By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 7 May 2026 at 8:07 pm
Albion capped off a seventh straight undefeated Niagara-Orleans League boys track championship season with an 88-53 victory over Wilson.
The Purple Eagles, which finish the dual meet portion of the N-O season at 6-0, are now 42-0 during this seven year title run.
Albion got individual event wins from Hunter Huscher (100), Tristian Tilbe (1600), Adam Burgio (400 Hurdles), Wesley Olles (800). Ezra Bloom (High Jump) and Parker Roberts (Pole Vault).
Wilson had a quadruple winner in Ryan Hough (Long Jump, Triple Jump, 110 Hurdles, 200) and a double winner in Brock Lepsch (Shotput and Discus).
Wilson won the girls’ met 78-63 as Savannah Jones doubled in the 100 and 200.
Mia Standish doubled for Albion in the 100 Hurdles and 400 Hurdles.
Medina and Akron split
Medina defeated Akron 96-45 in the boys meet as Bryson Ford doubled in the 110 Hurdles and 400 Hurdles and Briley Allen in the High Jump and 200).
The Mustangs also got wins by Cole Hughes (3200), Timothy Zeiner (Shotput), Jonathan Dix (Pole Vault), Nathanael Rutledge (Discus), Jackson Reese (100) and Roman Maksimchuk (400).
Akron won the girls’ meet 107-34 as Kylie Karmazyn was a triple winner in the 100 Hurdles, High Jump and Triple Junp) and Reece Adessa a double winner in the 800 and 1500.
Medina’s Aurora Owczarczak was a triple winner in the 100, 200 and 400.
Roy-Hart and Newfane split
Roy-Hart defeated Newfane 73-57 in the girls’ meet as Addison Carr was a triple winner in the 100, 200 and 400. Kylie McOmber was also a double winner in the Long Jump and Triple Jump as was Lilly Isabelle Pabon-Rosa in the Shotput and Discus.
Eden Hillman won the 1500, 3000, 400 Hurdles and Pole Vault for Newfane.
Newfane won the boys’ meet 75-66 as Nasir Spencer won the 100, 200 and 400, Tragen Macavoy the 1600 and 3200 and Payton Wightman the High Jump and Pole Vault.
Roy-Hart’s Tysen McCaa won the Long Jump and Triple Jump and Judson Heck the Shotput and Discus.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 7 May 2026 at 7:47 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Grace Pearl takes the throw at second base to tag out Medina’s Peyton Allen during the Lady Rams win over the Mustangs at Vets Park this afternoon.
Roy-Hart bested Medina 17-7 in a Niagara-Orleans League softball game at Vets Park this afternoon as the Lady Rams improve to 5-2.
Leading 9-7, Roy-Hart put a lock on the win by scoring 5 runs in the sixth inning as Peyton May had a double.
Brooke Corser also had a double and triple and Alayna Kowalski a pair of singles on the day for the Lady Rams.
Medina scored 4 runs in the second inning as Alexa Demmer had a two-run double and 3 times in the fifth as Savannah Jo Thompson had an RBI triple and Isabella Perez a two-run single. Demmer also had a triple on the day and Samantha Heschke a pair of singles.
Abby Fox registered 9 strikeouts in the circle for Roy-Hart.
Medina’s Jenna Cecchini gets the force out at third base on Roy-Hart’s Giuliana Russo.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 7 May 2026 at 6:59 pm
Avenging an early season 4-1 loss, Barker edged Wilson 3-2 this afternoon to move into a tie for the Niagara-Orleans League tennis lead.
Barker and Wilson are now deadlocked for the top spot at 8-1.
A three set win by the first doubles team of Oscar Dergel and Lucas Nestoros provided the margin of victory for Barker.
Barker also got wins from Daniel Goodwin at first singles and by the third doubles team of Nick Heideman and Aurora Wass.
Wilson got wins by Shelby Robinson at second singles and by the second doubles team of Grace Smith and Zoey Beck.
