By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 15 November 2025 at 2:29 pm
Four time defending chmpion Whitney Point (Section IV) scored twice in the final period to down Akron 2-0 in the semifinals of the state Class C field hockey championships this afternoon at Arlington High School.
Whitney Point, which has won 9 of the last 10 state Class C titles, scored what proved to the the game winning goal by Colleen Hilderbrant off a corner with 13:22 to go in the fourth quarter.
Whitney Point, which had a huge edge in corner opportunities, later got a big insurance goal on a penalty stroke tally by Genevieve Huston with 4:44 remaining.
Whitney Point, which improves to 19-0-1, advances to Sunday’s state title game against the winner of the Roundout Valley (Section IX) vs. Batport Blue (Section XI).
Niagara-Orleans and Section VI champion Akron finishes the season at 16-2.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 15 November 2025 at 10:35 am
One lone early goal proved to be just enough as Niagara-Orleans League champion Wilson nipped Seton Catholic (Section IV) 1-0 in the state Class C boys soccer semifinal this morning at Middletown High School.
Aidan Neumann scored the only goal the Lakemen needed as it turned out 13 minutes into the first half on a breakaway. It was his 55th goal of the season.
Wilson goalie Eli Moore later made no less than four big saves in the final 20 minutes of the second half to preserve the slender lead.
Improving to 21-0, Wilson advances to Sunday’s state Class C championship game against the winner of the Maple Hill (Section II) vs. North Salem (Section I) semifinal.
This is Wilson’s first appearance in the state Final Four.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 November 2025 at 9:30 am
Spending, up 1.2%, reaches $100 million for first time; Budget faces pressure from many fronts
ALBION – Orleans County officials are proposing a budget that would raise taxes by 2.6 percent in 2026.
The $100,261,320 proposed budget was filed on Friday by Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer and also the budget officer.
Jack Welch
The budget tops $100 million for the first time. Spending is up 1.18 percent from the $99,092,747 in 2025 to $100,261,320.
The tax levy, what the county collects in taxes, increases by 2.60 percent or by $500,000 from $19,639,000 to $20,139,000. The tax rate is proposed to increase by 1.63 percent from $7.91 to $8.05 per $1,000 of assessed property.
The County Legislature will have a public hearing on the budget at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the Orleans County Legislative Chambers, 14016 Route 31.
“In recent years, I have raised concerns about how the Orleans County budget is influenced by ‘VUCA,’ meaning volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity,” Welch said in his budget message. “Unfortunately, these dynamics have not changed, and as such, the county remains under tremendous budget pressure.”
The spending plan doesn’t exceed the state-imposed tax cap. Welch said “a tremendous amount of work” by department heads, legislators and the budget team kept the tax increase at 2.6 percent and not much higher.
The budget is seeing a big increase in 730 competency restoration for people deemed unfit to stand trial. Those costs totaled $57,209 in 2023 and have already exceeded $1 million this year. The county has budgeted $1.5 million for the “730” costs in 2026, which is up from the $500,000 in this year’s budget.
“This trajectory is simply not sustainable and must be addressed by the New York State Legislature,” Welch said.
The budget also faces a nearly 21 percent increase in New York State retirement costs, due to a lower stock market evaluation on march 31, 2025, Welch said. The retirement costs are one of the nine state mandated programs which now account of 115 percent of the tax levy, Welch said.
“At the same time, we have made significant strides to reduce costs,” he said. “For 2026, with the agreement of our unions, we have changed our medical coverage from Highmark to NYSHIP’s Empire Plan. This change resulted in 6 percent decrease in our budgeted health insurance costs. We have also continued our efforts to increase the hours in the work week for most of our employees from 35 hours to a 40 hours per week in an attempt to refrain from hiring more workers to cover the mandated services we are required to provide.”
The county also is projecting a $1.6 million increase in the local sales tax revenue. This year the sales tax receipts have been strong, nearly 8 percent ahead of 2024.
