By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 October 2025 at 8:35 pm
Photo from Sheriff’s Office
ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke, right, announced two dispatchers have been promoted to senior public safety dispacthers.
Mike Schultz and Jerry Bentley will serve in the roles. Both are long-time local volunteer firefighters, with Schultz a past chief at Kendall and Bently a past chief for Barre.
In their new roles, Schultz and Bentley will assist in overseeing the Sheriff’s Office Communications Division, with responsibilities including supervision, training, quality control, and managing materials related to FOIL requests and NYS Discovery requirements, Bourke said.
“Both Schultz and Bentley are highly experienced, dedicated, and well-respected professionals whose leadership and expertise will greatly benefit the Communications Division,” the sheriff said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 October 2025 at 8:11 pm
ALBION – Harry Papponetti has seen a lot of things from local wildlife in his 33 years as animal control officer for the village of Albion.
But Papponetti has never seen squirrels working so furiously to stack pine cones for the upcoming winter. Papponetti has pine trees at his house and he said squirrels are scampering about his property amassing piles of pine cones. He sees it at other residences too in Albion.
He also has received calls from residents about squirrels getting in their attics, and bringing in pine cones.
Papponetti thinks the squirrels know something about the winter, and they are gearing up for extended harsh conditions.
“You’re looking at cold, hard winter coming up,” he told the Village Board during its meeting this evening.
Papponetti said he received many calls about squirrels and skunks on the move recently. He said the wildlife has been active as they get ready for winter.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 October 2025 at 3:56 pm
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the state will be spending $600 million to pave nearly 2,150 lane miles in the 2026 construction season, including $1.4 million to resurface Route 98 in Orleans County from Route 104 in Gaines going north to the Lake Ontario State Parkway in Carlton.
The paving plan also includes $2.8 million to resurface Route 262 from Route 63 to Route 98, and Route 98 from Edgerton Road to the Orleans County line in the towns of Oakfield and Elba, Genesee County
Hochul, in announcing the projects today, called the work an “unprecedented paving investment” that leverages $800 million secured in current state budget.
“As someone who has ridden on virtually every mile of every state road across New York, I know firsthand every curve and every pothole, and next year we will be making an unprecedented investment to improve state roads across New York,” Hochul said. “New Yorkers will be seeing crews out there like never before next year, rejuvenating highways, enhancing the safety of the traveling public, and laying a solid foundation for economic development across the Empire State.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 October 2025 at 9:59 am
Site at former Medina Savings & Loan will become ESL in 2026
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Generations Bank on Tuesday presented $50,000 in grants to nine non-profit organizations. Eight of them received $5,000 each and one other, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, was awarded $10,000.
Pictured from left in front include: Debbie Taylor, fire chief of East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company; Samantha Covis, assistant direct at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library; AG Cutrona, executive vice president and chief banking officer of Generations Bank; Angela Krezmer, CEO of Generations Bank; Jim Hancock, treasurer of the Medina Emergency Food Pantry; and Amy Crandall, assistant vice president and market manager of Orleans County at Generations Bank.
Back row: Patty Coffee, director of People for Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) of Orleans County; Mary Zelazny, treasurer of Knights Kaderli Memorial Fund; Renee Hungerford, CEO of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee; Andrew Houseman, senior program director of the Orleans County YMCA; Steve Winans, volunteer for Operation Honor; Howie Gardner, member Board of Directors at Generations Bank; Megan Johnson, executive director of Orleans Community Health Foundation; Cindy Hewitt, vice president (Orleans County) of Generations Bank; Derek Dyson, senior vice president and chief information officer of Generations Bank.
This is the third year Generations has offered the $50,000 in grants to non-profits. In prior years, the funds were disbursed to organizations near Seneca Falls and Union Springs. Generations will become ESL Federal Credit Union with a target date of Jan. 1.
ESL is acquiring the assets of Generations Bank. The two organizations announced an acquisition deal in September 2024.
