Tenney says US ‘brilliantly executes’ military strikes in Iran

Posted 28 February 2026 at 9:56 am

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today released the following statement regarding Operation Epic Fury and the joint U.S. and Israeli military strikes targeting the Iranian regime.

“As the Department of War brilliantly executes Operation Epic Fury against the despotic Islamist Iranian regime, I pray for the safety of all our U.S. service members and allies in the region,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “I hope the brave Iranian people will take back their country from the brutal mullahs, and the people of Iran can have a future of peace and prosperity, instead of tyranny and terrorism.”

UPDATE at 1:23 p.m.: Gov. Kathy Hochul issued this statement:

“Following the U.S. military operations in Iran overnight, we are taking precautionary steps to protect New Yorkers. State Police are increasing their presence at religious, diplomatic, and cultural sites statewide in coordination with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. Additionally, in advance of the Jewish holiday of Purim, State Police remain alert and have already begun outreach to religious organizations to offer support.

“While there have been no specific, credible threats to New York identified, we continue to monitor online activity for any potential threats, and we encourage New Yorkers to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.”

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Intelligence Committee, released the following statement on U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran:

“I came to Congress in opposition to endless wars. Trump’s actions today risk exactly that again.

“Congress should return to session immediately to vote on a war powers resolution.

“The president lacks the constitutional authority – and in my opinion, the temperament and judgment – to act in such a reckless fashion.

“I pray for the safety and well-being of our brave service members and American families in the region.

“America voted for lower costs, not forever wars.”

USA Wrestling coaching honor for Holley grad

Contributed Story Posted 28 February 2026 at 9:43 am

Contributed Photo – Holley High graduate Matt Paeth has been selected for a prestigious honor by USA Wrestling, Paeth, who coaches at North Platt High School in Omaha, Nebraska has been chosen for the USA Wrestling’s Coach Apprentice Program this June in Lima, Peru . He will be coaching alongside Team USA at the U23 Pan-American championships.

Planners back farmworker housing in Lyndonville to support potato operation

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 February 2026 at 8:59 am

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board is recommending the Town of Yates approve a special use permit for Call Farms in Batavia for farmworker housing at 2162 Lyndonville Rd.

Call Farms has already built two barns near the property as part of a new seed potato operation. They would use an existing house for about 10 farmworkers who would be in the H2A guest worker program. The house is south of the Village of Lyndonville on Route 63 ina residential-agricultural district.

The house for farmworkers is not expected to result in a significant increase in traffic to the area, the County Planning Board said during its meeting on Thursday in Albion.

“It’s a positive thing for the community,” said Planning Board member Gary Daum of Lyndonville. “Call Farms is a first-class operation. They’re very conscientious.”

Call Farms isn’t planning any exterior work on the house, but will do a small amount of interior work and may need to enlarge the septic system if required by the Orleans County Health Department.

The Planning Board also acted on another referral from the Town of Yates. The board supported a special use permit for Kervin Stauffer to run a home business repairing hydraulic cylinders and heavy equipment, and could include part sales at 11916 Roosevelt Highway, which is in a residential-agricultural district.

Stauffer wants to build a 10-by-12-foot storage shed and 50-by-70-foot accessory structure for the business.

Pembroke downs Kendall in C1 playoffs

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 February 2026 at 9:32 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s CJ D’Agostino goes in for a layup during the Dragons sectional quarterfinal loss to Pembroke at Oakfield-Alabama this evening.

Combining a fast start with a strong finish, No. 3 seed Pembroke downed No. 6 Kendall 59-46 in the quarterfinal round of the Section V Class C1 boys basketball playoffs this evening at Oakfield-Alabama.

Nolan Peterson scored 17, Lennox Kohorst 16 and Luca Baker 14 to spark Pembroke which will take a 20-2 record into Monday’s C1 semifinal against No. 2 Geneseo.

Vinnie D’Agostino took game high honors with 20, CJ D’Agostino 11 and Noah Morehouse 8 to lead Kendall.

