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Debate tonight for Ellman, Tenney in NY’s 24th Congressional District
Photos by Tom Rivers: Alissa Ellman, left, and Claudia Tenney will debate at 7 p.m. today on Channel 8 in Rochester.
ROCHESTER – Claudia Tenney and Alissa Ellman will debate tonight in Rochester. It will be broadcast on Channel (WROC) and livestream beginning at 7 p.m. on RochesterFirst.
They are seeking to represent New York’s 24th Congressional District, which includes portions of 14 counties spanning from the North Country through the Finger Lakes and into WNY. The district includes Orleans County.
Tenney, an incumbent Republican, also has the backing of the Conservative Party. Ellman won the Democratic Primary in June and also is running under the Working Families line.
Tenney, 65, was first elected to Congress in 2016. Ellman, 42, is a US Army veteran making her first run for public office.
The hour-long debate will be moderated by Adam Chodak, the WROC’s evening anchor and managing editor.
Akron and Barker celebrate capturing N-O League cross-country championships
Contributed Photo – Ending a 12 year title drought, Akron captured the Niagara-Orleans League girls cross-country championship by winning the annual All-League meet on Saturday to complete an undefeated season. The championship is the first since 2014 for the Lady Tigers which ended Newfane’s 11 year title run. Shown here celebrating the title are Coach Nancy Bennett and her team including from left, Gabbie Dispenza, Hazel Fleming, Makayla Pask, Abby Bower, Caylin Thomas-Wells, Kylee Rebmann, Aleece O’Malley and Kendra McConkey.
Contributed Photo – Completing an undefeated season, Barker captured the Niagara-Orleans League boys cross-country championship for the third year in a row by winning the All-League meet on Saturday. Shown here with the championship banner are in the back row from left – Riley Marciszewski, Matthew Jordan, Ethan Gancasz, Grayson Prynn, Peyton Wagner, Logan Wagner, Chace Atwater, Oscar Dergel and Anthony Taliaferro. In the front row are Coach Paul DerSarkissian, Fisher Strong, Hunter Sweeney and Coach Sharon Lamb.
Ladder truck makes journey from Medina to Illinois
Photo courtesy of Scott Bieliski, Medina village trustee
MEDINA – A nearly new ladder truck left Medina last week, taking a 600-mile journey to Wilmette near Chicago, Illinois.
The truck was loaded on a trailer and hauled away last Wednesday. The truck was being kept in Medina’s former compost facility on North Gravel Road, next to the dog park and just south of Boxwood Cemetery.
The Village Board on Sept. 8 accepted a $2.1 million offer from Wilmette for the ladder truck. Medina received the truck last December but never put it into service. It was declared surplus by the Village Board in February, with the majority of the board saying the truck, with a $1.8 million bond, was too costly.
It also needed a new bay at the fire station to accommodate it. The current fire hall is too small for the truck. The truck is about 13 feet high where the fire station bays only have a clearance of 10 feet, 6 inches. A one-bay addition would have been about $1.3 million more.
The Village of Wilmette has more resources than Medina. The Illinois community has about 28,000 people with a median household income of $190,662.
Medina has a population of 5,855, according to the 2025 population estimates from the Census Bureau. Medina’s median household income is $59,231, just a fraction’s of Wilmette’s.
Wilmette officials were in Medina on Oct. 5 and hand-delivered a check for $2.1 million. They also gave the truck a final inspection.
Wilmette wanted a new ladder truck, but ordering one now would cost about $2.5 million with a wait time of more than three years.
Shelby highway position should remain elected, not appointed by town officials
Editor:
The residents of the Town of Shelby should think carefully before giving up their right to elect their highway superintendent. Once that decision is taken out of the hands of voters and placed with the Town Board, an important level of public accountability is lost.
A town highway superintendent has one of the most important jobs in local government. From maintaining roads and bridges to responding to winter storms and emergencies, the decisions made by the superintendent directly affect the safety of residents and the condition of the infrastructure they depend on every day.
Highway maintenance is also the largest expense for town governments, according to the State Comptroller. With so much taxpayer money involved, residents deserve a direct say in who manages those resources and oversees their highway department.
There is a fundamental difference between an elected and an appointed superintendent. An elected superintendent answers directly to the people of Shelby. Residents can judge the superintendent’s performance, ask questions, and ultimately decide at the ballot box whether that individual should continue serving. An appointed superintendent also answers to the Town Board, leaving voters one step removed from that decision.
Supporters of an appointed position may argue that it gives the Town Board greater control over highway operations. But greater control for the Town Board should not come at the expense of the public’s right to choose.
The New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways strongly supports preserving the elected position of highway superintendent in Shelby. The choice of who maintains the town’s roads and manages one of its largest public expenditures should remain where it belongs — with the voters.
