Closed no more: Albion bridge reopens after nearly 3 years of work
Photo from Albion Police Department
ALBION – Workers on the Albion Main Street lift bridge pose with an Albion police car this afternoon when the bridge opened back up for traffic just after 3 p.m.
The bridge was closed on Nov. 14, 2022 for what was expected to be about 18 months for a major rehabilitation. That project stretched to more than two years when the bridge was reopened just after Christmas on Dec. 27, 2024. But it was closed again for more work on April 21.
Today, the state Department of Transportation gave it the final OK for the bridge to reopen. The bridge from 1914 was nearly totally rebuilt with about 80 percent of the steel replaced.
Even par start for Green at Arkansas Tourney
Medina’s Melanie Green got off to an even par start today at the Epson Tour’s Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout Tournament being played at El Dorado, Arkansas.
Green, who won the Epson Tour’s Guardian Championship Tournament in Alabama last weekend, had birdies on 7 and 15 to offset bogeys on 3 and 5 to finish with an even par round of 72.
Rainy wather caused play to be suspended later in the day. The tourney is scheduled to continue on Saturday and conclude on Sunday.
Oak Orchard Bowl celebrates 65th anniversary, including 20 years with Hanks family
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Randy Hanks and his son Robbie are shown are Oak Orchard Bowl last Thursday when the center had a full house for its men’s league.
The Hanks family is celebrating 20 years of owning the bowling alley, which is also marking its 65th anniversary this year. The 18-lane bowling center is on Route 98 at 3291 Oak Orchard Rd.
The Hanks family has tackled numerous improvements to the bowling center during their two decades at the helm, including a new oil machine, synthetic lanes, flooring, carpeting and remodeled bath rooms.
Hanks was named “Proprietor of the Year” in New York state in 2014 by the United States Bowling Congress. The family has improved the facility, promoted youth bowling and backed several fundraisers in the community, especially for the PAWS Animal Shelter and a memorial for Scott Whittier. The bowling tournaments for PAWS have raised about $40,000.
Randy Hanks is shown at the check-in counter. He has owned Oak Orchard Bowl for 20 years. The first 13 years he juggled a full-time job with FedEx while managing the bowling center full-time.
“Its been a lot of blood, sweat and tears,” he said.
Hanks said his family – wife Renee, daughter Regina, and sons Robbie and Ryan – have been a big part of Oak Orchard’s success.
Many of the long-time bowlers praise Hanks for the steady improvements at the bowling center. Joe Morlino is part of the Thursday Men’s League.
“Every year he does something to make it better,” Morlino said. “He’s a great guy who is very fair. He puts money back into the place.”
Since the old wooden lanes were replaced with synthetic lanes, Morlino said there have been many more 300 games and 800 series.
“The most important thing is there are no breakdowns,” Morlino said.
Hanks praised his head mechanic, Marty Clemino, for keeping the pin-setter machines in good working order.
Randy Hanks calls out the winning 50/50 number. That fundraiser supported the Thursday Men’s League which runs from September through April.
Oak Orchard also has a kitchen with a fryer and grill serving pizza, wings, salads, pretzels, nachos and cheese, and other food.
Hanks has rolled some 300 games himself. He said he wanted to be a pro bowler but had to abandon that dream because of bad knees.
He also dreamed of running a bowling center. The Spencerport resident has been able to pursue that passion in Albion for the past two decades.
Oak Orchard Bowl has hosted hundreds of birthday parties, corporate parties, church groups, Albion High School sports teams, band, chorus and other functions during the 20 years of ownership, Hanks said.
To celebrate the Oak Orchard Bowl anniversary, Hanks said the center will be giving away a few 65-inch TVs in a contest that deals with a game/series ending in 65 or 20. There will be drawings for open bowlers, too.
Randy Hanks is shown by a wall leading into the men’s bathroom. He used old wooden lanes to redo the bathrooms about two years. It’s the improvement project that gets the most compliments from the public, he said.
This year’s improvement project was replacing all the pins.
Mike Pettinella, one of the long-time bowlers and retired associate manager of the Genesee Region for the USBC, said Hanks has created a very welcoming environment for bowlers of all skill levels in Albion.
“He is very customer-oriented,” said Pettinella of Batavia. “He will go above and beyond to make people feel comfortable. He’s well respected and people enjoy coming here to bowl.”
Albion lift bridge expected to reopen this afternoon
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Albion lift bridge is shown last week on Sept. 11. It is expected to reopen this afternoon around 3 p.m. after initially being shut down in November 2022.
ALBION – Nearly three years from when the Albion Main Street lift bridge was closed for a major rehabilitation, the bridge is expected to reopen this afternoon.
The state Department of Transportation said it is eyeing 3 p.m. for the bridge to reopen to traffic.