Unleashing a barrage of five early threes, including two each by Peterson and Baker and one by Owen Schultz, Pembroke jumped out to a 17-5 lead at the outset.

Pembroke’s Owen Schultz (0) and Mason Weatherbee (11) try to block the drive to the basket by Kendall’s Vinnie D’Agostino.

The Eagles did close the opening period with a 9-2 run including 5 by CJ D’Agostino and 4 by Vinnie D’Agostino to cut the deficit to 19-14 but the Dragons went on to hold maintain a 10 point, 31-21, lead at half-time.

Kendall though came battling back with a 14-5 scoring surge to open the third period to rally back to within one at 36-35.

Morehouse hit two threes, Vinnie D’Agostino and Sammy Conte one each and Jonny Conte a two during that rally.

However, the Eagles could not pull even as the Dragons went back up 40-35 at the end of the third period and then put a lock on the victory with a 19-11 scoring edge in the decisive final period.

Kohorst spearheaded that late Dragons surge with 11 points including three huge threes as Barker also hit a big three.

Kendall finishes the season at 15-7.

Kendall’s Noah Morehouse looks to put up a shot as Luca Baker (5) and Lennox Kohorst (43) defend for Pembroke.

Injury at sectionals causes Albion wrestler to withdraw from state championships

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 February 2026 at 5:37 pm

An injury suffered during the recent sectional competition has forced Albion freshman Stryker Sanders (118) to withdraw from the state wrestling championships which began today in Albany.

“We made the decision to pull him,” said his father Albion wrestling Coach Mike Sanders. “He was hurt at the very end of his match at the sectionals (final 12 seconds). He dislocated his elbow. We rehabed and practiced through this week hoping he could go. The plan was to brace it and give it a go. But it flared up in warmups so we medically forfeited him out.”

Roy-Hart/Barker junior RJ Townsend lost his opening match by a 4-0 decision to Trey Parker of Susquehanna Valley.

Churches join for Lenten lunches in Albion, Medina

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 February 2026 at 4:25 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – ONE Catholic is hosting the Albion Ministerium’s annual Lenten Luncheon series on Wednesdays at St. Joseph’s Lyceum, 114 South Main Street.

This past Wednesday was the first luncheon of the season. Albion churches and clergy take turns preparing soups and sandwiches, and also sharing a devotional message.

Elsie Boring and her daughter, the Rev. Susan Boring, are in line to try some of the soups and sandwiches prepared by the First Baptist Church of Albion and the Gaines Carlton Community Church. The Rev. Boring is pastor of the Eagle Harbor Methodist Church.

Mike Thaine, left, was an enthusiastic participant in the luncheon. The serving line includes, front to back, Peggy Bropst, Cheryl Denson, Eileen Allen and Lori Thomson.

The hour-long gatherings will occur five consecutive Wednesdays, from Feb. 25 through March 25.

There is no charge for the meal. A free will offering is collected to be used for luncheon supplies and other Ministerium events, such as the Albion High School Baccalaureate in June.

Kay Marsh plays the piano for one of the hymns during Wednesday’s luncheon. Pastor Marsha Rivers of the First Baptist Church and Gaines Carlton Community Church gave the message.

Medina’s Lenten luncheon series is hosted by the Medina Area Association of Churches. It started last Thursday and takes place at noon every Thursday for six weeks at the First Presbyterian Church on Main Street.

Participating churches will provide lunch on a rotating basis, followed by a meaningful reflection. There is a suggested donation of $5 for lunch, with all the proceeds going to the Meals on Wheels program and the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen in Albion.

3 county legislators attend national conference in DC

Posted 27 February 2026 at 3:40 pm

Provided photo: County Legislator John Fitzak, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, Legislature Chairman Lynne Johnson and Legislator Skip Draper meet in Tenney’s office in Washington, DC.

Press Release, Orleans County Legislature

WASHINGTON, DC – Orleans County legislative leaders joined nearly 2,000 county leaders from across the country for the 2026 National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference this week in Washington, D.C.