Theresa Burke
President
New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways
Write-in candidate for Yates town supervisor wants to give voters a choice
Editor:
I am writing to announce my write-in candidacy for office because the local Republican leadership has bypassed the democratic process, leaving voters with no real choice.
The party leadership selected their candidate quietly, without notifying the public or giving anyone the opportunity to circulate petitions for the primary. As a result, only one candidate is currently on the ballot for what amounts to two separate vacancies.
First, voters are being asked to cast a ballot in an election where the candidate has already been hand-picked behind closed doors. Second, if this candidate is elected, the secondary seat they vacate will be filled by appointment or subsequent maneuver—meaning voters are effectively handing over control to those who consistently vote to raise taxes and fail to solve our community’s pressing problems.
We deserve transparency, competition, and representation that actually listens to the people rather than party insiders. It is time to restore accountability to our local government.
Sincerely,
Steve Colon
Yates
Fuller 155 Suicide Awareness donates $2K to OCH Foundation
Press Release, Orleans Community Health Foundation
Provided photo: Pictured during the $2,000 check presentation are event organizer Ike Fuller Watts; Kim Grey, Chief Nursing Officer at Orleans Community Health; and Jason Watts, Ike’s husband and a volunteer for the event.
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health Foundation recently received a generous $2,000 donation from the Fuller 155 Suicide Awareness Basket Raffle and 5K Fun Run/Walk. The funds will benefit behavioral health programs and patients receiving behavioral health services through Orleans Community Health’s primary care clinics.
The fourth annual event, held in September in memory of Erin Fuller, brought together community members, volunteers, and local businesses to raise awareness about suicide prevention, promote mental health, and encourage open conversations about seeking help. This year’s event saw its largest turnout to date and included a 5K Fun Run/Walk for the first time.
The donation comes at an important time as Orleans Community Health continues to expand access to behavioral health services throughout the community.
Behavioral health counseling services are now available within Orleans Community Health’s primary care clinics, providing patients with additional resources and support for their mental health needs. The organization is also preparing to introduce COPE (Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment), an evidence-based program designed to help adolescents and teens develop healthy coping skills to manage stress, anxiety, and depression. Orleans Community Health is also exploring opportunities to offer the program in local schools.
Orleans Community Health is also participating in ROOTS-NY (Rural Outreach, Organizing, Training and Suicide Prevention), a four-year, $1.6 million initiative announced by the New York State Office of Mental Health to strengthen suicide prevention efforts in five rural counties, including Orleans.
The initiative focuses on reducing social isolation, improving access to mental health resources, and strengthening community partnerships. Beginning November 1, Orleans Community Health plans to introduce services within its clinics focused on adults ages 55 and older who may be experiencing social isolation and loneliness. These efforts will include social prescribing, suicide screening and awareness, and support addressing depression and substance use.
“Access to mental health care is so important, especially in rural communities where resources can be limited,” said Megan Johnson, executive director of Orleans Community Health Foundation. “This generous donation will help us support patients who need behavioral health services while continuing to strengthen the programs and resources available right here in our community. We are incredibly grateful to the Fuller 155 organizers and everyone who supported this event for recognizing this need and taking action to make a difference.:
The Orleans Community Health Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to the Fuller 155 organizers, volunteers, donors, and participants for their dedication to suicide awareness and their generosity in supporting local behavioral health services.
About Orleans Community Health Foundation
Orleans Community Health Foundation supports the mission of Orleans Community Health by raising funds to enhance patient care, expand access to healthcare services, and provide essential resources for patients and families throughout the communities it serves.
Albion bests Medina in N-O volleyball finale
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Jillian LeBaron sets set to return service during the Purple Eagles home court win over Medina this evening as Kasia Robinson backs up the play.
Albion closed out the Niagara-Orleans League volleyball season on a high note by downing visiting rival Medina in straight sets 25-19, 25-16, 25-12 this evening.
Melia Prince had 5 kills, 4 aces and 2 blocks, Anna Grillo 9 aces and 4 kills, Jillian LeBaron 6 kills, 3 aces and 2 blocks, Kate Viza 3 kills and 2 aces, Carley Smith 4 kills and Charlotte Pike 4 aces and 11 assists for the Purple Eagles.
For Medina, Sam Heschke had 2 aces and Jenna Cecchini 2 kills.
In the opening set Prince served up points 18-21 including an ace to put Albion up 21-14.
Medina did rally back to within two at 21-19 as Payton Denniston scored points 16-19 including an ace but the Mustangs could get no closer.
Viza closed out the set for the Purple Eagles scoring points 23-25 registering aces for the final two.
Albion gradually built up a 21-12 lead in the second set as Pike served up points 1-4 with two aces and Prince tallied 18-21 also with a pair of aces.
Smith registered an ace for the set winning point for the Purple Eagles.
Leading 16-12, Albion closed out the third set and the match as Grillo put together a marathon run of 9 straight service points (17-25) including 6 aces.
