By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 November 2025 at 11:26 am
ALBION – A Ridgeway man pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in Orleans County Court this morning and could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.
Curtis Schroth, 52, admitted to hitting his mother in the back of the head with a hammer on Oct. 15, causing injuries that led to her death on Oct. 27.
Schroth was living with his mother, Dolores Schroth, at the time. She was 78.
After seriously injuring his mother, Schroth went to the Albion Police Department on Oct. 15, and confessed to the crime, District Attorney Susan Howard said.
The case was at a standstill because Schroth was deemed to be mentally incompetent. He has been in a psychiatric facility for several months but was brought to Orleans County on Sept. 24 to appear in court after being found competent.
Schroth in court today said his mother frequently put him down. He cited “mental health abuse” when Judge Sanford Church asked Schroth why he hit his mother with the hammer.
Schroth said the hammer was on a counter inside the house. He acknowledged he hit her with the intention of causing physical injury.
Howard said the Monroe Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Dolores Schroth died from the injuries sustained after being hit with the hammer.
“Do you understand tat hitting your mother in the back of the head with a hammer caused significant risk of death?” Judge Church asked Schroth.
“Yes,” he replied.
He will be sentenced on Jan. 7 and also could face a $5,000 fine, other court surcharges and fees, and post-release supervision.
Press Release, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee
ALBION – Main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts and More, a program of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee (CAOG), is proud to announce the return of its annual Wishing Tree, a community-driven initiative created to help local families receive essential winter items and small gifts.
Launched 2 years ago, the Wishing Tree was designed with a simple purpose: to give the community an easy and meaningful way to help each other.
The Wishing Tree, located inside the store at 131 South Main Street in Albion, is decorated with prepaid coupons purchased by generous customers. Each coupon represents a specific item or level of support that someone in need can redeem at the register, including:
1 winter coat
2 pairs of socks
$10 toward clothing
$5 gift item
These coupons are available for purchase starting in November, allowing anyone to directly support neighbors, families, and individuals who may be struggling.
This year, Main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts and More has expanded the program by launching an online ordering option, making it easier than ever for members of the community—near or far—to participate. Coupons purchased through the website will go directly to the store, where they will be added to the Wishing Tree for use by those who need them most.
“We’ve always believed that a small act of kindness can make a big difference,” said Cassie Healy, store manager. “The Wishing Tree has grown into something that truly reflects the heart of our community, and we are excited to make giving even more accessible through our website.”
In addition to serving walk-in customers, this year all unused or extra coupons will be donated to the local school district, ensuring students have access to warm clothing and needed items throughout the winter season.
“While we are all finding ways to cope with the government shutdown, rising costs, and all of the fear and uncertainty that comes with that, this program offers a low cost opportunity for us to help our neighbors in need,” said Renee Hungerford, CEO of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee.
Community members who wish to participate can visit the store in person or purchase coupons online. Every contribution—big or small—makes a direct impact on someone’s life.
The link to purchase these coupons can be found by clicking here.
Provided photo: Del Reid, co-founder of Bills Mafia, will be at Dubby’s Tailgate on Saturday.
Press Release, Red Star Foundation
ALBION – Del Reid, co-founder of Bills Mafia and owner of 26 Shirts, will be in Orleans County on Saturday for a special veterans celebration at Dubby’s Tailgate in Albion.
The event will run from 1 to 6 p.m. and will feature free food and drink, live music, and a chance to meet one of Western New York’s most recognizable sports figures.
Reid, a Buffalo native, helped start Bills Mafia, the fan movement that grew from a small online community into one of the most passionate and charitable fan bases in the NFL. In 2013, he founded 26 Shirts, a company that sells limited edition Buffalo-themed apparel with a mission to give back.
A portion of each shirt sale goes to families and causes in need, and to date, 26 Shirts has donated more than $1.8 million to charities across the region. During his visit, Reid will have 26 Shirts merchandise available for purchase at Dubby’s.
The event will include free pizza, wings, ziti, and drinks for all veterans and one guest. Food and drink specials will be offered for non-veterans throughout the afternoon. There will also be live entertainment featuring Travis Fitch from 1 to 3 p.m., and The Who Dats from 3 to 6 p.m.
