Concerts at Lee-Whedon bring out crowds on cold Friday nights
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The Breakout Band performed on Friday night to about 125 people at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina.
The band plays many classic rock songs. From left include Gary Withey, Timothy Stoll and Alan Biano. John Lynch, not pictured, plays the drums.
Lee-Whedon has offered the “Finally Fridays!” concert series during the winter since 2002.
The season usually goes to early March but this year will only be during January due to the library’s expansion project that is under construction.
The Breakout Band kept the crowd entertained on a wintry Friday night.
The Creek Bend Band opened the series on Jan. 2, followed by Tom Keefer & Celtic Cross on Jan. 9.
There are two more concerts that begin at 7 p.m. with the Hennan Brothers on Jan. 23 and Doc’s Pocket Change on Jan. 30.
There is no charge for admission. The concerts received funding from the New York State Council on the Arts. Go Art! administers that funding for the state.
This group worked together on a puzzle while listening to the music. From left include Georgia Thomas and Barb Hancock with Fred Cavers at right. Thomas said sometimes “The Puzzle Group” can put together a 1,000-piece puzzle in an hour. This trip put together a 300-piece puzzle on Friday evening.
Federal government brings chaos to Minnesota with no accountability for actions
Editor:
What is going on in Minnesota has no relationship with the law or law enforcement. It is performative cruelty by dress-up military actors behaving like an occupying force in a hostile environment, with no oversight and no accountability for their actions.
The administration’s stated reason for sending in immigration enforcement is because of fraud, allegedly committed by residents with a Somali background. It is important to note that 98 individuals have already been charged in the scheme, which could exceed $250 million. But none of the more than 2,000 immigration officers on the streets of Minnesota are investigating fraud.
Although $250 million is a lot of money it pales compared to the billions President Trump and his administration have defrauded from the American people. Mr. Trump has defrauded Americans with his cryptocurrency scheme, the brides for pardons fraud, and all his violations of the emoluments clause of the Constitution. Not to mention the hundreds of millions of dollars of Venezuelan oil money Mr. Trump sequestered in an offshore account he claims he controls.
The list of fraud from Mr. Trump alone takes pages. Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, spent $200 million of taxpayer money to purchase luxury jets for her personal and private use, according to a Department of Homeland Security press release.
Furthermore, when the state officials of Mississippi were found guilty, in a court of law, of defrauding the federal government and ordered to pay more than $1 million dollars in fines, the Trump administration reversed that decision. But I don’t want to get bogged down in both-siderisms.
Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence that: Governments “derive their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed.” The Immigration officers in Minnesota are not there with the consent of the citizens or their elected leaders. There was no increase in crime or civil disorder that required federal law enforcement’s presence.
And let me be clear, if there were a need for immigration officials to be in Minnesota, Minnesotans would ask for help. Minnesota has a long and successful history of working with federal immigration officials. But that is not the situation now. Federal agents have not communicated with or made any attempt to coordinate with state and local law enforcement. This is not law enforcement, it is dominance.
Further evidence that this is not a law enforcement activity is that since the federal immigration invasion of Minnesota, schools have gone remote, and businesses have closed. People are afraid to go out, and residents of the city are terrified. Think about that, federal agents are intentionally creating chaos to terrorize the citizens. They are not making the city safer; they are intentionally and deliberately terrorizing the citizens.
The facts and the evidence are overwhelming. What is happening in Minnesota has no connection to the law or law enforcement. It is forced obedience to authority and to an authoritarian regime. That is why people are taking to the streets to protest.
William Fine
Brockport
Circus returns bringing lots of entertainment to local schools
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Ian and Claudia perform on aerial silks at the Clifford Wise Intermediate School. Billy Martin’s Cole All Star Circus did two shows on Friday at Clifford Wise with some of the proceeds going to the Orleans Community Health Foundation.
Ian and Claudia showcased strength, flexibility and balance in their performance on the aerial silks.
The circus is led by Billy Martin, who is now in his 49th season of leading the circus. He and his group of a dozen perform go to about 150 schools each year. Their 2026 season started on Jan. 9 in Coudersport, Pa.
They have three more shows in Orleans County:
- Albion Elementary School on Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m.
- Holley Elementary School on Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m.
- Kendall High School Gym on Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m.
