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OCH has navigators available to explore health insurance options
MEDINA – With open enrollment for 2027 health coverage through the New York State Health Marketplace, Orleans Community Health is reminding residents of Orleans and Genesee counties that assistance is available to help individuals and families explore their health insurance options.
Open enrollment for 2027 health coverage began Nov. 1, and continues through Jan. 31, 2027. Residents are encouraged to review their current coverage, explore available plans and determine whether they qualify for financial assistance.
Orleans Community Health has a team of trained health insurance navigators ready to provide free, confidential assistance throughout the enrollment process.
Navigators can help residents:
- Apply for health insurance coverage.
- Renew or update existing coverage.
- Understand eligibility for financial assistance.
- Compare available health insurance options.
- Answer questions about the New York State of Health Marketplace.
Navigators are available Monday through Friday, with regular hours at Medina Memorial Hospital and the Batavia Dialysis Center. They also visit community locations, including Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, Yates Library, Richmond Memorial Library, Hoag Library, Community Action locations in Albion and Holley, Offices for the Aging, Albion Healthcare Center and Genesee County Job Development.
Residents are encouraged to contact the navigator team to ask questions or schedule appointments for assistance.
For information in Orleans County, call (585) 798-2476, or in Genesee County, call (585) 798-8125.
Medina native Anne Joynt elected to State Supreme Court
Photo by Tom Rivers: Anne Joynt speaks during a meet the candidate event on Oct. 10 in Albion at Hoag Library.
A Medina graduate has been elected to the State Supreme Court. Anne Joynt, a Democrat, is one of four candidates elected to the 8th Judicial District, which includes the counties of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming.
The race was too close to call on Election Day. But about a week later, with nearly all the ballots counted, Joynt is the winner over Jonathan Hickey, a Republican, by at least 6,000 votes.
There were seven candidates on the ballot for the justice positions with the top four vote-getters elected.
Robert Richardson (backed by Democrats, Republicans and Conservatives) led with 474,774 votes, followed by Michael Amodeo (endorsed by Democrats, Republicans and Working Families) with 444,280 votes. Deanne Tripi (backed by Republican and Conservative parties) was elected and currently has 284,819 votes. They were all clear winners right after Election Day.
Anne Joynt (on the Democratic and Working Families lines) was just ahead of Jonathan Hickey (Republican and Conservative) on election night. The latest totals have her at 268,807 votes and Hickey at 262,195.
Craig Bucki (Democratic and Working Families lines) is at 251,419 and Robert Vario, backed by the Conservative Party, has 55,026 votes.
“While the formal certification of election results will take some time, the information presently available indicates that we will not prevail in this year’s race,” Hickey posted on Facebook. “Although I am certainly disappointed in the outcome, I fully respect and accept the results.”
Joynt graduated from Medina in 1998. She is the daughter of former Medina teacher/principal Cathy Joynt and the late Robert Joynt. Her mother appeared in one of Joynt’s television ads.
Joynt graduated from Geneseo magna cum laude with degrees in English and Spanish. She enrolled at the University at Buffalo Law School and graduated with her Juris Doctor in 2005.
In her second year of law school, Anne saw an ad that a State Supreme Court candidate was looking for someone to help with her campaign. She went on to assist with the campaign of the Honorable Paula Feroleto, who is retiring this year. Joynt will assume the seat of her mentor.
Joynt is a partner with the firm Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford. Her clients include injured workers exposed to asbestos, children exposed to lead paint, and abused children.
She also has been involved as a member or in a leadership role with the Western New York Women’s Foundation; University at Buffalo Law School Alumni Association; Girls on the Run; Women’s TAP Fund; the Center for Elder Law and Justice; the Erie County Bar Association Aid to Indigent Prisoners Society; the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (Upstate Chapter); National Federation for Just Communities; and the Minority Bar Foundation.
She has also volunteered with the Western New York Board of Directors of Geneseo State College; the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, WNY Chapter; Bar Association of Erie County; Buffalo and Erie County Public Library; and Law Intern Program of Buffalo.