“This is a great way to show appreciation for our veterans while bringing the community together,” said Pete Sidari, one of the organizers. “Having Del Reid here makes it even more special for Bills fans and everyone who loves giving back.”
The event is being put on by the Red Star Foundation and Orleans County Veteran Services. It will be held at 165 Platt St. in Albion and is open to the public. For updates and additional information, visit Dubby’s on Facebook or follow 26 Shirts online.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 5 November 2025 at 8:46 am
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Akron’s Morgan Tomporowski and Barker’s Kaylee Stoll battle for control of the ball during a regular season contest. Akron and Barker will meet for the Section VI Class C title on Thursday at Alden.
The title game matchup will be a very familiar one as top seeded Akron will face Niagara-Orleans League rival No. 2 Barker for the Section VI Class C field hockey championship at 8 p.m. Thursday on the blue turf at Alden.
It will mark the 15th time in the last 24 years that Akron and Barker have met in the title contest. Barker holds a 9-5 lead in the series but Akron has won the last three meetings (2020, 2021 and 2022).
Both teams had close contests in the semifinals as Akron advanced by edging No. 5 Eden 4-3 in overtime while Barker nipped No. 3 Medina 2-1.
Akron brings a 14-1 record into the final while Barker is 13-5. The Lady Tigers won both meetings during the N-O season by scores of 3-0 and 1-0.
Morgan Tomporowski leads the Akron offense with 41 goals as Mackenzie Tomporowski and Madison Gates each have 11.
The Akron defense, which is anchored by goalie Marissa Brege (0.33 goals against average) has registered 13 shutouts.
Madelina Pavlock leads the Barker offense with 22 goals as Sophia Pavlock has 6, Jordyn Kinne 4 and Sophia Gerhardt 3.
The victor on Thursday will advance to the state playoffs.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 5 November 2025 at 8:39 am
This is a picture of the log cabin which once existed on the Peter Smith Road in the town of Kendall. This was taken from a print Adam Tabelski made from Bill Lattin’s book, Architecture Destroyed. This was the last standing pioneer log cabin in Orleans County, built in 1815 and torn down around 1952.
MEDINA – When the Medina Historical Society asked Adam Tabelski to be the speaker at their October meeting, he chose a subject to tie in with Orleans County’s bicentennial.
“I thought it would be fitting to choose a topic that is associated with the very early days of permanent settlement in our region,” said Tabelski, a Medina native and current resident of Batavia.
His talk focused on the pioneer log cabin because they were the first, small, humble homes of the county’s early settlers.
“Over time, the log cabin culturally and nostalgically came to represent a yearning for earlier, simpler days,” Tabelski said. “Politically and socially, the log cabin came to represent the ‘every man,’ a mark of a humble, democratic upbringing. It captured the American spirit, symbolizing rugged individualism, courage, resourcefulness and ingenuity.”
Tabelski went on to explain there were two types of construction – round log and hewn log. He also explained the reason for log cabins was because there were no saw mills to make boards, no quarries and no bricks, however, there were plentiful tall and straight trees.
A log cabin could be built with just an axe, although pioneers did have saws, adzes and chisels to make their job easier.
Tabelski next shared that a great resource for not only his lecture, but the whole history of Western New York is Orsamus Turner’s 1850 book Pioneer History of the Holland Land Purchase.
Sadly, Tabelski said the number of original log cabins still standing in our area are slim to none.
“I’m not aware of any that are still in their original location,” he said. “Too much time has passed and they simply weren’t built to last.”
Tabelski explained that log cabins were not meant to be permanent homes. They were temporary shelters that allowed families to carve a place for themselves out of the woods, gain a foothold, establish farms and eventually build a house with boards.
‘Politically and socially, the log cabin came to represent the ‘every man,’ a mark of a humble, democratic upbringing. It captured the American spirit, symbolizing rugged individualism, courage, resourcefulness and ingenuity.’
In Bill Lattin’s book, Architecture Destroyed, there is a photograph, circa 1902, of an early log cabin located on the Peter Smith Road in the town of Kendall. It was the last log house of its type in Orleans County until it was torn down in the early 1950s, according to Lattin.
A good example of a real log cabin can be seen at the Genesee Country Village and Museum in Mumford.
An original log cabin can be seen on Route 5 in Clarence, just past the Asa Ransom House. It is called the Goodrich-Landow log cabin and was built around 1852 by Levi Goodrich’s family. It stood on Goodrich Road until moved to Clarence in 1990, where it became the Clarence Historical Society log cabin.
