By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 November 2025 at 11:11 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Volunteers at the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen are getting a Thanksgiving feast ready for 500 people today. The “OK Kitchen” will be serving the meals from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Harvest Christian Fellowship, 560 East Ave. Volunteers also will be delivering take-outs.
Mary Delamarter, front, gets the celery and onions ready for the stuffing. In back, at left, are Kris Witkop sauteing the celery and onions and Cinthia Echevarria stirring the gravy for the turkey.
Joyce Fudge marks trays of green bean casserole. The fellowship hall is ready for people to have a Thanksgiving meal.
These volunteers are shown inside the kitchen at about 10:20 a.m. Some of them arrived at 8 a.m. today. The Ok Kitchen and volunteers have been working on the meal throughout the week.
From left include Dana Bolton, Mary Delamarter, Kris Witkop, Cinthia Echevarria, Joyce Fudge, Sandy Shingleton, Cindy Moore and Robin Zaczek.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 27 November 2025 at 9:12 am
Provided photo: Jaye Sullivan, who co-chairs the Decorate Medina Committee with Eric Watson, fetches extension cords on Sunday for the lights, while committee members in back work at putting up the giant festive words donated by Takeform on the railing overlooking East Center Street.
MEDINA – Just in time for the Parade of Lights on Saturday evening, the Decorate Medina Committee, Medina Lions and village DPW have completed putting up the decorations which have made Medina famous.
It was more than 40 years ago when the late Rev. Burt Entrekin visited another village out of state and saw it ornately decorated for the Christmas holiday.
“He came home and said he wanted to see Medina look like that,” said Jaye Sullivan, who has been on the committee for most of those years and now chairs it with Eric Watson.
Entrekin formed a committee and spearheaded fundraising, and Decorate Medina has continued to spread Christmas cheer every year throughout the downtown.
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Candy canes and lollipops line the walkways in Rotary Park, while reindeer and Santa’s sleigh are adorned with real evergreens, all thanks to the efforts of the Decorate Medina Committee, headed by Jaye Sullivan and Eric Watson. At left, the giant Christmas tree is ready and waiting for the lighting ceremony Saturday at 5 p.m., to kick off the Parade of Lights.
Over the years, decorations have been improved and added, with the village DPW responsible for installing the garland and lights over Main and Center streets and the lights on two giant trees in State Street Park; the Medina Lions took on setting up the Nativity scene across State Street Park; and the committee headed by Sullivan and Watson decorating Rotary Park.
Rotary Park has become the permanent location for the house which becomes Santa’s headquarters during holiday time. Every year the Decorate Medina Committee sets up a sleigh with reindeer, candy canes and lollipops along the walkways and a photo booth. Takeform provides and donates a sign with the current year each holiday season. They also made and donated giant letters on the railing facing East Center Street, which read “Peace, Joy, Love.”
“This year we put fresh greens on the sleigh and reindeer,” Sullivan said. “They look so nice.”
Other committee members are Mary Woodruff, publicity; David Sevenski, Sue and Kevin DeHollander, Lynn Woodruff, Jen Hill, Peter Kaiser, Jason Watts, Matt Kennedy, Barb Gorham, Mary Lewis and Maureen Sanderson.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 November 2025 at 8:33 am
Debbie Taylor of East Shelby sent in this photo of a snow-covered landscape on Bigford Road.
A few inches of snow fell overnight in Orleans County. A wind advisory remains in effect until 1 a.m. for Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming and Chautauqua counties.
Today is forecast for a high of 39 degrees. It will be mostly sunny with a slight chance of snow showers tonight, according to National Weather Service in Buffalo.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 November 2025 at 8:14 am
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s veteran group includes, in front, Hannah Fox, Isabella Groves and Alexa Robinson. In back are Rylan Townsend, Annalee Clark, Emily Dill and Lilly Raduns.
Anchored by a good group of seven returnees, Lyndonville is prepping for the Lady Tigers non league home season opener against Roy-Hart on December 3.
Lyndonville’s veteran contingent includes seniors Rylan Townsend, Isabella Groves, Lilly Raduns and Emily Dill along with juniors Hannah Fox and Annalee Clark and sophomore Alexa Robinson.
“We’ve got a lot of talent, a lot of grit and we’re looking to build on last year,” said Co-Coach Katelyn Draper.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge,” added Co-Coach Lee Dillenbeck.
The Lady Tigers main graduation loss was Addison Dillenbeck.
Lyndonville, which went 5-8 in the Genesee Region League and 12-9 overall last year, will open G-R competition at Oakfield-Alabama on Dec. 9.
