Press Release, Orleans County Department of Social Services
ALBION – The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) season begins this year on Nov. 3, with a tentative end date of April 7, 2026
Applications for HEAP will be available Nov. 3. Applications for an emergency other than your heating source will be accepted beginning Jan. 2, 2026, through April 7, 2026.
If you are applying for the first time, a phone interview is necessary which can be completed beginning on Nov. 3. Applications will be available at the County Office Building in Albion, PathStone, Community Action, or Ministry of Concern; at the Community Center in Holley; or at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina.
You can apply online for HEAP by visiting www.myBenefits.ny.gov. If you received a benefit through a HEAP case last season you may apply through www.myBenefits.ny.gov or submit your completed application along with necessary documentation to the Department of Social Services, 14016 Rt. 31 W. Albion, NY 14411.
If you are currently a Public Assistance or SNAP recipient, you should automatically receive your HEAP benefit through your case. Please be sure your worker has accurate vendor and account information to prevent a delay with your HEAP grant.
For questions or to set up an appointment call (585) 589-3182. Appointments cannot be made before Nov. 3. If you are aged 60 or older, please call the Office for Aging at 589-3191.
You can find more information about HEAP and other assistance programs by visiting www.myBenefits.ny.gov.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 September 2025 at 1:51 pm
Village Board cuts proposed increase to towns by 5 percent
Photos by Jim Scibetta, owner of Helpee Selfee Laundromat, said the increases will have to be passed on to his customers, who he said are already struggling to pay their bills. He is shown addressing village trustees, from left: Joyce Riley, William Gabalski, Greg Bennett and Tim McMurray.
ALBION – The Albion Village Board approved increases in the water rates and administrative costs, changes that will bring in much needed revenue for upgrades to the water treatment plant and distribution system.
Water rates will go up 25 percent for customers in the village and the prisons beginning on Jan. 1, and then will increase another 20 percent beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
“This was not done thoughtlessly,” said Village Trustee Joyce Riley during a public hearing on higher rates. “It’s after years of neglecting our water plant. If this board doesn’t make (the changes), it only gets worse down the road.”
Greg Bennett, the deputy mayor, said the increased rates and fees are needed “for the village to maintain ourself.”
The Village Board was going to charge the towns the same percentage increase, but backed off to a 20 percent increase next year, and then a 15 percent increase. Some of the towns pushed back on the proposed increase, saying it would force them to look closely at possibly switching to the Monroe County Water Authority as a water supplier.
The village bills for about 110 million gallons of water each quarter with approximately 33 million gallons within the village, 63 million for the towns and 15 million used by the two state prisons.
RATE HIKES FOR VILLAGE CUSTOMERS – Residents and businesses inside the village currently pay a $3.90 rate per 1,000 gallons of water. That will go to $4.88 beginning Jan. 1, and then $5.85 beginning in 2027.
The current rate generates $520,048 from customers within the village. That will go to a projected $650,061 next year and then $780,073 in 2027.
ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGE – The board also is raising the quarterly administrative charge by 55 percent the first year for customers within the village, and then another 40 percent in 2027. That will increase the administrative or base charge from the current $33.60 for most village customers to $52.08 beginning Jan. 1, and then $72.91 the following year.
Just the change in the administrative fee will raise nearly $200,000 more in the water fund the first year. The village’s water fund currently receives $359,221 through the base charges. That is projected to go to $556,793 in 2026 and then $779,510 in 2027.
RATE HIKE FOR TOWNS – The towns that buy water directly from the village currently pay a $3.57 rate. There is no administrative charge from the village. The towns add their own administrative charge.
The rate will go to $4.28 next year and then $4.93 in 2027. The towns currently pay the village $894,284 for water, and that is projected to increase to $1,073,141 in 2026 and then $1,234,111 in 2027.
The water tank is shown along Route 31 near the Albion and Orleans correctional facilities. The Village Board last week approved raising the water rates for the two prisons by 25 percent next year, and then another 20 percent in 2027. The water rate for the prisons will go from the current $4.65 per 1,000 gallons to $5.81 and then $6.98.