The bridge was initially closed on Nov. 14, 2022 for what was expected to be about 18 months for a major rehabilitation. That project stretched to more than two years when the bridge was reopened just after Christmas on Dec. 27, 2024.
The bridge was closed again to traffic on April 21 to finish up the extensive rehabilitation of a bridge that was originally installed in 1914.
But a “catastrophic event” occurred on May 7 during start-up testing of the control system to operate the lift bridge.
“When the system was energized, one of the electric drive controllers arced, producing a fire in the drive cabinet,” Paul Attoma, engineer-in-charge for Region 4 Construction, wrote in a letter to village officials.
The fire damaged the system beyond repair, delaying the reopening by about four more months.
Chamber announces award winners with Velocitii named ‘Business of the Year’
Velocitii photo: Heather Smith, the CEO a partner at Velocitii, recently was recognized as a finalist for the 2025 Greater Rochester Chamber Inclusive Leadership Award.
The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce has announced its annual award winners, with Velocitii in Medina named Business of the Year.
Velocitii opened 11 years ago. It operates out of the Olde Pickle Factory on Park Avenue in Medina.
Velocitii is a business process outsourcing company. It provides support for other businesses, handling calls for customers about plans, billing and troubleshooting. Velocitii works with companies in healthcare, waste management, hospitality, e-commerce, auto insurance and technology.
Velocitii was founded by Roger Hungerford in the Olde Pickle Factory, initially with six employees. Velocitii each of the past three years has been named a top workplace in the Rochester region, placing in the mid-size company category (125 to 300 employees).
The Chamber awards celebration will be Oct. 23 at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.
The award winners include:
- Business of the Year: Velocitii
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Rita Zambito
- New Business of the Year: Homestead Pest Control
- Small Business of the Year: Bentley Brothers
- Phoenix Award: Newell Lounge/Shirt Factory
- Agricultural Business of the Year: RLW Cattle
- Hidden Gem: Hurd Orchards
- Business Person of the Year: Dan DeCarlo
- Community Service Award: Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern
RSVPs are due by October. 18. For information about tickets, contact Director Darlene Hartway at director@orleanschamber.com or (585) 590-6430. Tickets also are available online through EventBrite.
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Wilson tops Medina in N-O boys soccer; Lyndonville and Kendall score G-R wins
Defending champion Wilson downed visiting Medina 4-1 in a key Niagara-Orleans League boys soccer game this evening.
Aidan Neumann scored 3 goals for Wilson while Luke Duffina had the lone Medina tally.
Wilson is now 3-0 and Medina 2-1 in N-O action.
Lyndonville 1, Holley 0
Lyndonville edged host Holley 1-0 in a Genesee Region League game as Colton Smith scored the Tigers goal off an assist from Iziah Rodriquez.
Kendall 1, Byron-Bergen 0
Kendall nipped Byron-Bergen 1-0 in another G-R contest as Brandon Barrett scored the lone goal 10 minutes into the second half off an assist from Pablo Rosario-Reyes.
Kendall is now 4-0 in the league and 6-0 overall.
Barker/Lyndonville and Roy-Hart score N-O League girls soccer victories
Barker/Lyndonville downed Akron 4-3 and Roy-Hart bested Albion 2-1 in Niagara-Orleans League girls soccer games today.
Alexa Robinson scored all 4 goals for Barker/Lyndonville in the contest which was tied 1-1 at the half.
Maria Trombley scored both Roy-Hart goals while Kailee Anstey netted the Albion goal.
Barker/Lyndonville is now 2-1-1, Roy-Hart 2-1, Akron 1-1-1 and Albion 0-2-2 in N-O action.
Big turnover aided first half scoring surge sparks Barker/Roy-Hart past Medina
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Barker/Roy-Hart’s Anthony Adinolfe recovers a fumble by Medina quarterback Preston Woodworth which he returned for the Bulls first touchdown in a 29-22 win over the Mustangs at Vets Park this evening.
A big turnover aided first half scoring burst proved to be just enough to earn Barker/Roy-Hart a 29-22 win over Medina in a C North Division football game at Vets Park this evening.
Barker/Roy-Hart built up a 29-0 lead as turnovers set up each of the Bulls four touchdowns.
A 20 yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by Anthony Adinolfe and an extra point kick by Tysen McCaa gave Barker/Roy-Hart a 7-0 lead at the outset of the second quarter.
The Bulls got the ball right back as Jeff Waters recovered the ensuing onside kick.
Capitalizing, the Bulls quickly upped the lead to 15-0 on a 7 yard touchdown run by Vince Fazzio and a two-point conversion run by Joey Reiter.
A pass interception by Carter DerSarkissian then set up a 5 yard touchdown run by Reiter. McCaa again added the PAT kick upping the Bulls lead to 22-0.
