By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 April 2026 at 11:18 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Stephanie Kruzynski, a Medina kindergarten teacher, brought her class to Medina Memorial Hospital today for the Teddy Bear Clinic where students bring in stuffed animals or dolls and go through different stations at the hospital.
Here, a student checks the temperature of a doll.
Medina had about 100 kindergarteners in the hospital today for the clinic. Today was the last Teddy Bear Clinic of the school year. Medina Memorial welcomed kids from Albion, Medina, Lyndonville and Barker this year, about 500 students in all.
Erica Chutko, manager of the X-Ray Department, shows students X-rays. She explained an X-Ray is a way to take a picture of the inside of a body. Getting an X-Ray doesn’t hurt, she told the students.
The Teddy Bear Clinic has been popular at the hospital since its return in 2015. Before that many school districts cut back on field trips and no schools visited the hospital about a decade before 2015.
Medina Memorial welcomes the students to help them feel more comfortable if they ever need to go the hospital. The kids can bring in toys and give those dolls and stuffed animals bandages, X-rays, Band-Aids and other care.
The kindergartners left their stuffed animals on the X-Ray table. Chutko showed students how that table goes up and down at the flip of a switch.
“Don’t you wish you had one of these in your bedroom?” she asked the kids.
Chutko told them adult humans typically have 206 bones in their bodies.
Kate Brauen, Doctor of Pharmacy and director of pharmacy at Orleans Community Health, talks about how medications can help people feel better who are sick or battling health issues.
Leah Brenner, a nurse practitioner, and Becka Schoolcraft (in back), the Medina Healthcare Center clinic manager, help students pretend to give shots and check the blood pressure of their stuffed animals.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 April 2026 at 7:56 am
One trustee pushed for 1% increase, but mayor said that would have taken too much from fund balance
Photos by Tom Rivers: (Left) Albion Mayor Tim McMurray speaks during Wednesday’s Village Board meeting when he said the village budget is beyond bare bones with any additional cuts into “bone marrow.” (Right) Trustee Kevin Sheehan wanted the board to take $50,000 more from the fund balance to lower the tax increase to 1.0 percent.
ALBION – The Albion Village Board adopted the 2026-27 village budget on Wednesday that will increase taxes by 2.5 percent.
One trustee, Kevin Sheehan, sought to use $50,000 from the village fund balance which would have reduced the tax increase to 1.0 percent. But Mayor Tim McMurray said that would have left the village with too little of a cushion for any unanticipated expenses in the new fiscal year that starts June 1.
The mayor said Albion has old waterlines, infrastructure and equipment, which could result in a big bill if something breaks and needs to be replaced.
The 2.5 percent increase follows a budget from a year ago that raised taxes by 11 percent, and that was when the fire department was moved out of the village budget into its own taxing entity with a fire district.
The new budget totals $9,371,115 with the General Fund at $4,890,354, the Water Fund at $2,927,243 and Sewer at $1,554,518.
The water and sewer funds are self-supporting through water and sewer bills. Property taxes go towards the General Fund, which increased by 2.7 percent or $126,399 – from $4,763,955 to $4,890,354.
The village’s tax levy will go up by $85,221.61 or 2.5 percent from $3,463,463.38 to $3,548,685. The tax rate will increase 2.4 percent or 38 cents from $15.99 to $16.37 per $1,000 of assessed property.
The owner of an house assessed for $140,300 would see an increase in village taxes by $53.28 from $2,244.09 to $2,297.37, village officials said.
Chart data from Albion Clerk/Treasurer Tracy Van Skiver. Note: The fire department is out of the village budget but the village still owns the fire hall and is responsible for its maintenance.
The budget is only taking $5,900 from the fund balance. In many past budgets in recent years, the budget was able to tap into $200,000 or more of fund balance which lowered the tax rate. (The village in the current 2025-26 budget used $64,000 in its fund balance compared to $261,150 in 2024-25.)