Another well-preserved log house is situated in Letchworth State Park, where it was moved by William Pryor Letchworth. The cabin, built in 1800, belonged to Nancy Jemison, daughter of Mary Jemison, the White Woman of the Genesee.
In Lockport, the Niagara County Historical Society Museum has an area set up to illustrate what would have been found in a log dwelling of the early 19th century. This included candle molds, a foot warmer, dried herbs, a bathtub and rope and trundle beds.
This picture, taken from Adam Tabelski’s booklet of information he compiled for a talk on the history of log cabins, shows how log cabins played a role in the 1840 election of William Henry Harrison as president of the United States. The log cabin, erected on a wagon, was drawn in parades to promote Harrison (known as “Tippecanoe”) and his vice presidential running mate John Tyler.
The log cabin emerged as a key player in the presidential election of 1840, when General William Henry Harrison of Ohio was named to oppose incumbent Democrat Martin Van Buren. Harrison was an older man who gained fame as “Old Tippecanoe” after winning an 1811 battle against Native Americans near the Tippecanoe River in Indiana.
A Democratic newspaper made the mistake of being negative early in the campaign, depicting Harrison as a “feeble old man ready to be put out to pasture.” They editorialized, “Give him a barrel of hard cider and settle a pension of two thousand a year on him, and take my word for it, he will sit the remainder of his days in his log cabin.”
Whig leaders jumped on this characterization (or mischaracterization) and made the log cabin and hard cider indelible emblems of their campaign, wearing them as a badge of honor to connect with every day American citizens. This was the election of “Tippecanoe and Tyler,” too, as John Tyler of Virginia was selected as the vice-presidential candidate.
Across the country, parades and rallies were held with homemade log cabins, sometimes built on wagons and paraded through the streets, and barrels of hard cider. The campaign went into the public square on a scale far more so than ever before.
In Buffalo, a “Tippecanoe log cabin” was built in downtown Buffalo. One thing the Whigs did was create their own national newspaper to support their candidate. The Log Cabin was published by Horace Greeley from May 1840 to November 1841. Its purpose was to back the presidential campaign of Harrison, but by the end of his campaign, circulation had risen to 80,000. This success inspired Greeley to establish the New York Tribune.
The election and log cabin fever eventually hit Albion. According to Ed Grinnell’s book, Medina – Here’s to our Heritage, he recalled the fervor around the 1840 election year. He wrote, “Songs were composed and sung, log cabins built, poles raised. At Albion in June, a log cabin was built. Log cabins with a coon skin tacked on them and a barrel of hard cider were the order of the day.”
While Tabelski’s presentation included much more information about log cabins, this article will conclude with a movement to build a log cabin on the fairgrounds which had been moved to the Bokman farm near Knowlesville in the 1960s.
This log cabin had nothing to do with honoring pioneer legacy, according to Tabelski’s report. It was a project of the Orleans County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, who wanted a place for conservation education activities, and they wanted it made of natural building materials.
Ground was broken for the new log cabin on June 8, 1974, following a sketch made by then young Bill Lattin, whose father at the time was county historian. Today the cabin continues to serve the public as a conservation hub during the Orleans County 4-H Fair.
Tabelski concluded his presentation with slides of a log cabin home on Ryan Road, the Log Cabin Restaurant in Indian Falls and plans to build a log cabin on the grounds of Old Fort Niagara to house a Native American Education Center.
A final page of Tabelski’s presentation lists seven presidents who were born in log cabins – Andrew Jackson, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, James Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant and James Garfield.
Georgia Thomas, a board member of Medina Historical Society, said they had a large turnout for the presentation.
“I loved it, and I knew for anyone not familiar with log cabins and early settlers, it was a plethora of information,” Thomas said. “It was a wonderful program.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 November 2025 at 8:19 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: These spots offered some privacy for voters to fill out their ballots at Hoag Library on Tuesday.
It was a fairly light turnout for the local elections in Orleans County with 16.3 percent of registered voters casting ballots in the county.
There are 25,777 registered voters in Orleans County, and 4,189 voted either on Tuesday, through nine days of early voting or through absentee ballots.