The conference featured speakers from the Trump Administration and Congress including of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Lee Zeldin, head of the Environmental Protection Agency. Conference attendees shaped NACo’s legislative agenda, received updates on key federal policies and advocated for county priorities on Capitol Hill.

“Each year, we use this conference as an opportunity to collaborate with county leaders from across the country on our shared priorities and then advocate for those policies and the specific needs of Orleans County with federal leaders,” said Lynne Johnson, Chairman of the Orleans County Legislature. “In previous years, our advocacy efforts have been key to securing federal funding for local projects.”

Joining Chairman Johnson at the NACo conference were Legislators Merle “Skip” Draper of Medina and John Fitzak of Carlton. The conference touched on several key areas of importance to Orleans County including data centers, artificial intelligence, workforce development and public safety. There was also a Federal Agency Expo, with nearly 50 federal program offices sending representatives to meet with conference participants and build intergovernmental partnerships.

“Federal policies have direct and long-lasting impacts on county governments and our residents,” said NACo President J.D. Clark. “NACo’s Legislative Conference is an important opportunity for county leaders to strengthen relationships with our intergovernmental partners, tell our county story and advocate for county priorities that help our communities and residents thrive.”

The conference culminated in an Advocacy Day of Action, positioning attendees to advocate for county federal policy priorities. Orleans County officials spent time on Capitol Hill meeting with staff from Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand’s office. In addition, Orleans County officials met with Congresswoman Tenney and staff from the USDA.

Orleans County leaders thanked federal representatives for securing funding for the future Emergency Management Operations Center and the Public Safety Building rehabilitation. This year’s priorities included funding for the modernization and upgrades of the former Genesee Community College building in Albion for the Probation Department; support for the regional dredging initiative that includes Oak Orchard Harbor; and funding for Marine Park dock repairs to support public safety.

“We know we will not get everything we ask for, but it’s important to continue to beat the drum for our funding priorities and hope our federal representatives can deliver,” Fitzak said. “Sometimes it takes years of asking before a funding pot is identified for a project, so our job is to keep it on the front burner until that happens.”

Punishing winter hard on pavement, underground infrastructure

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 February 2026 at 1:22 pm

Photo by Tom Rivers: The pavement on Ingersoll Street in Albion has cracks and potholes after four months of punishing winter weather. This photo was taken on Thursday. The Village of Albion DPW was out today using cold patch to fill in the pavement.

ALBION – The brutally cold winter has caused cracks in street pavement and big leaks in waterlines.

It’s also meant many trips for DPW and highway departments for salting and plowing roads.

Crews have been out frequently since early November with few breaks from any prolonged warmups in the temperatures.

Jay Pahura, the Village of Albion DPW superintendent, said his crews have already been out 82 times for salting in the past four months. The village is down to its last load of salt – 80 tons, he told the Village Board on Wednesday.

The winter started in earnest in early November. Pahura said village crews were out salting 30 times before Jan. 1. In some winters, the DPW plows and salters don’t see much action until January.

The freezing temperatures also have been hard on the village’s underground infrastructure. Pahura said there have been 10 major water leaks this winter, including one on East Bank Street on Wednesday that probably was a 200,000-gallon water loss.

The village’s water system typically shows a 15 percent water loss from leaks in the system. But the current report reports about 20 percent.

Village Trustee Will Gabalski said the brutal winter has caused major waterline ruptures through Western New York, not just Albion.

“It’s been a tough winter,” Pahura said. “It’s hard on the roads and what’s underneath.”

It’s also hard on the DPW budget with additional costs for salt and overtime.

Albion DPW crews are out today putting cold patch on roads. Steve Borowczyk, left, and Shaun Stephens were working on Ingersoll Street.

Medina plays in B1 semifinal Saturday; Kendall, Lyndonville girls will face top seeds

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 February 2026 at 12:45 pm

No. 5 seed Medina will face No. 9 Southwestern in the Section VI Class B1 boys basketball semifinals at 4 p.m. Saturday at SUNY Fredonia.