Generations merged with the former Medina Savings & Loan in 2018. Generations is based at Seneca Falls and has nine locations including a site in Medina on Maple Ridge Road.
Angela Krezmer, CEO of Generations Bank, said Generations wanted to give back to the non-profit organizations that serve many people in Orleans County. Generations was able to access the funds through the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York.
The nine grant recipients are: Community Action of Orleans and Genesee (Albion), East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company (Medina), Knights Kaderli Memorial Fund (Medina), The Lee Whedon Memorial Library (Medina), Medina Emergency Food Pantry (St. Peters Lutheran Church), Operation Honor (Medina), Orleans Community Health Foundation Inc. (Medina), Orleans County YMCA (Medina), and People for Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) of Orleans County (Albion).
Erik Fix (left), executive director of GLOW YMCA, and Andrew Houseman, senior program director of the YMCA in Orleans County, accept the grant from Howie Gardner, a board member for Generations.
Fix said the $5,000 will support services for community members, regardless of ability to pay, including scholarships for individuals and families to use the Y on Pearl Street.
Kristina Ettinger, left, community services manager at Community Action, and Renee Hungerford, CEO of Community Action, said the $5,000 grant will help the agency that faces significant uncertainty with its federal funding. The $5,000 will support essential needs, including food, rental and utility assistance.
East Shelby Fire Chief Debbie Taylor and President Mike Fuller accept $5,000 on behalf of the fire company from AG Cutrona, executive vice president and chief banking officer.
East Shelby plans to use the money for a new set of turnout gear and other personal protective equipment and tools.
The Knights Kaderli Memorial Fund, which assists Orleans County residents battling cancer, received $5,000. The fund has been assisting local families for more than 30 years, helping people with some of their bills. Pictured from left include Kevin Kaderli, Laura Marek, Mary Zelazny, Mike Zelazny and Brad Jones, the Generations chairman of the board.
Patty Coffee, director of the PAWS Animal Shelter, accepts a grant and a gift from Amy Crandall, assistant vice president and market manager of Orleans County at Generations Bank. Angela Krezmer, CEO of Generations Bank, is in back. The $5,000 will cover veterinary costs for animals to be spayed/neutered and vaccinated.
Marc Shurtz, CEO of Orleans Community Health, and Megan Johnson, director of the OCH Foundation, accept $5,000 from Howie Gardner, a Generations board member. The grant will go towards expanding services and healthcare access at OCH.
Steve Winans, a volunteer with Operation Honor, accepts a $5,000 grant for the organization that assist veterans with some of their bills and also contributions to a medical van transport service. AG Cutrona, executive vice president and chief banking officer, presents the grant.
Jim Hancock, left, thanks Generations Bank for the $5,000 grant to the Medina Emergency Food Pantry, which is based at St. Peter Lutheran Church. The money will allow the food pantry to acquire food during a time of decreased donations.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 October 2025 at 8:34 am
Photos courtesy of Assemblyman Hawley
BROCKPORT – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley on Tuesday presented a citation to the Kirby family in Albion for being on the NYS Historic Business Preservation Registry.
The Kirby family runs Kirby’s Farm Market on Route 104, just past the Orleans County line in the town of Clarkson.
The market was established in 1970 by brothers George and Bob Kirby. George’s son Tim and his wife Linda have been owners of the market since 1989. They run it today with their daughter Stacey Steward, son Chad and his wife Mandy, as well as their dedicated employees.
The Historic Business Preservation Registry was established by the State Legislature in 2020. The program is administered by the Division for Historic Preservation at the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Steve Hawley joins the Kirby family at the market on Tuesday. Pictured in front from left include Linda and Tim Kirby, and Stacey Kirby Steward. In back are Mandy and Chad Kirby with Steve Hawley.
The farm market has expanded from one-room garage-style building to a “cozy market” with gift shop, five greenhouses, and CSA with 320 members getting weekly subscription of fruits and vegetables.
