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Gillibrand joins effort to lower Medicare eligibility to age 50
Press Release, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) joined nine of her Senate colleagues to introduce the Medicare at 50 Act, legislation to lower the Medicare eligibility age to 50 and allow Americans ages 50 to 64 to buy into Medicare.
As Americans list the cost of healthcare as a top concern, the bill would expand access to affordable healthcare and give more than 58 million Americans more coverage options.
“Under President Trump, Americans nearing retirement are being forced to choose between paying for lifesaving care and simply being able to afford a life,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Medicare at 50 Act would provide the security and support of Medicare years earlier to millions of aging Americans, lowering their healthcare costs and helping them save for retirement. As the top Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee, I am proud to support this important legislation, and I will continue fighting to expand access to quality and affordable care for older Americans.”
More than 60 million Americans are between the ages of 50 and 64, a population that faces significant challenges accessing affordable, comprehensive health insurance. While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded access to coverage, millions of older Americans continue to face high premiums, out-of-pocket costs, and limited coverage options. Today, 11.5% of Americans between the ages of 55 and 64 remain uninsured.
President Trump and Republicans have made matters worse with sweeping healthcare cuts in their Big Ugly Bill and their refusal to extend the ACA’s enhanced premium tax credits, driving up costs for older Americans who purchase insurance through the ACA Marketplace.
The Medicare at 50 Act would help close this gap and give Americans between the ages of 50 and 64 the option to buy into Medicare before reaching the traditional eligibility age of 65. Individuals who choose to enroll would receive the same benefits and protections available under Medicare Parts A, B, and D, including the option to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. The legislation would also allow eligible individuals to receive the same premium tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies they would qualify for through the ACA Marketplace, helping make coverage more affordable.
Senator Gillibrand has long fought to lower healthcare costs for older Americans and to protect Medicare access. This year, she introduced the Medicare Cost Cap Act to cap out-of-pocket costs for seniors with Medicare, and she demanded an end to the Trump administration’s WISeR program that allows for AI-driven Medicare denials. Last year, she pressed Republicans to extend the enhanced ACA premium tax credits that helped millions of Americans afford coverage.
In addition to Senator Gillibrand, the bill is co-sponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ed Markey (D-MA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).
Barker/Roy-Hart bows in Class C title contest
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Carter DerSarkissian scores Barker/Roy-Hart’s lone touchdown in the Section VI Class C title game at the University at Buffalo this afternoon.
Jumping out to a commanding 21-0 half-time advantage, Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton went on to down Barker/Roy-Hart, 33-7 in the Section VI Class C championship game this afternoon at the University at Buffalo Stadium.
The decisive first half saw quarterback Josh Swan throw a pair of touchdown passes to Ian Kinderman covering 35 and 22 yards and Thandon Bensick add an 11 yard TD run.
The lead jumped to 27-0 midway through the third quarter on another TD run by Bensick.
Barker/RoyHart’s lone touchdown came in the fourth quarter on a 16 yard run by Carter DerSarkissian as Billy Jaques added the extra point kick.
Barker/Roy-Hart, which captured the C North Division title for the second year in a row, finishes the season at 9-2.
Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton now advances to the state Far West Regional next Saturday at SUNY Brockport.
Barker/Roy-Hart’s Ashton Ark goes high to haul in a pass as Aiden Woodis defends for Chautauqua Lake/Westfiedl/Brcton.
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Green fires a round of 66 to move way up in the standings at The Annika tournament
Contributed Photo – Melanie Green
Moving way up in the standings, Medina’s Melanie Green shot her second straight sparkling sub par round at the LPGA Tour’s The Annika Tournament today at Belleair, Florida.
Green, who opened with a 3 under par 67 on Thursday, bettered that today with a 4 under par round of 66 to go to 7 under for the tournament and move into 11th place in the standings.
She had a total of 8 birdies on the day which more than offset a pair of double bogeys.
Starting on the front nine, Green opened with birdies on 1, 2 and 4.
