By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 January 2026 at 9:03 am
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a high wind warning for Orleans County today from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. There will be southwest winds from 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. The strongest gusts will likely be between 3 and 7 p.m., the Weather Service said.
The high temperatures are forecast to reach 58 degrees today with showers. The overnight low will be 31.
The Weather Service said the high temps then include 41 with some rain on Saturday, 34 with some snow showers on Sunday, 34 on Monday and 40 on Tuesday.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 9 January 2026 at 8:54 am
Provided photo: The Transitional Care Unit team at Medina Memorial Hospital is celebrating a substantial increase in admissions during the past year.
MEDINA – With a nationwide health care crisis, Medina Memorial Hospital has seen the impacts first-hand right here in Medina, according to Scott Robinson, director of marketing.
As the aging population continues to grow, there are an increasing number of challenges for the community, according to Robinson.
Among them is providing needed care and more services in the immediate area. One of those is the ability for members of the community to have access to rehab close to home. During the last year, the Transitional Care Unit at Medina Memorial hospital has seen admissions increase from 244 in 2024 to 308 in 2025, an increase of 26 percent, while referrals for subacute rehab have increased by 37 percent.
“I think it goes to show the reputation our TCU team has achieved with other hospitals and within the community,” Robinson said.
The hospital’s TCU program supports patients referred from other hospitals, as well as those admitted through Medina hospital’s Emergency Department for acute care or observation, who require subacute rehabilitation. Once a patient is medically stable for subacute rehab, they can be converted to the TCU services.
“We have been able to create relationships with more specialty groups, such as infectious disease and orthopedic physicians, which results in higher referral volumes,” Robinson said.
Robinson added they have a robust team at Orleans Community Health that is working to make sure the care being provided is top notch. The team includes care management, physical therapy, infection control, PCUII (Progressive Care Unit 2nd floor), housekeeping, dietary, finance and others.
“Medina Memorial Hospital continues to build a reputation – it’s the place to go for subacute rehab and the place to go to get better,” said Randi Ingersoll, director of Care Management at Orleans Community Health. “It has been a privilege to provide TCU services to more than 300 community members in 2025, and we are eager to see continued growth here at OCH.”
“The entire team deserves a great deal of credit, as Randi shared,” Robinson said. “She highlights the strong support being provided across teams. Although growth of this nature can challenge operations, departments remain closely aligned to keep things running seamlessly. It speaks volumes about the dedication of everyone involved in providing exceptional care.”
The team celebrated the gains on Wednesday and are coordinating to determine ways they can continue to improve the patient experience for those receiving care at Medina Memorial Hospital’s TCU.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 8 January 2026 at 10:25 pm
Kendall downed visiting Elba 60-53 in a Genesee Region League boys basketball game this evening.
Vinnie D’Agostino scored 19 and CJ D’Agostino 12 to lead the way for Kendall as Jonny Conte added 8, Sammy Conte and Ryan Gaesser 6 each, Noah Morehouse 5 and Jonas Rhodes 4. CJ D’Agostino also had 12 rebounds.
Ryan Marscoll scored 17 and Nick Scott 15 for Elba.
Byron-Bergen 74, Lyndonville 50
Colton Smith scored 18, Lane Woodworth 13 and Lyric Raduns 10 to lead Lyndonville in the 74-50 G-R loss to Byron-Bergen. Devon Babcock and Atticus Mank both added 4 and Quincy McClinsey 1 for the Tigers.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 January 2026 at 8:31 pm
26 class members will learn about different sectors of county throughout 2026
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Leadership Orleans Class of 2026 kicked off its year of exploration in Orleans County with an opening day retreat today at Fairhaven Inn.
Pictured, front row, from left: Patti Doyle, Ashley Sutherland, Meghan Bevins, Jenai Walker, Krista Dhow and Will Gregoire.
Second row: Pam Wadhams, Ciara Silversmith, Hana Robinson, Rachel Frasier, Darelyn Songer and Brandon Smith.
Third row: Brett Sobieraski, Geen Henry, Lisa Elschker, Susan Thaine and Dr. Taweepon Farrar.
Back row: Sara Flansburg, Jake Weller, Terry Kingdollar, Tim Smith, Gabriella Bottorff, Timothy Dunham, Craig Lane and Chris Hughes. (Missing from photo: Valerie Wells and Amy Crandall.)
Skip Helfrich, executive director of Leadership Orleans since the program started in 2018, discusses different leadership styles during the opening retreat today.