There were only a few contested races in the county. This will likely be the last time the local elections will be held on an off year without the draw of a gubernatorial or presidential election. The state has pushed for most of the local elections to align on an even year when there is a bigger turnout for high-profile elections.
The presidential race in 2024 brought out 17,780 voters in Orleans County, more than four times the turnout in the latest election.
Many of the positions up for election on Tuesday will be back on the ballot in either 2026 or 2028. The terms were adjusted from two years to one year, or four years to three years so they will be up for election on even years in the future.
Among the 25,777 registered voters in the county, the enrollment by party includes 12,471 as Republicans, 5,070 as Democrats, 661 as Conservatives, 145 in the Working Families, and 947 in “other.” There are also 6,483 unaffiliated or “blanks.”
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 5 November 2025 at 8:01 am
Contributed Photos – Holley graduates, from left, Bella Thom, Samantha Bates and Alivia Wolf, are among the Genesee Community College players who have been named to the All Region III team.
Holley grad and GCC sophomore Emma Brady has been named Region III Player of the Year
Four Holley High graduates are among seven Genesee Community College women’s soccer team players who have been named to the All Region III squad.
The Holley quartet includes three first team honorees – sophomore midfielders Emma Brady and Samantha Bates and sophomore defender Bella Thom along with second team selection freshman forward Alivia Wolf.
Brady also also received another special honor as she has been named Region III Player of the Year.
On the season to date Bates has had 14 goals and 13 assists, Brady 6 goals and 14 assists, Wolf 8 goals and 3 assists and Thom 4 goals and 5 assists.
GCC’s other All Region honorees include first team selection Ava Gray, a freshman defender from Byron-Bergen, second team honoree Piper Hyde, a freshman forward from Oakfield-Alabama and third team selection Natalie Prinzi, a freshman goalie from Byron-Bergen.
Hyde has 10 goals and 5 assists to date this season, Gray 1 goal and 1 assist and Prinzi 59 saves and a save percentage of .894.
In addition, GCC Coach Jeff Reyngoudt was named Region III Coach of the Year.
GCC captured the Region III championship this past weekend to earn a trip to the National Junior College Athletic Association national tournament. GCC will face Rowan College from New Jersey in the quarterfinals next week.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2025 at 10:35 pm
There were only a few contested races among the local elections today in Orleans County, and Republicans won all of them.
In Carlton, Ryan Woolston won a seat on the Town Board over Marlene Seielstad, a Democrat, by a 286-138 vote.
In Clarendon, three candidates were seeking two seats on the Town Board. Chris Caufield, 311 votes, and Fred Seeman III, 310, were elected. Cecelia (Pacheco) Stevens, a Democrat, received 125 votes.
In Shelby, an endorsed Republican was elected to the Town Board. John Pratt III received 405 votes to 143 for Mark Wambach, who was backed by the Conservative Party.
There were four other candidates who mounted write-in campaigns, but fell short of getting elected.
The results from the Board of Elections didn’t tally the write-in results by name. The BOE just notes the write-ins for each position.
John Fitzak, a Republican, was re-elected as county legislator for District 4, which includes the towns of Carlton, Kendall and most of Murray. Jeremy Ross was endorsed by Democratic Party as a write-in. There were 71 write-in votes opposing Fitzak.
Dirk Lammes Jr. was re-elected Murray town highway superintendent but there were 101 write-ins opposing him. William D. “Bill” Bosley Jr. ran a write-in campaign against Lammes.
In Barre, George and Iva McKenna both ran write-ins for the Town Board against Wesley Miller and David Allen, who were endorsed by the Republican Party and also ran under “Future for Barre.” Allen received 266 votes and Miller 265. The write-ins included 117 and 119.
