By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 September 2026 at 3:53 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Mary Jo Whitman works on a mural today with a message “Holley is Home.” Whitman, an artist from Batavia, is a 1995 Holley graduate.
She received a $7,500 grant through the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council to create the mural which is on the Geddes Street side of the Heath and Heath law offices at 66 Public Square.
Holley Mayor Mark Bower approached Whitman about creating the mural that will include Holley landmarks. She has already painted the Salisbury Fountain, the Holley Waterfalls, and the gazebo by the canal. She will be adding the old Holley High School and the block of storefronts that incudes Sam’s Diner.
Whitman started painted the mural on site about two weeks ago. She said the project should be complete by the end of October, and possibly sooner if there is a nice stretch of conducive weather.
Bower said he has heard lots of good feedback from the community so far, and he is amazed by how realistic her work is of the local landmarks.
Here is how the mural looked on Tuesday. The painting will go higher, just below the second floor windows.
ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Christopher M. Bourke is pleased to announce a Child Passenger Safety Seat Check Point Event will be held on Saturday, September 26th at the Orleans County Public Safety Building from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
According to data, vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1 to 13. Preventative measures, such as proper installation of car seats, booster seats and seat belts can reduce the likelihood of death and injuries. Informing and instructing parents and caregivers on child passenger safety and proper installation of car seats is critical to saving young lives.
Our certified child passenger safety technicians will inspect your car and/or booster seats to ensure that your child is in the appropriate seat for their size and age.
For child passenger safety seat questions, please contact Certified Technician Kevin Colonna at 585-589-5527 or Kevin.Colonna@orleanscountyny.gov.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 September 2026 at 6:49 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion Village Board on Wednesday issued a proclamation declaring September as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The board presented the proclamation to Tina and Jeremy Neal, who are the parents of Byron Neal, at age 8 on April 14, 2023 after a brave battle with cancer.
From include village trustees Jami Allport, William Gabalski, Jeremy and Tina Neal, Mayor Tim McMurray, and trustees Greg Bennett and Kevin Sheehan.
“Village of Albion residents are urged to recognize the impact of pediatric cancer on families within our community and honor the children in our community whose lives have been cut short by cancer,” the proclamation states.
Tina Neal thanked the board for issuing the proclamation and showing support for the families who have lost children to cancer. The Neal family is active in C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association.
The proclamation states National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is a time to honor children and families affected by this deadly disease and to rally support for ground- breaking research that can save kids’ lives.
The American Cancer Society states that in 2025 about 9,550 children in the United States under the age of 15 are expected to die from cancer.
In the Rochester region, 61 local children have been newly diagnosed with cancer, and 5 have relapsed and 5 children have died from the disease in 2025.
“Although cancer is pernicious and complex, National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month challenges us to change the numbers; we must remain vigilant to improve these statistics and press forward,” the proclamation states.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 September 2026 at 9:01 pm
Photos courtesy of Marsha Rivers
CARLTON – It was a spectacular sunset this evening, especially over Lake Ontario. This photo was taken from the beach near the Oak Orchard Marine Park.
This is another photo from the beach, just to the west of the Oak Orchard Harbor.
Kimberly Stawicki sent in this photo of the sunset over the Erie Canal in Medina.
The high temperatures for the next few days include 70 on Friday, 78 on Saturday, 76 on Sunday and 68 on Monday.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 10 September 2026 at 8:05 pm
Defending champion Akron blanked visiting Medina 6-0 and Barker downed visiting Wilson 6-1 in season opening Niagara-Orleans League field hockey games this afternoon.
Mackenzie Tomporowski and Brooke Milhollen both scored 2 goals and Abigail Schlabach and Madigan Regan each had 1 to lead the way for Akron.
Milayna May scored 3 goals to pace Barker as Lilly Reyes, Sophia Pavlock and Faith Bowerman each had 1.
Brynn Lepsch scored the goal for Wilson.
In the other opener, Kenmore downed Roy-Hart 6-2. Savannah Newton and Bella Rhinehart each scored a goal for the Lady Rams.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 September 2026 at 8:02 pm
Provided photo
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Class of 1976 celebrated its 50th reunion recently at the Webber Cafe.
“It was an enjoyable evening of sharing memories and reconnecting,” said classmate Elaine Smith.
Pictured in front row: Bill Jurinich, Kathy Rogers Snowburg, Anne Hyndman, Peter Panek, Bob Rucinski, Sandy Weaver Mitchell, Cheryl Mahnke Watson and Steve Hill.