Roy-Hart 4, Medina 1
Roy-Hart bested Medina 4-1 in another N-O match.
The Rams swept the three doubles matches with wins by the duos of Kaylee Churchill – Raegan Kern, Maria Trombley – Maya Moebs and Kennedy Boyle – Cora Lennon.
The Rams also got a win by Colin Cousins at second doubles.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 7 May 2026 at 6:36 pm
Making it four wins in a row, Albion rolled to a 10-0 victory at Wilson this afternoon as the Purple Eagles improve to 5-3 in Niagara-Orleans League baseball competition.
Nate Gibson hurled a 1 hitter with 9 strikeouts on the mound for the Purple Eagles in the five inning run rule contest.
Albion took the lead for good by scoring three quick runs in the first inning on an RBI sacrifice fly by Mason Snook, an error and an RBI double by Viktor Snyder. A single by Elliott Trapiss, a walk and a single by Kaiden Froman loaded the bases to set up the threat.
The Purple Eagles tacked on solo runs in the third inning on an error and in the fourth on an RBI single by Trapiss.
Albion closed out the win by scoring five times in the fifth on a two-run double by Will Plummer, an RBI sacrifice fly by Trapiss and a two-run triple by Gibson.
The loss drops Wilson to 1-8.
Albion will visit Wilson again on Friday at 4:45 p.m.
Photos and information courtesy of Kendall Elementary School
ALBION – Students from Kendall Elementary’s Safety and Responsibility Squad took their learning beyond the classroom this week with a hands‑on visit to the Orleans County Public Safety Building in Albion. They are shown in the above photo on top of the Orleans County Jail on Platt Street in Albion.
The group was welcomed by Sheriff Chris Bourke and members of the Sheriff’s Office for an inside look at how local law enforcement keeps the community safe.
During the visit, students toured the Dispatch Center, observed how emergency calls are managed, and learned how drone technology is used to support investigations and public safety operations. Squad members also engaged in thoughtful conversations with deputies about responsibility, decision‑making, and the many roles within modern law enforcement.
Sheriff Chris Bourke welcomes the students and school resource officer George Barton, a Sheriff’s deputy, to Bourke’s office at the Orleans County Public Safety Building on Route 31.
The Public Safety Building tour is one of four experiences the Safety and Responsibility Squad participates in each year. Students also visit the Marine Patrol at Point Breeze, tour the Orleans County Jail, and—new this year— SRS will take their first trip to the Orleans County Animal Control Center in Albion.
Kendall Elementary values its strong partnership with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department and the daily support provided by the district’s School Resource Officer. These experiences help students build leadership skills, understand community systems, and see firsthand the importance of service to others.
The students met with some of the Marine Patrol unit at Point Breeze.
Photos courtesy of Albion Central School: The Albion school district on Wednesday held its 17th Annual Honors Convocation dinner and ceremony and recognized the following: Jenna Barnard, Neveya Barnes, Nisi Beltran Roblero, Kaitlin Bennett, Elliot Beyrle, Julia Button, Dejeanna Conner, Lindsay Crawford, Kaiden Froman, Aubrey Gannon, Xzavier Gerow, Justin Kania, Hanna Kumalac, Nathaniel Miesner, Madison Muckle, Gideon Pask, Bradley Pierce, William Plummer, Alondra Santana Gonzalez and Joshua Zayac.
Press Release, Albion Central School
Thomas Kovaleski, a 2012 Albion graduate, spoke at the event. He is an 11-year United States Army veteran.
ALBION – Twenty members of Albion’s Class of 2026 were recognized for their academic achievements on May 6 during the 17th Annual Honors Convocation dinner and ceremony.
Thomas Kovaleski, ‘12, was the guest speaker for the evening. Kovaleski is an 11-year United States Army veteran. He previously served as a combat engineer, and now as a local recruiter and station commander.
He shared about his journey following graduation and how he resonated with the feeling of uncertainty, but reassured students that with perseverance, they will find their place.