Some of those styles in the “DISC” profile include dominant controller, cautious analytical, influencing promoter, and steadfast supporter.
The “dominant controller” tend to be very determined and decisive, and “results oriented,” Helfrich said, and are often CEOs, entrepreneurs and people who excel at sales.
The “cautious analytical” are very thorough and organized and are often engineers and accountants.
The “influencing promoter” bring lots of ideas and energy and are often politicians, artists and debaters, Helfrich said.
A “steadfast supporter” is a team player and collaborator, often people who excel in human resources, service jobs and as union reps.
Each of the class members did a DISC profile to see where they landed. Helfrich discussed how the different types of people can often clash, and often help each other when they appreciate their different skill sets and styles.
Fairhaven Inn hosted the opening retreat which continues on Friday. This is the ninth class of Leadership Orleans. In the first eight years, 203 people graduated from the program.
The new class of 26 members will spend a year learning about the county and themselves.
The class represents several sectors in the community, including agriculture, education, human services, government, business, a church and volunteerism.
The program aims to build the “citizen capital” of the community, helping develop leaders who are educated on the many facets of the community.
The class will meet monthly, building leadership skills and gaining knowledge, experiences and meeting people from many different sectors in the community. The class will spend different days focused on agriculture, non-profit organizations, government services, small and larger businesses, law enforcement, tourism, arts and culture, community health and economic development.
The group typically visits about 40 sites around the county and hears from about 50 presenters.
The program receives a stipend from the county, and there are many sponsors of programs throughout the years. The class members also pay tuition to be in Leadership Orleans.
This year’s class members include:
Meghan Bevins, assistant director of Orleans County Office for the Aging in Albion
Gabriella Bottorff, food safety coordinator for Lake Ontario Fruit in Albion
Amy Crandall, assistant vice president Generations Bank in Medina
Patti Doyle, art engagement director for GO Art! in Batavia
Krista Duhow, learning coordinator at Medina Central School
Timothy Dunham, executive director of human resources at Orleans/Niagara BOCES
Lisa Elschker, human resource generalist at Community Action of Orleans and Genesee
Dr. Taweepon Farrar, district superintendent for Niagara/Orleans BOCES
Sara Flansburg, owner of Blissett’s Specialty Shop in Medina
Rachel Frasier, executive assistant for Western New Energy in Medina
Will Gregoire, mechanical engineer for Udderways in Albion
Geen Henry, assistant director of prevention for UConnectCare in Albion
Chris Hughes, director of district wellness at Medina Central School
Terry Kingdollar, family support specialist at Arc GLOW in Albion
Craig Lane, commissioner of public works for Orleans County
Hana Robinson, founder of World Life Adventures in Albion
Ciarra Silversmith, clinic manager at Orleans Community Health in Albion
Brandon Smith, loan officer at Farm Credit East in Batavia
Tim Smith, senior principal engineer at Baxter Medical in Medina
Brett Sobieraski, investigator for District Attorney’s Office in Albion
Darelyn Songer, secretary to Orleans County chief administrative officer
Ashley Sutherland, branch manager for M&T Bank in Lyndonville
Susan Thaine, pastor for First Presbyterian Church of Albion
Pam Wadhams, director of Headstart for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee
Janei Walker, HR manager at Baxter Healthcare in Medina
Jake Weller, network engineer for Info Advantage in Rochester
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 8 January 2026 at 7:58 pm
Medina earned a split with host Akron in a Niagara-Orleans League swim meet this evening.
Medina won the boys’ meet 83-60 and Akron took the girls’ competition 98-58.
Bradley Goyette doubled in the 200 Freestyle and 500 Free and Bryson Ford took both the 100 Butterfly and 100 Breaststroke to lead the Seahorses which improve to 3-1 as Brandon Brueckner added a win in the 100 Backstroke.
Quinn O’Malley was a double winner for the TigerSharks in the 50 Free and 100 Free.
The Akron girls were led by a trio of individual event double winners including Charlotte Carlson (Butterfly and Breaststroke), Brooke Milhollen (100 Free and Backstroke) and Aurora VanDusen (200 Free and 500 Free). Avery Haak added a win in the IM for the TigerSharks.
Madison Watts won the 50 Free for Medina.
Newfane sweeps Roy-Hart/Barker
Newfane bested Roy-Hart/Barker winning the boys’ meet 90-47 and the girls’ competition 93-63.
Dylan Lamont doubled in the IM and 100 Free and Noah Kneeland in the Butterfly and Backstroke to lead the Newfane boys squad as Eli Kneeland added a win in the Breaststoke.