Middle row: Cheryl DeBrine, Scott Thurber, Norm Starkweather Mary Rey Hughes, Elaine Peruzzini Smith, Joanne Eddy Nesbitt and Paula Bentley Nesbitt.
Back row: Dean Harris, Jim Bell, Steve Culmo, Scott Mason Next Row from Top: John Kage, Cheryl Woodworth Eggleston and James Young.
Missing: Frank Brabon (out of building when photo taken).
I have handed in to the town and to the Orleans Hub some good reasons why a STR (short-term rental) or airbnb should not be on an easement, shared lane, or private shared lane.
On a private one-way lane, when approximately 10 people reside on the lane, it’s a private lane. People who purchased that type of property have spent their hard-earned money on their properties for peace and quiet and not to see strangers come in and out.
That was not their intentions in buying that type of property. They are not on a public road way. It’s a private one-way lane where the people should not have to beg the town not to allow it when there are other places in the town of Yates/Lyndonville where STRs or airbnbs can reside.
It’s not like people are asking the town or the people not to have any of them at all. People who have saved all their life just to have something like this, a beautiful home on the lake, not a motel in their quiet and peaceful area and for it to be ripped away from them.
The chairman of the board has been asked several times to exclude two of the Yates Town Board and they weren’t, even when one owns an STR in a different town and the other owns a business here hoping it will generate more business for him which is very acceptable but not on a lane that consists of approximately 10 people. On the private lanes, STRs should be prohibited, period.
It also seems to me by going to these meetings when we are allowed to talk about it to the Town Board, some of the board members seem to have already made their decision.
I realize it’s stressful to the town supervisor and board members because they are being pulled in different directions and trying to make everyone happy but like I said these properties were purchased before STRs and airbnbs where ever as popular as they are today.
I am pretty sure most people would of thought twice before purchasing if they knew they would be next to an STR. We personally own two properties on the private one-way lane and I would be very disappointed if Town Board allows STRs on these private one-way lanes.
Please think this through to the fullest extent due to the people who paid a large amount of money to own this type of property, and not be next to a motel and have to not to worry about who is who and what is what when their children or grandchildren are at play.
A private one-way lane is not a public roadway. It’s a private one-way lane for the people who own and pay taxes and lane maintenance, period.
Provided photo: Heather Smith serves as CEO of Velocitii.
MEDINA – Velocitii is proud to announce that it has been recognized with seven 2026 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Awards, celebrating the company’s commitment to creating a workplace where employees feel supported, valued, empowered, and connected to a shared purpose.
Velocitii received Top Workplaces Culture Excellence recognition in the following categories:
Work-Life Flexibility Top Workplaces
Leadership Top Workplaces
Purpose & Values Top Workplaces
Top Workplaces for Appreciation
Employee Well-Being Top Workplaces
Innovation Top Workplaces
Professional Development Top Workplaces
The Top Workplaces program is administered by Energage, a purpose-driven organization that helps companies turn employee feedback into actionable insights and credible employer recognition. The program has a long history of surveying and celebrating people-first organizations across the country.
What makes the recognition especially meaningful is that Top Workplaces awards are based on feedback from employees through a research-backed workplace engagement survey. The Culture Excellence awards recognize organizations that excel in specific areas that contribute to a strong employee experience and workplace culture.
For Velocitii, the seven awards reflect several important elements of its culture, from providing employees with flexibility and opportunities to grow to fostering strong leadership, innovation, employee appreciation, well-being, and a connection to the company’s purpose and values.
“Receiving recognition across seven different areas of workplace culture is something we are incredibly proud of,” said Heather Smith, CEO. “These awards reflect the experiences and feedback of our employees. They reinforce our commitment to cultivating an environment where people feel appreciated, supported in their growth, encouraged to share ideas, and connected to the work we do together.”
About Velocitii
Velocitii is a business process outsourcing company committed to delivering exceptional experiences for its clients, customers, and employees. Through a people-first approach, Velocitii focuses on building strong teams, creating opportunities for growth, recognizing employee contributions, and fostering a culture rooted in its Core Values.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 10 September 2026 at 10:14 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Anne Joynt, a Medina High School graduate, is a candidate for the New York State Supreme Court.
MEDINA – A Medina High School graduate could make history as the first woman from Orleans County to serve on the State Supreme Court.