“As we present this to the Legislature, I am confident our proposed budget maintains core county services and programs in the most cost-effective manner possible, complies with the New York State property tax cap and provides funding for prioritized projects and programs while avoiding fiscal stress,” Welch said.
The budget keeps funding at the same levels for organizations providing services in the county including:
Cornell Cooperative Extension at $240,000; Orleans Economic Development Agency at $200,000; Soil & Water at $100,500, four public libraries to share $10,000; Mercy Flight at $5,000; Council of the Arts at $4,000; Cobblestone Museum, $3,000.
The budget includes $8,566,052 for capital projects:
Highway – $7,446,143 ($7,060,509 from state and federal governments)
Local bridge and culvert repairs, $50,000
Patch and seal county roads, $150,000
Highway reconstruction, $2,668,458
Eagle Harbor Knowlesville culvert, $865,000
Bridge Project #2, $2,375,500
Groth Road bridge replacement, $1,337,185
Buildings and grounds – $610,000 (all county cost)
ALBION – On Tuesday, at 6:30 p.m., the Community Coalition for Justice will host Dr. Carl Davila, Associate Professor of History at SUNY Brockport. The presentation will be at Hoag Library, 134 South Main St.
Dr. Davila will discuss recent developments in Palestine and the agendas, both overt and hidden, that appear to be driving them. He will do this with an eye to the Law of Unintended Consequences.
Dr. Davila holds a PhD in Arabic studies. He has taught, lectured, and written on the history of the Islamic world for two decades. It is an honor to have him come and shine a light on what’s happening in the Middle East.
There will be a question and answer period after the presentation by Dr. Davila. Light refreshments will be provided. This event is free and open to the community.
The Community Coalition for Justice regularly sponsors programs focusing on diversity and other relevant social justice issues. The Coalition partners with the Albion Betterment Committee, Pullman Universalist Church, Hoag Library, Green Orleans and People Embracing Diversity.
Organization embraces theme: ‘We See the Whole You’
Press Release, Hospice of Orleans
ALBION – Hospice of Orleans, the leading nonprofit provider of hospice and palliative care services Orleans County, is proud to recognize November as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month.
This year’s theme, “We See the Whole You,” highlights the organization’s commitment to treating each patient as a unique individual, honoring their experiences, values, and hopes while providing personalized, high-quality, and compassionate care.
At Hospice of Orleans, hospice care focuses on supporting the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. The organization’s care teams focus on caring for each patient as a unique individual, delivering care that respects their wishes and values while guiding and supporting families and loved ones every step of the way.
“Hospice and palliative care are about more than managing symptoms,” said Erin Bradley, Registered Nurse Case Manager. “They are about recognizing the person at the center of care. National Hospice and Palliative Care Month is a reminder of our responsibility to honor each individual’s story while supporting their journey with compassion and respect. That’s the promise Hospice of Orleans upholds every day: to honor each life fully, with dignity, compassion, and respect.”
Hospice of Orleans encourages the community to learn more about hospice and palliative care services, get involved through volunteer opportunities, and explore educational resources to make the care journey easier. For more information, visit www.hospiceoforleans.org or contact Brittany Dix at info@hospiceoforleans.org.
Hospice of Orleans is a dedicated, community-based non-profit organization providing comprehensive, compassionate end-of-life care to patients and families across Orleans county. Our interdisciplinary team focuses on comfort, dignity, and maximizing the quality of life through expert palliative medical care, emotional support, and spiritual guidance. We are committed to honoring life’s final chapter with peace and respect.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 14 November 2025 at 7:23 pm
The Finger Lakes Community College women’s volleyball team has gone 1-2 in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III national championship tournament at Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Medina High graduate and FLCC freshman Addison Paul played in all three matches competing in 6 of the 10 sets.
FLCC lost 3-1 in the opening round to Northampton Community College on Thursday.