The village currently only has $242,000 in fund balance. McMurray said the state comptroller would like to see Albion with about 20 percent of the general fund as a fund balance, or nearly $1 million to help weather emergency expenses. Albion also has $250,000 in reserve funds to help with future equipment needs.
Sheehan sought to take $50,000 more out of the fund balance which would have put that fund below $200,000.
“That will bring the rate down,” he said. “I’m all about lowering taxes.”
But McMurray said reducing the fund balance only sets Albion up for big tax hikes in the future. He said previous village boards dwindled the fund balance down far too low, leaving the more recent board in a difficult position with the budget.
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting new results,” he said.
Sheehan was on some of those boards when the fund balance was bigger and used to help hold taxes at minimal increases.
“I take offense when you say ‘previous boards,’” Sheehan responded to McMurray. “I was on three boards. There’s ways to get through it.”
Sheehan said state grant programs can help the village with some of the equipment needs.
Sheehan opposed the budget as presented on Wednesday, while McMurray, and trustees William Gabalski and Jami Allport voted yes.
The village’s tax base barely grew in the past year after seeing a huge jump a year ago after reassessments. The village’s taxable valuation went up 41.6 percent or by $63,666,806 – from $152,867,932 to $216,534,738 in 2025.
However, this time the tax base grew by less than 0.1 percent or $182,846 from $216,534,738 to $216,717,584.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 22 April 2026 at 7:44 pm
Improving to 2-1, Barker shutout defending champion Albion 5-0 in a Niagara-Orleans League tennis match this afternoon.
Daniel Goodwin and Matthew Jordan scored singles wins for Barker which also got victories from the doubles teams of Oscar Dergel – Lucas Nestoros, Aurora Wass – Nick Heideman and Luke Fay – Aaden Munn.
In another N-O match Wilson defeated Roy-Hart 4-1.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 22 April 2026 at 7:31 pm
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Kaitlin Bennett puts the tag on Wilson’s Lucy Madan at second base during this afternoon’s N-O League game at Albion.
Wilson exploded for a total of 18 runs over the first two innings to key a 25-4 win over host Albion in a Niagara-Orleans League softball game this afternoon.
A two-run single by Lauren Vanderlinden highlighted a 7 run first inning for Wilson which quickly tacked on 11 more in the second.
Albion scored twice in the first sparked by a lead of a triple by Aaliyah Jones.
Akron 15, Medina 1
Leading 3-1, Akron erupted for 12 runs in the fourth inning on 7 walks, 5 singles and an error to lock up the 15-1 N-O win over visiting Medina.
Shannon Esmond had 3 hits and Addison Massaro 2 for Akron as Kenadee Jonathan hurled a 1 hitter with 9 strikeouts in the circle.
Roy-Hart 15, Newfane 5
Roy-Hart improved to 2-1 with a 15-5 N-O win over Newfane which slips to 0-4.
Brooke Corser had a two-run home run and an RBI triple and Grace Pearl a two-run homer to highlight the Roy-Hart attack which also included 3 hits by Peyton May and 2 each by Guiliana Russo and winning pitcher Abby Fox who also had 7 strikeouts in the circle.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 22 April 2026 at 7:08 pm
Lyndonville rallied to down visiting Attica 7-3 and Kendall bested Alexander 11-2 in Genesee Region League softball this afternoon.
Trailing 3-1, Lyndonville battled back to claim the win by scoring 3 times in both the fifth and sixth innings.
RBI singles by Hannah Fox and Rylan Townsend along with an error plated the three runs in the fifth. Winning pitcher Arnie Sturtevant then had an RBI triple in the sixth inning which also included RBI doubles by Brooke Robinson and Isabella Groves.
Sturtevant, who registered 7 strikeouts in the circle, finished with 3 hits and Groves and Townsend both had 2.
The Lady Tigers improve to 3-0.
Kendall 11, Alexander 2
Teagan Shaw had 3 hits and Izzy D’Agostino and Brooke Rodas 2 each to lead Kendall past Alexander 11-2.