Briefly set back by a double bogey on 5, she rebounded with birdies on both 8 and 9 to go to 3 under for the day at the turn.
Then on the back nine she had birdies on 12, 14 and 16 which more than offset a double bogey on 18 earning her a 4 under round for the day.
The tournament will continue with title deciding rounds on both Saturday and Sunday.
Investigator with Task Force says unit kept drugs off streets, making community safer
Editor:
I’m furious that Sheriff Chris Bourke would risk your family’s safety by working to abolish the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force — just days after I announced my candidacy for Sheriff.
The Task Force was a crucial crime-reduction division. As an Investigator, we kept drugs off your streets like fentanyl, arrested nearly 50 felony-level drug dealers peddling poison, and kept dangerous loaded guns out of your neighborhood.
Think about the Andre Robinson Cocaine Enterprise case that took down a major drug trafficking operation.
It was a major success, and we’re safer because of the Task Force.
Now, Chris Bourke is putting his own personal political gain ahead of the safety of your family, businesses and local schools. You can’t go any lower than this.
While Kathy Hochul and New York City Democrats push policies like Bail Reform that make us less safe, we can’t be moving backwards here at home.
I’ve lived in Orleans County for over 30 years. We know better than to play political games with public safety and our way of life.
How would you feel knowing there will be hundreds of pounds of illicit drugs still on the streets and countless illegal guns in the hands of criminals left unchecked?
I fought every day to keep Orleans County residents safe from drugs, guns and other dangerous crime.
But the criminals win when Chris Bourke puts his politics ahead of Orleans County families.
I’m calling for the immediate re-instatement of the Major Felony Task Force so I can keep fighting to make Orleans County a safer place and lock up dangerous criminals.
Brett Sobieraski
Kent
Sobieraski worked as an investigator in the Major Felony Crime Task Force, and is retired as a sergeant from the Rochester Police Department.
DA wrong to blame Bourke for county decision with Task Force
Editor:
Dear Citizens of Orleans County, I’ve known Sheriff Bourke for 30 years – from his time as a jail deputy, deputy, K9 handler, lieutenant, undersheriff, and finally sheriff!
No other law enforcement officer knows Orleans County better than Sheriff Bourke. His love for the citizens of Orleans County, his sworn deputies, his civilian staff, and the 911 center is on display every day!
District Attorney Susan Howard is not being truthful, Chris Bourke had nothing to do with the decision to eliminate the Felony Task Force. That decision was made by the Orleans County financial committee, which Sheriff Bourke does not have a seat on, the treasurer’s office, the Orleans County Legislature, with the recommendation by the chief county administrator Jack Welch!
What DA Howard forgot to say was she hates Sheriff Bourke because he supported a much better qualified candidate for Orleans County DA in John Sansone, who was an Assistant District Attorney under previous DA Joe Cardone, and is currently an assistant DA in Genesee County.
Howard also forgot to tell you that the 2027 Orleans County proposed budget cuts the Sheriff’s Department budget by $1 million, eliminates 1 deputy, and cuts 3 people from the department of social services, and did cuts in a 32 departments in the county.
DA Howard rarely goes to trial and often settles cases to the lowest charge, thus making our community less safe, which should really aggravate anyone in law enforcement!
Also, Susan Howard would have known about the cuts to the Task Force if she had attended the last department’s meeting! This has nothing to do with politics but everything to do with budget cuts!
Jim Salmon
Barre
Cutting Major Felony Crime Task Force eliminates vital law enforcement unit
Editor:
Dirty politics?
Just when you think you’ve seen it all!
So, I’m hearing that the Orleans County Legislature, in its infinite wisdom, has decided to cut all funding to the DA’s office for the Major Felony Crime Task Force. This will eliminate a vital unit of law enforcement.
So I ask: doesn’t it seem awfully coincidental that just two days after the Hub publishes Brett Sobieraski’s announcement to run for sheriff, the Hub then publishes a plan to eliminate the task force? The Major Felony Crime Task Force, which happens to employ Sobieraski? The timing is something to consider.