Children 12 years and younger are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Adults at the door are $20 each. Each school offers a special $5 discount on advance adult tickets, which reduces the cost to $15 per adult.
Sophia performs a juggling routine.
These kids are delighted watching a performer in the show ring.
Jake McPherson of Medina and his son Connor, age 9, get their photo taken with one of the circus’s stars, Slinko. This year marks Slinko’s 25th season.
Tatyana Johnson, 9, gets her face painted as the Lady Bug character during intermission at the circus.
The Fudi sisters juggled hats, pins and hoops as part of their routine.
Winter storm watch for Orleans, WNY from Sunday evening to Wednesday
Photo courtesy of Marsha Rivers: A truck heads north on Main Street in Albion while it was snowing. More snow, possibly 7 inches or more, could hit Orleans by Wednesday.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a winter weather watch for Orleans and several Western New York counties from Sunday evening to Wednesday afternoon.
Heavy lake effect snow is possible, with potentially 7 or more inches in the most persistent lake snows, the Weather Service said.
“Winds could gust as high as 45 miles per hour creating blowing and drifting snow with very poor visibility,” the Weather Service said.
The advisory also includes Niagara, Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.
“Lake effect snowbands are expected to oscillate throughout this event with the greatest duration of lake snows likely from the Buffalo Metro area to Batavia southward,” the Weather Service said.
Akron swimmers sweep Roy-Hart/Barker
Akron swept to a doubleheader victory over Roy-Hart/Barker in a Niagara-Orleans League make-up swim meet this evening.
Akron won the boys’ meet 63-59 and the girls’ competition 101-64.
Logan Meyers won the 100 Butterfly and Aron Gehl the 100 Breaststroke for the Akron.
Roy-Hart/Barker had a pair of individual event double winners in Noah Corraine (200 Free and 100 Free) and Hendrick Trombley (200 Individual Medley and 100 Backstroke).
The Akron girls had a trio of individual event double winners including Aurora VanDusen (200 Free and 500 Free), Charlotte Carlson (IM and Butterfly) and Brooke Milhollen (100 Free and Backstroke).
Madelina Pavlock won the 50 Free for Roy-Hart/Barker.
Newfane sweeps Albion
Newfane also swept to a doubleheader victory over Albion in the other N-O make-up meet.
Newfane won the boy’s meet 50-38 and the girls’ 70-21.
Noah Kneeland doubled in the Butterfly and Breaststroke for the Newfane boys which also had Robert Hathaway take the IM and Dylan Lamont the 500.
Justin Kania doubled for the Albion boys in the 200 Free and 50 Free as Logan Kast took the 100 Free and Nathan Wehling the Backstroke.
Sara Klinger doubled in the 50 Free and Breaststroke for the Newfane girls as Emma Haseley took the 200 Free, Eden Hillman the 100 Free, Riley Klopfer the 500 and Eloana Reis the Backstroke.
Keira Sidari won both the IM and Butterfly for Albion.
Akron girls edge Medina; R-H, Kendall win
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Alexa Demmer puts up a shot against Akron defender Olivia Novak during the Mustangs home court loss to the Lady Tigers.
Improving to 4-1, Akron edged host Medina 47-44 in a Niagara-Orleans League girls basketball game this evening.
Abby Gerstung scored 15, Clara Bogdan 10 and Cara Swader 7 to lead Akron.
Caliyah St. Louis took game high scoring honors for Medina with 20 as Alexa Demmer added 12 and Samantha Heschke 8.
Breaking away from a 9-9 deadlock at the end of the first quarter, Medina grabbed a 21-17 half-time lead as St. Louis and Demmer both scored 5 in the second period.
The Mustangs maintained a slender 29-27 lead at the end of the third period as Demmer had a three and a two and St. Louis a basket in the quarter.
However, Akron rallied down the stretch to outpoint Medina 20-15 in the decisive final period and claim the win. Swader scored 5, Bogdan, Olivia Novak and Kylie Mangione 4 each and Gerstung 3 to lead that uprising.
Roy-Hart 50, Newfane 42
Adella Dukes scored 24, Courtney Aquilina 9 and Millie Owens 7 to lead Roy-Hart past Newfane 50-42.
Ah-Leena Golden scored 15 and Julia Noonan 10 for Newfane.
