County Legislature approves expanded tax exemptions for low-income seniors
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature voted to increase the maximum exemptions for low-income seniors from 50 percent off their property taxes to 65 percent.
The Legislature approved the change on Tuesday. While the cap is going higher, the Legislature isn’t increasing the income limits for people 65 and older to be eligible for an exemption. That will remain at a $24,700 threshold.
Here are the new exemption levels based on income:
- $16,000 or less – 65 percent exemption
- $16,000.01 to $16,999.99 – 60 percent exemption
- $17,000 to $17,999.99 – 55 percent exemption
- $18,000 to $18,999.99 – 50 percent exemption
- $19,000 to $19,999.99 – 45 percent exemption
- $20,000 to $20,999.99 – 40 percent exemption
- $21,000 to $21,999.99 – 35 percent exemption
- $22,000 to $22,899.99 – 30 percent exemption
- $22,900 to $23,799.99 – 25 percent exemption
- $23,800 to $24,699.99 – 20 percent exemption
Gov. Kathy Hochul in December signed legislation to allow local municipalities to increase the size of the exemptions from a maximum 50 percent to 65 percent.
“No New York senior should lose their home because they can no longer afford their property taxes,” Hochul said on Dec. 6 in announcing the higher exemption levels. “By signing this legislation, we are working to make New York more affordable for our seniors on fixed incomes and empowering them to age in place, at home, in the communities they know and love.”
President Trump, popular culture unfairly show disrespect towards police officers
Editor:
In a recent Gunsmoke episode, a powerful cattleman attempts to take control of a water supply for a town of about 1,000 people. The Town Board passed regulations preventing this.
The cattleman threatens to overrun the village with thousands of cattle and his 30 cowboys. The village leaders call on their sheriff and their deputy to prevent this. “This is what we pay you for.”
US Marshall Matt Dillon points out to the village leaders that that’s impossible.
“They will need your backup.” Dillon helped them set up an ambush with many of the village men and some women, all with guns, helping the Sheriff, Deputy and Dillon.
The cattleman sent a thousand rampaging cattle through town to soften them up. He and his 30 cowboys followed, guns blazing. They we met by many villagers, armed and firing at them from behind barriers. They realized they were defeated and retreated.
* * * * * * * *
January 6, 2021: 185 US Capitol policemen were charged by approximately 1,500 rioters or more, some armed. They were urged on by the defeated, but then sitting President of the United States.
At least 140 policeman were injured. They tried to control things without using their weapons. One person, who’d broken through a door window and was starting to crawl through, was shot and killed.
About 15 policeman were hospitalized. Two died by suicide within 2 weeks; 2 more within 6 months. How were they to respond to violently protesting, but rioting American citizens? Urged on by the President? At least one of the rioters was so enraged they defecated on a Senator’s desk.
Over 1,300 of the rioters were convicted. So many hours were devoted to reviewing tapes, identifying perpetrators, assembling evidence, presenting it to the courts and sentencing in over 1,300 cases. Most of this work was wiped out by Trump pardons. The police, prosecutors and courts and all that work was disrespected and wiped out.
Trump gave $5 million to the family of the defendant that actually broke through a door window and was entering Congress chamber. But Trump awarded nothing to the injured police and their families.
He praised the rioters, but no mention of the police.
Assaulting policemen is OK, he seems to think.
I saw Trump recently complaining about making problems in the home “criminal matters.” To the contrary, domestic violence calls are among the most dangerous to police. Further, the NYS Legislature Republicans found that domestic violence is at the base of 50%+ of mass murders in our country. Many include police injuries and deaths. Again, Trump shows a disrespect for the police and women, the frequent victims.
We disrespect police when we expect them to enforce the law against the poor and minorities and women, but not against middle and upper class men. We unfairly expect police to show understanding and mercy toward them (not giving them a criminal record), but not so toward poor and minorities.
We show disrespect to the police, when we enjoy TV programs that present them as corrupt, rigid, buffoons or cruel. (Police are human and have the same problems that clergy, teachers, boy scout leaders, bank executives and employees have, about the same percentage as the average population, but most police are sincere and helpful and concerned about controlling crime, particularly violent crime. They need our respect and support.) I recommend Law & Order as a television show that represents police realistically and fairly.
Let’s be realistic and honest about what we want the police to do and support them.