Kendall scored 2 quick runs in the first inning on a double by Shaw and a single by Rodas.
Rodas then had a two-run triple and Shaw a two-run double to highlight a 5 run second inning.
D’Agostino later had a two-run single to key a 3 run fifth inning.
Nate Gibson hurled a 2 hit shutout with 13 strikeouts for Albion which scored in each of the five innings of the run rule contest.
Drew Pritchard belted a two-run home run and Kaiden Froman followed up with a two-run single in the second inning to put Albion up 5-0.
Gibson finished with 3 hits as Froman and Pritchard both had 2.
Albion is now 1-2 and Barker 2-3 in N-O action.
Roy-Hart 10, Newfane 0
Evan Poeller pitched a 1 hitter with 10 strikeouts over six innings for Roy-Hart in the run rule contest.
Leading 1-0, Roy-Hart opened up a little breathing room by scoring 3 times in the fifth inning on a hit batter, a bases loaded walk and an RBI single by Hank Snyder. A single by Jared Hy, who had 3 hits on the day, and a pair of walks loaded the bases to set up the threat.
The Rams then locked up the win by scoring 6 runs in the sixth inning highlighted by a two-run single by Isaac Smith and an RBI double by Hy.
Roy-Hart is now 4-0 and Newfane 1-2 in N-O contests.
Akron 7, Wilson 1
Akron scored 4 quick runs in the first inning on a three-run homer by Collin Miller and an RBI double by Jackson Nice to key a 7-1 win over Wilson.
Collin Luck, who banged out 3 hits for the Tigers, also picked up the win on the mound striking out 9.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today questioned United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on the Administration’s 2026 Trade Policy Agenda, highlighting Canada’s refusal to substantively engage on longstanding trade barriers harming Upstate New York producers.
During the hearing, Congresswoman Tenney highlighted Canadian actions that are devastating NY-24 producers, including Canadian restrictions and prohibitions on the export of dairy, wine and bulk produce.
These issues are all highlighted in the National Trade Estimate Report as foreign trade barriers harming the U.S.-Canada relationship. These policies, Tenney emphasized, are placing Upstate New York farmers and producers at a competitive disadvantage despite repeated U.S. efforts to resolve these issues through negotiation.
As Ambassador Greer stated “I think we’re kind of at the end of our rope… there are two countries that have retaliated economically against the United States in the past year: The People’s Republic of China and Canada. So that’s kind of the company they’re running in.”
“Upstate New York farmers and producers are some of the best in the world, but they are not getting a fair shot,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “Canada continues to block our dairy, our wine, and our produce while expecting free and open access to our markets. That is not how a fair trade relationship works. I hear from these producers every day, and they are frustrated because of Canada’s discriminatory treatment and refusal to engage on these issues meaningfully and substantively. We need to hold Canada accountable, strengthen USMCA, and make sure our farmers and businesses can compete and win in the international marketplace.”
Press Release, Orleans County Planning & Development Department
MEDINA – Orleans County celebrated Earth Day today by opening registration for its Annual Paint Collection Event, which will be held on Saturday, May 30th at the GCC Campus in Medina.
This event is done in partnership with Niagara County and is open to residents of both Orleans and Niagara counties. Registration is required.
“Earth Day reminds us that protecting our planet starts with everyday choices like reusing what we can and recycling what we can’t, and that is what this paint collection event is all about,” said Corey Winters, Orleans County Director of Planning and Development, which organizes the event. “Last year, hundreds of people participated, helping us keep paint cans out of our landfills. We hope for an even better turnout this year.”
Orleans County works in collaboration with paint-recycling company GreenSheen to collect the paint. Resident and businesses are welcome to bring oil-based, acrylic and latex paint, urethanes, varnishes, shellacs, lacquers, primers and clear coatings to be recycled at no cost.
“As I say every year, as everyone begins spring cleaning, this is a great opportunity to get those old paint cans out of your basement, garage and shed, and ensure they are properly recycled,” said Winters.
WHAT: Free Community Paint Collection Event
WHEN: Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 9am to 1pm.