Her honors include “Top 100 Trial Lawyers in New York, National Trial Lawyers, 2025; Best Lawyers in America; University at Buffalo Law School Distinguished Alumni Award- Community Service; Upstate New York Super Lawyer; Woman Lawyer of the Year; Attorney of the Year Leader in Law Award; Woman of Influence by Buffalo Business First; Medina High School’s Distinguished Alumni Award; 2014/15 Woman in Leadership, Buffalo Niagara Chapter; Buffalo 40 Under 40 by Buffalo Business First; and Women in Leadership by NAWBO Buffalo-Niagara.”
She has been admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court and New York State Supreme Court.
(Includes reporting by Ginny Kropf.)
Knights of Columbus in Medina donates $3K to organization serving veterans
Photo and information courtesy of Knights of Columbus in Medina
MEDINA – The Knights of Columbus in Medina presented a check for $3,000 to Operation Honor with proceeds from a summer golf tournament.
Operation Honor is a local non-profit organization that exists solely to support Orleans County veterans, assisting them will bills and other expenses.
Pictured from left, bottom row: Aaron Feltz, Dave Bellucci, Kevin Bogan and Skip Draper. Back row: Bob Fox, Steve Winans, Jenn Thom of Operation Honor, Howie Gardner and Jim Mirand.
Winans is a US Navy veteran, while Gardner is a US Army veteran.
The Knights will be hosting the 2nd Annual Operation Honor Cornhole Tournament on Saturday.
Public’s help sought in finding missing Holley native, Scott Davis
A former Holley man has been missing for about six weeks, his family said.
Scott Davis, 39, has been living in Marion, Wayne County. The Finger Lakes Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team filed a missing person’s report on Oct. 27.
Anyone who has seen Davis or knows information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911 or Tammy Noble, a recovery center specialist, at 585-360-6444.
Davis is known to frequent locations in Orleans, Monroe and Wayne counties.
Mark’s Pizzeria moving to Main Street plaza in Albion, adding a sports bar
Photo by Tom Rivers: Brian Christiaansen is shown outside the former KFC and then Mecate Mexican Restaurant, where he will relocate Mark’s Pizzeria in Albion, with a sports bar going next door at the former location of Chia Sen, a Chinese restaurant.
ALBION – The Albion community will soon be getting a bigger Mark’s Pizzeria with a dine-in option, and a sports bar to follow.
Brian Christiaansen, owner of Mark’s Pizzeria in Albion, is moving the business from South Clinton Street to the plaza on South Main, at the former location of Mecate Mexican Restaurant and a KFC before that.
Christiaansen expects to move the Mark’s Pizzeria and have it ready in January. The site also has a drive-through window where he plans to offer slices and beverages.
“This will give us more room,” he said on Tuesday at the location where contractors have been busy. “The other building is tired, and worn down.”
He also is working to open a sports bar next to new Mark’s at the former Chia Sen, a Chinese restaurant at 170 South Main St.
This will become Tapped on Main II, and will be very similar to the sports bar he and his wife Lisa run on Main Street in Medina. The Albion sports bar should open in the spring, Christiaansen said.
The Albion community has been very supportive of Mark’s Pizzeria over the years, and he wants to offer the dine-in option and also provide the sports bar experience.
Both Mecate and Chia Sen recently closed, making the two sites available.
Christiaansen has been a Mark’s Pizzeria owner for more than 30 years. He started at age 22 as owner of the Mark’s in Hamlin in 1995. He also briefly owned sites in Brockport and Bushnell’s Basin.
He has been a long-term presence as Mark’s owner in Albion and Medina, and also is co-owner of the Mark’s in Newfane with Chris Marquardt. The two have been long-time business partners and friends. Marquardt also is a contractor and he is leading the renovations of the new Mark’s and Tapped on Main in Albion.
Christiaansen opened the Mark’s in Medina in 1997 with Albion following in 2007, and then Newfane in 2011. The three Mark’s sites have about 70 employees.
He was honored by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce last week with the “Businessperson of the Year” award for his steady growth at the Mark’s Pizzeria sites and with Tapped on Main in Medina, and his efforts to grow in Albion.
“Throughout his journey, Brian credits much of his success to the people around him,” said Darlene Hartway, the Chamber director. “His wife’s involvement and support have been essential to the growth of his businesses. He is especially proud of the employees and business partners who have worked alongside him over the years, recognizing that their dedication and contributions have helped make his success possible.”