Bob Golden
Waterport
Bob Golden worked 43 years in criminal justice, locally, state and private mental health, including 24 years as the Orleans County Probation director. His father was a police chief who was named the top chief in New York State in 1962.
Big last inning rally earns Medina a victory in the non league softball season opener
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina shortstop Savannah Jo Thompson gets ready to put the tag on JFK’s Danielle Odojewski during the Mustangs non league season opening win at Vets Park this afternoon.
Putting together a clutch last inning rally, Medina nipped visiting JFK 12-11 in a season opening non league softball game at Vets Park this afternoon.
Trailing 11-7, Medina rallied for five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to claim the win on a two-run error and RBI hits by Savannah Jo Thompson, Molly Cook and Harmoni Wilson which plated the game winner.
JFK had rallied from a 7-6 deficit to take the 11-7 lead by scoring four times in the top of the sixth and once in the top of the seventh.
Earlier, Medina scored twice in the first inning on a triple by Lilah Class and a two-run homer by Samantha Heschke, three times in the third on two errors and a fielders choice play and twice in the fifth on an infield out and an RBI single by Isabelle Perez for a 7-6 lead.
Samantha Heschke delivers a pitch for Medina. She registered 8 strikeouts on the day..
Kendall ‘9’ romps in diamond opener
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Sammy Conte bangs out a two-run double in the first inning to help ignite Kendall to a 17-0 win at Barker this afternoon.
Three pitchers combined for a no hitter and the offense pounded out 15 hits as Kendall romped to a 17-0 win over host Barker this afternoon in the season opening non league baseball game for both teams.
Nic Cole, CJ D’Agostino and Vinnie D’Agostino combined to hurl the no hitter registering a total of 10 strikeouts.
At the plate for the Eagles, Andrew Cole had 4 hits including two doubles and a triple, Jacob Abrams 3 doubles and Sammy Conte and C.J D’Agostino 2 hits each.
Kendall took charge at the outset erupting for 6 quick runs in the first inning on a two-run double by Sammy Conte, a two-run single by Andrew Cole an RBI double by Abrams and an RBI single by Vinnie D’Agostino.
The Eagles also had a big 7 run fifth inning to cap off the win as Abrams had a two-run double, Andrew Cole a two-run single and Nic Cole and Adrian Bucci RBI singles.
Kendall will next have two games and several scrimmages at Myrtle Beach.
Barker will next host Elba on Friday.
Kendall’s Jonny Conte slides safely into second base as Barker’s Keagan Schaal takes the throw.
Johnson Creek church hosting benefit April 18 to benefit Ugandan orphanage
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Pastor Joe Szalay, right, of Community Fellowship Church in Johnson Creek chats with Ken Ryan and Jim McHenry about an upcoming benefit for an orphanage in Uganda. All three are also musicians and will entertain in the benefit April 18 at the church on the corner of Johnson Creek Road and Route 104.
MIDDLEPORT – The Community Fellowship Church at 3146 Johnson Creek Rd. will sponsor an afternoon of food and music on April 18 to benefit an orphanage in Uganda.
The church’s pastor, Joe Szalay, said they learned of the orphanage three years ago from Steve Giroux, owner of several pharmacies in Western New York, including Middleport Family Health Center and Rosenkrans’ Pharmacy in Medina. Giroux and his wife had visited Uganda several years ago, where they learned of the orphanage and its pastor Paul Musisi. When Musisi visited here, Giroux introduced him to Szalay.
Musisi shared his life growing up an orphan himself. As a child he was asked if he wanted to go to church and he replied he did, because he knew he would get milk there. When Musisi grew up and became successful, he built a new orphanage, which is now home to 1,200 orphans. In addition, there are 150 widows there who help care for the orphans.
While Giroux and his wife were in Uganda, they helped feed the orphans, Szalay said. He said their allowance of food for one day is a small bowl with corn meal paste, a few beans and soup over that.
“We decided to make the orphanage our mission to start a fundraiser to ensure those children get two meals a day,” Szalay said.
This year the church has raised $2,000 in January, $1,500 in February and $1,500 to date in March for the orphanage, Szalay said. Their goal for the April 18 benefit is to raise at least $5,000, and hopefully $8,000. In Uganda, $25 will feed a child for a month.
Pastor Musisi will be visiting here in April and will preach at Community Fellowship Church on April 12. He will not be able to remain for the benefit, however. The public is invited to attend worship at 10:45 a.m.
