By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 23 May 2026 at 11:15 am
Steady rain has caused today’s schedule of Section VI baseball tournament games to be moved to Sunday including six contests involving Niagara-Orleans League teams.
Vets Park will host a Class B doubleheader as No. 5 Roy-Hart will face No. 12 Alden at 1 p.m. and No. 2 Medina will host No. 15 Newfane at 5 p.m.
Also in Class B, No. 9 Akron will face No. 8 Silver Creek a Gowanda at 3:30 p.m.
In Class A2, No. 8 Albion will face No. 1 City Honors at noon at Okell Park in Buffalo.
In Class C, No. 10 Barker will face No. 7 Portville at Allegany-Limestone at 11 a.m. and No. 12 Wilson will take on No. 5 Brocton/Cassadaga Valley at noon at Gowanda.
In addition, the Section V Class C2 softball game between No. 6 Bloomfield and No. 3 Kendall has been moved to 10 a.m. Sunday at Kendall.
All six Medina High spring sports varsity teams have earned New York State Public High School Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete Team Awards by compiling a composite average of at least 90.
Those teams and their averages include Softball (96.997), Tennis (96.289), Girls Track (93.388), Lacrosse (93.065), Baseball (91.948) and Boys Track (90.105).
Contributed Photos – SOFTBALL – Bottom row: Karlee Cau, Jenna Cecchini, Isabelle Perez, Aspyn Garley, Analeah Fidanza Battle and Savannah Jo Thompson. Top row: Harmoni Wilson, Peyton Allen, Lilah Class, Madison Watts and Lily Maynard. Missing are Molly Cook, Samantha Heschke and Gia Howard.
TENNIS – Bottom row: Henry Fuller, Anthony Anelli, Hattison Ribbeck Farley, Tony Anelli, Paisley Pasnik and Marlaina Neroni. Top row: Levon Fuller, River Jones, Talia Rupp, Amelia Rodden and Grace Smith. Missing are Eli Biesinger and Lily Eggleston.
GIRLS TRACK – Bottom row: Payton Eggleston, Neveah Kimori, Lily Hungerford, Charlotte McGrath, Lauren Allis, Olivia Maynard, Rhoswyn Oakes, Alex Klinzing, Asialynn Neuhaus, Ty’Sharri Crossley and Heather Daniels. Top row: Faith Sunday, Amelia Stalker, Jenelle Stalker, Caliyah St. Louis, Cayla Seever, Payton Denniston, Grace Keppler, Gabriella Velez and Talia Rupp. Missing are Lucia DiCureia, Jaylani Dieter, Ashlyn Fisk, Ellen Hall, McKinlee Hughes, Chloe Luxon, Skielair Montgomery, Aurora Owczarczak, Hannah Richardson, Anna Saj and Saniyyaha Wilson.
LACROSSE – Bottom row: Chris Mulcahy, Sawyer Lilleby, Luke Duffina, Madison Farley, Lyla Page, Davi Mucoucah and Landan Costich. Top row: Gavin Dahlhaus, Clayton Wagner, Brennan Allen, Jobi Wheeler, Matt Jacobs, Breydin Lewis and Frankie Stephens. Missing are Miles Arbegast, Deven Byrne, Teagan Meland and Tim Vasquez.
BASEBALL – Bottom row: Vincent Gray, Jimmy Dieter, Kolton Fletcher, Ryan Pegelow and Carlos Doval. Top row: Hadrian Batista, Preston Woodworth, Aidan Papaj and Camden Fike. Missing are Lathan McEwen Miller and Steven Gobeli.
BOYS TRACK – Bottom row: Cole Hughes, Aleksandr Seefeldt, Lukin Szatkowski, Briley Allen, Roman Maksimchuk, Tim Zeiner, Oscar Lopez and Logan Quackenbush. Top row: Nate Surdel, Bryson Ford, Israel Delgado, Colin Pooler, Owen Sargent, Jackson Reese, Jonathan Dix amd Jude Lacy. Missing are Niall Boyle, Brandon Brueckner, Luke Duffina, Avion Johnson, Jerrell Nealy, Jordan Olsen, Antonio Rizzo, Kendrick Russaw, Nathanael Rutledge, Aurelius Schalck and Hunter Walczak.
Photo courtesy of Albion Central School: The new inductees in the National Junior Honor Society are shown at the middle school in Albion.
