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Gillibrand seeks to refund small businesses from costs of Trump-imposed tariffs

Posted 15 September 2025 at 1:08 pm

Press Release, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, alongside Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Mark Warner (D-VA), introduced the Small Business RELIEF Act to exempt small businesses from global baseline and reciprocal tariffs and to provide refunds to the small businesses that were forced to pay them.

The senators introduced the legislation as U.S. consumers experience the highest overall tariff rate since 1934, and a recent survey found that 30% of small business owners plan to increase their prices.

On August 29, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled that President Donald Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs were illegal, setting the stage for small businesses to receive relief from the crushing “Liberation Day” tariffs. The Supreme Court agreed to consider whether these tariffs are legal and will hear the case in November. However, the tariffs will remain in place until the Supreme Court makes a decision.

“Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, but they are especially vulnerable to President Trump’s tariff policies that are suffocating our economy,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Millions of small businesses are already struggling to keep up with rising costs. That’s why I will keep fighting to push back against these reckless tariffs, so every small business has the resources and stability it needs to thrive.”

In April, Senator Gillibrand announced her support for the bipartisan Trade Review Act, which would require congressional oversight of the president’s implementation of tariffs. At the time, she also signed a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick demanding that he immediately work to repeal Trump’s tariffs, which will cost the average New York household approximately $2,400 this year alone.

“Small businesses are feeling the brunt of the Trump administration’s economic carnage,” said Senator Schumer. “Tariffs are raising costs, pushing away tourists, slowing down manufacturing, and forcing many businesses to close their doors altogether. Trump’s disastrous economic policy must be stopped, and Congress must pass the Small Business RELIEF Act to protect our economy and small businesses across the country.”

Meetings set for input on children with special health care needs in Genesee, Orleans

Posted 15 September 2025 at 11:57 am

Press Release, Independent Living of the Genesee Region

BATAVIA – The Independent Living of the Genesee Region, in partnership with the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments, is pleased to announce an upcoming focus group dedicated to the families and caregivers of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN).

This important event will take place on two separate dates at accessible community venues to help shape future programs and services.

The meeting on Sept. 22 will be in Batavia at the Independent Living’s office at 319 West Main St., while the Sept. 24 session will be at the Hoag Library in Albion, 134 South Main St.

The focus group offers a welcoming space for parents, guardians, and advocates from Genesee and Orleans counties to share their experiences, challenges and suggestions regarding services for children with special health care needs. Input from participants will directly inform initiatives and resources designed to improve care and support for CYSHCN and their families.

All attendees will have an opportunity to have their voices heard in a supportive environment. Feedback collected will help guide future planning and advocacy efforts at the local and state level. A $50 Visa gift card will be provided as a stipend to the first 15 participants at each location.

For more information or to register, please contact April Fearby at (585) 815-8501, Ext. 401 or visit: http://forms.office.com/r/ai0daB9xfZ.

About Independent Living of the Genesee Region:

Independent Living of the Genesee Region, part of the WNY Independent Living Inc., Family of Agencies, is a catalyst for systems and individual change, enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities, while respecting diversity and promoting choices and alternatives for independent living.

First artist for Medina Triennial on site building Floating Garden on Canal

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 September 2025 at 7:59 am

Mary Mattingly did similar project in New York City with 350,000 visitors

Photos by Tom Rivers: Mary Mattingly is shown on a canal barge that she has begun turning into a floating garden that should bear fruit next summer as part of the inaugural Medina Triennial.

MEDINA – The next six weeks a rusty and out-of-serve canal barge will be given new life as a very unlikely base for a floating garden.

Mary Mattingly is turning he 27-by-80-foot barge into a showcase for plants and nature. She led a similar initiative in New York City, and that repurposed barge drew 350,000 visitors and more than 900 guided tours.

Mattingly is in town locally as one of 12 featured artists in the Medina Triennial. She is the first of the artists to be working in residence on her project. Five of the artists are expected to be doing their work in residence as part of the Triennial that will feature about 50 artistic works at 10 to 12 indoor and outdoor sites next year from June 6 to Sept. 7. Triennial organizers expect the major art initiative will draw 50,000 people to Medina over the three months next year.

The Triennial is spearheaded by the NYS Canal Corp. and New York Power Authority with input from the major art galleries in the Rochester and Buffalo region.

Mattingly is renown as an ecological art pioneer and her participation is a big honor for the Triennial, said Kari Conte, co-artistic director for the Triennial.

“This is an incredibly big project by Mary Mattingly,” Conte said Saturday during an discussion at the Triennial’s headquarters in a kick off teaser to next year. “She’s taking a chance on a startup.”