Rebounding, FLCC defeated Holyoke Community College 3-0 earlier today but was then eliminated by St. Cloud 3-0.
FLCC qualified for the national tournament by capturing the Region III championship with a 3-0 win over Fulton-Montgomery Community College.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 14 November 2025 at 6:52 pm
No. 2 seeded Dallas College Bookhaven nipped No. 6 Genesee Community College 1-0 in overtime in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III women’s soccer national semifinals this afternoon at Herkimer.
Brookhaven scored the game winner in the last two mnutes of the first 10 minute overtime period to advance to Sunday’s national championship game.
The overtime thriller was the second in a row for GCC which edged Rowan College South Jersey Gloucester 1-0 in the quarterfinals on Wednesday on a goal by Holley graduate Samantha Bates.
GCC qualified for the national tournament by capturing the Region III championship with a 1-0 win over Jefferson Community College.
Now at 13-3-2, GCC will now face Suffolk Community College in the consolation game for third place honors at 11 a.m. Sunday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 November 2025 at 12:04 pm
Many of the meetings only have 12-15 attendees among more than 70 elected officials at village, town and county levels
Photo by Tom Rivers: Orleans County legislator John Fitzak speaks during the Oct. 28 meeting of the Orleans County Association of Municipalities. Debbie Yokel, Carlton town clerk, is at left and Margaret Swan, Barre town councilwoman, is at right.
GAINES – An association of local elected officials has experienced very light turnouts in recent years. That is frustrating to the association’s leaders, who want to see more participation.
Some of the meetings have been cancelled because too few people sent in an RSVP. Other meetings only have 12 to 15 people.
The Orleans County Association of Municipalities is currently co-led by County Legislator John Fitzak and Carlton Town Supervisor Gayle Ashbery. They try to brainstorm relevant topics each month in meetings for leaders of the four villages, 10 towns and the county government.
The association has discussed topics this year on local land planning issues, using aerial imagery in the assessment process, and heard presentations from the County’s Special Response Team and also the county’s personnel director. The group in the past has discussed EMS services, sales tax sharing, infrastructure needs and changes in state and federal laws and their impact locally.
The next meeting on Nov. 18 at Tavern on the Ridge will feature Holli Nenni, the Orleans County commissioner of social services. She will discuss impacts of the federal government shutdown. The Orleans County Board of Elections representatives will also share information.
The association was started more than 40 years ago after the county government changed from being run by the 10-member Board of Supervisors to the seven-member County Legislature. The association is intended to give the county legislators, and the town and village officials a frequent and easy way to share information and discuss common concerns.
“The more information we gather, the better the product will be,” Fitzak said at the Oct. 28 meeting.
The towns and county used to be rotation where they would pick the speaker. Fitzak said he is open to having the towns do the schedule, or submit ideas to him and Ashbery.
The Special Response Team, which includes members of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department and Albion Police Department, did a demonstration on Oct. 28 for the local officials and showed some of their equipment, including drone technology.
Fitzak welcomed input from the group on what needs to be done to get more involvement from all the towns and villages.
“We want to keep the lines of communication open,” Fitzak said. “Let us know but do your part and get people to show up.”
The Albion Village Board discussed the issue on Wednesday. Trustee Tim McMurray attended the Oct. 28 meeting. He urged other Village Board members to attend. He said it’s a venue for airing concerns and hearing from other local leaders.
McMurray said he would like to have a fresh discussion on sales tax sharing. The amount to the 10 towns and four villages hasn’t changed since 2001 despite sizable increases in what the county collects.
“This is a time where we can show up and ask them questions,” McMurray said about the association of local elected officials.
John Belson, the Lyndonville mayor, is a regular at the meetings. He said Orleans County is unusual in having an association where the local officials can get together regularly to discuss issues.
Each of the 10 towns have five board members, and the four villages also have five elected officials on their boards. The County Legislature has seven members. That is 77 officials among the towns, villages and county, and that doesn’t include clerks and highway superintendents.