Contributed Story Posted 26 November 2025 at 8:26 pm
Contributed Photo – The success of the organization’s annual free two day summer football and cheerleading camp has earned the Albion Youth Football and Cheerleading organization the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) organization’s prestigious National Excellence in Youth Sports Award. Albion Youth Football and Cheerleading President Geno Allport here accepts the award from Lisa Licata Sr. Director of Youth Sports Administrators for NAYS and John Engh Executive Director of NAYS. “It shows that we are doing it the right way,” said Allport. “It’s a great honor and something we can share with parents that shows that we’re here for the kids. NAYS officials noted that “the award is presented to organizations for a specific project, initiative or component of a program that goes above and beyond. This award recognizes the innovative ways organizations that have earned the Better Sports For Kids Quality Program Provider designation are making their programs stand out and truly become excellent.”
Photos courtesy of U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer’s Office: U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer speaks in Batavia today at Independent Living of the Genesee Region, an organization that strives to ensure people with disabilities can live independently.
Information courtesy of U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer’s Office
BATAVIA – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer was in Batavia today to highlight his concern that federal budget cuts will lead to a surge in homelessness.
Schumer met with families and housing advocates at Independent Living of the Genesee Region. He said 1,500 in the Rochester-Finger Lakes & WNY regions could face potential eviction in the middle of winter due to cuts at the federal level.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care program provides funding to non-profits, as well as local and state governments, to provide critical housing support to some of the most vulnerable populations.
However, Schumer said the Trump administration recently announced eligibility changes that could threaten to evict more than 1,500 Upstate New Yorkers now living in stable housing in counties across the WNY & Rochester Finger Lakes Region.
Schumer said he is demanding HUD reverse these planned cuts that could threaten housing for thousands of Upstate NY mothers, children, veterans, seniors, and domestic abuse survivors experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
“If Trump goes through with his planned cuts and horribly misguided changes to this vital program, more than 1,500 New Yorkers in Genesee County and the surrounding region could be kicked out of their homes and onto the streets in the middle of winter,” said Senator Schumer. “These are veterans trying to get back on their feet, families with young kids, survivors of domestic abuse, veterans, and people with disabilities. That’s why I’m here with those on the frontlines of combating homelessness in our community to demand the Trump administration immediately reverse these cruel cuts.”
During his press conference, Schumer was joined by Rae Frank, Director at Independent Living of the Genesee Region; Tree Clemonds, Executive Director of Monroe County’s Partners Ending Homelessness; Kexin Ma, Executive Director, Homeless Alliance of WNY; Jamie Beedham-Rada, Executive Director YWCA of Genesee County; and clients and children housed by Independent Living of the Genesee Region.
HUD’s CoC Program is designed to promote communitywide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, and state and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to homeless individuals, families, and communities by homelessness; promote access to and effect utilization of assistance programs by homeless individuals and families; and optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
“HUD’s Continuum of Care Rapid Rehousing funding is vital to our work to strengthen communities across Genesee, Wyoming, and Orleans counties by enabling us to move more families and individuals from the streets into safe, stable homes,” said Rae Frank, director at Independent Living of the Genesee Region.
Currently 93% of the annual $20.8 million in HUD funds received in Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming, Erie, & Niagara counties by the Homeless Alliance of WNY plays for long-term (PSH and RRH) housing that today houses 1,521 people in Western New York.
HUD’s new planned changes will cap this funding to only 30% ($6.7 million) beginning in May, which would eliminate over 1,000 existing housing units provided by 22 local providers, such as Independent Living of the Genesee Region, where Schumer stood today. As a result, over 1,000 people will face eviction onto the streets next year. Moreover, 528 people stand to face evictions as soon as January because the annual leases for their housing expire between January and May. This includes housing for domestic violence survivors, families with children, and people living with severe mental illness and chronic health conditions.
“We provide housing search and rental assistance, along with landlord mediation to people with disabilities experiencing homelessness,” Frank said. “Our local partner, the YWCA of Genesee County, provides similar housing assistance to people fleeing domestic violence. We also provide ongoing supportive services including employment assistance, financial literacy, application assistance, and peer advocacy services that have enabled many of our tenants to stabilize and achieve self-sufficiency.”
MEDINA – The VFW Auxiliary to Lincoln Post 1483 in Medina presented the Calvary Cupboard Food Pantry at The Vine Church with a $500 check to assist the food pantry in purchasing food to help feed those in need.
Volunteers in the photo at the food pantry are from left Donna Poore, Missy Schening, Sheila and Dan Tabor, and Mike Yeager in the back. On the right is Dave Berry, president of the VFW Auxiliary 1483 in Medina. The VFW Auxiliary wishes to thank all the volunteers serving at the food pantry for their dedication and time they give to others in need.