The victor will advance to next Wednesday’s B1 title game at SUNY Fredonia against the winner of Saturday’s other semifinal between No.2 Olmsted and No. 6 Springville.

Medina advanced by defeating No. 4 Alden 53-35 in the quarterfinals while Southwestern ousted No. 1 Middle Early College 65-54.

On Sunday, No. 2 Akron will face No. 3 Randolph in the Class B2 semifinals at 2 p.m. at SUNY Fredonia.

The No. 5 seed Akron girls will face No. 8 Eden in the Class B semifinals at noon on Saturday at SUNY Fredonia.

Kendall, Lyndonville girls play Saturday

The Kendall and Lyndonville girls teams will both face the top seeds on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the Section V playoffs.

In Class C1, No. 9 Kendall (13-8) will visit No. 1 Letchworth (20-1) at 6 p.m.

In Class D, No. 8 Lyndonville (11-10) will visit No. 1 Avoca-Prattsburgh (17-3) at 2 p.m.

Cannabis-growing operation in Carlton gets approval from OC Planning Board

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 February 2026 at 10:52 am

ALBION – A business that will be growing cannabis in a 1,000-squarefoot warehouse has the Orleans County Planning Board’s support.

Joe Molisani Jr., owner of Dream orchard LLC, wants to cultivate the cannabis at 13353 Kendrick Rd., Waterport. He then plans to sell it from another business he plans to be opening in downtown Medina, a cannabis dispensary.

Molisani said he won’t be selling any cannabis directly from the Kendrick Road site. If he has any wholesale orders, he will make the deliveries with no customers coming to the site in Carlton.

He needs a special use permit from Carlton to grow the cannabis. The County Planning Board recommended Carlton approve the permit. Some of the Planning Board members didn’t think a special use permit was necessary because Molisani will be doing an allowed use in a residential-agricultural district.

Molisani has his license to grow cannabis as a micro-business through the state’s Office of Cannabis Management.

‘Show and Tell’ highlights artifacts from Medina’s past

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 27 February 2026 at 10:05 am

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Kay Van Nostrand describes this steel shovel used by her father all of his life to shovel snow, coal and even grain. (Right) Georgia Thomas, a member of Medina Historical Society, brought this 12-candle mold to Show and Tell at the February meeting.

MEDINA – The Medina Historical Society’s meeting on Monday night was a crowd-pleaser.

Once a year, the society features “Show and Tell,” and gives members an opportunity to share unique, unusual or unknown items with the membership.

While a stormy evening likely kept some people away, the brave souls who attended the meeting enthusiastically enjoyed the evening’s presentation.

Historical Society president Reinhard Rogowski welcomed guests and announced the next two meetings would be at the Medina Senior Center, due to construction at the library. At the March 30 meeting, Ron Stork will share some of his collection of Medina treasures. The April 27 meeting will feature Erica Wanecski giving a history of Medina Memorial Hospital.

The first to “Show and Tell” was Diane Mazur, who brought her grandmother’s wedding shoes. They were black, size 4 and perfectly preserved.

Next, Georgia Thomas produced an 18th century candle mold, which made 12 beeswax candles. She shared how she made bayberry candles at Christmas.

“Bayberry is very expensive, but it smells nice,” she said.

Kay Van Nostrand demonstrated a very heavy shovel made of steel.

“I grew up in Attica where they had lots of snow, and my dad used this to shovel snow,” she said. “He was married in 1928 in Dannemora and I’m sure he shoveled snow there. This was the only shovel he ever used. He shoveled a path to the house, to the barn, to the woodshed and to the driveway. In his younger days, he shoveled coal for train cars. He was also known to shovel grain. He would wax his shovel with paraffin from my mother’s canning jars.”