But only a few of them attend the association meetings.
Fitzak urged more officials to be there.
“They don’t know the information,” he said. “They’re missing out.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 November 2025 at 11:18 am
ALBION – The Village Board voted to reduce the overnight parking fees at three village lots from $25 a month to $25 every three months.
These fees were raised significantly last year from $5 every three months to $25 a month.
Village Clerk Treasurer Tracy VanSkiver asked the board to look at the fees, saying the higher cost has resulted in a hardship for some of the downtown residents.
Board members said they didn’t realize there was such a steep increase in the overnight parking fees. They were approved as part of an update to the overall fee structure throughout the village.
The village has three municipal lots that allow overnight parking, as long as there is a permit from the village. The lots are on North Main Street by the Presbyterian Church, at the corner of Platt and East Bank streets, and behind the Albion Visitors Center at 121 North Main Street.
Usually about seven people take out permits for the overnight parking, VanSkiver said.
In other action at the Village Board meeting on Wednesday:
• The next village election was moved from the third Tuesday to the third Wednesday on March due to the St. Patrick’s Day holiday.
The election will be on March 18 with voting from noon to 9 p.m. in the village office. The mayor’s position and two trustees are up for election.
• Approved spending $10,750 for a new salter for the Department of Public Works.
• Approved a special use permit for the Charles W. Howard Hometown Parade on Dec. 13. Portions of the following streets will be barricaded from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.: West Bank Street, East and West State Street, Beaver Street and Chamberlain Street. The board also approved use of the larger municipal lot on South Platt Street.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 November 2025 at 9:52 am
Site currently bottle redemption center with fuel; Legislator wants to add RV parking, launch for canoes/kayaks
Photos by Tom Rivers: This photo looking across the Erie Canal shows docks at 255 East Bank St. in Albion. John Fitzak has operated the Albion Redemption Center there for many years. The entrance was facing Bank Street but recently moved to the east side of the business. Fitzak has added a fuel service for boaters, the only site between Rochester and North Tonawanda.
ALBION – An Albion business owner is seeking to turn land along the Erie Canal on East Bank Street into a “mini marina.”
John Fitzak has operated the Albion Redemption Center at 255 East Bank St. for many years. He has recently upgraded that bottle redemption business, and has added fuel and a dock for boaters.
Fitzak, an Orleans County legislator, also has acquired adjoining properties and wants to expand the business to allow RV parking, and a boat launch for kayaks and canoes.
But Fitzak needs clarity and direction from the village about what is allowed at the property, which is zoned for general commercial and is currently mostly undeveloped.
The village code in one spot says no RVs should be parked on private property, but another section allows for up to two of them on a lot.
John Fitzak, an Albion business owner and a county legislator, addresses the Village of Albion Zoning Board of Appeals last week. Craig Tuohey, the chairman, is at right with Tony Wynn next to him at left. The ZBA is seeking a legal interpretation of the codes before making a decision. It also said the Village Board may need to clearly define the goals for the property in the village’s comprehensive plan.
Fitzak owns five lots along East Bank and East State. He is proposing to have RVs on three of the lots. He is asking the village for a variance from the maximum of six RVs, based on the max of 2 per lot. He wants to have eight on the property.
They would just be allowed to park there overnight. They wouldn’t have access to other services, except possibly WiFi. Fitzak would steer them to other businesses for food and services. If they wanted to use a bathroom or shower, they would be directed to the facilities at the Albion Visitors Center at the back of 121 North Main Street.
Fitzak met with the Zoning Board of Appeals last week, and that board didn’t take action, wanting to hear an interpretation of the village code from village attorney John Gavenda.
Fitzak then attended Wednesday’s Village Board meeting to state there are discrepancies in the code that are clouding what he can do with the property.
“Do you want progress and to see this place grow?” Fitzak asked the Village Board members. “I certainly do.”