PRISON RATE – The two state prisons are currently billed at a rate of $4.65 per 1,000 gallons. That will go to $5.81 in 2026 and then $6.98 in 2027.
The prisons currently pay $278,045 for water. That is projected to increase to $347,556 in 2026, and then $417,067 in 2027.
TOTAL REVENUE – The current water fund is on pace to bring in $2,195,250 this year. However, the expenses are at $2,639,864. That will require the village to take $444,614 from the fund balance that is set aside in the water fund. That fund balance is currently at about $700,000.
In 2026, the total revenue goes to $2,635,831, with expenses at $3,021,857. With increased rates and fees next year, plus the start of paying debt for recent water system improvements, the village will still need to use $386,025 in fund balance in 2026.
Beginning in 2027, the rates and fees are projected to cover the total expenses with the water fund, with the revenue $47,749 over expenses. The total revenue is projected at $3,220,699 with expenses at $3,172,950.
The Village Board doesn’t expect a big rate hike will be needed after 2027.
During a public hearing last Wednesday, Jim Scibetta, owner of the Helpee Selfee Laundromat, said the higher water costs come at a time when he’s facing increases in electricity and natural gas.
“You’re proposing this kind of water increase to me is legalized robbery,” he told the board. “I’m disgusted and I will probably sell my laundromat because of you people.”
Village Board members said Albion’s water bills still will be less costly than many other communities in the region.
The average village water customer of about 15,000 gallons per quarter will see their water bills go from $92.10 per quarter in 2025 to $125.21 in 2026 and then $160.66 in 2027.
SEWER BILL – The water bill for village customers also includes the sewer bill. The board last week voted to increase the base charge for sewer customers in the village, while keeping the rate the same at $4.25 per 1,000 gallons.
The base charge will increase from $26 per quarter for most customers to $33.60 per quarter. The higher base rate will raise another $81,086 for the sewer fund, increasing administrative revenue from $273,847 in 2025 to a projected $354,933 in 2026.
That increase in revenue will allow the village to build reserves for the sewer fund, board members said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 September 2025 at 8:30 am
Provided photos: These three were dressed up as characters at Beggar’s Nite last year in Medina. From left include Byron Hill as Colonel Sanders, Joshua Hill as Paw Patrol’s Rubble and Tucker Graton as a dinosaur.
ALBION/MEDINA – The downtowns in Albion and Medina will have hundreds of children in costumes for Beggar’s Nite.
That day is observed the Friday before Halloween. This year, Halloween is on a Friday so Beggar’s Nite will be a week ahead of Oct. 31.
Albion has Beggar’s Nite from 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 24, while in Medina the event runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Both downtown business districts will likely see several hundred kids dressed as super heroes, goblins and other characters.
Photos courtesy of ReLeaf Medina: West Center Street in Medina is one of several tree-lined streets in the village with recently planted trees getting more mature.
MEDINA – Autumn leaves with rich hues of orange, red and yellow lighting up the landscape bring warm thoughts of hot chocolate, flannel and fall fun.
But for others who are in the business of overseeing municipal trees, thoughts turn to planning for spring planting.
The village of Medina has a Municipal Tree Board and a Forestry Coordinator (all volunteer), as well as well-trained DPW personnel, all of whom play a role in planting and maintaining the village’s “urban forest.”
But there is another vital group that works to support those efforts financially: ReLeaf Medina.
ReLeaf Medina was formed a few years back to raise money for the village to replace dying trees – something the Tree Board is not allowed to do.
According to Medina’s Forestry Coordinator, Chris Busch, the cost of plant material has risen exponentially in the past ten years, costing an average of $3,000-plus more per year.
“From the very beginning, the Mayor and Trustees have absolutely been on board and continue to be fully supportive of Medina’s planting program. We are incredibly grateful for the funds they budget annually given that municipal budgets are very, very tight.” said Busch. “In light of that, we’ve had to be creative with supplemental funding solutions. Thankfully, there are a growing number of citizens who have noticed how amazing our tree-lined streets look and have been happy to support our efforts. Their financial gifts result in a living legacy that will be enjoyed by an entire community for years to come.”