Another onside kick recovery, this one by Max Townsend, set up a 16 yard TD run by Reiter as a McCaa extra point kick boosted the Barker/Roy-Hart advantage to 29-0.
Medina’s Kolton Fletcher scores the second of his three touchdowns.
Medina though came battling back with three touchdown passes from quarterback Preston Woodworth to Kolton Fletcher but the rally fell just short.
First, Woodworth and Fletcher hooked up for a 28 yard TD pass in the final minute of the second quarter. A two point conversion carry by Woodworth cut the Barker/Roy-Hart lead to 29-8 at the half.
The Mustangs cut the deficit to 29-16 on a 12 yard TD pass from Woodworth to Fletcher and a two-point conversion carry by Christian Moss in the final minute of the third quarter.
Finally, the Mustangs pulled to within 29-22 on a 35 yard Woodworth to Fletcher TD pass but only 1:19 remained in the fourth quarter. A fumble recovery by Frankie Stephens set up the opportunity.
However, the Mustangs did not get the ball back as Barker/Roy-Hart recovered the ensuing short kickoff and ran out the final 1:15.
Barker/Roy-Hart is now 2-0 in the division and 2-1 overall while Medina is 1-1 and 2-1 overall.
Barker/Roy-Hart’s Joey Reiter breaks away for a good gain.
Medina’s Jerrell Nealy makes a catch as Anthony Adinolfe moves in to make the tackle for Barker/Roy-Hart.
Lady Rams top Mustangs in volleyball
Defending champion Roy-Hart scored a straight set 25-12, 25-12, 25-14 win over visiting Medina in a Niagara-Orleans League volleyball match this evening.
Grace Pearl had 15 kills, Kylie McOmber 6 kills, Lauren Snyder 4 kills and Ryleigh Capen 4 aces and 21 assists to lead the way for the Lady Rams.
For Medina, Maya Anderson, Caliyah St. Louis, Cassidy Janas and Karlee Cau each had 1 kill. Anderson also had 2 blocks as Janas, Sam Heschke and Natalie Herbert each had 1.
Roy-Hart is now 4-0 and Medina 0-4.
Wilson 25-21-21-25-15, Albion 18-25-25-17-13
Wilson outlasted Albion in five sets to improve to 3-1.
Anna Grillo had 6 aces, 5 kills and 32 digs and Jillian LeBaron 7 kills and 40 digs for Albion which slips to 0-4.
Pembroke 25-25-25, Kendall 21-10-14
Pembroke downed Kendall in three sets in a Genesee Region League match as Jayden Hootman had 6 aces and 5 kills and Taylor Bischoff 6 kills and 5 aces.
For Kendall, Rylan Clark had 4 aces, 3 kills and 2 blocks and Emma Minster added 3 aces.
N-O Golf
Barker 247, Wilson 248
Barker nipped Wilson 247-248 in a Niagara-Orleans League golf match his afternoon.
JJ Prynn led Barker with a 42 while Wilson’s Ben Meyers took medalist honors with a 40.
Long-time volunteer at World Life Institute stays committed to helping others
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Shareefah Sabur has been active with World Life Institute since its founding in the late 1980s.
MEDINA – A new health professional at World Life Institute, based at 229 West Center St., has taken on the cause of helping Ahmed Cherif, age 10, who came from Tunisia with his mother seeking care for multiple health problems.
Shareefah Sabur, a native of Cleveland who moved to Medina last year, helped plan the event on Sept. 13 at the Medina YMCA.
Sabur has been on the board of World Life Institute and worked on its founding since 1988-89. She brings a background in healthcare and 23 years with Hospice, she said. She is also responsible for a Leadership Development Program for youth up to 18 years of age, to help them develop personally and professionally.
“I’m all about quality of life,” she said.
Her credits include a master’s degree in psychology, working with post-traumatic stress disorder. She also leads an online women’s group, “Reimagining Aging Embracing Elderly,” and worked with the late Dr. Asaf Durakovic, founder of the World Life Institute.
After arriving in Medina, Sabur was assigned to work with young Ahmed and his mother Miriam, said Linda Redfield, program director for World Life Institute Education and Humanitarian Initiatives.
Sabur has helped the family navigate the health care system, enroll Ahmed in school, go shopping and do banking.
At Medina Memorial, the director of pharmacy is daughter of nurse who ran HR at hospital
Hospital, celebrating 100th anniversary, has many family connections among workforce
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Mary Williams, standing, and her daughter Kate Brauen are two of a long list of relatives who have worked at Medina Memorial Hospital since its founding 100 years ago. Williams was a nurse who retired as vice president of Human Resources. Brauen is director of Pharmacy.