“Excellence isn’t a moment you reach; it’s a habit you build,” said Kovaleski. “Keep showing up, keep challenging yourself, and let your success be the starting line, not the finish.”
The honorees were called to the stage individually to receive their certificates. They were adorned with their honors cords from their parents/guardians.
The 2026 academic honors students include: Jenna Barnard, Neveya Barnes, Nisi Beltran Roblero, Kaitlin Bennett, Elliot Beyrle, Julia Button, Dejeanna Conner, Lindsay Crawford, Kaiden Froman, Aubrey Gannon, Xzavier Gerow, Justin Kania, Hanna Kumalac, Nathaniel Miesner, Madison Muckle, Gideon Pask, Bradley Pierce, William Plummer, Alondra Santana Gonzalez and Joshua Zayac.
Albion’s Class of 2026 is set to graduate on Friday, June 26.
Tiffany and Steven Crawford congratulate their daughter Lindsay for being one of the honor grads.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 7 May 2026 at 1:11 pm
Contributed Photo – Melanie Green
Medina’s Melanie Green fired an even par round of 72 today to open competition at the LPGA Tour’s Mizuho Americas Open Tournament being played at West Caldwell, New Jersey.
Starting on the back nine, Green registered birdies on 13 and 16 to go to 2 under par.
However, bogies on 17 and 3 put her back to even par.
She was tied for 10th when she completed her round with a large portion of the field still on the course.
The tournament will continue on Friday after which the field will be cut.
The final two rounds will be on Saturday and Sunday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 May 2026 at 11:28 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Albion students in Sheri Berg’s life skills class carried the torch and were part of a law enforcement torch run on May 31, 2024 in a benefit for the Special Olympics. Here they head up the main driveway leading the high school after being on East Avenue. The fourth annual torch run will be Friday.
ALBION – Local law enforcement officers will have their fourth annual torch run on Friday in a benefit for the Special Olympics.
Law enforcement officers will cover about 2.7 miles while some students will go from Dubby’s Tailgate down East Avenue to the school.
The event starts at 11 a.m. Law enforcement will leave Dubby’s and go north on S. Platt, then West on Chamberlain, then south on Main Street, and then east on East Ave. The officers will cover distance on the school campus before coming back to East Avenue, heading south on McKinstry Street, then west on Chamberlain Street, then south on Platt to Dubby’s.
In the past, law enforcement from the Albion Police Department, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, State Police and DEC joined students on the run.
Jeff Wilson, a retired Border Patrol officer, carries the torch on May 31, 2024. Wilson has served as the Western New York director of the law enforcement torch run.
Reforms include lower auto insurance premiums, $1 billion energy rebate and path to universal child care
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
Photo from Governor’s Office: Governor Kathy Hochul is shown speaking in March at the Long Island Builders Expo.
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced an agreement has been reached with legislative leaders on key priorities in the Fiscal Year 2027 New York State Budget.
With a conceptual agreement in place, the legislative houses are expected to pass bills that will fully enact these priorities in the coming days. Based on a preliminary assessment of the negotiated changes to the Executive proposal, the total Budget for FY 2027 is currently estimated at $268 billion.
The FY 2027 Budget does not raise income or statewide business taxes and maintains the Governor’s powers to make future adjustments if actions by the federal government require.
“I promised a Budget that works for working people and expands opportunities for all New Yorkers and I was not going to back down from that fight,” Governor Hochul said. “Alongside my partners in the Legislature, today we are delivering on that promise. This Budget includes sweeping changes to lower costs, enhance public safety, protect our communities from federal overreach and invest in the future of New York families.”
Providing Universal Child Care
In this State Budget, Governor Hochul is putting New York State on a concrete path to universal, affordable child care, beginning with committing to investments that will support the delivery of affordable child care to up to 100,000 additional children.
The Governor’s landmark investment will increase funding by $1.7 billion bringing the total FY27 investment to $4.5 billion for child care and pre-kindergarten services statewide.