Annually, the Village removes 50-60 trees and replants about 50. Removing dying trees is an unending task and replacing them has become increasingly more costly.
“What used to buy 50 trees now buys 30 or less,” Busch said.
“We continue to plant diversely with a wide variety of trees that are proven urban environments,” said Mary Lewis, Tree Board chair. “We take great care in selecting the right tree for the conditions that exist on any given site. There’s a great deal of urban forestry science that goes into the planning and selection of trees.”
Once again, ReLeaf Medina is asking citizens to contribute to the amazing living legacy of trees by making a monetary gift.
Lewis, a Medina business owner, has also issued an invitation to local businesses to consider becoming a corporate sponsor.
This photo shows trees along Gwinn Street in Medina.
“Several letters were recently sent out to local businesses and we’re hoping they’ll see the benefit of corporate sponsorship,” she said.
ReLeaf Medina states businesses becoming a corporate sponsor not only engage with their employees and investors but also build community through the support of grassroots public environmental stewardship.
“It is a chance to make a tangible difference in a highly visible way that will stand for generations and leave a positive, beneficial living legacy for the future that will be seen every day,” Lewis said.
All gifts to ReLeaf Medina are tax-deductible and can be made in three ways.
As a General Donation, the money helps replace street trees in neighborhoods throughout the village. Suggested amounts are $25 to $199 (Good Citizen); $200 to $299 (Silver); $300 to $499 (Gold); $500 and up (Platinum).
Gifts In Memory cost $300. They will fund trees placed in one of Medina’s six parks and will be identified with a granite marker honoring a loved one or in recognition of the donor’s family or organization. Memorial trees can be located on streets without a granite marker and cost $275.
To designate a tree On Your Street, the cost is $250. If the village determines a tree or trees are needed on that street, the donor may request a specific location.
Checks for tree donations should be made payable to the Orleans Renaissance Group, Inc. – Notation: ‘ReLeaf Medina’ and mailed to PO Box 543, Medina, NY.
“As you walk or drive around our village this fall and you like what you see and how the beautiful canopy makes you feel, please help us continue planting to make Medina an attractive place to live, work and grow,” Lewis said.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 29 September 2025 at 8:52 pm
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Garret Jones works the ball up field against Akron defender Joseph Higgins during the host Purple Eagles loss to the Tigers this evening.
Completing a home and home season series sweep in a span of only three days, Akron downed host Albion 2-0 in a Niagara-Orleans League boys soccer game this evening.
Akron, which also posted a 4-0 home field win over Albion on Saturday, improves to 3-3 while the Purple Eagles slips to 1-4-1.
Evan Kabingera scored both Akron goals in the first five minutes.
Photo courtesy of UConnectCare: John Bennett, former executive director of UConnectCare, and Kathy Hodgins, the current executive director, display the gifts they received in appreciation of their leadership of UConnectCare at the agency’s 50th Anniversary Gala & Silent Auction on Sept. 25 at Terry Hills Restaurant.
BATAVIA – In celebrating 50 years of service to the community, UConnectCare Chief Executive Officer Kathy Hodgins credited past and present employees for striving to “treat people with kindness and dignity.”
The nonprofit substance use treatment, prevention, residential, detox and recovery services agency marked its half-century of operation on Thursday night with a 50th Anniversary Gala & Silent Auction at Terry Hills Restaurant in Batavia.
Until 2023, it was known as Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.
Hodgins, who began her career at UConnectCare in 2002 as an intern, said many of those who choose this field of work have been affected by drug and/or alcohol use in their families.
“Some are in recovery themselves,” she said to the 90 people at the dinner. “All of us come to work to walk alongside people struggling with substance use disorder. We serve some of the most vulnerable people in our community and we serve them with compassion, respect and dignity.”