The full local results include:
County
Treasurer – Kimberly DeFrank – 3,052 votes
County Legislator (at-large from west) – Merle “Skip” Draper of Medina – 2,817 votes
County Legislator (at-large from central) – Don Allport of Gaines – 2,830 votes
County Legislator (at-large from east) – Ed Morgan of Murray – 2,827 votes
County Legislator (District 1) – Bill Eick of Shelby – 932 votes
County Legislator (District 2) – Lynne Johnson of Lyndonville – 540 votes
County Legislator (District 3) – Fred Miller of Albion – 389 votes
County Legislator (District 4) – John Fitzak of Carlton – 913 votes; write-in 71
Town of Albion
Town Supervisor – Richard Remley – 260 votes
Town Council members – Arnold Allen, 240 votes; Sandra Bensley, 244 votes
Town Clerk – Kim Hazel – 262 votes
Town of Barre
Town Supervisor – Stephen Coville II, 285 votes; write-in, 93
Town Council members – David Allen, 266; Wesley Miller, 265; and two write-ins, 117 and 115
Town of Carlton
Town Council members – Charles Ricci, 323 votes; John Olles, 307 votes
Town Council member (2 years to fill vacancy, pick one) – Ryan Woolston, 286 votes; Marlene Seielstad, 138
Town Clerk – Deborah Yokel – 336 votes
Town Justice – Kevin Hurley – 336 votes
Highway Superintendent – Kurt VanWycke – 327 votes
Town of Clarendon
Town Supervisor – Marc Major – 320 votes
Town Council members (pick two) – Christopher Caufield, 311 votes; Fred Seeman, 310 votes; and Cecelia Pacheco Stevens, 125 votes
Town of Gaines
Town Supervisor – Tyler Allport – 187 votes
Town Council members – James Kirby, 204 votes; Kenneth Rush, 192 votes
Town Clerk – Janet Cheverie – 216 votes
Town Justice – Charles Prentice Jr. – 200 votes
Town of Kendall
Town Supervisor – Tony Cammarata – 306 votes
Town Council members – David Gaudioso, 299 votes; Jeffrey Kinne, 297 votes
Town Clerk – Tina Palumbo – 328 votes
Town Justice – Debra Kluth – 332 votes
Highway Superintendent – Eric Maxon – 347 votes
Referendum – increase highway superintendent term from 2 to 4 years – 250 yes, 125 no.
Town of Murray
Town Supervisor – Gerald Rightmyer, 387; write-in, 53
Town Council members – Neil Valentine, 415 votes; Elaine Berg, 371 votes
Town Council member (2 years to fill vacancy) – Scott Lang – 380 votes
Town Council members – Cliff Barber, 328 votes; Jesse Cudzilo, 294 votes
Town Clerk – Hannah Hill – 349 votes
Highway Superintendent – John Olinger – 336 votes
Town of Shelby
Town Supervisor – James Heminway – 491
Town Council members – Edward Zelazny, 453 votes; Lawrence Waters Sr., 412 votes
Town Council member (to fill 2-year vacancy, pick one) – John Pratt III, 405 votes; Mark Wambach, 143 votes
Town of Yates
Town Supervisor – James Simon – 182 votes
Town Council members – William Jurinich, 187 votes; Harold Suhr, 156 votes
Town Council member (to fill 2-year vacancy) – Steven Vann – 193 votes
Town Justice – Donald Grabowski – 220 votes
State
Supreme Court Justice, 8th Judicial District (2 positions) – Shannon Heneghan, 3,397 votes; and Jorge deRosas, 3,109 votes
Referendum: Amendment to Allow Olympic Sports Complex in Essex County on State Forest Preserve Land. This would allow skiing and related trail facilities on state forest preserve land. The site is 1,039 acres. Requires State to add 2,500 acres of new forest land in Adirondack Park – 1,875 yes votes, 1,867 no votes
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2025 at 10:14 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Albion residents were given a chance to have their blood pressure checked today after they cast their votes at Hoag Library.
The Albion Fire Department was on site form 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., checking blood pressure and sharing information about hypertension.
This photo shows Robert Toman and Dawn Marciszewski of the Albion FD at an informational display.
Marciszewski said the department will be at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex in Albion on Dec. 6 as part of a Christmas event. Firefighters will be sharing fire prevention tips.
The Albion FD is stepping up its community outreach, she said.
The Fire Department had displays about hypertension and a list of the dangers of high blood pressure including stroke, loss of vision, kidney disease, bone loss, depression and anxiety and sexual problems.
Provided photos: (Left) Dahlias come in many different colors and forms, and they are stunning addition to any garden! (Right) Sue Starkweather Miller shows a dahlia tuber during a class presentation at Orleans CCE.
By Katie Oakes, Orleans County CCE Master Gardener Coordinator
KNOWLESVILLE – Dahlias are beautiful flowers native to Central America. They are hundreds of different Dahlia varieties, and each one offers unique qualities that delight cut flower enthusiasts and gardeners alike.