These investments will:
Make Pre-K truly universal statewide with funding to make high-quality Pre-K seats available for all four-year-olds in New York by the start of the 2028-29 school year and increasing State grants to existing programs to ensure high-quality care.
Partner with New York City to launch the new 2-Care program and finally realize the promise of universal 3K access in New York City.
Enhance the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to help defray childcare expenses for 230,000 New York families by providing an average benefit of $576.
Support the development of New York’s ‘First 3’ program, which will partner with counties to offer high-quality, affordable child care to children 0-3 regardless of income.
Make historic investments in the Child Care Assistance Program, delivering high-quality, affordable child care to tens of thousands of additional young New Yorkers that is capped at $15 a week for most families.
Support the child care workforce through early childhood educator preparation.
Alongside these commitments, the Governor will launch an Office of Child Care and Early Education to steer the implementation of high-quality, universal child care for New York families, and will work to enhance awareness of the Empire State Child Credit to ensure as many families as possible benefit from the Governor’s historic expansion of New York’s child tax credit, which increased the credit from $330 per child to $1,000 per child for children under four and $500 per child for children ages four through 16.
Lowering Auto Insurance Rates for Everyday New Yorkers
New Yorkers pay some of the highest car insurance rates in the nation, totaling just over $4,000 annually on average — nearly $1,500 above the national average. Car insurance rates are driven up by a combination of fraud, litigation, legal loopholes, and enforcement gaps, with staged crashes and associated insurance fraud inflating everyone’s premiums by as much as $300 per year on average according to some estimates.
The final Budget will put money back in New Yorkers pockets via a series of common-sense legislative reforms that will ensure bad actors and fraudsters cannot exploit the system and will hold insurers accountable to ensure that their savings are passed on to consumers.
The final State Budget will:
Cap payouts for drivers engaging in criminal behavior at the time of the incident, including uninsured motorists, drunk drivers, and drivers in the act of committing a felony.
Better define what actually constitutes a ‘serious injury’ so that damages for pain and suffering or emotional distress are reserved for those able to objectively demonstrate that they have suffered a serious injury.
Ensure that if a driver is found to be mostly at fault for causing an accident, they cannot claim outsized payments for damages.
Prevent insurance companies from exorbitantly raising rates by setting a legal threshold that prevents excess profits and returns savings to consumers.
Create new regulatory safeguards to prevent insurance companies from raising rates without seeking express approval from the Department of Financial Services.
Protect consumers by prohibiting insurance companies from setting rates based on extraneous, personal factors like homeownership status, occupation, education level or zip code.
These measures come in addition to the Governor’s whole-of-government approach to combatting fraud by tasking DFS, DMV, DCJS and NYSP with a more proactive and coordinated approach to enforcement.
Tackling Utility Costs
New Yorkers deserve reliable energy at a price they can afford, which is why the final State Budget includes a comprehensive energy affordability package designed to put money back into New Yorkers’ pockets and protect against future drivers of rate increases.
The final State Budget will include a one-time, $1 billion energy rebate to provide relief to New Yorkers dealing with rising energy costs.
The Budget also includes a Ratepayer Protection Plan comprised of a sweeping set of reforms to modernize the Public Service Law, demand strict fiscal discipline from utilities and empower the State to fight more effectively for lower bills. The Budget will:
Tie executive pay directly to customer affordability.
Require utilities to present a Budget constrained option that keeps their operating and capital costs below the rate of inflation when requesting a rate increase to ensure efficiency and affordability are prioritized.
Ensure customers do not foot the bill for hidden costs like lobbying, political contributions and unnecessary executive travel.
The final State Budget also includes measures to:
Invest millions more into the EmPower+ program, which has helped nearly 42,000 low- and moderate-income households across the state finance energy improvements, saving families about $600 per year on their utility bills.
Modernize the way utility rate cases are reviewed to help keep prices manageable.