Roy-Hart/Barker had Noah Corraine win the 200 Free, Jackson Braun the 50 Free and Hendrick Trombley the 500 Free.
The Newfane girls were led by individual event double winners Riley Klopfer (200 Free and 500 Free) and Eden Hillman (50 Free and 100 Free). Emma Haseley also took the Butterfly, Eliana Reis the Backstroke and Kimberly Schmitt the Breaststroke.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 8 January 2026 at 7:44 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Aiden McGrain works toward a pin for Holley-Kendall over Medina’s Cole Herman during this evening’s non league match at Medina.
Improving to 11-1 overall, Holley-Kendall scored a 58-18 victory over Medina in a non league wrestling match this evening at Medina.
Pins by Immanuel Cornell (285), Jacob Abrams (150), Tyler Davenport (190) and Aiden McGrain (215) highlighted the victory for Holley-Kendall which also got a major decision win by Brayden Mack (157) as well as five forfeit wins which were good for a total of 30 points.
Luke Duffina (132) and Tyler Raduns (165) both registered pins for Medina as Jacob Duffina (118) and Davi Mucoucah (144) both scored decision wins.
Medina’s Davi Mucoucah in route to earning a decision win over Holley-Kendall’s Michael Williams.
Brayden Mack works toward a major decision win for Holley-Kendall over Medina’s Roaman Maksimchak.
Medina’s Luke Duffina nears earning a pin victory over Holley-Kendall’s Dominic Heirigs.
Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments
January is Radon Action Month and GO Health (Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments) is encouraging families to test their homes for radon.
Radon Facts:
• Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that can enter homes through cracks in floors, basement walls, foundations, and other openings. It can build up to dangerous levels, especially in winter when homes are closed up.
• Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, and it is the leading cause in people who have never smoked. Exposure to radon is linked to an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year nationwide.
• In New York State, about 14% of homes have high radon levels that meet or exceed the level where action is recommended by health experts. Genesee County has been identified as an area with a higher average indoor radon level, meaning many homes could have unsafe radon levels.
• Testing and mitigation are effective in reducing radon exposure and protecting the health of your family.
“Testing your home for radon is a quick, easy step that can help protect your family’s health,” stated Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director for GO Health. “If high radon levels are found, they can be fixed.”
Genesee County residents can get a free radon test kit by calling 585-344-2580 x5555.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 January 2026 at 1:22 pm
Petitions signed by at least 100 registered voters are due by Feb. 10
MEDINA – The Village of Medina has three positions up in the next election, March 18.
The election will be at the Senior Citizen Center, 615 West Avenue, from noon to 9 p.m.
The positions up for election include the mayor (currently Marguerite Sherman), and two village trustees (currently held by Deborah Padoleski and Mark Prawel).
The petitions to run for one of the positions can be obtained at the Village Clerk’s Office at 119 Park Ave. or online at the New York State Elections website, Petition Information (click here) or you can see a Village Independent Nominating Petition by clicking here.
Candidates need their petitions to be signed by at least 100 registered voters in the village. The first day a registered voter can sign an independent nominating petition was December 30.
The first day to file the independent nominating petition is February 3. Petitions must be filed no later than 5 p.m. on Feb. 10 at the Village Clerk’s Office.
Contributed Story Posted 8 January 2026 at 10:24 am
The Roy-Hart/Barker/Medina Knights Club Hockey team saw their three game winning streak end Wednesday evening at Riverside Rink with a 5-1 loss to Team Buffalo.
After a scoreless first period, Buffalo scored early in the second and took a 2-0 lead into the final stanza.
Early in the third period, Gavin Ickowski (R-H) made it a 2-1 deficit assisted by Wyatt Bryer (Wilson) and Ryan Felicetti (Wilson).
The final period saw a total of nine penalties called with Buffalo scoring two powerplay goals.
RBM was outshot in the game 49-26. Noah Orens in the RBM goal had a very busy evening.
RBM, with a record of 4-5-1, next faces St. Joseph’s at home on Sunday morning at 11:35 a.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 January 2026 at 9:43 am
ALBION – It’s almost time for Democrats and Republicans in the Village of Albion to hold their caucuses to pick their candidates for the March 18 election.
The election is usually the third Tuesday in March, which would be March 17 this year. However, that is St. Patrick’s Day so the election has been moved back a day.
This year there will be four-year terms on the ballot for mayor (currently Angel Javier Jr.) and trustees (currently Tim McMurray and Joyce Riley).