Anne Joynt, a 1998 MHS graduate and daughter of former Medina teacher/principal Cathy Joynt and the late Robert Joynt, is one of seven candidates running for NYS Supreme Court, 8th Judicial District. There are four judge seats up for election.
Joynt has wanted to become a lawyer from a very early age.
“I remember her asking her dad in elementary school what lawyers did,” Cathy said. “She knew Norris Webster and liked him. Her dad told her that lawyers read, write and argue, to which Anne replied, ‘Those are all things I love to do.’”
Through school, Anne never changed her mind about what she was going to be.
She graduated from Geneseo magna cum laude with degrees in English and Spanish. She enrolled at the University at Buffalo Law School and graduated with her Juris Doctor in 2005.
In her second year of law school, Anne saw an ad that a State Supreme Court candidate was looking for someone to help with her campaign. She went on to assist with the campaign of the Honorable Paula Feroleto, and The Journal-Register in Medina did a story on “Local girl working for State Supreme Court Candidate.” Judge Feroleto is retiring this year, and if she wins, Anne would have the opportunity to assume the seat of her mentor.
While in law school, Joynt was so focused on passing the bar, she was not thinking about getting a job, she said.
“I got an email one day from a law firm asking me to contact them,” Joynt said. “That was 22 years ago, and I’ve been there ever since.”
The firm became Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford. Anne’s law school Research and Writing professor had recommended her to them, and given them a brief she had written in his class when they explained that they were looking for an outstanding writer.
Her clients include injured workers exposed to asbestos, children exposed to lead paint, and abused children.
“She has really worked hard for blue-collar, hard-working individuals and their families,” her mother said.
She regularly represents people who have been unheard.
“It’s important for everyone to be heard,” Anne said. “Everyone’s experience matters.”
In spite of her successful career, Joynt has never forgotten her roots. She returns to Medina regularly with her mother, who kept the family home in Medina until just a few years ago. Cathy’s father was the late Russell Houserman, a teacher and coach in the Medina School System.
“I have always been involved in my community,” Anne said. “My life is so much richer when I’m involved in meaningful organizations and causes I care about.”
She is or has been involved as a member or in a leadership role with the Western New York Women’s Foundation; University at Buffalo Law School Alumni Association; Girls on the Run; Women’s TAP Fund; the Center for Elder Law and Justice; the Erie County Bar Association Aid to Indigent Prisoners Society; the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (Upstate Chapter); National Federation for Just Communities; and the Minority Bar Foundation.
She has also volunteered her time to the Western New York Board of Directors of Geneseo State College; the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, WNY Chapter; Bar Association of Erie County; Buffalo and Erie County Public Library; and Law Intern Program of Buffalo.
Currently she is appointed as a member of the Erie County Water Authority and Erie County Boards of Ethics.
Her honors include “Top 100 Trial Lawyers in New York, National Trial Lawyers, 2025; Best Lawyers in America; University at Buffalo Law School Distinguished Alumni Award- Community Service; Upstate New York Super Lawyer; Woman Lawyer of the Year; Attorney of the Year Leader in Law Award; Woman of Influence by Buffalo Business First; Medina High School’s Distinguished Alumni Award; 2014/15 Woman in Leadership, Buffalo Niagara Chapter; Buffalo 40 Under 40 by Buffalo Business First; and Women in Leadership by NAWBO Buffalo-Niagara.”
Joynt has been published in the Buffalo Human Rights Law Review, and written about in Buffalo Spree Magazine. She has lectured at HB National Lead Litigation Seminars and has given the Jane Ryan Pre-Law Fund Lecture at SUNY Geneseo.
She has been admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court and New York State Supreme Court.
Joynt says she is so proud to be from Orleans County.
“Growing up here taught me how communities are supposed to look and what it feels like to be in a community of people who support each other,” she said. “Medina looks so amazing. The opportunity to return home feels really nice, and I’m hoping to be able to represent the area and share the values I’ve learned here.”
Should Anne be elected, she will be the first graduate of Medina High School to serve on the State Supreme Court.
In the 1800s, Henry Childs, who was born in Gaines and attended Albion Academy, was elected to the State Supreme Court. His home was the house known as the Maple Crest on the corner of West Center and Prospect streets.
The 8th Judicial District includes includes eight counties in WNY: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming .
The candidates include:
Craig R. Bucki – Democratic, Working Families
Anne E. Joynt – Democratic, Working Families
Michael L. Amodeo – Democratic, Republican, Working Families
Robert N. Richardson – Democratic, Republican, Conservative