Hodgins acknowledged the agency’s leaders who came before her, starting with Robert Hoover in 1975 and continuing with Faith (Cole) Peterson from 1985-88, Sharon McWethy from 1988-2000, David Markham from 2000-2011 and John Bennett from 2011-2025.
UConnectCare was recognized through the presentation of proclamations from Sen. George Borrello, Chad Zambito (representing Assemblyman Steve Hawley) and Gregg Torrey, Genesee County legislator.
“We all know there’s a problem (with addiction), it’s a growing problem. But you lift people up, one at a time, and you help their lives. And that’s a beautiful thing,” Borrello said.
The UConnectCare board of directors presented gifts to Hodgins and Bennett in recognition of their leadership, with Board President Tim Batzel praising Hodgins for building upon the foundation of those before her.
“Kathy brings a deep well of knowledge, experience and unwavering commitment to our mission,” Batzel said. “Her leadership is already shaping the future of UConnectCare in meaningful ways and I’m proud to celebrate this milestone with her at the helm.”
Orleans County Legislature commends UConnectCare for services in community
Photo by Tom Rivers: Kathy Hodgins, executive director of UConnectCare, accepts a proclamation from the Orleans County Legislature last week, celebrating the agency’s 50th anniversary. Barb Koert, outpatient treatment director, is at left. County Legislator Ed Morgan is shown in back.
UConnectCare, formerly the Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance, started in Batavia in 1975. GCASA opened a site in Albion in 1999, offering prevention and treatment services.
“Your ability to progress with the needs of our community members needing assistance in Orleans County will forever be widespread, long-lasting and extremely appreciated,” legislators stated in the proclamation. “The Orleans County Legislature does hereby also commend you for your dedication to the Orleans County residents.”
Provided photo: Sean Gaskell will perform with the West African Kora on Oct. 9 at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina.
Press Release, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library
MEDINA – West Coast musician, Sean Gaskell, will be performing at the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library October 9th at 7 p.m.
The concert will feature songs played on the kora—a 21-stringed West African harp. Alongside Gaskell’s musical performance, audience members will learn about the history of the kora, how it is built, who typically plays it, and the types of events it is often utilized at.
In addition, Sean will also share some of his own personal experiences while studying in West Africa and being hosted by the family of his teachers.
Gaskell studied under the extensive instruction of Moriba Kuyateh and the late Malamini Jobarteh in Gambia, and both Youssoupha Cissokho and Mamadou Cissokho in Senegal.
The kora is traditionally played by oral historians known as Griots. Many songs featured on the kora preserve an 800 year history dating back to the founding of the Mande empire. Gaskell has presented adult, youth, and family programs at over 400 libraries and a multitude of k-12 schools, colleges, universities and assisted living facilities throughout the United States and Canada. This visit from Gaskell is a rare opportunity to listen to a unique and truly beautiful instrument.
Further information on the artist can be found at his website: www.seangaskell.com.
To register for this free event, call 585-798-3430 or visit the library front desk. All ages are welcome.
File photo by Tom Rivers: “Swoop” gets the ball spinning for a young fan when the Harlem Wizards visited Albion in October 2019. Swoop joined the Wizards in 2007. Prior to that, he was a showman with the Harlem Globetrotters.
Press Release, Albion Central School
ALBION – The Harlem Wizards are coming to Albion’s Charles D’Amico High School gymnasium on Monday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m.
The Albion Basketball Boosters invites the community out for a fun-filled, interactive evening of tricks, hoops and alley-oops. The Wizards were in Albion most recently in October 2019.
Albion teachers will face off on the court against the world-famous Wizards where there will be plenty of laughs, music, dancing and dunks. Partial proceeds will benefit the Albion Basketball Booster Club which supports the Albion basketball teams.
“We are so thrilled to bring this event back to our community,” said Jeff Radder, Albion boys JV basketball coach and Basketball Boosters member. “We hope our community will consider bringing their friends and families out to experience the incredible show the Wizards put on. It is always a night to remember and our basketball teams truly appreciate the support.”