He worries the project could face be mired in delays due to the uncertainties with the code and no determination yet on what is allowed.
“You need to update the codes if you want development and to see this town prosper,” Fitzak said.
Village Board members said they would see Gavenda’s opinion on the code. The village also has a new challenge with the ZBA in needing to fill vacancies among the board.
Craig Tuohey, the ZBA chairman, has stepped down from that board since the meeting on Nov. 3. Another member, Tony Wynn, is resigning on Dec. 31.
The 5-member board only had three members at its meeting last week and it may struggle to have a quorum to function. The Village Board said it will seek more members. They are paid $40 a meeting. The board meets as needed.
Chris Kinter, the village code enforcement officer, told the Village Board the code doesn’t allow a campground in the village.
Fitzak said it wouldn’t be a campground. There wouldn’t be water, sewer or electric services available. His property would just be a hosting site where people could park an RV.
He wouldn’t be offering permanent sites. “They’re in and out,” he said.
John Fitzak will have the “Mayfair Marina” ready for the next canal season, offering fuel and other limited services. He said the site will be a “mini marina.”
Fitzak also is seeking the ZBA permission to move three trailers that he uses for storage from one side of his property to the other side, farther east. The village code doesn’t allow those trailers, unless they are grandfathered in.
Fitzak has been allowed to keep them on site because the code was updated after he had them. The issue with moving them is they would go from one lot to another.
Craig Tuohey, the ZBA chairman, said the intent of allowing something to be grandfathered in that is out of compliance is to eventually rectify the situation.
Fitzak said he would like to eventually replace the trailers with a pole barn but first wants to see how the expanded business venture goes. He uses two of the trailers for the bottle redemption business and would use the other to store canoes, kayaks and other equipment.
“I’m not asking to do anything crazy,” Fitzak told the ZBA members last week. “This could be a catalyst for the downtown.”
He said he has other goals for the property, including allowing storage of boats over the winter. Fitzak said he would like to be allowed to have up to 20 boats on site for storage in the off season.
He also thinks his East Bank road frontage could turned into a board walk environment, with temporary structures for other small businesses.
Kinter said that although the property is in a commercial district, it’s also in a residential neighborhood and there could be impacts on the local residents.
Village board members, including Deputy Mayor William Gabalski, on Wednesday praised Fitzak for his investment in the properties and for a vision for the site.
“I love the idea,” Gabalski said. “We just want to make sure it’s done right.”
Fitzak said he awaits direction from the village on how to proceed.
“I’m willing to go through all the hoops I have to go through,” he said.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 14 November 2025 at 9:12 am
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s first team All-League honorees Ruth Walker, left, and Maria Trombley along with Barker/Lyndonville’s honoree Alexa Robinson.
Undefeated (12-0) league champion Wilson has placed seven players on the first team of the annual Niagara-Orleans All-League girls soccer squad.
Sophomore Addison Elia, who has been named N-O Player of the Year for the second year in a row, heads the large Wilson contingent which also includes seniors Abbie Faery, Rowan Simpson and Bella Thrush along with juniors Grace Smith and Brooke Urban and sophomore Lilly Gurski.
Wilson’s Addison Elia has been named N-O Player of the Year.
Roy-Hart is represented by the duo of junior Maria Trombley and sophomore Ruth Walker.
Rounding out the first team are Newfane senior Stephanie Chunco, Barker/Lyndonville sophomore Alexa Robinson and Akron sophomore Naomi Romesser.
Simpson and Chunco are both repeat first team honorees.
Elia scored 38 goals and had 9 assists, Robinson 33 goals and 9 assists, Chunco 14 goals and 4 assists, Trombley 13 goals and 3 assists, Gurski 11 goals and 26 assists and Walker 8 goals and 4 assists.
Akron led the way on the second team with three honorees including senior Olivia Novak, sophomore Hannah Liss and eighth grader Resse Adessa.
