Page Sponsor
Steampunk culture embraced at GO Art! event at Fairgrounds
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – A woman dressed in Steampunk outfit pops smoke bubbles during a concert by Celtic Cross. The band performed on the stage at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds during the Shakesbeer Steampunk Festival.
The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council planned the festival that celebrates the inventive, retro-futuristic world of steampunk, which imagines a past that never happened and a future that never was. Steampunk blends 19th-century Victorian society with retro-futuristic, steam-powered technology.
Tom Keefer, left, and Michael Miskuly of Celtic Cross dressed in steampunk outfits for their concert.
Michael Miskuly performed with an electric violin and took the music close to the crowd.
Nathan Miller of Fairport was one of the vendors for the festival. He creates steampunk weaponry using a 3-D printer and paint. Many of these items are like Nerf guns that he sells for $30 to $35. They are quite popular, he said. He also sells steampunk-themed journals.
Jackie Swaby, the educator director and gallery curator for GO Art!, served as tea master during a tea dueling competition featuring sisters, Indigo and Pretty. Jodi Fisher, program director and Statewide Community Retreat coordinator for GO Art!, judged the contest. “Frederick the Fool” in back right was an entertainer during the festival.
With tea dueling, the competitors need to dunk biscuits in a hot tea. Swaby made the concoction which was a blend of her own organic tea.
There was an artisan market featuring handmade goods and steampunk-inspired creations.
The festival also had beer-tastings, a costume contest, interactive activities and food vendors.
Governor signs legislation quadrupling state tax credit for volunteer firefighters, ambulance workers
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
Photo by Darren McGee/Office of the Governor – Gov. Kathy Hochul signs legislation today quadrupling New York State Tax Credit for Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance workers. She also presented a check for $1 million to Hempstead Fire Department for new radios.
Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to quadruple New York State’s personal income tax credit for eligible volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers, providing financial relief to first responders who dedicate their time to protecting communities across the state.
“Keeping New York safe and affordable is my highest priority. Today, I’m proud to sign into law a bill that recognizes the sacrifices that all volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers make,” Governor Hochul said. “These brave New Yorkers put their lives on the line to protect their neighbors, often sacrificing time with their families and loved ones. This tax credit puts more money back in their pockets and shows our appreciation for the lifesaving services they provide every day.”
A.6790-A/S.6233-A increases the annual personal income tax credit from $200 to $800 for individuals and from $400 to $1,600 for married couples. The increased credit will apply beginning in tax year 2027, allowing eligible New Yorkers to claim the benefit when filing their taxes in 2028. Under the new law, eligible volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers may claim either the increased state income tax credit or a qualifying local property tax exemption.
This legislation furthers the Governor’s ongoing commitment to New York’s volunteer first responders as they strengthen their recruitment and retention efforts. The Governor has previously signed legislation allowing local governments to offer volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers a property tax exemption of up to 10 percent, established a first-in-the-state training stipend program that has supported more than 5,500 firefighters completing foundational training, authorized volunteer departments to bill insurance providers for emergency medical services, and invested in the Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment (V-FIRE) grant program to help departments upgrade facilities and purchase critical firefighting equipment.
Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Terry O’Leary said, “In addition to protecting their neighbors, New York’s volunteer fire departments are often a part of the fabric of their communities. Whether through the creation of the V-FIRE grant or the Volunteer Firefighter Training Stipend, Governor Hochul has continuously been a strong supporter of New York’s volunteer fire service and the expansion of this tax credit further demonstrates that commitment.”
Firefighters Association of the State of New York President Donald Farrell said, “Volunteer firefighters across New York show up at 3 a.m. without asking why. They leave their families, their jobs and their beds to answer the call, and they do it for free. Governor Hochul showed up for them. She listened to volunteers from every corner of this state, she understood what they were up against, and she made this tax credit a priority.”
Protest in Albion speaks out against ICE arrests, ‘No Kings’
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Betty Garcia Mathewson of Albion speaks during a protest today on Main Street in Albion focused on many local people being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The protest also was timed by nationwide “No Kings” rallies speaking out against executive overreach by President Donald Trump and an erosion of democratic principles and rights in the country.
Mathewson has long been an advocate for farmworkers. She said many of those workers in Orleans County recently have been detained by ICE.
“This is not the America I grew up in,” Mathewson told a crowd of about 30 people carrying signs. “All people deserve due process.”
Mathewson said the ICE arrests are disrupting families and dividing the country, falsely blaming immigrants for economic hardships.
“The people they are taking have been our neighbors for years,” she said.
Some of the protestors had signs against “No Kings” to highlight opposition to Trump’s authoritarian tendencies and expansion of executive powers.
Gary Kent holds a sign, “Democracy Dies In Silence.”