Tickets can be purchased on the Albion website. More information about the Harlem Wizards can be found on their website.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 September 2025 at 12:01 pm
OOL Museum this weekend welcomed family of Emelee Arbuckle
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum presented a light show on Saturday that honored Emelee Arbuckle, who was 23 when she died in a motorcycle accident in Florida in 2013. Her family has left bricks with her name engraved at about 300 lighthouses around the country. The bricks are typically buried or left in the water close by the lighthouse. Oak Orchard is the fifth lighthouse to find the brick and contact Emelee’s parents.
Ken and Karen Arbuckle of Melbourne Beach, Fla. visited the Oak Orchard Lighthouse on Saturday evening for a special light show as a tribute for their daughter, Emelee. The show was in addition to the nightly 30-minute light show that starts a half hour at sunset. That light show mimics the Northern Lights.
POINT BREEZE – The Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum presented a special light show on Saturday in honor of a Florida woman was passed away at age 23 on Dec. 29, 2013 from complications following a motorcycle accident.
Emelee Arbuckle was connected to the water. She was the top coxswain on her high school rowing team. She was also an artist who wanted to teach art to disabled children.
Her parents, Ken and Karen Arbuckle, visited Point Breeze over the weekend. The Arbuckles have left about 300 engraved bricks at lighthouses around the country. They were at the Oak Orchard Lighthouse on Aug. 4, 2024 and buried a brick engraved with their daughter’s name and nickname: Emelee “Bean” Arbuckle.
The Arbuckles typically will bury a brick at the southeast corner of a lighthouse or leave in close to shore in the water.
At the Oak Orchard Lighthouse, a new lighting system was being installed in August to display a light show that would mimic the Aurora Borealis. Lighthouse volunteers worked with A.J. Hetzke of IlluminFx Lighting Systems to install the system which debuted on Aug. 14.
Cheryl Giacherio was digging at the southwest corner on Aug. 7, creating a hole for one of four corner canisters for the lights. The top of the lighthouse has 192 lights for the show.
When Giacherio dug down in the dirt, she found a brick in honor of Emelee “Bean” Arbuckle. An internet search showed the story of Emelee, and helped connect the lighthouse museum to her family.
It was the fifth brick that has been found with Emelee’s name.
The Arbuckles made the trip up from Melbourne Beach, Florida on Friday, and presented a collage with a poem by their daughter that will be on display in the lighthouse.
The lighthouse museum had a special tribute for the family on Saturday night. Hetzke of IlluminFx created a new light show for Emelee.
“Thank you so much for honoring our girl,” Mrs. Arbuckle told a group at the lighthouse on Saturday night. “No one has ever done anything like this for us.”
Emelee Arbuckle is shown at left. Here is the brick that was found last month with her name at the Oak Orchard Lighthouse.
Emelee’s mother feels like it was a God-ordained miracle that the brick was discovered at Oak Orchard. Her husband usually buries the bricks in the southeast corner. This time, he put it at the southwest corner, right where a hole would be dug a year later for the light show.
“This was God,” Mrs. Arbuckle said. “He was coordinating this to all come together. You need to recognize these miracles when they happen.”
She thanked Hetzke for the light show, which was set to music.
“With the music, you can feel it in your heart,” Mrs. Arbuckle said.
She and her husband have been to at least 400 lighthouses in the past 12 years, trying to leave a memorial brick or a “handheart” of her and her husband’s hands creating a heart shape. The Arbuckles take a picture of that heart shape with the lighthouse in the background if they can’t get up close in person. Some of the lighthouses are off limits to the public. (They stopped by the Braddock Point Lighthouse in Hilton on Saturday but couldn’t get close enough to leave a brick because it’s on private property.)
The Arbuckles are happy when people find a brick with their daughter’s name, and reach out to her parents.
“It’s about saying Emelee’s name so it isn’t forgotten,” Mr. Arbuckle said.
Here are other photos from the light show on Saturday night.