The task force is a layer of law enforcement that cannot be replaced. It is governed by the District Attorney, who works closely with its members, to ensure air tight convictions. Its members obtain valuable information that is often passed on to other agencies.
You can eliminate the cost, but you cannot put a price on human life and wellbeing. It appears to me that a vital component of law enforcement is being eliminated because of politics!
I have worked with the task force many times. Sacco, Draper and Sobieraski bring nearly 100 years of law enforcement experience to the table.
Ask yourself this question; “Why wouldn’t I want Brett Sobieraski as my sheriff?”
Just when you think that you’ve seen it all!
Thomas O’Hearn, retired lieutenant
Albion Police Department
OC Rivals capture the Section VI Class B championship and a berth in the state playoffs
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Surrounded by his jubilant players OC Rivals Head Coach Eric Valley holds up the championship plaque moments after the Section VI Class B title win over West Seneca East at the University of Buffalo this evening.
Avenging their lone loss, the OC Rivals captured the Section VI Class B football championship and earned a berth in the up coming state playoffs by defeating West Seneca East 28-14 this evening at the University at Buffalo stadium.
The Rivals, which dropped a narrow 35-34 decision to the Trojans during the regular season, rebounded from a 14-13 half-time deficit to claim the championship by rallying for two unanswered fourth quarter touchdowns.
The Rivals rallied into the lead for good at 21-14 on a 14 yard touchdown run by Elijah Doxey and a two-point conversion carry by Noah Harrison.
“It feels really great,” said Doxey of capturing the sectional title..
“It feels great,” agreed Harrison.
Rivals running back Elijah Doxey breaks loose for the go ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
A 23 yard pass completion from quarterback Preston Woodworth to Doxey along with runs of 15 yards by Harrison and 13 yards by Doxey highlighted the go ahead drive.
“It’s amazing. It’s a great opportunity,” said quarterback Preston Woodworth of the championship victory.
Woodworth and his OC Rivals teammates will now play in the state Far West Regional at SUNY Brockport next Saturday against the Section V champion (either Honeoye Falls Lima or East/World of Inquiry).
The Rivals put a firm lock on the victory when Harrison scored on a one yard run and Preston tacked on the extra point kick with only 42 seconds remaining for a 28-14 lead.
Runs of 18 and 10 yards by Doxey and 15 by Harrison highlighted the drive.
However, the first half was a bit of a different story as West Seneca East took a 7-0 first quarter lead on a 7 yard touchdown run by Josh Urban and an extra point kick by Andrew Ross.
The Trojans maintained a 14-13 half-time advantage on a 41 yard TD run by Eric Johnson and another PAT kick by Ross with only 30 seconds to go in the second quarter.
In between those two Trojan scores the Rivals had tallied twice to take a brief 13-7 lead on touchdown runs of 21 yards by Doxey and 8 yards by Harrison with the second TD coming with just a minute to go in the half.
An interception by Hadrian Batista set up the first score and a bad snap on a Trojans punt attempt set up the second as the Rivals gained possession at the West Seneca East 29.
The Rivals missed opportunities to hold the lead at the half as penalties wiped out two apparent touchdowns in the second quarter.
“I’m just really pleased and proud of their effort,” said Rivals Head Coach Eric Valley. “They have really jelled as a team and this effort really says a lot about their character.”
The Rivals, which shared the B1 Division title with the Trojans at 6-1, will now take a 10-1 overall record into the state playoffs.
Hadrian Batista (3) signals touchdown as Noah Harrison get set to cross the goalline for the Rivals victory clinching TD in the final minute.
DA opposes ‘terrible decision’ with sudden shutdown of Major Felony Crime Task Force
File photo by Tom Rivers: District Attorney Susan Howard speaks during a June 2025 County Legislature meeting about a National Association of Counties award for the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force. Legislator Skip Draper is at right. The county received an “Achievement Award” for the Task Force for its collaborative efforts with local and regional law enforcement agencies.
ALBION – Orleans County District Attorney Susan Howard is angry that county officials chose to abruptly shut down the Major Felony Crime Task Force on Thursday.