Wilson 54, Albion 17
Defending champion Wilson improved to 5-0 by downing visiting Albion 54-17 as Lucy Madan scored 15 and Rowan Simpson 10.
Aailyah Jones scored 12 to lead Albion.
N-O Standings: Wilson 5-0, Akron 4-1, Albion 4-2, Roy-Hart 3-2, Medina 1-4, Newfane 1-4, Barker 0-5.
Kendall 58, School of the Arts 39
Kendall defeated School of the Arts 58-39 in a non league game as Izzy D’Agostino scored 16, Mia Price 12, Stella Kwiatek 10 and Teagan Shaw 9.
Medina’s Caliyah St. Louis drives on Akron defender Abby Gerstung.
Lakemen top Purple Eagles, Tigers down Mustangs in key N-O basketball games
Undefeated front-running Wilson downed visiting Albion 69-53 this evening to maintain sole possession of the Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball lead at 5-0.
Akron took over sole possession of second place by rolling past visiting Medina 79-49. The Tigers improve to 4-1 while the Mustangs slip to 3-2.
In the other N-O contest Newfane defeated Roy-Hart 47-26 to improve to 3-2.
Wilson 69, Albion 53
Aidan Neumann scored a game high 26, Shamus George 20 and Ryan Hough 15 to lead Wilson past Albion.
Elijah Doxey scored 22 and Nate Gibson 18 to pace Albion which slips to 2-4.
Leading by a narrow 34-32 margin at the half, Wilson took charge in the third period by outscoring Albion 23-7. Neumann tallied 8, George 6, Brock Lepsch 5 and Hough 4 to lead that surge.
Neuman then scored 10 in the final period to help the Lakemen close out the win.
Akron 79, Medina 49
Ben Gerstung scored 22, Derren Brooks 20, Brodie Hill 15 and Blake Gerstung and Ace Abrams 8 each to spark the Akron attack.
Christian Moss scored 18, Jerrell Nealy 14 and Preston Woodworth 12 to lead Medina.
Moving on top to stay, Akron grabbed a 16-6 lead at the end of the opening quarter. Ben Gerstung scored 6 and Brooks 5 to lead that early surge.
The Tigers went on to lead by margins of 14 (35-21) at the half and by 24 (52-28) at the end of the third period. Blake Gerstung scored 8, including a pair of threes, in the second quarter while Brooks had 9 in the third period.
Newfane 47, Roy-Hart 26
Isaac Zachery, Mac Capen and Kasey Wheat each scored 11 points and Camlo Flowers 8 to lead Newfane past Roy-Hart.
Matt Aquilina led Roy-Hart with 19.
N-O Standings: Wilson 5-0, Akron 4-1, Medina 3-2, Newfane 3-2, Albion 2-4, Barker 1-4, Roy-Hart 0-5.
Holley 59, Lyndonville 46
Holley downed host Lyndonville 59-46 in a Genesee Region League game as Josh Silpoch scored 24, Avante Walker 15 and Cam Mosier 8.
Atticus Mank scored 14, Lane Woodworth 10 and Colton Smith and Quincy McClinsey 7 each for Lyndonville.
‘Run for America’ brings ultramarathoner to WNY as part of 5,500-mile journey on foot
Brett Soberiaski runs 8 miles this morning with man on epic adventure to celebrate country’s 250th anniversary
Photo courtesy of Brett Sobieraski: Brett Soberiaski of Carlton is shown this morning with Noah Coughlan. The two left Batavia and ran to Pembroke. Sobieraski, an ultra marathoner and endurance athlete, praised Coughlan who is on day 91 of a 260-day journey, running 5,500 miles across the United States.
BATAVIA – Brett Sobieraski is proud of New York State for showing such a big response to a man running across the country in an effort to stir a love for the flag and the United States.
Noah Coughlan is on day 91 of a 260-day journey, with plans to cover 20 states and conclude on July 4 in Hawaii. The trek is 5,500 miles on foot. Coughlan is a California native who most recently has been living in Nashville.
Coughlan made his way from Avon to Batavia on Thursday, and this morning left the Best Western Inn in Batavia and headed to Pembroke along Route 5. He is trying to get to near the Buffalo airport later today.
Coughlan usually runs by himself, and sometimes has a police escort like he did in Genesee County.
Sobieraski reached out to Coughlan about having a partner for part of today’s run. Sobieraski, a retired Rochester police sergeant, asked if he could join Coughlan for part of the journey today. Coughlan agreed.