Incentivize the use of smart technology to help reduce energy usage and bills.
In addition, the final State Budget will enact common-sense changes to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act that continues the state’s nation-leading commitment to clean energy and climate goals while at the same time prioritizing affordability.
Comprehensive Immigration Protections
Amid an unprecedented escalation in aggressive federal immigration enforcement by ICE, the final State Budget will include a comprehensive plan that will expand protections for New Yorkers, safeguard basic rights, and hold federal immigration officials accountable. The plan will:
Prohibit local law enforcement from being deputized by ICE for federal civil immigration enforcement by eliminating 287(g) agreements, barring state and local police from acting as civil immigration agents, or using taxpayer-funded resources or personnel to carry out federal civil immigration enforcement and detention.
Establish a state right to sue federal, state, and local officials, including ICE officers, for constitutional violations.
Deny ICE permission from entering sensitive locations – including schools, libraries, health care facilities, polling locations, and homes – without a judicial warrant.
Ban federal, state, and local law enforcement from wearing masks while on duty.
Strictly prohibit the use of state, local or school civil resources—including employee time—for civil immigration enforcement activities.
Ensure all students can access education without fear of ICE interference, codifying the right to a free public education regardless of immigration status.
Let Them Build
The final State Budget will include landmark reforms to cut red tape and speed up the building of critically needed housing and infrastructure projects that often face extensive delays and raise costs for New Yorkers. The Budget will include a series of common sense changes to modernize the fifty-year old State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) to expedite critical projects that have been consistently found not to have any significant environmental impacts. By allowing projects that localities want to move forward that will not harm the environment to do so faster, these actions will make it easier and more affordable to deliver the new housing and infrastructure that New Yorkers need while we continue to preserve our environment and conserve New York’s natural resources.
The Budget will:
Provide exemptions from duplicative environmental review for new housing that is desperately needed and does not result in significant environmental impacts. These exemptions will cut costs and speed construction. In New York City, qualifying housing in medium and high-density areas up to 500 units will be exempted, with projects up to 250 units exempted in the rest of the city. Outside of New York City, the exemptions would apply to qualifying housing of up to 300 units in urbanized areas, up to 100 units in non-urban areas, and up to 20 units in areas that have no zoning. Housing must be on previously disturbed land and connected to water and sewer systems upon occupancy.
Add further SEQRA exemptions for categories of beneficial projects including clean water infrastructure, public parks and trails, green infrastructure, and public schools within New York City.
Establish a clear, two-year timeline to complete an environmental impact statement, creating accountability and ensuring faster decisions for communities.
Overhaul overcomplicated bureaucratic processes to make it easier for communities to build without impacting or impairing local laws and processes related to local zoning and other environmental permitting.
Safe By Design
Building on New York State’s work to protect our children from digital harms such as addictive algorithmic feeds on social media and the distractions of cell phones within schools, the Budget includes nation-leading legislation designed to protect children from online predators, scammers and harmful AI chatbots integrated on online platforms.
The Budget will enact substantial protections for children across a variety of online spaces and gaming platforms, including:
Mandating platforms automatically apply privacy-protective settings for children by default, meaning non-connections cannot message kids, view their profile, or tag them in content.
Requiring children’s location settings to be inaccessible by default to people they are not connected with.
Requiring children under 13 receive parental approval for new connections on online gaming platforms.
Disabling integrated AI chatbots for children.
Instituting new financial protections relating to children’s expenditures on gaming websites, including parental limits on a child’s financial transactions.
Additional highlights of the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget include:
Investing in Public Safety
Enacts a first-in-the-nation legislation requiring the development of regulations to ensure that every 3D printer sold in the State of New York includes technology that blocks it from printing a firearm, and strengthens criminal penalties for manufacturing ghost guns.
Requires firearm manufacturers to design guns in a way that prevents quick and easy conversion into DIY illegal machine guns.
Invests $352 million in gun violence prevention programs to continue successful efforts to drive down gun violence to their lowest levels in decades.