Wilson is represented by junior Kairi Beck and sophomore Lucy Madan; Roy-Hart by senior Kaylie Churchill and junior Courtney Aquilina, Barker/Lyndonville by sophomore Arnie Sturtevant and freshman Natalie Rath, Newfane by senior Journee Huge, Albion by junior Brittany Lewis and Medina by junior Lillian Maynard.
Players receiving Honorable Mention include, listed by school:
Akron – Deanna Vasbinder, Cara Swader and Clara Bogdan
Albion – Mia Standish and Julia Button
Barker/Lyndonville – Braelynn Dillenbeck, Isabella Groves and Brooke Robinson
Medina – Saniyyaha Wilson and Lyla Page
Newfane – Jayde Jerge and Samantha Tate
Roy-Hart – Josephine Silsby, Hayley Hillburn and Felicity Kwaiser
ALBION – Maison Albion will host it’s a Holiday Market on Saturday and Sunday, transforming the historic venue into a festive marketplace featuring 40 vendors from across Western New York.
The two-day event will showcase artisans specializing in baked goods, flowers, jewelry, handmade crafts, and distinctive antiques.
The Market at Maison is a French-inspired marketplace designed to provide small businesses with an elegant platform to showcase their products while fostering connections between artists and community members. Guests will enjoy browsing curated collections while savoring complimentary French hot chocolate and refreshments by Mixologie.
Guests will also have the opportunity to meet Santa James, take photos with him by one of our eight Christmas trees, and enjoy the music of the season. Mansion tours will also be available, so that guests can delight in the nine decorated Christmas trees!
“The Market at Maison creates an opportunity for local artists, farmers, and antique curators to reach a wider audience in a beautiful space,” said Kerri Glover, Maison owner. “This is our third Holiday Market, and we look forward to welcoming the season.”
The event reflects Maison Albion’s commitment to exceptional hospitality and creating memorable experiences for all attendees.
About Maison Albion:
Maison Albion is a historic mansion reimagined to host magnificent weddings and events. Located in Albion, guests are transported to a time of luxurious craftsmanship, baroque decadence, and lavish celebrations. The 1878 mansion is accompanied by a breathtaking ballroom and parklike gardens reminiscent of a late 19th century French cottage.
For more information on tickets to attend the market, visit www.maisonalbion.com.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 13 November 2025 at 5:25 pm
Making the most of their first sectional final appearance, the Newfane Panthers edged the rival Wilson Lakemen 28-20 in the section VI Class D championship game this afternoon at Highmark Stadium.
Breaking a 20-20 deadlock, the Panthers scored the game winning touchdown on a five yard run by quarterback Mac Capen with only 51 seconds remaining. Capen tacked on the two-point conversion run.
Staying perfect at 11-0, Newfane advances to the Far West Regional against the winner of Friday’s Section V Class D title contest between Avon and Notre Dame, Batavia.
Newfane jumped out to a 14-0 lead on a 59 yard touchdown pass from Capen to Isaiah Gerstung in the first quarter and a 42 yard TD run by Camryn Stover and a two-point conversion run by Capen in the second quarter.
Wilson did cut the deficit to 14-7 on the final play of the first half as quarterback Vic Cusatis completed a 3 yard TD pass to Brock Lepsch and Connor Woodward tacked on the extra point kick.
The Panthers though increased their lead to 20-7 early in the third quarter on a 1 yard TD run by Capen.
However, Wilson battled back to knot the contest at 20-20.
The Lakemen first cut the deficit to 20-14 in the third quarter on a 4 yard TD run by Nick Lemke and a PAT kick by Woodward.
Cusatis then pulled the Lakemen even with a 5 yard TD run with 4:51 to go in the final period but the extra point kick attempt failed leaving the contest deadlocked.
Wilson finishes the season at 9-2 with both losses coming at the hands of the rival Panthers.