NY signs on to DOT program to help veterans get commercial driver licenses
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
As New York honors active and retired members of our military services, Governor Hochul today announced New York’s participation in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Even Exchange” program to provide opportunities for service members to put their military training to work as commercial drivers.
Under the program, qualified applicants who have been trained and educated to operate heavy equipment and machinery in the military will be able to use that experience to demonstrate the necessary knowledge to qualify for a Commercial Driver License (CDL), bypassing the need for a DMV written permit test.
“Keeping our economy growing and moving means we need qualified people to move goods across New York and the country, and those who have served proudly in the military are uniquely suited to do that,” Governor Hochul said. “This is not only a chance to give back to those who have protected us, but to also continue to make life affordable for New York families by ensuring we have the drivers necessary to give them more and better access to goods and services they use each day.”
This program will work in conjunction with the current Military Skills Test Waiver Program, which allows military personnel who are currently licensed or who have been employed operating the military equivalent of a commercial vehicle within the last two years to waive the road/skills test. Nationwide, more than 40,000 people have taken advantage of this opportunity since the program’s inception, including more than 3,100 New Yorkers.
New York State Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner Dr. Viviana M. DeCohen said, “Our service members develop highly specialized skills, sound judgment, and an exceptional work ethic while serving our nation, and those qualifications should open doors to meaningful civilian employment. I applaud Governor Hochul for recognizing the tremendous value of military experience and taking practical steps to help veterans and transitioning service members put their training to work in New York’s economy. By participating in the Even Exchange program, New York State is helping create a more direct pathway from military service to civilian careers, reducing unnecessary obstacles and ensuring that the skills our veterans have already earned are recognized, respected, and put to good use.”
Shelby faces 22% tax hike in town budget
Photos by Tom Rivers: Town of Shelby residents, Darlene Scharping (left) and Mike Zelazny both spoke during a public hearing on the Shelby town budget on Tuesday. They urged the Town Board to try to reduce a proposed tax increase. “We just pay, pay, pay and it’s not getting any better,” Scharping said.
SHELBY – Town of Shelby property owners will likely be facing a steep tax increase in their town taxes in 2027, Town Board members said during a public hearing on Tuesday about the preliminary budget which shows a 22 percent tax increase.
Town Supervisor Jim Heminway said the board has meticulously gone through the budget over nine meetings, and he doesn’t see any more significant cuts or revenue to whittle down the tax increase. The board will have another meeting before finalized the budget which must be done by Nov. 20. The final budget meeting date hasn’t been set yet.
Heminway said the town dwindled down its fund balance in the 2024 and 2025 budgets, leaving the board with little left to help offset taxes. With less fund balance and a $100,000 increase in an ambulance contract, Shelby has no choice but to raise taxes, Heminway said during the public hearing on Tuesday.
Town Supervisor Jim Heminway said town officials have worked diligently to try to reduce a tax hike in the 2027 budget.
“It’s a painful process but the numbers don’t lie,” Heminway said. “None of us wants to see the taxes go up. It means we have to pay more, too. Everyone sitting on this board is a taxpayer, too.”
Shelby’s preliminary budget sets spending at $2,483,643. That is up from the $2,271,132 in 2026, but also down significantly from the $2,732,759 in 2024 and $3,045,220 in 2025.
The town will be paying the Village of Medina an additional $100,000 in an ambulance contract for 2027 – from $35,000 to $135,000. Heminway said other increases – fuel, health insurance, utilities, salaries – are driving up the town’s budget.
Shelby has a much smaller fund balance, money that accumulated and was unspent. In 2024, the town used $917,939 in fund balance followed by $961,139 to offset property taxes. In 2026, the town was down to $241,000 in fund balance and next year’s budget would only utilize $150,000.
With less money in the bank with the fund balance, Heminway said the board needs to resort to property taxes to keep the roads maintained and plowed, the town hall functioning and other core duties of the town government.
The budget would increase the tax levy by 21.9 percent or by $241,960 – from $1,103,227 to $1,345,187.