Establishes buffer zones to protect places of worship so New Yorkers can practice religion, a guaranteed right, free of harassment.
Prohibits nefarious drones near sensitive locations, including schools, and authorizing law enforcement to mitigate credible aerial threats, while creating additional pathways for the research and development of drone and counter-drone technology.
Reducing Costs and Putting Money in Your Pocket
Eliminates New York State income tax on tipped wages up to $25,000 per year, ensuring more money stays in people’s pockets.
Provides $395 million to ensure free breakfast and lunch for every K-12 student in New York, the second consecutive year for the highly successful Universal School Meals program.
Makes a college degree more affordable and accessible by investing more than $65 million in the Opportunity Promise Scholarship to not only make community college free for adult students pursuing associate degrees in high-demand industries, but expand it to four-year public institutions that offer associates degrees in high-demand fields.
An additional $250 million in capital funding to accelerate the construction of thousands of new affordable homes.
Provides $30 million in direct “tariff relief” for New York farmers to offset increased costs for equipment, fertilizer and supplies caused by federal tariffs.
Investing in Infrastructure and Local Communities
Create the state’s first Pied-a-terre tax program, a targeted surcharge on high value second homes and investor-owned apartments worth $5 million and up in New York City, which will generate at least $500 million in tax revenue annually.
Provide an additional $1 billion investment in climate priorities through the state’s Sustainable Futures Fund, with an emphasis on Environmental Justice programs.
A record level five-year, $3.75 billion funding commitment to clean water infrastructure, spurring housing growth and economic development projects across the state.
Nearly $40 billion in total school aid, a total increase of $10 billion since Governor Hochul took office, to continue to build on New York’s nation leading commitment to educating the next generation.
Provides $1 billion in new funding for existing Safety Net Hospitals to carry out transformative capital projects that promote financial sustainability.
Invests $500 million in additional support for distressed hospitals.
Historic $1 billion in total aid to support municipalities outside of New York City, mitigating the need to increase local taxes.
Continues the Governor’s “war on potholes” with $1.4 billion for maintaining and repairing New York State’s local roads and bridges.
$6 million for NY Kicks to capitalize on the momentum from the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament by building soccer pitches and other lasting infrastructure for youth recreation in disadvantaged communities across the state.
$10 million for the Saving Performing Arts and Cultural Experiences (NY SPACE) initiative which will provide grants to help nonprofit performing arts organizations acquire their venues.
$75 million to advance major transit projects reimagining Jamaica Station and expanding the Second Avenue Subway tunnel westward across 125 St.
$17.5 million to make Teen Mental Health First Aid training available to all 10th graders across New York State, a first-in-the-nation action.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 7 May 2026 at 8:52 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Posing for their pictures are, from left, Kerry Miller, Emergency Room nurse manager; Carol Martucci, a nursing supervisor; hospital CEO/CIO Marc Shurtz; and Rebecca Mannella, director of nursing in the North Wing.
North Wing residents Audrey Bieliski (a retired nurse) and Grace Boyer, 100, smile for the camera amid an arch of balloons. The occasion was the annual Nurses’ Appreciation Brunch at Medina Memorial Hospital on Wednesday.
MEDINA – Recognizing nurses, both active and retired, has been a long-time tradition at Medina Memorial Hospital.
Annually, for many years the hospital has recognized its nurses during Nurses’ Appreciate Week, and in recent years further honored them at a brunch.
Semi-retired nurse Charlie Smith said the first Nurses’ Appreciation Day was celebrated in 1998.
“We’ve celebrated Nurses’ Week for a long time, but this is the fourth annual Nurses’ Day Brunch,” said Lori Condo, assistant controller.
Between 40 and 50 nurses annually attend the event, said Kim Gray, chief nursing officer and director of surgical services.
Nurses enjoyed an impressive brunch with punch, assorted pastries, fruit and hors d’oeuvres.
New this year was a giant balloon arch in the hallway for photo ops.