(Left) A photo of noted Medina builder Frank Mallison was shared by Orleans County historian Catherine Cooper during Show and Tell at the Medina Historical Society’s meeting on Monday. The photo was discovered at a house sale in Shelby. Mallison is credited with building many of Medina’s historic buildings. (Right) Ron Stork entertained members of the Medina Historical Society during their Show and Tell meeting with a demonstration of this musical cigarette box.

Catherine Cooper, Orleans County historian and board member of Medina Historical Society, shared a photograph of contractor and builder Frank Mallison, which had been discovered at a house sale in Shelby. On the back it listed four generations of his descendants.

“This is significant because Mallison’s buildings form part of the structure of Medina,” Cooper said.

Some of the buildings built by Mallison include Medina Cold Storage, the Senior Citizen’s Center, armory, Medina Memorial Hospital, the high school, S.A. Cook buildings on East Avenue and Main Street, the Masonic Temple addition and the chapel at West Ridgeway Cemetery.

“He left a lasting memory,” Cooper said.

Ron Stork, a longtime collector of Monitor clocks, brought a very unique gadget – a cigarette music box made by Edgar Gould. Gould also made Monitor clocks, owned Medina Toy Company and worked with veterinarian Dr. Stocking. The music boxes were last made in 1933, Stork said. He said they would sit on a bar and for a penny a customer could buy a cigarette. As the six-sided music box revolved, its doors opened wide.

The program concluded with Shirley Bright-Neeper, who read a letter she had received from the late Pete Nesbitt of Pine Hill, after meeting him in 1992. Pete and his older brother Bob were both Navy pilots – Bob serving in World War II and Pete joining 12 years later in peace time. Bob was awarded four Flying Crosses for his heroics during the war.

“This was another year of intriguing items at the Show and Tell,” Cooper said.

CCE offering ‘Farming Under Pressure’ workshop for stress management, suicide prevention

Posted 27 February 2026 at 9:32 am

Photo by Tom Rivers: A farmer harvests soybeans on East Barre Road in Barre on Oct. 13, 2019.

Press Release, Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County

KNOWLESVILLE – “Farming Under Pressure,” a stress management and suicide prevention workshop designed for farmers, farm families, growers, and agricultural professionals will occur at the Orleans County Fairgrounds.

The workshop will take place on March 19 beginning 8:30 a.m. at 12690 State Route 31, Albion, in the Harrington Classroom. The presentation is open to growers and members of the public.

This educational session will feature speakers from FarmNet and GOW Pathway to Hope. Together, they will address the unique pressures facing those in agriculture and provide practical tools to support mental wellness in farming communities.

Topics will include:

Common stressors in agriculture and how they impact mental health
Practical stress management tools participants can use immediately
Warning signs of suicide risk
How to start conversations and support someone who may be struggling
Available local and regional resources for farmers

Farming is demanding work. Long hours, financial pressure, isolation, and unpredictable conditions can take a toll. This workshop is designed to provide practical guidance in a respectful, stigma free environment and to strengthen support networks within the agricultural community.

The program is offered in partnership with FarmNet, Tobacco-Free, and GOW Pathway to Hope.

There is no cost to attend. Pre-registration is not required.

For more information, contact Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension at 585-798-4265, orleans@cornell.edu or visit https://cce.cornell.edu/orleans.

County planners back Dollar General for Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 February 2026 at 8:33 am

Site plan goes to Village of Albion Planning Board for final vote on March 12

Photos by Tom Rivers: The Broadway Group wants to knock down this building at 327 East Ave. and build a new 10,640-square-foot Dollar General across from the high school. The Broadway Group will remove three underground storage tanks as part of the project. The current building has been used for auto sales and a warehouse. Ridge Road Station parks school buses on the site.

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board on Thursday voted in support of the site plan for a new Dollar General store at 327 East Ave. in Albion, a store that would be across from the high school.

Fagan Engineers created this site plan showing the parking lot with 35 spaces for vehicles and a 10,640-square-foot building.

