Christians. Cudzillo was so impressed he asked Fredericks if he would be interested in doing more ministry at the YMCA. Cudzillo showed Fredericks the basement of the YMCA, a former Armory. The basement was the former indoor rifle range.
“He told me the range was ours if we cleaned it up, painted it and made it our own,” Fredericks said. “It took several months to clean it out and a local painter donated his time and paint. Since then they have been teaching boys and girls the National Archery in the Schools Centershot/Archery in the churches curriculum.”
In May 2024, Fredericks and Mitzi, Jeff Robinson and John Curtin all became certified.
To date they have taught four eight-week NASP classes. They teach basic archery skills and good sportsmanship and have a friendly competition, where the top three archers are awarded a trophy. Also, about a half an hour of the two-hour class is spent learning the Bible.
Fuller 155 donates to OpOverwatch, a ministry that serves first responders
Provided photo
LOCKPORT – Representatives from Fuller 155 presented a $2,000 donation to OpOverwatch, an organization based in Lockport that serves law enforcement officers, correction officers, dispatchers, military personnel, firefighters and EMS personnel.
Pictured from left include Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke, Fuller 155 volunteer Savanna Watts, OpOverwatch founder and executive director David Budz, Fuller 155 volunteer Jason watts, and Scott Buffin, deputy director of the Orleans County Emergency management Agency.
The donation is part of the proceeds from the fourth annual Fuller 155 Suicide Awareness Basket Raffle on Sept. 20. That event supports suicide awareness and prevention in memory of the late Erin Fuller, a deputy sheriff who died by suicide on Sept. 12, 2015.
Barker/Roy-Hart will host CSP in semi Friday
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Jakob West and his Barker/Roy-Hart teammates will host CSP in the semifinals of the Section VI Class C playoffs at 7 p.m. Friday at Barker.
Taking aim at earning a first trip to the sectional finals, Barker/Roy-Hart will host Clymer/Sherman/Panama (CSP) in the semifinals of the Section V Class C football playoffs at 7 p.m. Friday at Barker.
The victor will advance to the November 13 Class C finals at the University of Buffalo against the winner of Friday’s other semifinal between Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove and Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton.
Both teams reached the semis with lopsided quarterfinal victories as Barker/Roy-Hart downed Portville 47-14 and CSP bested Cleve Hill 43-0.
CSP is led by quarterback Gavin Burchanowski who has passed for 479 yards and 7 touchdowns and rushed for 755 yards and 13 TDs. Blake Backerink is the Wolfpack’s leading rusher with 792 yards and 9 TDs.
Barker/Roy-Hart’s ground attack is led by Carter DerSarkissian with 1,755 yards and 29 touchdowns. Aaron Bowerman has rushed for 704 yards and 5 TDS, Jeff Waters 329 yards and 2 TDs and Owen Maedl 329 yards and 6 TDs.
Bulls quarterback Max Townsend had passed for 365 yards and 7 TDs. His main receivers have been Ashton Ark with 16 receptions for 186 yards and 4 TDs and DerSarkissian with 8 catches for 116 yards and 3 TDs.
Winners of 8 in a row now, Barker/Roy-Hart brings an 8-1 record into the semis while CSP is 7-2.
Medina man gets 5 years in prison for first-degree sex abuse
Taylor Valovic
ALBION – A Medina man was sentenced to five years in state prison this morning by Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church.
Taylor Valovic, 30, pleaded guilty o July 29 to first-degree sex abuse. He admitted in court to putting his hand on a girl’s private parts for his sexual gratification. The victim is under age 11.
Valovic was already on probation for a previous sexual offense. His attorney said Valovic has completed courses and has been working on his mental health while in the county jail. The lawyer asked for no more than 2 years in prison.
District Attorney Susan Howard asked for five years, the maximum in a plea agreement.
Judge Church opted for the maximum, noting Valovic was already on probation when he committed the most recent crime.
Valovic also will have 10 years of post-release supervision when he is released from prison.
He apologized for the crime when he was given the chance to speak during sentencing.
“I am sorry for what I did,” he said.
Write-in candidate appreciates support in Clarendon campaign
Editor:
To my family, friends, and neighbors, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support. Having you alongside me has meant more than I can say.
Although I am disappointed by the outcome, my commitment to Clarendon remains unchanged. Regardless of how we voted, I hope we can come together around our shared goal of a peaceful, safe community for all, guided by character, integrity, and respect for one another.
I remain concerned about the tone of the campaign and the lack of clear proposals from Fred, to ease financial pressures on residents. These concerns deserve thoughtful discussion and practical solutions.
I encourage Fred Seeman to prioritize transparency and constructive dialogue, and I hope residents with different perspectives will have a voice in that conversation. I, along with 181 residents, will continue to follow developments closely, with a focus on accountability and the well-being of our entire community.
I also encourage residents to get involved with our Historical Society and take an active interest in its board elections. Community participation offers an opportunity to hear different perspectives and work toward shared goals. The Historical Society meets on the third Wednesday of every month. Let us move forward with mutual respect and a commitment to Clarendon’s future.