WHERE: GCC Medina Campus Center, 11470 Maple Ridge Rd. Medina, NY 14103.
Registration for this event can be done at https://circular.eco/event/medina26. Staff will be on hand to unload vehicles so drivers can stay in their vehicles. Those with any questions about the event should call the Orleans County Planning and Development Department at 585.589.3198.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 April 2026 at 1:16 pm
ALBION – A former Lyndonville man was sentenced to 1 ½ years in state prison today by Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church.
Carl Ostrander, 42, on Jan. 21 pleaded guilty to first degree attempted sexual abuse that occurred in the town of Yates.
The female victim, who was under 13 when Ostrander touched her in her private parts, spoke during the sentencing and said Ostrander has ruined her mental health and self esteem.
“You are more dangerous than you appear on paper,” she said. “I want everyone in the court to know that.”
She asked Judge Church to impose the maximum sentence. Ostrander was charged for sexual misdemeanor crimes against two other underage girls but those charges were dismissed after he was declared mentally incompetent. However, he was later deemed fit to stand trial and he faced the felony charge.
His attorney, Jeffrey Mallaber, said Ostrander suffered a traumatic brain injury in his youth that is a contributing factor in the case.
Judge Church said a TBI shouldn’t be blamed for Ostrander’s actions, which the judge said were intentional acts.
Ostrander, who recently moved to Lockport, did not speak during his sentencing today.
The judge gave him the maximum sentence as part of a plea agreement. Ostrander also will be on post-release supervision for 10 years and will be on the sex offender registry. The judge also issued an order of protection for the victim who spoke in court today.
In other cases in County Court today,
• A Medina man was sentenced to 1 ½ to 3 years of additional time in state prison for attempted assault, an E felony, to two jail corrections officers.
Patrick Casanova, 32, is currently serving a 2- to 4-year sentence in state prison at Five Points Correctional facility in Romulus, Seneca County. His earliest release date is listed as May 27, 2027.
The judge issued orders of protections for the two corrections officers who were injured.
Casanova disputed in court that he harmed the officers. He said he doesn’t plan on returning to Orleans County in the future because local law enforcement seems determined to put him in jail or prison.
Casanova is currently in prison after pleading guilty in 2023 to second-degree assault. He admitted to punching a woman in the face, which fractured her orbital bone and damaged her sinus.
• Richard Neal, 36, of Medina pleaded guilty to felony driving while intoxicated. He was charged by State Police on Aug. 25 after allegedly driving a motorcycle on Route 31 in Ridgeway while intoxicated and without a license. He registered a BAC of 0.10 percent, just above the legal limit of 0.08 percent. He has a previous DWI conviction on may 29, 2025 in the City of Batavia.
Neal faces a possible split sentence of a maximum of six months in the county jail plus five years of probation when he is sentenced on July 1.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 22 April 2026 at 1:06 pm
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Aidan Neumann
A total of seven Niagara-Orleans League players have earned spots on the All State boys basketball squad which was released this week.
Wilson senior Aidan Neumann, who was the N-O Player of the Year, has been named to the Class C first team. He scored 518 points and grabbed off 120 rebounds.
His teammate, Lakemen senior Ryan Hough, has earned Honorable Mention on the Class C squad as has Barker junior Anthony Taliaferro.
Akron has placed three players on the Class B squad.
Tigers junior Derren Brooks, who scored 451 points and pulled down 303 rebounds, has been named to the second team. Senior Ben Gerstung has been named to the 9th team and senior Blake Gerstung to the 10th team.
In addition, Medina senior Jerrell Nealy has earned Honorable Mention on the Class B squad.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Fire trucks with the Albion Joint Fire District drive in the Strawberry Festival Parade on June 14, 2025.
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced New York’s Volunteer Firefighter Training Stipend program is expanding to offset costs for five additional training courses available to volunteer firefighters.