But dahlias can be a bit tricky for gardeners. Dahlia tubers are not cold-hardy and therefore need to be dug up and stored over the winter in order to be grown again the following year.
Master Gardener Sue Starkweather Miller will lead a hands-on workshop called “The Dahlia Doctor is In!” on Saturday, November 8th at 10 a.m. at the Orleans CCE Education Center. Starkweather Miller has grown dahlias for many years and is an afficionado on the care and maintenance of dahlias. She came up with the idea for the clinic after she kept getting requests for help from friends and neighbors about their dahlias.
“I kept getting the same questions – how do I divide my tubers? How do I store my tubers?” explained Starkweather Miller. “I wanted to offer a class where anyone can come to learn about the best ways to care for their dahlias and we can address all of their questions at the same time!”
This free hands-on clinic will show attendees how to dig up dahlia tubers, clean and dry tubers, divide a clump (can be done in the fall or spring), and store tubers (different methods will be shared). Attendees are welcome to bring in their own tuber clump to divide if they’ve already dug up their dahlias. People are encouraged to bring garden gloves, scissors or pruners, and any questions!
A spring hands-on class will also be offered to show you how to warm up your tubers after winter storage, divide tubers (if you choose to wait until spring to divide them), get them started indoors and how/when to plant them for success (date TBD).
The Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension Education Center is located at 12690 State Route 31, Albion. To register, call (585) 798-4265 or email klo54@cornell.edu.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 4 November 2025 at 8:39 pm
Byron-Bergen earned a trip back to the state tournament by downing Holley 4-0 in the Section V Class C state qualifier game this evening at Caledonia-Mumford.
Byron-Bergen, which captured the state Class C title last year, took a 1-0 lead in the first half on a goal by Mia Gray.
The Lady Bees then pulled away with three unanswered second half goals by Gray, Anastasia Kuszlyk and Grace DiQuattro.
Byron-Bergen advanced by defeating Kendall 1-0 in the Section V Class C2 championship game.
Holley advanced by edging Canisteo-Greenwood 2-1 in overtime in the Class C1 final.
Byron-Bergen advances to the Class C regional against Section VI champion Wilson with a 18-2 record while Holley finishes the season at 13-7-1.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 4 November 2025 at 8:25 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Madelina Pavlock, who scored both Barker goals drives toward the goal as Adelynne Lacy and Penelope Schalck defend for Medina. The action took place during host Barker’s sectional semifinal win over Medina this evening.
All of the scoring came off of corner opportunities as No. 2 seed Barker edged No. 3 Medina 2-1 in the semifinals of the Section VI Class C field hockey playoffs this evening at Barker.
Barker grabbed a 1-0 lead with 2:30 remaining in the first quarter as Madelina Pavlock scored off a corner by Kaylee Stoll.
That same combination of Stoll to Pavlock clicked again off a corner with 11:57 to go in the final quarter for what proved to be the game winning goal giving Barker a 2-0 lead.
Medina answered right back a minute later as Penelope Schalck scored off a corner by Lilah Class to cut the deficit to 2-1 but the Mustangs could not net the equalizer.
Improving to 13-5, Barker will now face top seeded Niagara-Orleans League champion Akron in the Class C championship game at 8 p.m. Thursday at Alden.
Medina finishes the season with an 11-7 overall record.
Akron nipped No. 5 seed Eden 4-3 in overtime in the other semifinal on a goal by Mackenzie Tomporowski.
Morgan Tomporowski also had a pair of goals on the evening for Akron.
Medina’s Penelope Schalck lets go with a shot which scored the Mustangs lone goal. Kaylee Stoll moves in to defend for Barker.
Barker’s Milayna May reaches to knock the ball away from Medina’s Penelope Schalck.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2025 at 4:19 pm
Residents could hook into system that would run along 31A, Bennetts Corners Road
Photos by Tom Rivers: Matt Zarbo, director of engineering for Square Engineering in Buffalo, discusses constructing a sewer line from the Heron Falls park on Route 31A and connect with the Village of Holley sewer system on Bennetts Corners Road near Route 31.
CLARENDON – Heron Falls is offering to spend $2 million to extend public sewers in the town by about 2 miles.