The Calvary Cupboard Food Pantry has many more families coming to the pantry for assistance at this time. The food pantry is accepting donations of non-perishable items such as spaghetti sauce, soups, juices, canned fruit and vegetables, and canned diced tomatoes, as well as monetary donations used to purchase items when they run low.
The food pantry is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at The Vine Church, 11031 Maple Ridge Rd., Medina. Anyone with any questions can contact Donna Poore at 585-798-3738 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 November 2025 at 10:35 am
Ricky Washburn has been working on cars since he was a kid
Photos by Tom Rivers: Ricky Washburn, left, gives this vehicle a tune-up. His father-in-law, Keith Davis, stopped by the shop.
ALBION – Ricky Washburn has been working on cars since he was kid, initially helping his grandfather.
Washburn has a knack for it, and about 15 years worked as mechanic before taking a job as a corrections officer.
Washburn added two lifts for his garage at 12694 Ridge Rd W, Albion. He is a registered repair shop with the state. He can handle just about any job for an automobile. He does brakes, suspension, exhaust, engine and transmission repair, tune-ups and computer diagnostics. He doesn’t do alignments or inspections.
He said there is a shortage of car mechanics. He started working for an independent shop in Niagara County for three years right out of high school, and then worked 12 years for dealerships before going into corrections.
Washburn worked 16 years as CO, but he left that career to start his own auto repair business in July.
Ricky Washburn is shown in his garage at Washburn Auto Repair, 12694 Ridge Rd W, Albion.
Washburn, 44, said he loved the job as a corrections officer the first 10 years. But the last few years the job became very difficult. He felt the prison was less safe with more drugs including fentanyl finding their way inside. Officers were very limited in using solitary confinement through the HALT Act, which Washburn said made it far more challenging to keep order and discipline inmates.
Many COs quit and new recruits weren’t eager to take their places, resulting in long shifts and mandated overtime.
Corrections officers went on strike in February to demand safer working conditions for COs, other staff and the incarcerated population. When the strike ended in March after 22 days, Washburn didn’t believe the issues had been addressed.
“The conditions only got worse,” he said. “The first 10 years were great. But after HALT, it was all downhill.”
Washburn worked at Orleans Correctional Facility, a medium-security men’s prison in Albion. He decided to step away from corrections and put his energy into his passion for fixing cars.
Washburn said many of his colleagues also didn’t return to the state prisons. Many have taken jobs in county jails.
“I just had enough of it,” he said. “What I’m doing now is healthier with far less stress. I feel like this is what I’m supposed to be doing.”
Ricky Washburn opened his repair shop in July. The shop is just outside Albion on the eastern end of Ridgeway.
Washburn has been a race car driver and used his talents to keep his car running on the track. His 12-year-old stepdaughter, Laina Stewart, is a top go-kart racer in the region and state.
Washburn’s 4-year-old daughter, Parker, also has started racing. He is their crew chief.
As the owner of his own business, he doesn’t have to worry about mandated overtime where he could miss the races and other important family events. Washburn works until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except on Thursday. He is done at 3 p.m. on Thursdays during the racing season so the family can compete at the track in Ransomville.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 26 November 2025 at 8:37 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Georgia Thomas of Medina has arranged her collection of 300 stuffed animals in a holiday exhibit at the Medina Historical Society, 406 West Ave. It will be open for visitors during Olde Tyme Christmas celebration on Saturday and again for Wine About Winter in February. Here, the dining room is set exquisitely set for a “Chris-moose” dinner. The stockings hung on the fireplace were crocheted by Thomas.
MEDINA – Christmas may come only once a year, but Georgia Thomas is a kid at heart all year long.
Thomas has a collection of more than 300 stuffed animals of all kinds, which she has spent four days arranging on display at the Medina Historical Society. On Saturday, she had help from Kathryn McKenney, a historian, historical preservation specialist and the newest member of the Historical Society board.
Thomas never intended to amass such a collection of stuffed animals when she bought the first handful as a teaching aide for her sign language students.
“It just sort of mushroomed,” she said. “I was teaching in Maryland when I bought the first ones. The children would pull an animal out of the bag and then sign what it was, what color it was, what it ate and if it was wild or tame.”
Georgia Thomas, right, is joined by Kathryn McKenney, a historian and historical preservation specialist, in setting up Thomas’ large collection of stuffed animals. McKenney has recently joined the board of the Historical Society. McKenney is holding a seal, while Thomas holds a possum puppet with its baby.
Every room, every counter, every space in the Historical Society is filled with stuffed animals. In the dining room, Thomas got out her Christmas poinsettia china, added a big red holiday candle centerpiece and set four large stuffed moose around the table. She calls is the “Chris-moose” room.