Sobieraski in 2023 ran 50 marathons for 50 days, covering 1,300 miles from Florida to Rochester, NY. He did it as a tribute to Rochester police officer Anthony “Maz” Mazurkiewicz, who was killed in the line of duty on July 21, 2022. Sobieraski sought to raise $100,000 for Mazurkiewicz’s family, and passed that goal by reaching $110,000.
Today, cars honked their horns and people rolled down their windows to cheer on Coughlan, who turned 42 on Thursday.
When Coughlan reached the Pembroke Intermediate School, students were standing outside and cheering him on.
“He was really overwhelmed,” Sobieraski said about the Coughlan. “He said he’s never had a response like this. He can’t get over the reception from New York State.”
Coughlan started the journey on Oct. 18. He has been going about 18 miles a day, pushing a jogger stroller with an American flag mounted on the stroller. He has covered more than 1,700 miles so far.
Coughlan isn’t raising money for a charity, just trying to spur patriotism on the 250th anniversary of the country.
“It’s non political,” Sobieraski said. “He isn’t running for any cause just the flag.”
Coughlan has done four previous ocean-to-ocean runs across the country. His “Run for America” started in the Midwest and covered about 950 miles in Kansas, South Carolina and North Carolina, states where had not run before.
Then, the journey goes 3,600 miles from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho and Oregon.
It’s not over yet. Coughlan plans to cross 900 miles across Alaska and then conclude in Hawaii on July 4.
For information on Run for America, click here.
Albion sets public hearing on Dollar General site plan for Feb. 12
This is a photo of a print out of a rendering of the proposed Dollar General store in Albion on East Avenue across from the high school.
ALBION – The Village of Albion Planning Board has set a public hearing for 5 p.m. on Feb. 12 for the site plan for the new Dollar General store at 327 East Ave. The meeting will be at the Village Office on East Bank Street.
The new 10,640-square-foot store would be across from the high school.
Tye Albion Zoning Board of Appeals on Sept. 9 approved a variance for the project, allowing Dollar General to have 35 parking spaces instead of the 53 required for a store that size. Albion’s zoning calls for one parking space for every 200 square feet of a retail store.
The Broadway Group is the developer of the new store. The company said having 35 parking spaces will allow for more green space on the site.
During a public hearing on Sept. 9 about the variance, several speakers said they didn’t think a Dollar General across from the school was a good fit. They also questioned if there was enough room on the lot for tractor trailers to make deliveries and then turnaround without backing out onto Route 31. The store is expected to have two deliveries a week, Broadway Group representatives said at the hearing.
The Planning Board will discuss traffic flow issues and truck turnaround as part of the site plan.
The store is proposed to be next to the Cone Zone ice cream business. The Broadway Group from Huntsville, Ala. proposes to demolish an existing building to the east of Cone Zone and put up the new store.
Tenney opens applications for Military Service Academy nominations
Press Release, Congresswomen Claudia Tenney
OSWEGO – Congresswomen Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today announced that her office is now accepting applications for 2026 United States Military Service Academy nominations.
Students from New York’s 24th Congressional District interested in attending one of these distinguished academies are invited to apply for a Congressional nomination through Tenney’s office.
As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Tenney has the honor of nominating a select number of candidates to four of the five United States service academies. Appointment to a service academy provides a world-class education and carries a minimum five-year commitment to serve as a commissioned officer in the United States Armed Forces.
Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to the following service academies:
- United States Military Academy, West Point, NY
- United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
- United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO
- United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY
If you, or a student you know, are interested in applying for a nomination to one of the United States Military Service Academies, please visit our website here to find application instructions, required forms, and additional details. All application materials must be received by Thursday, October 1, 2026.
“As the mother of a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, I understand the commitment, discipline, and sense of purpose required to attend a service academy,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “I am always encouraged by the exceptional young men and women across NY-24 who step forward to pursue this path of service. These academies offer an extraordinary education while preparing future leaders for our Armed Forces, and it’s a privilege to support students who are willing to serve our nation with integrity, dedication, and courage.”
For more information, contact Congresswoman Tenney’s Oswego District Office at (315) 236-7088 or visit her website by clicking here.