Heron Falls has about 400 housing units and 800 residents. The park on Route 31A, formerly called Thomas Estates, wants to decommission its aging wastewater treatment system on site and instead run a 4-inch sewer line to connect with Holley’s sewer system.
Heron Falls would pay for the new sewer lines and a pump station, and then turn the project over to the Village of Holley. Residents along 1,650 feet on Route 31A and then 9,150 feet along Bennetts Corners Road would have the option to connect to the sewer system, but wouldn’t be required.
During an information meeting about the project on Monday, some Bennetts Corners Road residents – Dan Cater, Katie Applegate and Charles Kinsey – said they were concerned the public sewer line would bring more development to the rural road which they said already sees lots of speeding motorists.
Cater said the construction of the project could have negative impacts on properties, and he also worries potential leaks in the sewer line could contaminate well water.
“I only see negatives,” Cater said during the meeting. “I only see negatives for my family and neighbors.”
Matt Zarbo shows how the proposed sewer line would go east 1,650 feet along Route 31A, and then north 9,150 feet along Bennetts Corners Road.
Matt Zarbo, an engineer working as a consultant for Heron Falls, said the sewer line is safer than having septic near wells. He said there is very little chance the sewer line would leak. The sewer line should last for a century.
The project would use directional drilling to minimize construction impacts, he said.
Applegate said the rural nature of the community is a big draw for the residents.
“I don’t want to see development on Bennetts Corners,” she said. “It would decimate the peacefulness we have in that area.”
The project would give the village of Holley more sewer users to help the village pay for its sewer plant, which recently completed over $2 million in upgrades.
Holley’s sewer plant currently treats about 210,000 gallons a day. Heron Falls would send another 38,000 to 70,000 a gallons to Holley’s plant which has a capacity to treat 450,000 gallons a day. Even with Heron Falls, Holley would have plenty of capacity to accommodate other users, said Aric Albright, the sewer plant chief operator.
The project needs the Clarendon Town Board’s approval to proceed. Town Supervisor Marc Major said he wants the board to consider the comments made during the meeting. The board hasn’t set a date on when it will vote on the issue.
Major said residents can check the Town Board agenda and attend upcoming meetings. The regular town board meetings are the third Tuesday each month beginning at 7 p.m.
Matt Zarbo speaks during a public information meeting on Monday at the Clarendon Town Hall. About 25 people attended the meeting. Town Supervisor Marc Major said the board would discuss the issue in an upcoming meeting.
If the town doesn’t allow the sewer project, Zarbo said Heron Falls would have to spend more to put in a new waste water treatment facility, and would need to pay an operator for the system. That would also mean there wouldn’t be a new sewer line over about 2 miles for residents to have the option to tap into, and Holley wouldn’t get the sewer revenue from Heron Falls.
The proposal to run a sewer line and connect to Holley’s system is the best option for Heron Falls residents, Zarbo said, while offering a benefit for residents along the line and the Village of Holley.
“We view this as a win, win, win,” Zarbo said about the benefits for Heron Falls, Clarendon and Holley.
A Heron Falls representative said the park has no plans of expanding and adding more units as part of the proposed sewer project.
Heron Falls is working to have all the approvals in place between now and February, so construction can start in the spring and be done in the fall 2026. It has an agreement with Holley to connect into the sewer system. Heron Falls also is working with the state Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Transportation to get their approval.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2025 at 10:09 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: Part of the Orleans County Courthouse dome is illumined in green on Monday evening as part of Operation Green Light.
ALBION – Orleans County is joining in Operation Green Light, a campaign designed to show support for our nation’s veterans, raise awareness of the county role in providing support and resources to veterans, and advocate for legislation that will strengthen counties’ ability to support veterans.
In honor of Operation Green Light, the dome of the courthouse will be lit green from Nov. 4 through Nov. 11.
Residents and businesses are encouraged to participate in Operation Green Light by placing a green light in a window of their home or business.
Orleans County legislators last week passed a resolution in support of Operation Green Light. Legislators said 44 to 72 percent of service members experience high levels of stress during transition from military to civilian life.
“Active military service members transitioning from military service are at a high risk for suicide during their first year after military service,” legislators stated in the resolution.
The Orleans County Veterans Service Office can help veterans with anything they need including filing important paperwork, fighting for benefits, securing medical appointments and finding counseling. The office can be reached at (585) 589-3219.