Szalay, a son of the late Joseph and Carol Szalay of Harrison Road, Medina, has been pastor of the Community Fellowship Church for 12 years and praised the congregation.
“When they get going on something, the enthusiasm is contagious,” he said.
April 18’s benefit will begin with a spaghetti dinner from noon until sold out. Cost is $12 per person.
In addition, baked goods will be available for sale throughout the afternoon until gone.
A basket raffle is also planned from noon to 4 p.m., with tickets drawn at 5 p.m.
Music will be provided throughout the afternoon by Alexander James, Creekside Classic Country, Two Guys and a Beard, McHenry and Baz and Ken Ryan and the Professionals. In addition, Pastor Szalay plays guitar and sings in his own band, in which his sister Catherine Zagmester, formerly of Medina, plays bass guitar and sings backup. They will also entertain with a few numbers, Zagmester said.
Anyone who would like to make a donation for the orphanage in Uganda can send a check payable to Community Fellowship Church, 3146 Johnson Creek Rd., Middleport, and designated for Uganda orphanage.
Ridgeway faulted by state comptroller for overpaying $237K in health insurance over 7 years
RIDGEWAY – The state comptroller has released an audit of the Town of Ridgeway that faults the Town Board and Town Supervisor for overpaying health insurance premiums by $236,885 over seven years.
Town Supervisor Brain Napoli said the Town Board agrees with the findings and will implement recommendations from the comptroller’s office to ensure no overpayments in the future.
“As Ridgeway taxpayers themselves, the Ridgeway Board is committed to using taxpayer funds efficiently and appropriately,” Napoli wrote in a Feb.19 letter to Melissa Myers, chief of municipal audits in Buffalo for the Office of the New York State Comptroller.
“In the future, we will be cognizant of these findings when updating, implementing, and monitoring policies,” Napoli wrote. “We appreciate the time and thorough efforts of the auditors that will assist the Town Board in the continued managing of the finances of the Town of Ridgeway.”
Napoli said the town’s work rules were updated in 2024 to begin the process of clearer and more definitive language regarding employee and elected official benefits. The state general municipal law allows towns to pay health insurance upon retirement to employees and elected officials, Napoli said. The town’s policies will be utilized in a proper way to administer those benefits, he said in his letter.
The comptroller’s office, in its report about Ridgeway, reviewed town health insurance payments since from Jan. 1, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2024.
The report (click here to see it) was filed March 13 and faulted town officials for the following:
Finding 1 – The comptroller’s office reviewed all health insurance premium payments paid by the Town for certain former officials totaling $198,102. “We determined the Supervisor approved payments of post-employment health insurance benefits for three former officials and their spouses totaling $179,325 that they were not eligible to receive,” the report states.
Finding 2 – The comptroller’s office reviewed health insurance premiums from January 2018 through December 2024 totaling $207,911 for one current Town Board member, the current Board member’s spouse and the Supervisor, to determine whether contributions were made in accordance with the Policies. “We determined the Supervisor did not ensure the Clerk collected health insurance premiums totaling $52,659 from one Board member who was required to contribute toward their health insurance premiums,” the report states.
Finding 3 – The comptroller’s office reviewed all disbursements made to individuals for reimbursement of health insurance premiums totaling $4,901 from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2024. “We determined that the Board issued reimbursement checks totaling $4,901 to a former Clerk’s spouse for Medicare Part B health insurance premiums over 31 months, from April 2021 through November 2023, without documentation authorizing the payments,” the report states.
Audit Summary
The Town Board did not authorize or monitor health insurance benefits for current and former officials, according to the report.
“Due to the lack of controls and oversight of health insurance benefits, the Town Supervisor did not ensure officials were eligible to receive post-employment health insurance benefits or paid all required health insurance premium contributions owed to the Town, and the Board did not have support to authorize health insurance premium reimbursements to a former official’s spouse,” the report states.
As a result, the Town incurred $236,885 more for health insurance premiums than it should have during the audit period. This amount accounts for approximately 34 percent of the Town’s total health insurance premiums over the seven-year period. When health insurance benefits are not provided in a manner consistent with Board-adopted policies, it may result in unnecessary costs to taxpayers, the auditors stated.