Albion looks to disband Historic Preservation Commission, shift function to Planning Board or codes officer
Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from November shows downtown Albion from East Bank Street. The downtown area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
ALBION – The Historic Preservation Commission in Albion has struggled to reach a quorum in recent years and the inability to hold meetings has delayed some building owners from moving forward with projects, Village Board members said.
The HPC needs to give its approval for a certificate of appropriateness for signs and exterior work on a building in the historic downtown district.
The seven-member board currently only has four members.
The Village Board will have a public hearing at 6 p.m. on Feb. 23 about disbanding the Historic Preservation Commission and having its functions handled by either the code enforcement officer or the Village Planning Board.
In Medina, the Planning Board decides whether to grant certificates of appropriateness for signs and exterior building work.
In October 2022, Mary Anne Braunbach, the Albion HPC chairwoman at the time, said the commission was struggling to have a quorum. She didn’t want to hold up projects in the historic district because the board lacked enough participants for an official meeting.
With seven members, the commission needs at least four for a quorum. She suggested reducing the members to five members, and then the minimum would be three for a quorum.
Braunbach said then the commission tries to be a resource to building owners looking to upgrade their facades or do other projects. The commission doesn’t want to be an obstacle, she said, but will push for property owners to meet the standard for the historic district.
“We want to let people know we’re working with them,” she told the Village Board then. “We want to help people make the buildings look better and look historic.”
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Farmers’ market in Medina hosting a survey on digital literacy this Saturday
MEDINA – Clementine Gold Group, which is fielding a survey on the Western New York Digital Coalition’s behalf, will be at the Canal Village Farmer’s Market on Saturday.
With the support of a grant from the New York State ConnectAll Office, the WNY Digital Equity Coalition is conducting the regional survey of digital literacy across all of Western New York’s eight counties.
This survey will give them community-level information about digital skill levels which is not available from any other source, and will guide digital literacy programs, support grant applications and provide information which advocates can use to ensure everyone in Western New York has the ability to make full use of computers and the internet.
Mark Glasgow, director of Engagement and Strategic Insights for the Clementine Gold Group, requested permission to have a presence at the market this week, said Chris Busch, chair of Orleans Renaissance Group, which sponsors the market.
Glasglow explained the brief survey helps measure digital skills across WNY, especially among groups most impacted by digital exclusion.
“Your event is a strong opportunity to reach residents whose experiences should be represented,” Glasglow said in an e-mail to market manager Gail Miller.
Along with the brief survey, Glasglow said they will have raffle tickets and candy to offer visitors.
The Canal Village Farmers’ Market supports local nonprofit organizations by providing them with free space at the market, Miller said.
“We recognize it can be challenging for nonprofits to reach the community members who most need their services,” Miller explained. “By offering a no-cost space at the market on Saturdays to share information, we hope to strengthen community connections and ensure valuable resources are more accessible to those who need them.”
Some examples of non-profit groups which have taken advantage of free space at the market are Orleans Community Health, Hospice of Orleans, PAWS, Friends of Iroquois Wildlife Refuge and many more. Space may be reserved by contacting canalvillagemarket@gmail.com.
Market hours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the basement of the former NAPA building at 345 North Main St. Ample parking is available in the canal basin and on Main Street.
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Albion looks to increase fines for parking infractions
Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from Saturday evening shows traffic and cars parking on Main Street in Albion.
ALBION – The Village Board will take comments from the public on raising the fines for people with parking infractions.
Police Chief David Mogle suggested the fines be doubled from their current levels of $25 if paid within seven days of the violation, $30 if paid after seven days but within 30 days, and $35 if paid after 30 days.
Village Trustee Joyce Riley believes doubling the fines is too much. She suggested a $40 fine if paid with seven days, $50 if paid after seven days and wthin 30 days, and $65 if paid after 30 days.
The other board members agreed with Riley’s reasoning. The board will have a public hearing on the higher fines at 6 p.m. on Feb. 11.
The Albion Police Department is almost out of parking tickets and will soon be ordering more. Mogle advised the board the fine amounts had not been changed in many years.
The Police Department can issue parking tickets for parking in the street overnight from Nov. 15 to April 15, parking in a no parking zone, blocking a fire lane, parking closer than 10 feet of a fire hydrant, double parking, parking in handicapped parking spot without a permit, parking on curb or sidewalk, and overtime parking.