MEDINA – As Medina Memorial Hospital continues celebration of its 100th anniversary, the spotlight is on another pair of relatives who have been employed there.
“Sometimes leadership runs in the family, and that’s certainly true for Mary Williams and her daughter Kate Brauen,” said Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communications and Outreach at Orleans Community Health.
Mary Williams, who retired as vice president of Human Resources, worked there a total of 50 years. Her daughter, Kate Brauen, worked there for 12 years as staff pharmacist until taking the job as director in 2015.
“Mary may be retired, but she continues to give back as a member of the OCH board of directors,” Robinson said. “Meanwhile, Kate not only leads her department with dedication, but also jumps in to support community events and wellness clinics at every opportunity.”
Williams started her career as a nursing student in 1971, during which time she worked weekends at the hospital. She became a licensed practical nurse and registered nurse, working in the medical/surgical departments. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she pursued her masters, and then went into administration. Her career also included working in the ICU, until she retired in 2022.
Brauen and her mother were both born at Medina Memorial Hospital.
“I went to college to become a pharmacist,” Brauen said. “I worked during school for Steve Giroux at the drug store in Middleport. I came to Medina hospital as a student to volunteer for the experience.”
She graduated in 2002 from the University of Buffalo with a pharmacy degree.
“At the time, the hospital needed pharmacists real bad, so I came to work here,” Brauen said.
During the time both mother and daughter were employed there, Williams said she never had to discipline Brauen.
“She was a very good employee,” she said.
Although Williams said their jobs really didn’t interact, they often ate lunch together.
“We are a close family,” Williams said.
She also shared another daughter, Suzanne, worked at the hospital per diem as an occupational therapist for a time.
“We’ve been thought lots of ups and downs and a lot of different administrations,” Brauen said.
Some of the more challenging changes were in the computer system, going to electronic medical records and implementing the smart infusion pump.
Brauen said she was also there when the hospital became a critical access hospital, went through renovation and then the pandemic.
“That was a challenging time for the pharmacy and me,” she said. “I managed all the early COVID vaccinations for the staff and North Wing, then the community. There was lots of paperwork for the Federal government and I wrote a lot of protocol.”
Brauen said the influence to go into healthcare came from her mother. She also has an aunt who is a physical therapist and another who was a pediatric nurse. However, Giroux was her mentor, she said. He was on the hospital board when Brauen was 16 and he gave her a job in his pharmacy. She continued to work there through college.
In her position as director of Pharmacy, Brauen manages two full-time pharmacists and four per-diem, who fill in when needed.
“I still work the bench to cover weekends and staff vacations,” Brauen said.
She is a really good pharmacist, her mother said.
Brauen said it is a privilege to take care of people in your community.
“We have to be ready for any critical emergency,” she said.
When all is said and done, “When you get to work alongside your mom, it doesn’t get any better than that,” Brauen said.
Sheriff’s Office will check child car seats on Sept. 27 at Public Safety Building
Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office
ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke is pleased to announce a Child Passenger Safety Seat Check Point Event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Orleans County Public Safety Building from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
According to data, vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1 to 13. Preventative measures, such as proper installation of car seats, booster seats and seat belts can reduce the likelihood of death and injuries. Informing and instructing parents and caregivers on child passenger safety and proper installation of car seats is critical to saving young lives.
Our certified child passenger safety technicians will inspect your car and/or booster seats to ensure that your child is in the appropriate seat for their size and age.
For child passenger safety seat questions, please contact certified technician Kevin Colonna at 585-589-5527 or Kevin.Colonna@orleanscountyny.gov.
More bright colors starting to pop on leaves, but most are still green
Photo by Tom Rivers: One of the trees near the canal at State Street Park in Medina has seen about a 50/50 transformation in the color of its leaves, changing from green to vibrant red.
There are more bright colors on the landscape locally and across much of New York State.
I Love NY in its weekly fall foliage report on Wednesday said throughout most of the state leaf colors are starting to change.
The Hudson Valley, Long Island and New York City are still very green. But the rest of the state is seeing some color change for foliage.
“Colorful fall foliage continues to emerge across New York State, with the most significant changes once again expected in the Adirondacks and Catskills,” I Love NY stated in its update.
Spotters for the report say Albion has experienced more than a 5 percent change in leaves “with an average to bright mix of autumnal hues.”
In Monroe County, there is less than 10% change in Rochester “with touches of light-green to yellow mustard, and a few hints of orange.”
In Erie County, there is a10% change in Buffalo “with a mix of emerging fall colors.”
In Niagara County, Lewiston is seeing a 10 percent change with bright red and yellow leaves, mostly on maples and sumacs.
Wyoming County reports a 15% change at Letchworth State Park in Warsaw with a mix of fall colors.