Recommendations
The comptroller’s identified 14 recommendations for the Town Board and Town Supervisor:
- Update the policy to provide clear guidance for who is eligible to receive post-employment benefits and require the Supervisor to develop procedures to help determine and verify eligibility for post-employment health insurance benefits.
- Consult with the attorney for the Town to review the current post-employment health insurance benefits being provided by the Town, and, if appropriate, discontinue post-employment health insurance benefits for officials who are ineligible for such benefits.
- Consult with the attorney for the Town to determine what action, if any, should be taken to recover the $179,325 in health insurance premium amounts paid by the Town that should not have been.
- Review all health insurance invoices monthly to verify all officials, including former officials, are authorized and eligible to receive post-employment health insurance benefits.
- Develop written procedures to ensure compliance with the Policy, including eligibility for post-employment health insurance benefits, and specify who is responsible for each part of the process.
- Review and authorize post-employment health insurance benefits for eligible officials prior to enrollment.
- Review the bookkeeper’s accrued sick leave conversion calculations for accuracy and verify the amounts are supported by leave records.
- Update the current Policy to provide clear guidance on what contributions are required of elected officials when they choose to receive health insurance through the Town.
- Consult with the attorney for the Town to determine what actions, if any, should be taken to collect the $52,659 in required health insurance premiums owed by the Board member.
- Periodically review the Policy and make necessary updates to help ensure the Policy is clear and consistent with the Board’s intentions.
- Review monthly health insurance invoices and payments, including officials’ health insurance premium contributions, to help ensure accuracy and compliance with the Policy.
- Develop procedures to help ensure compliance with the Policy, including the collection of required health insurance premiums from officials, and specify who is responsible for each part of the process.
- The Board should consult with the attorney for the Town to review the reimbursement payments made to the former Clerk’s spouse and determine what actions, if any, should be taken to recover the $4,901 in reimbursement payments.
- The Supervisor should verify that all payments are adequately supported and made in accordance with the 2024 Policy before authorizing the payments.
Incarcerated man with razor blade at Orleans Correctional gets 2 to 4 more years in state prison
ALBION – An incarcerated man at the Orleans Correctional Facility had 2 to 4 years added to his sentence in Orleans County Court today.
Callin LeMon, 36, was sentenced for promoting prison contraband and criminal possession of a weapon.
LeMon on April 29, 2025 had a black ceramic razor blade and a leafy substance. He is currently serving an 8- to 10-year sentence for criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a weapon. He is from Ulster County.
County Court Judge Sanford Church gave LeMon the agreed upon sentence as part of a plea agreement.
In other cases in County Court today:
• Chantel Savage, a former inmate at Albion Correctional Facility, was arraigned for allegedly having a piece of iron and striking a corrections officer with it in the head on Jan. 1, 2025.
Savage was arraigned for assault in the second degree, promoting prison contraband and criminal possession of a weapon.
Her attorney asked for a competency exam and Judge Church agreed to have her assessed for whether she is mentally competent to aid in her own defense.
• Elizabeth Jackson, 31, an inmate at Albion Correctional Facility, was arraigned for promoting prison contraband and criminal possession of a controlled substance for allegedly having 20 pills of meth that were disguised to look like Flintstone vitamins.
Jackson is from Broome County and in prison for grand larceny in the third degree on a sentence of 3 ½ to 7 years.
• Jose Casiano, 69, of Gaines was scheduled to be sentenced to up to six months in the county jail plus probation after pleading guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree and driving while ability impaired.
But Casiano has been arrested twice in the past week. A stipulation of his plea agreement on Jan. 7 was not to have any additional arrests.
Casiano on March 20 was charged with criminal possession of a controlled in the seventh degree and on March 24 was charged with operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs.
Judge Church will have an Outley hearing on Friday with Casiano, a hearing for someone who is arrested after a plea agreement has been reached. Church said Casiano could be sentenced to up to 2 ½ years in state prison.
Old Medina High School Aud provides setting for vocal recording this Saturday
Photos courtesy of Medina Triennial: Tania Candiani, left, will lead the recording of “Two Waters” on Saturday in the auditorium of the old Medina High School on Catherine Street. Two Waters is a choral performance inspired by one of the Erie Canal’s most unusual engineering features: the aqueduct where the canal crosses directly above Oak Orchard Creek, a spot where two waterways flow past each other without ever meeting.