Mary Mattingly shares about the project during a discussion on Saturday at the Medina Triennial “Hub” at 345 Main St., a building that for many years was used by NAPA Auto Parts. It will be the base for the Triennial and arts program through 2026.

Mattingly has been working on the barge the past two weeks, getting it ready for eight different areas that will be growing plants. She has been talking with local residents about what they want to see on the barge when the plants are blooming and producing next year.

She held a workshop Sunday at the Triennial “Hub” to get more input. The group convinced her to have one of the eight spots be for butterflies. Mattingly said the garden will be designed so the eight sections compliment and don’t compete with each other.

People shared personal stories about why they feel connected to certain plants, and Mattingly said she wants to display those anecdotes as part of the floating garden.

Mattingly has a lot of work to do in the next six weeks, bringing in soil and creating a healthy growing medium for the plants. The barge will winter away from Medina and will return at the start of next year’s canal season. By the time the Triennial starts on June 6, the barge should be a vibrant ecosystem.

She thanked local residents for their input and kindness while she has been working on the project in Medina.

“I feel very at home,” she told about 75 people during the opening session on Saturday. “I’m learning a lot.”

Green captures her second Epson Tour tourney title with a dramatic playoff win

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 14 September 2025 at 5:27 pm

Contributed Photos – Holding the trophy, Melanie Green celebrates capturing the Guardian Championship Tournament title.  At right, the Epson Tour salutes Green’s victory.

Continuing a sensational debut season, Medina’s Melanie Green captured her second Epson Tour tournament championship in dramatic fashion today at the Guardian Championship at Prattsville, Alabama.

Green outdueled Gianna Clemente in what ended up as a five hole playoff to claim the championship.

The two golfers matched scores over the first four playoff holes. Then on the fifth hole Green claimed the title by making par as Clemente bogeyed.

The playoff was set up when Clemente had a birdie on 17 and Green a bogey on 18 leaving the two golfers deadlocked with identical rounds of 68 and identical tournament totals of 13 under par 203.

Green, who started the day at 9 under and tied for third two shots off the pace, upped her total to 12 under after the front nine. She had four birdies (on 4, 5, 8 and 9) and one bogey (on 6) during that stretch.

Keeping rolling on the back nine, she pulled into a tie for first at 13 under after a birdie on 12. She then took over sole possession of first place at 14 under with another birdie on 16.

However, the combination of Clemente’s birdie on 17 and Green’s bogey on 18 caused a tie for first place forcing a playoff.

Green, who also regained first place in the Epson Tour’s season long points race with the win, opened the tourney with a 6 under par round of 66 on Friday. She followed that up with a 3 under par 69 on Saturday to stay in the thick of the title chase.

Green’s first Epson Tour victory came at the Island Resort Championship in Michigan in June.

The Trestle in Waterport was torn down in 1995 but continues to evoke strong memories

Posted 14 September 2025 at 4:31 pm

Don Cook, a photographer for The Journal-Register in Medina, captured this image of the demolition of the Hojack bridge on Sept. 11, 1995.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 5, No. 32

CARLTON – Our recent column on the history of the Hojack Railroad evoked many memories, particularly of teenage hair-raising exploits on the landmark trestle bridge at Waterport.

Built to convey the trains of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad trains across the Oak Orchard River gorge, the actual dimensions of this impressive structure are unclear. According to one source, it was 500 feet long, 10 feet wide and 200 feet above the river, while another site describes it as having been 800 feet from bank to bank and 90 feet high.

This photograph gives a sense of the scale of the bridge.

At any rate, the railroad line was discontinued in 1978, and the infrastructure soon fell into disrepair. In November 1993, citing missing railroad ties and concerns for the safety of the public as well as of emergency personnel presented by the condition of the bridge, the Town of Carlton went on record to request action from Penn Central.

As it transpired, the title to the bridge was owned by Charles Pelleschi, an avid angler from Summerhill, Pa. He had purchased some vacant railroad property adjacent to Park Avenue, in the Town of Carlton from Penn-Central, with the intention of building a second home there. Much to his surprise, the deed to the land included the bridge.

Mr. Pelleschi decided to have the bridge removed on account of its deteriorating condition. It was dismantled in the fall of 1995 by Jack Weakland of Hastings, Pa. The steel from the bridge was sold to a New York City company and the landmark was no more.

However, it lingers in the memories of many and was captured in this pen and ink drawing by Arthur Barnes.

This artwork of the Trestle in Waterport was done by Arthur Barnes.

Medina Marching Band opens season at West Seneca, home show this Saturday

Posted 14 September 2025 at 12:07 pm

Photos and information courtesy of Medina Mustang Band

WEST SENECA – The Medina Mustang Marching Band traveled to West Seneca on Saturday for their first competition of the season. A total of seven schools participated including Iroquois from Pennsylvania and six others from Western NY.