Despite that increase, the tax rate will go down due to a big jump in tax assessments. The town’s overall assessed value increased by 32.2 percent or by $97.5 million from $302.2 million to $399.7 million. The assessments outside the village increased 39.6 percent or by $71.2 million from $179.8 million to $251.0 million.
The rate for village property owners in the town will drop from $2.24 per $1,000 of assessed property to $1.99, while the outside village rate will decrease from $4.61 per $1,000 to $4.19, according to the preliminary budget.
During the public hearing, two residents said they were concerned by the tax increase. Mike Zelazny and Darlene Scharping noted the significant hike.
Scharping said residents are feeling cost increases everywhere.
“We’re taxed too death,” she said. “We just pay, pay, pay and it’s not getting any better.”
Town Councilwoman Linda Limina said excessive use of the fund balance by board in 2024 and 2025 left the current board in a difficult position where a tax increase is unavoidable.
“We are now down to pretty much the bare minimum,” she said about the current budget. “And it’s getting expensive to run the bare minimum.”
Councilman Larry Waters said he and the board members have been diligent in reducing expenses in the 2027 budget.
“We went over every line, forwards and backwards,” he said. “We are really trying our very best.”
John Parada, a local resident, said he attended nearly all the budget workshops and has seen the board members agonize over the budget.
“They have cut as much as they could,” he said.
Section VI Class C title test Friday for Barker/Roy-Hart against a familiar foe
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Carter DerSarkissian and his Barker/Roy-Hart teammates will face Chautauqua/Westfield/Brocton in the Section VI Class C championship game at 2 p.m. Friday at the University of Buffalo stadium.
Barker/Roy-Hart will be facing a familiar foe when the Bulls take on Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton in the Section VI Class C football championship game at 2 p.m. Friday at the University at Buffalo Stadium.
Last fall Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton defeated Barker/Roy-Hart 30-13 in the Class C semifinals at Barker.
“They are a well coached team with a young quarterback that’s improved a great deal throughout the season,” said Barker/Roy-Hart Head Coach Bill Bruning. “They are a multi formation team that is run heavy with a play action passing game. Defense is their strength.”
Chautauqua Lake is led on the ground by the duo of Tristen Gibbs (783 yards rushing, 10 touchdowns) and Thandon Bensink (380 yards, 5 TDs). Quarterback Josh Swan has passed for 820 yards and 13 TDs while Ian Kinderman has 16 receptions for 377 yards and 8 TDs.
The Barker/Roy-Hart ground attack is spearheaded by Carter DerSarkissian who has rushed for 2,005 yards and 32 TDs. Aaron Bowerman has 720 yards rushing and 5 TDs and Owen Maedl 330 yards and 6 TDs
Bulls quarterback Max Townsend had thrown for 365 yards and 7 TDs. Ashton Ark has 18 receptions for 188 yards and 4 TDs and DerSarkissian 8 for 116 yards and 3 TDs.
Barker/Roy-Hart advanced to the title contest by defeating Clymer/Sherman/Panama 24-20 in the semifinals while Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton blanked Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove 14-0.
The Bulls bring a 9-1 record into the finals while the Lakers are 7-3.
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Arc GLOW celebrates five years of 4-county agency serving people with disabilities
Organization has expanded programs, invested in facilities
Photos by Tom Rivers: This photo from Sept. 14 shows officials and supporters for Arc GLOW cutting the ribbon for the agency’s new office in Albion for Community Services and Self-Direction at 438 West Ave. Jill Pegelow, vice president of community services and self direction for Arc GLOW, holds the scissors for the ribbon-cutting.
Press Release, Arc GLOW
In 2021, the Arc of Genesee Orleans and The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming joined together to form Arc GLOW.
Five years later, the agency continues to grow its programs, facilities, and community impact across Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties. This year alone, Arc GLOW held two ribbon cuttings: one for the new Golisano IRA in Le Roy and the new Community Services and Self-Direction location at 438 West Ave. in Albion.
Additional projects are underway, including the development of a Direct Support Training (DSP) Training Center, located at Arc GLOW’s administrative site at 18 Main St. in Mt. Morris and the Arc GLOW Community Center in Batavia. Renovations have also begun to transform the Hilltop sheltered workshop into the Career Exploration Center, a prevocational program aiming to promote community integration, expand volunteer opportunities, and provide meaningful job‑skills training.