Press Release, Medina Triennial
MEDINA – This Saturday, in the long-abandoned auditorium of Medina High School, Mexican artist Tania Candiani will gather hundreds of local participants—many from across Western New York—for a four-hour, one-take collective vocal performance that will be filmed as part of a new installation for the Triennial.
The 25,000-square-foot building, closed as a public school since 1991, is reopening as the central exhibition site for the Medina Triennial, one of twelve locations across the village showcasing internationally recognized artist works this summer from June 6 to Sept. 7 along the Erie Canal.
Candiani, who represented Mexico at the 2015 Venice Biennale, is known for creating artworks that bring together technology, history, and community participation. Her projects often transform local stories, industrial heritage, and environmental data into immersive sound and video installations.
In Medina, she’s collaborating with composer Rogelio Sosa on Two Waters (2026), a choral performance inspired by one of the Erie Canal’s most unusual engineering features: the aqueduct where the canal crosses directly above Oak Orchard Creek—two waterways flowing past each other without ever meeting.
Participants—recruited through an open call—will perform simple vocal gestures such as breaths, hums, tones, and whispers that build into a collective soundscape inspired by the canal and the region’s history of labor and infrastructure. The filmed performance will later become one of the Triennial’s major installations.
The project reflects the Triennial’s broader focus on Western New York’s landscape, labor history, and waterways, and its theme, “All That Sustains Us,” which looks at the systems and communities that maintain and shape places like Medina.
To be part of the vocal collective, click here for more information. The deadline to register is March 26.
Medina raises ambulance rates by 5% for most types of care
Photo by Tom Rivers: An ambulance leaves the Medina fire station for a call on July 29, 2025.
MEDINA – The rates will be going up by 5 percent for most services and types of care from the Medina Fire Department’s ambulance.
The rate for mileage remains at $38 per mile, and the fire department kept bariatric at $850, out-of-district care at $75 and BLS treat and release at $396.78.
The following represent 5 percent increases: ALS treat and release, $564.39; BLS non-emergency, $923.35; BLS emergency, $1,172.42; ALS 1 non-emergency, $1,347.98; ALS 1 emergency, $1,661.82; ALS 2, $1,898.22; paramedic intercept, $1,220.71; and specialty care transport, $1,854.31. The new rates will be effective April 1.
The fire department ambulance typically brings in about $1.2 million in revenue a year. The revenue is on pace for $1.7 million for the fiscal year ending May 31, said Steve Cooley, the Medina fire chief.
The new rates are close to the average for the ambulance providers served by MedEx, an ambulance billing company based in LeRoy.
Cooley said he wants the rates to be fair for the people served by the Medina FD ambulance.
He said he is concerned by possible cuts through the Medicaid program. Gov. Hochul has proposed cuts that could reduce Medina’s revenue by about $70,000 a year, Cooley said.
Courtesy Medina Fire Department: Here is the new rate structure for ambulance services provided by the Medina Fire Department.
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‘No Kings’ protests seeks to awaken citizens to threats against our democracy
Editor:
On Saturday, March 28, the third incarnation of the “No Kings” protest will take place in the US and in places all over the world. The movement is dedicated to the premise that citizens have the right to determine their own destinies, and the destiny of their country, while exercising the rights and responsibilities accorded them by the US Constitution.
Perhaps the hardest responsibility of living in a democracy rests in preserving it. “A republic, if you can keep it….” said Benjamin Franklin in 1787. Those words foreshadow the place we find ourselves now, where corruptive forces on all sides strain the seams of our laboriously constructed institutions and carefully protected freedoms. Ironically, those who attempt to bring our system down do so with the very liberties afforded by the Constitution and, unfortunately, the inattention of many citizens.
I urge all freedom-loving individuals to attend a “No Kings” rally this coming Saturday and future demonstrations as they occur. In Albion, we the people will meet at the intersection of Routes 31 and 98, at noon until 2 p.m.
At the time of this writing, the weather forecast for the event looks difficult, to say the least. But to paraphrase JFK: we should do this thing not because it is easy, but because it is hard.
David Vanderlaan
Albion
Voters approve proposed $22.9 million capital project at Holley school district
This rendering shows a redesign of the canopy at the front entrance of the middle-high school for Holley. It’s one of the projects approved by voters today for major construction work at the school district.
HOLLEY – District voters today approved a proposed $22.9 million capital project. It passed with 207 yes votes to 60 opposed.