New York State created the program to strengthen the volunteer fire service and address recruitment and retention challenges by offsetting the costs of required training that individuals need to become a firefighter. This expansion will help reduce obstacles preventing volunteer firefighters from advancing their careers. Since 2023, more than 4,000 volunteer firefighters have successfully completed training through the program.
“Since taking office, I’ve been laser-focused on making New York safer and more affordable. By expanding the Volunteer Firefighter Training Stipend program, we’re doing both – cutting costs for those who serve while enhancing their lifesaving skills,” Governor Hochul said. “This program makes critical training more accessible, allowing our volunteers to grow in their careers without sacrificing their ability to provide for their families. I’m proud to invest in our volunteer firefighters who put their lives on the line to keep New Yorkers safe.”
The new stipend-eligible courses and course equivalencies are:
Firefighter Survival: Self Rescue: This course teaches firefighters how to rescue themselves if they become trapped or compromised during a fire incident. Stipend Amount: $250
Firefighter Assist and Search Team, and Rapid Intervention Crew: These courses are designed to train firefighters in the critical skills needed to rescue fellow firefighters who are trapped or in distress during an incident. Stipend Amount: $350
Fire and Emergency Services Instructor 1, Fire Officer II, and Firefighter 2: These courses are advanced leadership and instructor development programs. They aim to enhance the leadership capabilities of fire department members and improve their effectiveness in incident command roles, ultimately contributing to the safety of firefighters. Stipend Amount: $500
These five courses build on the catalog of trainings that are already stipend-eligible: Basic Wildland Fire Suppression ($250) Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations ($750), Fire Officer 1 ($1,000) and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus/Interior Firefighting Operations ($1,250). Since the inception of the stipend program, completion of the Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations, and Interior Firefighting Operations courses have increased by 20 percent and completion of the Fire Officer I course has risen 35 percent.
New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services Acting Commissioner Terry O’Leary said, “New York’s volunteer firefighters are critical parts of the fabric of communities statewide and they put their lives on the line every time they answer a call to protect those communities. As New York continues to face challenges with volunteer recruitment, the stipend program has resulted in marked increases in class completions, which has brought additional firefighters to departments across the state. Thanks to the leadership and support of Governor Hochul, this stipend program expansion will continue to help volunteer departments recruit and retain members, keeping themselves and their communities safe.”
Additionally, a local fire training stipend may be authorized for the completion of any state Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) training course or equivalent, as determined by OFPC, up to $500. Courses must have been completed on or after August 31, 2023, and applicants must be a member in good standing as determined by their department. Stipend applications must be submitted to OFPC-Stipend@dhses.ny.gov.
Additional information on the stipend program can be found on the DHSES website.
Press Release, Orleans County Emergency Management Office
KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County Emergency Management has teamed up with the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Citizens to host a Citizens Preparedness Training Event from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on May 23 at Cornell Cooperative Extension, 12690 NY 31 in Albion.
The purpose of the training is to teach people how to prepare for disaster or emergency situations. The course includes information about the types of risks and hazards people face. It teaches how to develop individual and household plans.
The training also encourages all to think about and save needed emergency supplies. Learning how to help yourself and others in advance will help you react faster when facing a crisis. Each family that attends will be given a free preparedness kit.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 21 April 2026 at 10:42 pm
In a sea-saw battle Roy-Hart trimmed Barker 6-5 in a Niagara-Orleans League make-up baseball game which ended after 10:30 at Barker tonight.
Trailing 5-4, Roy-Hart rallied for the win by scoring twice in the bottom of the sixth inning on a fielders choice play off a bunt by RJ Townsend.
Earlier, the Rams had built up a 4-0 lead by scoring once in the first on a bases loaded walk, once in the fourth on a ground out and twice in fifth on a ground out and an RBI single by Jared Hy.
Barker rallied into what proved to be a brief 5-4 lead by scoring five times in the top of the sixth on a bases loaded walk, a three run double by Dom Cimato and an RBI single by Peyton Hirschman.
The Bulldogs did get two runners aboard in the top of the seventh on a walk and a single by Logan Flint but could not score.