One Planning Board member, Bruce Kirby of Gaines, opposed the store at that location, saying he is concerned students from the school would eagerly be going to the Dollar General for snacks and likely wouldn’t use the cross walk from the road across from the middle school.

“A lot of us are concerned about putting a candy store across from the school,” Kirby said during the board meeting. “This is a damn bad place to have a store.”

Other Planning Board members noted the zoning as general commercial fits for the store. The site is in a school zone with the speed limit at 20 miles per hour, and there already is an ice cream business next to the proposed site.

There also is a crossing guard at the beginning and end of the school days, and the Albion Police Department also helps monitor the speed on East Avenue.

Kirby said the zoning may allow for the store, but he declared “it’s not safe.”

Dan Strong, the Planning Board vice chairman, noted there is a Dollar General in Lyndonville across from the school. He said he is unaware of any incidents with students and traffic.

Another board member, William Quaranto from Carlton, said he was concerned about delivery trucks being able to negotiate the site. The plan shows them pulling in on one side of the store, and then backing up on part of the site. Then will back in front of the store and be able to exit the site driving forward. The trucks will be limited to exiting from the east only. That was a stipulation by the state Department of Transportation.

Trey Lewis, development manager for the Broadway Group, said many other stores have the same layout for truck deliveries as the one proposed for Albion. He expects there will be one or two Dollar General truck deliveries a week and those deliveries can be scheduled during lower peak times. There will also be trucks from other vendors, such as Pepsi and Coca-Cola.

The Broadway Group will demolish the existing building and will need to remove three underground tanks. Then it will build the new 10,640-square-foot store with 35 parking spaces.

The project goes before the Village of Albion Planning Board for a final vote on the site at 5 p.m. on March 12. The County Planning Board voted to recommend Albion approve the site plan.

The property is owned by Chris Kinter, the village’s code enforcement officer. He has recused himself from the review of the project with Dan Strong, the Town of Albion code enforcement officer, filling in for the village with this proposal.

The Orleans County Planning Board discusses the site plan for a Dollar General on East Avenue in Albion.

Wilson wins; Barker bows in Section VI Class C tournament quarterfinals

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 26 February 2026 at 8:49 pm

Top seeded Wilson defeated visiting No. 8 Portville 73-51 and No. 12 Barker dropped a 54-39 decision at No. 4 Westfield this evening in the quarterfinal round of the Section VI Class C boys basketball tournament.

Wilson will now face Westfield in the Class C semifinals on Tuesday at Jamestown Community College.

Aidan Neumann scored a game high 22, Ryan Hough 16, Shamus George 13 and Brock Lepsch and Nick Lemke 9 each to lead the way for Wilson.

Aidan DeFazio scored 15 and Eilijah Truman to to pace Portville.

Wilson jumped out to a 15-8 first quarter lead as Lepsch hit two threes and Chase Martin one.

The Lakemen went on to increase their advantage to 15, 36-21, at the half and to 22, 56-34, at the three-quarter mark.

Neumann and George both scored 6 and Hough 4 in the second quarter. Lemke then hit two threes and Neumann had 6 points and Hough 4 in the third period.

Westfield 54, Barker 39
Leading by four, 21-17, at the half, Westfield used a 21-15 third period scoring edge to open up a 10 point, 42-32, advantage at the three-quarter mark and Barker could get no closer than six in the final period.

Brayden Paddock scored 16, including five threes, Grant Beadle 15 and Braylon Swanson 11 to spark Westfield.

Paddock and Lincoln Thomas both hit threes and Swanson had a three-point play to lead the decisive third period uprising in which the Wolverines got point production from seven players.

Anthony Taliaferro scored 16 and Carter DerSarkissian 13, including three threes, to lead Barker as Donovan Hefferon and JJ Prynn both had 3 and Peyton Wagner and Caden Garcia 2 each.

Threes by Taliaferro and DerSarkissian did pull Barker to within six, 45-39, early in the final period but Westfield answered with a 9-0 run to close the game and lock up the win.