Albion finishes the N-O season at 3-7 and Medina at 1-9 with that lone win being a 5 set victory over the Purple Eagles earlier in the season at Medina.
Roy-Hart d. Akron in 5
Roy-Hart finished the N-O season at 5-5 after outlasting Akron (5-4) in 5 sets 25-15, 17-25, 25-20, 21=25, 15-5.
Lauren Snyder had 15 kills for the Lady Rams as Tessa Degenhardt and Liliana Stanton 8 each.
Newfane d. Wilson in 5
Newfane, which has already locked up the N-O title, downed rival Wilson in five sets 24-26, 25-18, 25-17, 16-25, 25-10 this evening to improve to 9-0.
Wilson finishes the N-O season at 6-4.
Newfane will close out the season against Akron (5-4) on Wednesday.
Cassidy Janas akes a return for Medina as Hailey Moore (2) and Sam Heschke back up the play.
Hawley co-sponsored legislation that increased tax credit for volunteer firefighters, ambulance workers
Press Release, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) today applauded the signing of his co-sponsored legislation to increase New York State’s income tax credit for eligible volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers from $200 to $800.
The legislation, A.6790-A, also increases the credit for eligible married couples filing jointly from $400 to $1,600 when both spouses qualify.
Hawley, a life member of the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department, supported the legislation during the Assembly debate. The credit had remained unchanged since 2007. The increase is intended to recognize the commitment of volunteer emergency responders and help local departments recruit and retain the personnel needed to protect their communities. The new law also allows eligible volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers to receive the state income tax credit while benefiting from a qualifying local property tax exemption, providing additional financial relief to those who serve their communities.
“Volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers give their time and put themselves at risk to protect our communities, often while balancing jobs and family responsibilities,” said Hawley. “As a life member of the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department, I understand the importance of supporting these dedicated volunteers, and increasing this tax credit is a meaningful step toward recognizing their service.”
Hawley said he will continue to advocate for policies that return money to the hard-working first responders in New York State.
Medina couple allegedly falsely accused person of hurting their child when injuries caused by father
Press Release, Medina Police Chief Corey Black
Christian Cooper, left, and Emily Niersberger face felony and misdemeanor charges.
MEDINA – On September 5, the Medina Police Department took a complaint from Emily E. Niersberger, age 24, and Christian A. Cooper, age 28.
Both stated that while walking with their 14-month-old child who was seated in a stroller an individual came up to them, assaulted Christian and then assaulted the child, resulting in injury to the child.
As officers began their investigation officers noticed slight differences in the account of Cooper and Niersberger’s description of the event. Further Investigation revealed that the stated suspect in this case was not in New York State at the time of the alleged occurrence.
The child who was treated at Golisano Children’s Hospital in Buffalo for minor injuries and was placed in a safe environment by Orleans County CPS during this investigation. As officers investigated this incident and compiled evidence it became clear that this explanation of the child’s injuries was clearly false.
Continued investigation revealed that Christian Cooper allegedly struck the child himself resulting in the child’s injuries and that Emily Niersberger conspired with Cooper in an attempt to conceal some of the details as to how the child was injured.
Christian Cooper was arrested on October 18 and transported to the Orleans County Jail for CAP Court arraignment.
He has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, class A misdemeanor; assault in the second-degree class D felony; forgery in the second-degree, class D felony; criminal contempt in the first-degree, class E felony; making a false written statement, class A misdemeanor.
Emily Niersberger was arrested October 16 and transported to the Orleans County Jail for CAP Court arraignment. She was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, class A misdemeanor; forgery in the second-degree, class D felony; and making a false written statement, class A misdemeanor
Big early second half scoring burst keys Albion to first round sectional soccer win
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Damon Taylor tries to send the ball to the goal off a corner kick opportunity during the Purple Eagles sectional win over visiting Pine Valley/Gowanda this afternoon. Backing up the play is Adam Burgio (23).
A lightning quick three goal scoring burst in the first three minutes of the second half keyed No. 16 Albion to a 5-1 victory over visiting No. 17 Pine Valley/Gowanda this afternoon in the opening round of the Section VI Class B playoffs.
Breaking away from a 1-1 half-time deadlock, Albion took control with that decisive scoring burst as Garret Jones scored all three goals two coming off assists by Brendan Smith and one by Alakai Colmenero.
Jaili McPhatter netted the Purple Eagles final goal.
Jones also scored Albion’s lone first half goal off an assist from Smith.
Albion, which is 3-13-1 overall, will now visit top seeded Lafayette (11-1, 12-4) tomorrow at 5 p.m. in the pre-quarterfinals.
Andres Morillas scored in the first half for Pine Valley/Gowanda which gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead.
Pine Valley/Gowanda finishes the season at 0-15.
Albion’s Brendan Smith puts a shot toward the goal.