Medina was the only SS1 competitor and scored 70.40. In SS3 there were 3 competitors – Iroquois, Pioneer and Falconer-Frewsburg with FF taking 1st place with 64.85.

Thee LS2 class included Lancaster, West Seneca and Orchard Park with Lancaster earning 1st place with 73.05.

It was a beautiful evening in terms of weather and the crowd was enthused to be back in the loop of marching band participation.

Medina hosts their Fall Festival in Veterans Memorial Park this Saturday with gates opening at 4:30 and show starting 5:30. Ten bands will perform in competition.

Weekly high school sports schedule

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 14 September 2025 at 10:02 am

Weekly Schedule
Monday
Girls Soccer – Holley at Kendall, 7 p.m.
Volleyball – Albion at Alexander, 6:30 p.m.
Golf – Albion at Medina, Newfane at Roy-Hart, 4 p.m.

Tuesday
Boys Soccer – Medina at Park, Attica at Lyndonville, 5 p.m.; Newfane at Roy-Hart, 6:56 p.m.; Holley at Wheatland-Chili, Pembroke at Kendall, 7 p.m.; Akron at Newfane, 7:15 p.m.
Girls Soccer – Roy-Hart at Wilson, Newfane at Akron, 4:45 p.m.; Medina at CSAT, 5 p.m.; Barker/Lyndonville at Albion, 6:45 p.m.
Field Hockey – Medina at Roy-Hart, Akron at Barker, 4:30 p.m.
Volleyball – Wilson at Medina, Albion at Akron, Roy-Hart at Newfane, Notre Dame at Lyndonville, Holley at Kendall, 6:30 p.m.
Cross-Country – Roy-Hart and Wilson at Albion, Newfane at Medina, Akron at Barker, 4:45 p.m.
Golf – Roy-Hart at Akron, Barker at Wilson, 4 p.m.

Wednesday
Boys Soccer – Roy-Hart at Albion, 6:45 p.m.
Girls Soccer – Oakfield-Alabama at Holley, Kendall at Pembroke, 7 p.m.
Field Hockey – Roy-Hart at Eden, Kenmore at Newfane, 5 p.m.
Volleyball – Wheatland-Chili at Holley, 6:30 p.m.
Golf – Newfane at Albion, Roy-Hart at Barker, Akron at Wilson, 3 p.m.

Thursday
Football – Barker/Roy-Hart at Medina, 5:30 p.m.
Boys Soccer – Medina at Wilson, Kendall at Byron-Bergen, Lyndonville at Holley, 7 p.m.
Girls Soccer – Akron at Barker/Lyndonville, 5 p.m. at Lyndonville; Albion at Roy-Hart, 6:45 p.m.
Volleyball – Medina at Roy-Hart, Wilson at Albion, Newfane at Akron, Lyndonville at Elba, Pembroke at Kendall, 6:30 p.m.

Friday
Football – Lackawanna at Albion, 7 p.m.
Boys Soccer – Kendall at Finney, 5 p.m.
Girls Soccer – Wilson at Medina, 4:30 p.m.; Alexander at Kendall, 7 p.m.
Field Hockey – Newfane at Akron, 4:30 p.m.; Roy-Hart at Sacred Heart, 6:30 p.m.; Barker at Medina, 7 p.m.
Volleyball – Medina at Maryvale, LeRoy at Kendall, 7 p.m.
Golf – Akron at Roy-Hart, Barker at Newfane, Medina at Wilson, 4 p.m.

Saturday
Football – Notre Dame at Holley, 1 p.m.

Boys Soccer – Holley at Attica, 1 p.m.; Pembroke at Lyndonville, 5 p.m.
Girls Soccer – Roy-Hart at Akron, 10 a.m.; Barker/Lyndonville at Newfane, 11 a.m.; Medina at Albion, 12 p.m.; Holley at Wheatland-Chili, 7 p.m.

Albion youth football teams sweep Newfane

Contributed Story Posted 14 September 2025 at 9:55 am

Contributed Photo – Moses Taylor picks up yardage for the Mini Division Eagles.

Albion swept to three wins over Newfane in Niagara Orleans Football Association (NOFA) action Saturday.

Beginner Division
Albion 41, Newfane 6

Kenny Almonte rushed for 135 yards and 2 touchdowns to lead the Eagles offense. Xavier Weis added 73 yards, Lexington Pridgen 44 yards, Gunner Jackson 12 yards and all had a score. Jaxon Francis added 4 yards.

Almonte had 19 tackles on defense. Weis had 8 tackles, Francis 7, Jaxon Nashburn 4, Myles Labarge and Mason Rodden 3 each, Pridgen, Jackson and Artavion Lewis 2 each and Roman Pridgen and James Mahoney 1 each.