“As we gather for our Fourth Annual Nurses’ Day Brunch, there is a feeling in the room that is hard to put into words,” Gray said. “But we all recognize it – it is gratitude. It is pride.
“To our past nurses here today, your presence is a gift,” Gray continued. “You are the foundation of everything this hospital represents. You cared for this community through decades of change, often with fewer resources, but never with less heart. You didn’t just do the job – you lived it.”
To the current nurses of today, Gray said they carry that legacy forward in ways that matter more than they may ever fully realize.
“In a small rural hospital, nursing is deeply personal,” Gray said. “You care for neighbors, friends and sometimes your own family. The care you give today is rooted in the examples set by those who came before you, and together, you create something truly special – a continuous thread of dedication that spans generations.”
Gray paid tribute to three extraordinary nurses who were lost during the past year – Marcia Clark, Darlene Zeliff and Marian Miano.
“They were more than colleagues,” Gray said. “They were part of the fabric of this hospital and this community. Their hands cared, their voices comforted and their presence made a lasting difference in countless lives. Their legacy lives on through all of you.”
(Left) Corporate educator Christine Kropf, left, and Cindy Denniston, surgical nurse, share a laugh at the buffet table during the Nurses’ Day Brunch. (Center) Registered nurse Joseph Pietrzykowski, left, and semi-retired nurse Charlie Smith find plenty to talk about at the Nurses’ Day Brunch. Smith attended his first Nurses’ Appreciation Day in 1998. (Right) Karen Irwin, a registered nurse at Medina Memorial Hospital, looks over the shoulder of Dorothy Casey, left, and Joanne Bracey, both retired nurses. Irwin retired last week.
Gray concluded by saying the day was more than just a brunch. It was a moment to reflect, to reconnect and to recognize something truly rare – the bond between past and present, the shared purpose and the enduring heart of nursing in a place that means so much to so many.
“Thank you for the lives you’ve touched, the compassion you’ve given and the legacy you continue to build every single day,” Gray added. “It is truly an honor to stand among you and celebrate you.”
Medina Memorial Hospital paid tribute to its nurses – both current and retired – at a brunch Wednesday. Audrey Bieliski, left, a retired nurse and resident of the North Wing, relaxes while retired nurses Jeanne Crane and Rosemary Pegelow share conversation. At the next table, Mary Lou Tuohey, former mayor Mike Sidari and his wife Brenda enjoy brunch and conversation.
Kim Gray at rear, chief nursing officer and director of surgical services at Medina Memorial Hospital, praises the nurses – both current and retired – during the annual Nurses’ Day Brunch on Wednesday.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 6 May 2026 at 9:04 pm
Improving to 10-1, Lyndonville bested Kendall 12-7 in a Geensee Region League softball game played under the lights this evening on the turf field at Barker.
Arnie Sturtevant led Lyndonville at the plate with 3 hits including a double, triple and home run with 6 RBIs. Alexa Robinson and Hannah Fox both had a pair of hits and Natalie Rath and Rylan Townsend doubles.
Sturtevant had an RBI triple in the third inning, an RBI double in the fourth and a grand slam home run in the fifth.
Fox had RBI singles in both the third and fourth innings and Rath a two-run double in the second.
The Lady Tigers scored 4 runs in both the fourth and fifth innings.
Sturtevant also earned the win in the circle allowing 6 hits and striking out 9.
Kendall had a five run fifth inning which included a two-run single by Ella Cole a double by Teagan Shaw and an RBI single by Alayna Keirn.
Brooke Rodas also belted a two-run homer in the first inning for Kendall which is now 8-4.
Much has been reported regarding Stream Data Centers’ proposed project in Genesee County’s STAMP business complex. Unfortunately, the majority of it hasn’t been accurate.
Non-local opponents have traveled from far and wide to spread fear and misinformation. Using old industry data – and ignoring the cutting-edge technologies and best practices being employed – they’ve claimed it will damage the environment, increase residential energy rates, and result in the region “losing money” due to economic incentives.