Howard oversees the Task Force and was given no indication or notice that Task Force would be eliminated. The Task Force’s functions will be shifted to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, a move that County Chief Administrative Officer Jack Welch said would save nearly $400,000.
The Task Force operates with three full-time investigators. All are retired law enforcement officers who Howard said work at a reduced salary and benefits. She doesn’t see how there would be any cost savings if the Sheriff’s Office assumes the work of the Task Force.
She said the abrupt end jeopardizes ongoing cases, including recent arrests and others where arrests would have been forthcoming.
Howard issued the following statement this afternoon:
“Every Orleans County resident should be angry today.
“Chris Bourke and bureaucrats in the County Office Building are gutting public safety and making Orleans County more dangerous by eliminating the Major Felony Crime Task Force.
“Let me be crystal clear: Your family will be less safe because of this ludicrous decision. This Task Force has been the most effective crimefighting apparatus that has ever existed in Orleans County.
“Without the Major Felony Crime Task Force, there would be enough doses of fentanyl still on the street to kill the entire population of Orleans County.
“Without the Task Force, there would be a pound of illegal cocaine, hundreds of pounds of illegal marijuana and loaded illegal guns still on the street.
“Without the Task Force, there would be literally dozens of dangerous criminals roaming our neighborhoods instead of serving prison time.
“I could go on and on….
“So why on earth would anyone even consider eliminating the Major Felony Crime Task Force?
“Because Chris Bourke doesn’t want to face an opponent in next year’s election for Sheriff. It’s that simple, and it is the absolute worst of petty politics.
“On Tuesday, Brett Sobieraski announced his Republican campaign for Sheriff in next year’s election. The next day, a sudden announcement was made that the Task Force is being defunded and Brett and two other excellent and experienced law enforcement professionals were fired.
“As Orleans County District Attorney, I don’t endorse candidates for elective office. But I can weigh in with my professional assessment of people I’ve worked with.
“Brett Sobieraski is one of the most decorated law enforcement professionals to ever call Orleans County home. As an Investigator on the Task Force, he led and participated in countless cases that removed drugs, guns and dangerous criminals from our streets.
“Because of Brett’s work, I’ve been able to prosecute and put dangerous criminals where they belong – in State Prison. That’s just one of many reasons that Brett was named the Orleans Hub Citizen of the Year. Twice.
“Yet, today, this hero was escorted by security out of our office. Brett has spent his life putting criminals in jail, and today they treated him like he was a criminal.
“Losing one investigator’s 20 years of supervisory experience and another’s 40 years in law enforcement is a significant loss to Orleans County’s public safety, too.
“At a time when socialists are taking over Washington and Albany, now we have so-called ‘leaders’ here in Orleans County literally defunding the police.
“They’ve made an argument that eliminating the Task Force will save $400,000 in the $106 million County Budget. Now, I’m as much of a conservative Republican as you will find anywhere. But it’s terrible policy to save a few bucks by cutting the most effective law enforcement tool that we have. This would be like cutting food out of your monthly household budget and then wondering why everyone is hungry.
“To put it in perspective, in just the last two years the Task Force has seized more than $3,000,000 worth of illegal drugs and $340,000 in drug dealing proceeds.
“Without the Task Force, the Sheriff’s Office will have no one experienced in drug investigations, period.
“Eliminating the Major Felony Crime Task Force will put many cases that my office prosecutes in jeopardy. It is the wrong decision for the people of Orleans County, and it’s being done for the worst possible reason.
“I wholeheartedly oppose this terrible decision.”
‘Decorate the OC’ initiative to make decorations available to local groups
People working on floats for upcoming lighted parades welcome to check inventory on Sunday
Photo by Tom Rivers: Susan Oschmann, left, and Lynne Menz sort through some of the decorations owned by Menz’s cousin, Bill Goss. Oschmann is chairwoman of the committee planning Albion’s Christmas Parade on Dec. 12. She said there is a bountiful supply of decorations to help people with their floats at upcoming holiday parades. The decorations will be available on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Trolley Building at the fairgrounds.