“Thank you to our families, community and staff for your support of this project, which will improve the quality of education for all of our students!” the district posed on its Facebook page.
State aid will cover the vast majority of the costs. Holley already has $4 million set aside for the local share of the project.
The proposed project focuses on four areas: program spaces – athletics & performing arts; safety, security and technology; infrastructure improvements for comfort, reliability and function; and site & transportation improvements.
The district provided this breakdown of the project:
Program Spaces: Athletics & Performing Arts
- Providing A/C to Elementary School gymnasium
- Refinishing gym floors at both ES and MS/HS
- Rock wall improvements at the Elementary School
- Replacing the auditorium stage rigging and curtains, and providing acoustic upgrades at the High School
- Library upgrades at the Elementary School including a new circulation desk
Safety, Security and Technology
- Camera system upgrades and replacements district-wide
- Replacing fiber lines for data systems between the campus buildings
- Audio/Visual upgrades at ES gymnasiums to improve educational experiences
- Replacement of the canopy at the MS/HS for improved sightlines, lighting and security for visitors
Infrastructure Improvements for Comfort, Reliability and Function
- Replacement of windows and masonry restoration at both the ES and MS/HS
- Renovations to restrooms at both academic buildings to improve plumbing and infrastructure and also improve ADA access for all building occupants and visitors
- Replacement of water softening system at the MS/HS
- Providing A/C at data closets at both academic buildings
Site & Transportation Improvements
- Repaving the parking lots around the bus garage
- Utility and sitework improvements at the athletic fields to allow for a toilet facility to be installed
- Providing a new scoreboard for the softball field
Hawley says ICE protestors prevented him from entering Capitol in Albany
Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley
ALBANY – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) issued the following statement after being blocked from entering the state Capitol today.
“I was physically prevented from entering the Capitol today by a group of ICE protesters this afternoon on my way to the Assembly Chamber. What I find most troubling—and frankly frustrating—is that when I asked the State Police for assistance, I was told they had been instructed to stand down and not intervene.
“I fully support our men and women in uniform and understand they are being given orders in this circumstance. But, orders to troopers to stand down and not assist a law-abiding lawmaker from entering the Capitol to attend session and represent the people who elected me are deeply concerning and difficult to understand. This incident raises serious questions about security protocols and the ability of lawmakers to safely and freely carry out their duties.
“No elected official should be denied access to the Capitol, the very place where we are elected to serve the people of New York. Peaceful protest is a fundamental right, but it cannot come at the expense of public safety or the functioning of government. I am calling for a full review of what occurred and immediate action to ensure this never happens again.”
Medina posts win in D Div. lacrosse opener
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Gavin Dahlhaus puts a shot on goal during the Mustangs season opening lacrosse win over Tonawanda at Vets Park this afternoon. Defending for Tonawanda are Jacob Goddert (21) and Dominic Marchiano (11).
Building up a 3-0 half-time advantage, Medina went on to down Tonawanda 5-2 in the D Division lacrosse season opener this afternoon at Vets Park.
Sawyer Lilleby, Luke Duffina and Timmothy Vasquez took turns scoring the first half goals for the Mustangs.
Second half goals by Gavin Dahlhaus and Lilleby then put a lock on the victory for Medina.
The Mustangs next visit Akron on March 31 at 7 p.m.
Sawyer Lilleby takes a shot for Medina.
Barker tops Kendall in softball season opener
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Madyson Flint delivers a pitch for Barker during this afternoon’s season opening non league win over visiting Kendall.
Three four run scoring innings keyed Barker to 12-3 win over visiting Kendall in a chilly season opening non league softball game this afternoon.
Kendall did grab a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a single by Alea Barrett but Barker answered right back with four runs in the home half of the frame on three walks and two errors to take the lead for good.
Barker then put a lock on the win by scoring four runs in the fourth inning on hits by Kaylee Stoll, Madelina Pavlock, Madyson Flint and Peyton Bradley and four walks and four more in the sixth on two walks and hits by Flint and Bradley.
Bradley and Flint both finished with 3 hits. Bradley, whose hits included a double, drove in a total of four runs.
Flint went the distance in the circle allowing only 4 hits and striking out 14.
Izzy D’Agostino had a double for Kendall.
Barker next visits Lockport on Friday.
Brooke Rodas bangs out a hit for Kendall. Lexi Brazzell is the Barker catcher.