None of that is true.
The truth is, Stream Data Centers will bring more than a half a billion dollars in property tax payments alone to the Town of Basom, Genesee County and Oakfield-Alabama School District over 30 years. This is over and above the thousands of construction jobs which will be filled over the project’s muti-year buildout, the money those workers will spend and sales tax they’ll generate, the 125 permanent jobs whose average annual salaries will exceed $100,000, and the dozens of additional contractors and vendors who will do business with Stream once they are operational.
Stream has already invested $130,000 in the district, working with school leaders to identify initiatives to best impact students and families. This includes the rebirth of its after-school program, paid agricultural summer internships, new high school CAD lab machinery, and new exercise equipment to enhance the district’s health and wellness.
They’ve also committed to operating their facility with rigorous environmental responsibility. Once their cooling system is filled, it requires no additional water; thus, its daily water use will be similar to a typical 125-employee office space, with standard sink, toilet and daily dishwasher use.
Speaking of dishwashers, that’s how quiet the facility will be. Stream has engineered this project to guarantee no more than 45 decibels of sound emanating at night – on par with a quiet residential dishwasher. During the day it will be not exceed 65 decibels, akin to normal human conversation.
There will be no problematic air or light emissions and their operations won’t harm local wildlife or habitats. Their designs incorporate eco-friendly lighting and windows, along with landscape architecture that will ultimately add native vegetation to the acres of currently abandoned farmland.
Moreover, Stream is not asking us to take their word for it. Members of the Alabama Town Board and Planning Committee have toured existing Stream Data Center complexes. Those representatives witnessed quiet, clean operations and asked whatever questions they wanted to employees – along with unscheduled visits to neighboring residents, who assured them of their unobtrusive presence, with several having no idea they lived near a data center.
Then there’s the project’s site: not on pristine, undisturbed lands, but on an established campus, in between a 17-acre, nearly complete electrical substation under construction since 2022; and the 50-acre Edwards Vacuum facility on Crosby Road which took nearly three years to complete. Some insist the construction will cause wildlife to leave the area. Yet, if construction has been happening for years – and none of it has left yet – why would it now if something is built between these established facilities?
Lastly, there’s the issue of energy, which is effectively already in place. Dedicated, high-power electrical lines pass through the property, forming the backbone of Upstate New York’s electric power grid. These lines are purpose-built for reliable, large-scale power delivery to major industrial users and operate separately from local lines that serve residential customers.
Stream has worked with utilities, state authorities and the state grid operator to ensure its thoughtful integration into the grid without impacting residential supply or rates. Stream is paying for the infrastructure to deliver this existing power to its facility. Moreover, it is subsidizing the remaining 100 megawatts in the STAMP park for future business projects. That’s enough electricity to power nine more projects the size of Edwards Vacuum – another proactive community investment.
It’s time we stop letting outsiders tell us what’s best for our community. Stream has come to Genesee County with an excellent reputation and a decades-long commitment. They’ve been open and fair neighbors at every turn. It’s time we welcome them – not fight them. Let’s sit down and have a rational discussion to discover how else Stream might benefit our community. Because the only way our region will lose money from this relationship is if we turn them away.
Thomas Snyder
Attica
Energy Systems Engineer and Genesee County landowner
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 6 May 2026 at 7:54 pm
Pounding out 20 hits, including 5 home runs, Barker rolled to a 25-10 win over Newfane in a Niagara-Orleans League softball game this afternoon.
Peyton Bradley led the Barker hitting barrage as she belted three home runs including a two run shot in the first inning, a three-run blast in the second inning and a grand slam in the sixth for a total of 9 RBIs.
Kaylee Stoll and Elise Monaco also banged out home runs while Madyson Flint had a double and a triple.
Flint had a total of 5 hits and Stoll 4.
League leading Barker improves to 9-2 while Newfane slips to 1-7.