Many of the “No Kings” rallies urged people to use early voting in the upcoming midterm elections and try to empower a new Congress to rein in the president’s powers.
Trump has expanded ICE in his second term, with ICE officers more than doubling from about 10,000 when Trump’s second term started in January 2025 to over 22,000 now. The daily ICE detention population is up from about 40,000 at the start of Trump’s second term to about 70,000 people now.
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” signed in July 2025 infused tens of billions of dollars into immigration enforcement, authorizing an additional $45 billion specifically for detention through 2029.
Librada Paz of Brockport has been outspoken for many years about labor rights for farmworkers. In 2012, she received the Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Award for her work to improve the lives and working conditions of farmworkers.
Paz said ICE has stepped up raids in Albion and the surrounding communities in the past two months. She said people are being picked up by ICE at the laundromat, while waiting at farm fields, and at their housing in the community.
She said they are often held at the federal detention facility in Batavia before being transfer much farther away, where it becomes more difficult to fight their cases legally because they are away from a support system.
“The citizens of Albion may not realize that a lot of people are being taken,” Paz said.
Betty Garcia Mathewson and her daughter Sienna stand near the intersection of Main Street and East Park Street to show their support for immigrants.
Garcia Mathewson said the country has long failed to update its immigration policies putting many people in vulnerable position even if they have no criminal record and years of contributing to the community.
She said many families are mixed with one spouse having legal standing to be in the country while others were kept out of the legal system.
“We are here telling the immigrants that there are people who care and are pissed off they are doing this to you,” she said about the ICE enforcement actions.
Lyndonville/Barker and Holley will open Class C1 boys soccer sectionals at home
Seeded No. 8, Lyndonville/Barker will open Section V Class C1 boys soccer playoff competition by hosting No. 9 Pembroke at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Lyndonville. The winner will visit top seeded East Rochester on Saturday.
Holley is seeded No. 3 in Class C1 and the Hawks will open at home on Saturday at 7 against the winner of Wednesday’s No. 11 Red Creek vs. No. 6 Bloomfield game.
Kendall, which is seeded No. 9 in Class C2, will open at No. 8 Perry at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The winner will visit No. 1 Geneseo on Saturday.
Kendall girls earn No. 1 seed in Class C2; Holley is No. 3 seed in Class C1
Kendall, which went 15-1 during the regular season, has earned the No. 1 seed for the Section V Class C2 girls soccer tournament which begins this coming week.
Kendall will open at home on Friday against the winner of Tuesday’s game between No. 9 Warsaw and No. 8 Naples.
Holley, which posted a 10-5-1 regular season record, is the No. 3 seed in Class C1 and will host No. 14 Letchworth at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The victor will advance to Friday’s quarterfinal against the winner of Tuesday’s No. 6 Geneseo vs. No. 11 Cuba Rushford/Bolivar Richburg game.
Barker boys and Akron girls score wins at the annual N-O cross-country All-League meet
Photos by Tom Rivers: Quinn O’Malley, an Akron sophomore, is out in front while running along the Lake Ontario shoreline in today’s boys race for the Niagara-Orleans Cross-Country Championship at Lakeside Beach State Park in Carlton. O’Malley won the race in a time of 17:39.97.
The Barker boys and Akron girls teams both completed undefeated Niagara-Orleans League Cross-Country championship seasons with victories at the annual All League meet held this morning at Lakeside Beach State Park.
The Barker boys, which went 6-0 during the dual meet portion of the season, took top honors today with 31 points followed by Medina 69, Albion 77, Akron 78, Newfane 101 and Wilson 190.
Peyton Wagner, a Barker senior, finished second in the boys race for the second straight year. He ran the 5K in 17:53, with Cole Hughes of Medina in third at 18:03. Wagner led the Barker team to its third straight league title.
The Akron girls, which likewise went 6-0 during the regular season, won today’s race with 37 points followed by Newfane 42, Albion 74, Barker 76 and Medina 120.
Akron’s Quinn O’Malley won the boys race in a time of 17:39.97. He was followed in order by Peyton Wagner (Barker), Cole Hughes (Medina), Grayson Prynn (Barker), Logan Wagner (Barker), John Murphy (Newfane) and Jonathan Dix (Medina) to complete the All League first team.
The All-League second team, which is composed of runners finishing 8-14, includes, in order, Stryker Sanders (Albion), Hunter Sweeney (Barker), Matt Bloom (Albion), Chace Atwater (Barker), Peyton Waterbury (Akron), Niall Boyle (Medina) and Anthony Taliaferro (Barker).
Eden Hillman, a Newfane freshman, won the girls race for the third straight year. She completed the curse in 20:14, more than a minute ahead of the second place finisher.