This has been an amazing journey, and I am truly grateful to each of you who shared it with me. Your support has meant so much to me. I have no regrets, and I am proud of the race I ran, the vision I shared for our community, and my commitment to staying focused on the issues that matter to Clarendon.
Thank you for being part of my journey,
Kathy Harnischfeger
Clarendon
Lyndonville/Barker has two G-R All Stars
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville/Barker’s G-R All-Stars Brody Hazel, left, and Jesus Reyes Rosario.
Two Lyndonville/Barker players, seniors Jesus Reyes Rosario and Brody Hazel, have earned Genesee Region League boys soccer All Star honors.
Reyes Rosario scored 10 goals and had 11 assists.
Hazel made 101 saves in goal and registered five shutouts.
Lyndonville/Barker also had four G-R Honorable Mention selections including senior Michael Alexander, juniors Amir Zimmerman and Drew LaGreca and sophomore Maddox Smith.
Ortt, Hawley cruise to re-election to State Legislature
Photos by Tom Rivers: State Sen. Rob Ortt, left, and Assemblyman Steve Hawley speak during campaign events in Orleans County on Aug. 16.
Orleans County two representatives in the State Legislature were overwhelmingly re-elected on Tuesday.
Rob Ortt won another two-year term in the State Senate for the 62nd District and Steve Hawley will be back for another term in State Assembly for the 139th District.
They two have seldom had challengers in their districts that are heavily Republican.
Hawley, a Batavia resident, has been in the Assembly for over 20 years. He was first elected on Feb. 28, 2006 in a special election.
He was challenged by Sarah Wolcott, a Democrat from Batavia. Wolcott organized protests against Donald Trump, which attracted several hundred people. She ran made opposition to data centers a focus of her campaign.
Hawley secured 69.7 percent of the vote in a district that includes three counties. He had his largest margin in Orleans County with 74.1 percent of the vote. Here are the totals in the three counties: Orleans – Hawley, 9,901, and Wolcott, 3,461; Genesee – Hawley, 15,506, and Wolcott, 5,863; Monroe – Hawley, 7,471 and Wolcott, 4,950.
Ortt, a North Tonawanda resident, was first elected 12 years ago. He is also the Republican conference leader in the State Senate.
He was challenged by Thomas Arida, a political activist and organizer from North Tonawanda. He has worked on over 150 campaigns at the local, state and federal levels.
Ortt won with 62 percent of the vote in a district that includes all of Niagara and Orleans, and part of western Monroe counties. Orleans gave him his largest margin of support at 73.0 percent.
Here are the totals in the three counties: Orleans – Ortt, 9,754, and Arida, 3,597; Niagara – Ortt, 46,706, and Arida, 30,222; Monroe – Ortt, 15,730 and Arida, 10,129.
Hospice of Orleans will give community presentations this month at 3 local libraries
Press Release, Hospice of Orleans
ALBION – Hospice of Orleans, the trusted provider of hospice care in Orleans County, recognizes National Hospice and Palliative Care Month this November by highlighting the exceptional, personalized care available to patients and families when they need it most.
Every day, the Hospice of Orleans team helps individuals and families navigate life’s most difficult moments with dignity, compassion, and respect. The month also provides an opportunity to recognize the dedicated professionals who make this care possible and raise awareness of the comfort and support hospice can offer throughout the community.
Throughout November, Hospice of Orleans will host educational presentations at local libraries to help community members learn more about hospice care. Members of the care team will be available to meet attendees, share information, and answer questions.
Presentation schedule:
- Lee-Whedon Memorial Library: November 10 at 1:30 p.m.
- Community Free Library: November 17 at 11:45 a.m.
- Yates Town Library: November 30 at 2:30 p.m.
No RSVP is required. For more information, please call Hospice of Orleans at 585-589-0809.
Tenney ‘deeply grateful’ for re-election to NY-24th District
Claudia Tenney
OSWEGO — Congresswoman Claudia Tenney won re-election in New York’s 24th District against Alissa Ellman, a Democrat from Lockport.
The Republican-dominated district includes 14 counties and runs from Niagara County through Orleans, the Finger Lakes and northern New York. Tenney had 70 percent of the vote in Orleans, 9,331 votes to 4,040 for Ellman.
Tenney issued this statement on Tuesday night:
“I am deeply grateful to the people of New York’s 24th District for once again placing their trust in me to represent them in Congress. Every time the people of this district put their faith in me, I am reminded of just how much that trust means. These are the communities I love, the people I care deeply about, and the place I am so honored to fight for.
“Over the past term, as a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I helped make the 2017 tax cuts permanent, fought to lower costs for hardworking families, seniors, and vulnerable people, secured critical funding for our communities, and continued standing up for our farmers, law enforcement officers, and veterans.
“Serving the hardworking people of Upstate New York is the honor of my lifetime. I never forget who sent me to Washington or the responsibility I have to them. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for allowing me to continue this important work. I will never take your trust for granted, and I will keep fighting every day for a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Upstate New York.”