In 2023, Arc GLOW bought the former Leicester school on Mount Morris Road to use for their day habilitation, community pre-vocational and recreation programs. In 2024, the agency was honored to be amongst the 82 non-profit organizations to receive funding from Tom Golisano, who donated $5 million to the agency.
Arc GLOW has launched innovative programs that create new opportunities for people with IDD. The Genesee IGNITE (Inspiring Growth & Nurturing Independence Through Education) college experience program, in partnership with SUNY Genesee Community College, came into existence after the success of L.I.V.E.S. (Learning, Independence, Vocational and Educational Skills), which is in partnership with SUNY Geneseo, allowing the agency to expand their inclusive college experience program.
Brittany Glasier, a behavior specialist with Arc GLOW, paints a temporary tattoo on Tammy Cummings of Barker as part of the 5th Annual Jonathan Doherty and Gladys Hopper Self-Advocacy Day on May 30 at the Trolley Building, which is at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
The Arts Collective is a new initiative where the people with IDD build confidence, make connections, and showcase unique talents while having fun and trying something new. Performances, in partnership with GO ART!, and made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the governor and New York State Legislature and administered by GO ART!
“While we celebrate five years as Arc GLOW, we also recognize the 65 years of history, dedication, and commitment that brought us to this moment. That legacy is the people we have supported, the people who have been helped to lead more fulfilling and successful lives, as enabled and lifted every day by our families, volunteers, community partners, and the talented and dedicated professionals that make us go!” said Eric Parker, Arc GLOW board president, during Arc GLOW’s annual award dinner and meeting. “I am incredibly proud of what Arc GLOW has accomplished in five years, especially in the last year, and even more excited about what lies ahead.”
Martin Miskell, Arc GLOW CEO, highlighted some of the successes as a result of the merger during the meeting:
- Arc GLOW now supports about 2,000 people across Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties, and have grown to more than 1,100 employees in full-time, part-time and per diem positions.
- Arc GLOW has invested in updating and expanding their fleet and now own roughly 325 vehicles.
- Invested into infrastructure upgrades across homes and programs to ensure Arc GLOW has safe, accessible, modern and efficient resources which support people with IDD and its employees.
- Invested in IT systems and phones, as well as strengthened cybersecurity.
- The return of the Guardianship program.
- The increase in Arc GLOW outreach with community partners and referrals.
- Arc GLOW invested over $9 million in updating and expanding their fleet and now has roughly 325 vehicles.
- Over the past five years, $1.8 million has been invested into infrastructure upgrades at agency homes and programs to ensure Arc GLOW has safe, accessible, modern and efficient resources to support people with IDD and their employees.
“None of this happens because of one person or one department. It happens because of our dedicated employees, the individuals and families who trust us, our Board of Directors, volunteers, donors and community partners,” Miskell said. “As we celebrate five years of Arc GLOW, we can be proud of what we have built together, and even more excited about what comes next.”
Members and supporters of Arc GLOW and the Self Advocate All-Stars marched in the Albion Strawberry Festival Parade on June 14, 2025, and some carried signs including this one, “Be Kind, For Everyone You Meet is Fighting A Battle.”
Miskell outlined Arc GLOW’s 2027 goals, which include:
- Growing recreation opportunities for adults and children.
- Continuously looking at ways to save money and increase revenue to be financially viable and sustain the agency’s mission.
- Continued efforts and dedication to the agency’s Strategic Plan with the four focus areas of: creating a culture of flexibility, growth and development to attract and retain staff; adaption of program offerings to align with evolving community needs and interests; increase discretionary revenue to help the agency grow and sustain their mission; and creation of a strong community brand to bring Arc GLOW more awareness, more support and new opportunities.
“While five years is an important milestone, it’s also just the beginning,” Miskell said. “Here’s to celebrating where we’ve been, recognizing where we are today, and looking forward to all that we will accomplish together in the years ahead.”
To learn more about Arc GLOW and support its mission, visit ArcGLOW.org.