“Kirby’s Farm Market creates an environment where family shares knowledge freely and endeavors to bring out the best in local farming,” the citation from Hawley states. “They are committed to cultivating and managing resources to ensure services are available for generations to come.”
Most of the fruits and vegetables are grown in Albion. Kirby’s is a “regenerative farm” with a strong focus on healthy soils and plants.
Orleans County voter, do you want an end to “business as usual” on the Orleans County Legislature?
Jeremy Ross is a Town of Murray resident with a job, a wife and two young children—as well as a sound mind—who would be up to the challenge of serving as county legislator for District 4 (Carlton, Kendall and Murray). He and his family have a home just east of the Village of Holley.
A George Bower/Rich Bennett-type candidate doesn’t come around that often. Want a legislator who thinks for himself and bucks the party line when conscience dictates?
Perhaps it’s time for an infusion of fresh ideas on our Legislature. We believe giving Jeremy Ross serious consideration for District 4 county legislator when you vote in November would be a good idea.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 21 October 2025 at 8:52 pm
Completing a perfect 12-0 Niagara-Orleans League field hockey championship season, Akron rolled to a 9-0 win over visiting Kenmore this afternoon.
Madison Gates, Morgan Tomporowski and Brooke Milhollen each scored two goals for Akron as Mackenzie Tomporowski, Anieka Forrestel and Ava Lombard each had one.
The N-O title is the sixth straight for Akron which has compiled a 71-1 league record during that stretch. The Lady Tigers lone loss was to Barker in 2020 when the two teams shared the N-O title.
In the other N-O game, Roy-Hart downed visiting Wilson 3-0.
Brooke Zglinicki, Adella Dukes and Alayna Kowalski took turns scoring the goals for the Lady Rams.
Roy-Hart finishes the N-O season at 5-7 and Wilson at 4-8.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 21 October 2025 at 8:19 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Holley’s Ava Mosier takes a shot to score her second goal of the opening half during the Lady Hawks sectional win over visiting Alexander this evening.
Facing a familiar opponent, No. 5 Holley downed Genesee Region League foe No. 12 Alexander 6-1 in the opening round of the Section V Class C1 girls soccer tournament this evening at Holley.
Ava Mosier scored two goals for Holley as Hanna Ostrom, Carsyn Mogle, Addison Bevins and Jayna Burris each netted one.
Mosier, Burris, Emma Burne and Brynn Thomas all had assists.
The Lady Hawks, which led 2-1 at the half, improve to 10-6-1.
Holley will next visit No. 4 Red Creek on Friday in the quarterfinals. Red Creek downed No. 13 Pembroke 7-1.
Section VI Class A
No. 6 Williamsville South downed visiting No. 11 Albion 4-0 in the opening round of the Section VI Class A tournament this afternoon.
Holley’s Lily Newman looks to pass the ball as Autumn Crane defends for Alexander.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 21 October 2025 at 7:59 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Aidan Papaj breaks in to score the Mustangs first goal during this afternoon’s sectional win over Olmsted at Vets Park.
A quick three goal scoring burst in the first nine minutes keyed No. 4 seeded Medina to a 5-1 victory over No. 13 Olmsted in the opening round of the Section VI Class B boys soccer tournament this afternoon at Vets Park.
Aidan Papaj got Medina off to a lighting quick start when he scored on a breakaway just 57 seconds into the game.
In rapid succession Caden Kingsbury and Jimmy Dieter followed up with goals to make it 3-0 with 31 minutes still remaining in the opening half.
Up 3-1 at the half, Medina put a lock on the victory on goals by Kingsbury and Vinny Gray in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
Izzy Anderson and Aleks Seefeldt both had two assists and Luke Duffina one on the afternoon for the Mustangs.
Improving to 15-2, Medina will next host No. 5 Fredonia in the Class B quarterfinals at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Vets Park. Fredonia ousted No. 12 Southwestern 2-0.
In another Class B opener Eden edged Akron 2-1.