Polls will be open on March 18 from noon to 9 p.m. at the Village Office, 35-37 East Bank St.
None of the parties have officially notified Village Clerk Tracy VanSkiver of their caucus, which must be held between Jan. 20 and Jan. 27, according to the New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM).
The Democratic Party has informed the Orleans Hub the Democrats will have their caucus at 7 p.m. on Jan. 27 at the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church, 10 East Park St.
Those in attendance will pick the candidates under the Democratic Party line.
Republicans haven’t set their caucus.
Candidates also can run as independents and need to submit petitions signed by at least 100 registered voters in the village. Those petitions are due to the village clerk by Feb. 10.
Albion is the only village in Orleans County that has candidates run under the major party lines. Lyndonville, Medina and Holley don’t have the party lines in their elections. In those villages, all of the candidates run as independents.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 7 January 2026 at 9:21 pm
Kendall and Lyndonville both scored victories in Genesee Region League girls basketball action this evening.
Kendall defeated Byron-Bergen 39-32 as Izzy D’Agostino scored 10, Mia Price and Stella Kwiatek 8 each, Teagan Shaw 7 and Sophia Picardo 6.
Lyndonville trimmed Attica 27-23 as Isabella Groves and Braelynn Dillenbeck each scored 8, Alexa Robinson and Hanna Fox 4 each, Lilly Raduns 2 and Emily Dill 1.
Dillenbeck had two threes and Groves one in the third quarter and Fox two baskets in the fourth to help the Lady Tigers lock up the win.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 7 January 2026 at 9:07 pm
Seven pins keyed Holley-Kendall to a 57-21 victory over host Lyndonville in a Genesee Region League wrestling match this evening.
Jeremy Lutes (103, John Blosenhauer (110), Carson Cady (118), Isaac Bartlett (132), Jack Breuilly (138), Brenden Eichas (144) and Immanuel Cornell (285) all registered pins for Holley-Kendall which also got a technical fall victory by Jacob Abrams (150) and a major decision win by Kohle Pachla (126).
Shannon Withey, Brody Hazel and Greyson Romano had pins and Ben Doolan a decision win for Lyndonville.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 7 January 2026 at 8:50 pm
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart/Barker’s Lincoln Murray works toward a decision win over Medina’s Tyler Raduns during the Rams home mat victory over the Mustangs this evening.
Improving to 3-1, Roy-Hart/Barker scored a 63-12 win over visiting Medina in a Niagara-Orleans League wrestling match this evening.
RJ Townsend, Liam Silsby and Max Hickman all registered pins to lead the way for Roy-Hart/Barker.
Jacob Duffina and Luke Duffina both notched pins for Medina.
Newfane 53, Albion 27
Seven pins sparked defending champion Newfane to a 53-27 win over host Albion in another N-O wrestling match this evening.
Jake Morello (150), Miles Lingle (175), Tristian Smith (190), Levi Henning (215), Rian Czaja (126), Ryley Mahoney (132) and Alexa Doxey (138) all notched pins for the Panthers.
Stryker Sanders (118), Justin Mengs (110), Kaiser Allport (157) and Parker Roberts (144) all registered pins and Jackson Snook (285) had a decision win for Albion.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 7 January 2026 at 8:46 pm
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Carlos Doval puts up a shot during the Mustangs win over visiting Tonawanda this evening.
Ten players contributed to the point production as Medina romped to a lopsided 65-26 victory over visiting Tonawanda this evening in a non league boys basketball game.
Preston Woodworth scored 13, Jerrell Nealy 12 and Jimmy Dieter 11 to lead the Mustangs balanced attack which also included Carlos Doval with 8, Jayzon Wills and Avion Johnson 5 each, Christian Moss 4, Bryan Santiago Bautista 2 and Hadrian Batista and Vinny Gray with 2 each.
Chase Smith led the Timberwolves with 9.
Setting the tone for the evening, Medina jumped out to a 16 point, 22-6, first quarter lead as Woodworth scored 7 and Nealy 5 with each including a three.
The Mustangs boosted the lead to 29, 39-10, at the half as Nealy, Woodworth and Santiago Bautista all hit threes in the second period.
Medina led by 37, 58-21, at the end of the third period which saw Doval, Woodworth and Johnson all hit threes.
Improving to 9-0, Medina next faces a key battle for the Niagara-Orleans League lead at Wilson at 6 p.m. Friday. The Lakemen are 3-0 and the Mustangs 2-0 in N-O action.