On the mantle is a collection of mink coat china Santas she bought in Canada, and hanging on the mantle is a row of crocheted stockings she made hang. They are for sale for $10 each.
Georgia Thomas, left, and Kathryn McKenney sit on the floor of the Medina Historical Society with a giant Burmese Mountain dog, the largest animal in Thomas’ collection of stuffed animals.
Her largest stuffed animal is a giant Burmese Mountain dog, which jokingly said she will name “Reinhard” in honor of the Medina Historical Society’s president Reinhard Rogowski.
Her collection includes a flamingo, chicken, seal, rare goat and one of each animal brought over on the Mayflower with the Pilgrims.
Her last purchase was an alligator from Bass Pro, who is selling the stuffed reptile as a fundraiser to save the endangered species.
“I wanted to support their cause, but that is the swan song,” Thomas said.
This alligator is the newest (and last) stuffed animal Georgia Thomas is going buy, she said. She bought it at Bass Pro because they were selling them to raise money to save the endangered species.
‘Our goal is simple: keep Medina safe while respecting the rights and privacy of everyone who lives, works, and visits here.’
Press Release, Medina Police Department
MEDINA – The Village Board recently approved a lease agreement with Flock Safety to install License Plate Readers (LPRs) and PTZ safety cameras throughout the Village of Medina. We want to take a moment to explain what this means — and what it doesn’t mean — so our community has the full picture.
What these cameras are used for:
These cameras are designed to help our officers investigate crimes, locate missing persons, and respond faster when public safety is at risk. They capture license plate information and vehicle details that can be crucial when we’re trying to identify suspects, recover stolen vehicles, or respond to time-sensitive cases.
What these cameras are NOT used for:
They do NOT issue tickets.
They do NOT track personal movement for minor violations.
They do NOT identify individuals or run facial recognition.
They cannot access personal cell phones or any private data.
These cameras are strictly for investigative use after a crime or emergency has occurred.
How the system works:
Flock cameras capture license plates and important vehicle characteristics like color, make, and unique features. This information is stored securely and automatically deleted after a short retention period unless it becomes part of a criminal investigation.
Privacy Matters:
We know that privacy is important to our community. Flock Safety’s system is built with transparency in mind:
All data belongs to the Village of Medina — not Flock or any outside company.
Information cannot be sold or shared for commercial purposes.
Access is limited to law enforcement and only for legitimate investigative reasons.
Every use of the system is logged and auditable.
Why this matters for Medina:
Many communities across New York and the country are using LPR technology to solve crimes faster and deter criminal activity. Our goal is simple: keep Medina safe while respecting the rights and privacy of everyone who lives, works, and visits here.
We’ll share more information as the installation begins and will always be transparent about how these tools are used.
If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to the Medina Police Department — we’re here to help.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 November 2025 at 4:16 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Christmas decorations are out in downtown Medina today. By Thanksgiving, there should be some snow to add to the holiday scene.
A winter weather advisory has been issued for Orleans and Niagara counties from 7 p.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday with 2 to 4 inches of snow expected.
“Winds gusting as high as 50 mph will produce blowing and drifting snow,” the National Weather Service in Buffalo said. “Plan on slushy and slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions will impact Thanksgiving holiday travel.”
The lake effect snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling, the Weather Service said to be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.
A wind advisory also has been issued for Orleans from noon on Wednesday until 1 a.m. on Friday.
Southwest winds 30 to 40 miles per hour with gusts of 50 to 55 mph are expected Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night. Then there will be west winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 45 to 50 mph expected Thursday through Thursday night, the Weather Service said.
New ‘DMV DRIVES’ system expected to be activated in February
Press Release, Orleans County Clerk Nadine Hanlon
ALBION – Orleans County Clerk Nadine Hanlon today announced the county Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office will be closed on Wednesday, December 3, and will close early on four other Wednesdays over the next few months.
The closures are necessary for staff members to train for the new state DMV modernization project.
Specifically, the staff is training on Phase I of the new NYS DMV DRIVES operating system that is planned to go live in February. The new system is expected to enhance efficiency, customer service and security in the handling of motor vehicle transactions.
Beyond the December 3rd closure, the limited DMV office hours are:
Wednesday, Dec. 10, closed from noon to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 7, closed from noon to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 21, closed from noon to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 11, closed from noon to 4:30 p.m.
“These statewide DMV changes are a significant upgrade to our current system and given the small size of our staff, the only way to efficiently complete the training in time for the launch of the new system is to close the office,” said Hanlon. “We very much appreciate the public’s understanding.”