Medina’s Owen Sargent goes after the ball ahead of Olmsted’s Joshua Wa Salche.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) today criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision to veto bipartisan legislation that would have required the state to develop emergency response training for first responders dealing with electric vehicle (EV) fires and related incidents.
The bill, which passed both houses of the Legislature with broad support, aimed to ensure firefighters and emergency personnel have the tools and knowledge necessary to respond safely to EV crashes and battery fires, hazards that are rapidly increasing as the state pushes for more electric vehicles on the road.
“This was a commonsense, bipartisan measure that put safety first,” Hawley said. “Our firefighters and first responders are already putting their lives on the line every day. Denying them the training and resources they need to handle new dangers from electric vehicles is unacceptable.”
Hochul’s veto message cited concerns about unbudgeted costs, stating the program should be addressed through the state’s budget process. The justification shows little awareness of the urgent realities confronting rural and suburban fire departments.
“The governor is spending billions on green energy mandates but can’t find the resources to protect the men and women responding to EV fires?” Hawley said. “The government’s priorities are completely upside down. If the state insists on accelerating EV adoption, it has a responsibility to make sure our emergency responders are fully prepared.”
Hawley, a life member of the Stafford Volunteer Fire Company and strong advocate for first responders, vowed to keep pushing for this measure.
“I’ll keep fighting to make sure this legislation gets across the finish line,” Hawley added. “This isn’t about politics — it’s about protecting lives.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 October 2025 at 11:32 am
One trustee says board not consistent in weighing in on resolutions that could be deemed ‘political’
MEDINA – The Medina Village Board approved a resolution in support of the “Energy Choice Act,” which would prohibit New York and other governments from banning natural gas in new construction.
Congressman Nick Langworthy has proposed the bill in Congress. The Orleans County Legislature on Sept. 23 voted in support of the Langworthy bill. The County Legislature is asking other local governments to back the proposal.
The Medina Village Board agreed, in a 4-1 vote, on Monday evening. Trustee Jess Marciano cast the lone opposing vote.
She referred to a meeting in June when the Village Board declined to vote on a resolution in support of keeping Job Corps centers open. Some board members said then they didn’t want to weigh in on resolutions of support on an issue, saying it could be construed as political.
Marciano said she was surprised the board wouldn’t take up a resolution in support of Job Corps but instead would rally behind the legislation proposed by Langworthy, a Republican from Erie County and former chairman of the Republican Party in New York State.
New York’s law against natural gas for new construction is set to start in 2026 and be phased in by 2028. Gov. Kathy Hochul and the majority of the State Legislature say limiting natural gas will help reduce carbon emissions.
Village Trustee Scott Bielski was one of the votes in support of the Langworthy legislation.
“It would be detrimental to the Village of Medina,” Bielski said about prohibiting natural gas on new construction. “It would hurt housing growth in Medina.”
Langworthy said the state’s stance against natural gas limits energy choices and will increase costs for consumers.
Provided photo: from left include Carol Williams, Sharon Pollock, Marv Christ, John Spinks, Melvin Artis, Joan Christ, April Flesch and Lynda Standish.
Press Release, Albion Elks Lodge
BATAVIA – The Albion Elks Lodge on Sept. 30 hosted a chicken barbecue picnic for the long-term residents of the Veterans Medical Center in Batavia.
Veterans were able to invite a guest to join them which may have included a family member, friend or staff member. Music was provided by Elk members, Ken and Bonnie Draper with Moonshine productions, and each veteran also received a coupon book for free haircuts for a year.
Elks members had the pleasure to help the residents to their tables outside, and serve them chicken barbecue smothered in sauce, buttery salt potatoes, cowboy beans loaded with bacon and hamburger, fruit salad, corn bread and desserts.
“It was fun watching the veterans singing along to their favorite songs from yesteryear, but having the opportunity to sit and visit with our veterans was a highlight for our Elks members,” said Veterans Committee Chair Sharon Pollock.
The weather was beautiful and all participants enjoyed being outside in the mid-70 degree weather.
This opportunity was made possible by a grant obtained by the Elks National Foundation.