Newfane’s Eden Hillman was a repeat winner in the girls race with a time of 20:14.05. She was followed across the finish line in order by Abigail Bower (Akron), Jenn Achtyl (Newfane), Hayden Barlow (Wilson), Aleece O’Malley (Akron), Kylee Rebmann (Akron) and Mirabelle Strong (Barker) to round out the All League first team.
The All League second team (runners 8-14), in order, includes Hannah Monaco (Barker), Kendall Dzierzanowski (Wilson), Aine Davis (Barker), Makayla Pask (Akron), Marissa Bryant (Roy-Hart), Mackenzie Hill (Newfane) and Adele Mathes (Albion).
Abigail Bower, an Akron sophomore, was second with a time of 21:17. She led the Akron team to winning the girls title, breaking Newfane’s 11-year run as league champs.
Adele Mathes, right, was the first Albion girl to finish followed by teammate Aubrey Bruning. They were 14th and 15th overall, respectively.
Albion, R-H/Medina will open girls soccer sectionals on the road; Barker/Lynd. at home
Albion and Roy-Hart/Medina will both open Section VI girls soccer playoff competition on the road this coming week.
Seeded No. 9, Albion will visit No. 8 Southwestern at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the opening round of the Section VI Class B girls soccer playoffs.
The winner will advance to a Saturday contest at No. 1 Allegany-Limestone.
Roy-Hart/Medina, which is seeded No. 10, will visit No. 7 Iroquois at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in the opening round of the Class A playoffs.
The victor will face the winner of the No. 13 Dunkirk vs. No. 2 Starpoint game on Saturday.
Barker/Lyndonville, which is seeded No. 8, will host No. 9 Franklinville at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in a Class C opener. The winner will visit No. 1 seed Wilson on Saturday.
Also in Class B on Wednesday No. 12 Newfane will visit No. 6 Salamanca. Akron, which is seeded No. 2 , will open at home on Saturday against the winner of Wednesday’s game between No. 7 Silver Creek/Forestville and No. 10 Tonawanda.
Wilson wins to even N-O field hockey record
Wilson downed rival Newfane 7-2 this morning to regain the .500 mark at 5-5 in Niagara-Orleans League field hockey competition.
Taylor Ernest and Brynn Lepsch both scored 3 goals and Julia Durkee 1 for Wilson.
Grace Seib had a goal for Newfane which is now 2-8.
N-O Standings – Akron 10-0, Barker 9-2, Wilson 5-5, Kenmore 5-5, Medina 3-7, Newfane 2-8, Roy-Hart 2-9.
Purple Eagles and Mustangs will open Sec. VI Class B soccer sectionals with home games
Albion and Medina will both be opening the Section VI Class B boys soccer playoffs with home games this coming week.
Albion, which is seeded No. 16, will host No. 17 Pine Valley-Gowanda at 3:30 p.m. Monday. The winner will then visit No. 1 seed Lafayette on Tuesday.
Medina, which is seeded No. 7, will host No. 10 Tonawanda at 4 p.m. Tuesday. The victor will then face the winner of Tuesday’s No. 16 Olmsted vs. No. 2 Allegany-Limestone game on Thursday.
Also in Class B, No. 4 Akron will host No. 13 Cassadaga Valley-Falconer at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday and No. 11 Newfane will visit No. 6 Southwestern at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
In Class C, No. 10 Roy-Hart will visit No. 10 Holland at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
Wilson is seeded No. 1 in Class C and will open at home on Thursday against the winner of Tuesday’s game between No. 8 Silver Creek-Forestville and No. 9 Frewsburg.
Holley board won’t vote to dissolve police this year, but expects to make cuts
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Holley Police station is located at 8 Thomas St. The department has been in Holley since 1930.
HOLLEY – The Village Board won’t be voting anytime soon to dissolve the police department or put the issue to a public vote.
Instead, the Village Board will look to reduce spending in the department in the village budget, with dissolution a possible focus the following year, said Holley Mayor Mark Bower.
The mayor said he values the police department but also is aware of a high tax burden for village residents. He praised the Holley Police Department for its quick response on Tuesday when a man who was allegedly highly intoxicated fired multiple gun shots from a Geddes Street address. That man was taken into custody without anyone being harmed.
The Village Board said the police budget accounts for over $500,000 to village taxpayers each year. That is precisely $523,973 of the village’s $2,165,925 budget in 2026-27.
Mayor Bower said the board is determined to try to bring down the tax burden in the village. Residents and some of the larger businesses in Holley tell him the taxes are too high in the village.
The Holley PD has a chief, two full-time officers and six part-timers. There are officers on duty nearly 24-7. There are currently two night shifts not filled each week.
Bower said the village will look to make some reductions to bring down costs but won’t be looking at dissolving the department this budget cycle or in the 2027-28 fiscal year.