Mini Division
Albion 12 Newfane 6

Trailing 6-0 at the half, touchdown runs by Greyson Roberts and Moses Taylor gave Albion the 12-6 victory. Taylor ended the day with 131 yards on the ground, Roberts added 59 yards.

Jaidyn Harper led the defense with 7 tackles, Zion Richardson and Hudson Palmer had 5 each. Conor Murphy, Mason Cornick and Chase Armer 4 each. Patrick Westlund, Taylor and Zeus Vallejo 3 tackles. Wyatt Purnell, Elijah Cornick and Roman Tisdale 1 each.

JV Division
Albion 41 Newfane 14

Scoring on 4 of their first six plays, Albion jumped out to a 26-0 led and never looked back.

Damareon Shine ran for 69 yards and caught a 53 yard td pass from Jace DiMatteo for the Eagles offense. Arthur Lewis III and Camden Holt each ran for 59 yards and a score. Cayden Farrell ran for 49 yards, Jai’Kiah Drisdom 44 yards, Jayce Torres 38 yards and Matthew Colmerero 16 yards. DiMatteo ran for a score and added another TD pass to Holt. Farell added a TD pass to Torres.

Lewis III led the defense with 10 tackles. Isaac Barbz Button added 6, Roman Allport 5, Farrell 4, Kaydence Russaw and Kairo Bennett 3 each. Torres, Holt, Harrison Froman, Prince McGill, Kyle Schomske and Dominic Westlund had 2 each. Sebastian Stritzinge, Zachary Rice, Kolton Berry, Kenny Witcroft, Colmerero, Lincoln Voorhees, Cooper Traxler and Parker Gardner were all in on tackles.

Some vibrant colors start to pop with local fall foliage

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 September 2025 at 7:59 am

Photo by Tom Rivers: A boat is pictured on Saturday evening on Glenwood Lake in Medina with changing fall foliage in the background.

The leaves are starting to change colors around Orleans County although much of the tree canopy remains green.

The fall foliage season has begun in New York state with some spectacular seasonal colors starting to appear. The state’s tourism division, I LOVE NY, updates the changing colors with a weekly fall foliage reports.

Locations in NYS with the most significant change so far include Wilmington, Saranac Lake and Old Forge (Adirondacks); Windham, Delhi and Liberty (Catskills); Corning (Finger Lakes); and Salamanca (Chautauqua-Allegheny).

Orleans is starting to see about a 5 percent change with average to bright orange and red leaves, according to the report (click here).

This map from I LOVE NY shows the fall foliage progress around the state.

Byron-Bergen tops Holley in G-R girls soccer

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 13 September 2025 at 10:00 pm

Jumping out to a 3-0 half-time advantage, Byron-Bergen went on to down visiting Holley 5-0 in a Genesee Region League girls soccer game this evening.

Mia Gray and Grace DiQuattro both had 2 goals and 2 assists to lead the way for Byron-Bergen.

Byron-Bergen is now 4-0 and Holley 2-1 in the league and 2-2 overall.

Holley next visits rival Kendall at 7 p.m. Monday in another G-R contest

Green shares third place at Epson Tourney

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 13 September 2025 at 7:51 pm

Maintaining a now one-third share of third place, Medina’s Melanie Green fired a 3 under par 69 today in the second round of the Epson Tour’s Guardian Championship Tournament being played at Prattsville, Alabama.

Green, who opened the tourney with a 6 under par 66 on Friday, registered birdies on 11, 15 and 16 today to improve her two day total to 9 under par 135.

Interestingly, Green briefly held the tourney lead with her 9 under total when she finished her round this morning. However four other golfers equaled or bettered that total during the afternoon session. Three players are now at 9 under, one at 10 under and one at 11 under.

She now enters Sunday’s final round just two shots back of the tourney leader’s 11 under par total.

Callard kicks his first collegiate field goal in SUNY Cortland victory today

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 13 September 2025 at 6:47 pm

Contributed Photo – Cole Callard

Medina High graduate Cole Callard had a big day on the football field for SUNY Cortland this afternoon.

Callard, who is a freshman at Cortland, booted his first collegiate field goal, a 37 yarder, and added four extra point kicks in the Red Dragons 30-6 victory over visiting Union.

Callard also had a pair of extra point kicks last week in Cortland’s season opening 31-14 loss to Grove City.

A four year starter during his scholastic days at Medina, Callard set Mustangs career  school records for most field goals (11) and most extra point kicks (130). His longest field goal was a school record 47 yarder.

An all state place kicker, Callard was also a four year starter for the Mustangs in soccer, basketball and lacrosse.

He is majoring in Sport Management.