By Isabella Zasa, staff writer
KNOWLESVILLE – Lynne Menz, a Medina native, Carlton resident, active volunteer and semi-retired creative director with the Orleans County Tourism Office, has found herself busy in a new role as estate administrator for a late family member’s home in the Hudson Valley.
Provided photo: William Joseph Goss or “Cousin Bill” is pictured in 1983 with his dog Brandy.
William Joseph Goss, known as “Cousin Bill” to the Menz family, died Dec. 21, 2025, at the age of 77 from natural causes in his home in Troy, NY. He was laid to rest with full military honors at Saratoga National Cemetery.
Bill was a foster child after his mother died when he was young. He went on to serve as a Vietnam veteran, work as an engineer for the New York State Department of Transportation and become a jazz DJ at an Albany radio station.
Each year, Bill joined the Menz family for its traditional Thanksgiving celebration, staying at Menz’s home and spending time on his arts and crafts projects. She recalled him stitching together leaves and looking forward to attending Medina’s annual Parade of Lights.
“He was a deeply creative and festive soul,” Menz said. “He was a curator and a crafty person. Decorating was his creative outlet after having a rough childhood.”
Bill’s home reflected that creative spirit year-round, with decorations displayed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The building also housed tenants, who nicknamed him “MacGyver,” Menz said. Bill was always searching the property for decorations, many of which were stored in several large bins
According to neighbors, Bill devoted nearly every waking hour to decorating his property, regularly changing displays to reflect the seasons. His home became a local landmark, and he was known for going above and beyond with his elaborate displays. Menz said there is even a photo on Google Earth showing Bill atop his roof, putting up decorations.
“His house was an attraction. People would always stop to take photos year-round,” she said.
As Menz and her family began cleaning out the estate, they discovered what she described as a Pandora’s box: a garage filled with holiday decorations. With the family’s permission, Menz brought the collection home and arranged to donate the decorations Bill had displayed on his property to Orleans County.
“It’s mind-blowing, as some of the items are brand new,” Menz said.
The leaders of the upcoming Christmas parades in Albion and Medina helped organize the items today for a sale on Sunday. Jim Hancock is the chairman of the Parade of Lights in Medina on Nov. 28 and Susan Oschmann is the chairwoman of the Albion parade on Dec. 12.
After making five or six trips between Carlton and Troy, Menz transported hundreds of high-quality decorations back to Orleans County as part of a new initiative she is calling “Decorate the OC.”
To help distribute the collection, Menz consulted with Gregory Hallock, executive director of GO Art!, and Robert Batt, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension. GO Art! has already put some of the decorations to use for its Halloween and Day of the Dead celebrations.
Menz, her family and volunteers are organizing the fall and Christmas decorations in the Trolley Building at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. The collection will include lights, lanterns, ornaments and decorative materials that can be used to enhance parade floats and seasonal displays.
Menz said the decorations will be for sale on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All proceeds from the project will be donated in Bill’s memory toward construction of the GO BARN! GO Art! is working to make the GO BARN! a cultural and agricultural center at the fairgrounds.
“My cousin left behind a legacy, which was to decorate, and I want to carry on his legacy,” Menz said. “I want to give back to my county and community.”
Most items will be available for $1 each or through a freewill offering. Some items may be priced higher, particularly those that are brand new. Menz said the collection includes high-quality decorations originally purchased from retailers such as Hobby Lobby, Home Depot and department stores.
“I hope the community comes and sees all the beautiful decorations my cousin had,” Menz said. “They will get to be the beneficiary of his creative expression.”
This group is shown with items collected by William Joseph Goss. From left include Aeddon Cayea, community programs lead for the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County; Jim Hancock, chairman of Medina’s Parade of Lights; Robert Batt, CCE executive director in Orleans County; Lynne Menz, cousin of William Goss; and Susan Oschmann, leader of the Charles W. Howard Hometown Parade in Albion on Dec. 12.