Press Release, Albion Central School
ALBION – There were 25 students at Carl I. Bergerson Middle School recently inducted into the National Junior Honor Society.
Current NJHS members led the ceremony, explaining that the organization is built on the four pillars of scholarship, service, leadership and character. Inductees must exhibit all four qualities and be recommended by a faculty member in order to be eligible.
This year, students invited middle school teacher Patrick Uveino to serve as the guest speaker. He has taught and coached for 26 years. He encouraged inductees to take chances, to embrace being different, and emphasized the importance of their character.
“Remember, your character is seen, it’s not said,” said Uveino. “You can’t tell someone you have good character, you have to show them. Be genuine, be one of a kind and always continue to work hard to better yourself each and every day.”
Together, the new inductees recited the NJHS pledge before crossing the stage to receive their certificates and sign the registry book, which holds the names of all inductees before them.
The 2025-26 class of inductees include (listed alphabetically): Kyler Bennett, Oliver Beyrle, Lily Bringenberg, Blake Brown, Olivia Bruski, Elizabeth Colmenero, Maci Conn, Avery DiMatteo, Lilah Dix, Ellady Fisher, Korey Ginger, Julianna Grier, Emma Hammons, Kaydence Haylett, Addisyn Jaczynski, Giuliana Liuzzi, Colton Moreland, Gavin O’Brocta, Peyton Palone, Elliott Pettit, Zylia Rolon, Mason Rotthoff, Jenna Snook, Julianna Wilson and Kelbie Woodard.
They join the ranks of the following current members: Madysin Austin, Luciana Borello, Isabella Colonna, Annabella Dusharm, Jeffrey Echevarria-Saldivar, Avery Faskel, William Fisher, Madison Frasier, Brody Furness, Robert Hickman, Amelia Klatt, Allyson McQuay, Brian Patten, Peyton Pisano, Kennedy Roberts, Sutton Sanders, John Michael Vivas and Caleb Wolfe.
Additionally, the following 11 current members were recognized for completing 25 hours of community service: Madysin Austin, Luciana Borello, Isabella Colonna, Annabella Dusharm, Jeffrey Echevarria-Saldivar, Amelia Klatt, Brian Patten, Kennedy Roberts, Sutton Sanders, John Michael Vivas and Caleb Wolfe.
MEDINA – The Medina Tractor Supply is inviting customers to attend a Pet Adoption Event on June 6 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.
During the event, community partners will be on hand with dogs and cats looking for homes.
In addition to supporting community groups in their work to find good homes for great animals, Tractor Supply’s pet adoption event will include pet photos, pet treat tasting, and a pet clinic.
“As an active advocate and supporter of pet rescue and adoption, Tractor Supply strives to inform our customers of the pet adoption process by providing a safe and comfortable space for placing adorable animals in welcoming homes,” said Serenity Baumgart, manager of the Medina Tractor Supply store. “Through this and other year-round adoption events, our goal at Medina store is to connect adoptable pets with interested owners.”
The pet adoption event is open to the public and friendly, leashed pets. It will take place at Tractor Supply at 11181 Maple Ridge Rd.
For more information, please contact the Medina Tractor Supply at 585-798-9932.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 May 2026 at 8:18 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: These veterans in the honor guard carry the colors along the parade route in Medina during last year’s Memorial Day parade on May 26, 2025. The parade started at the Pickle Factory on Park Avenue, then onto Main Street and East Center Street to State Street Park.
Communities in Orleans County are planning parades and services for Memorial Day. All of observances are on Monday, except in Kendall which has its service on Saturday, May 30. That was the original day of Memorial Day. It was changed to the be the last Monday of May in 1968 to have a three-day weekend for federal employees.
• ALBION – The parade starts at 10 a.m. at Main Street near the Park Street intersection. From there the processional goes to East Avenue, and then to the middle school.
A service will be held in front of the middle school at approximately 11 a.m.
• HOLLEY – A ceremony will start at 9 a.m. at the American Legion Post on Wright Street and will include patriotic music played by the Holley-Kendall Marching Band.
The Holley-Kendall Marching Band will then lead the way down 31 to the traffic light and then down South Main to Hillside Cemetery where the first of three services will take place. The Jewell Buckman gravesite across South Holley Road is the next service and then the Catholic cemetery for final prayer service.
• KENDALL – A ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, at the Kendall Community Park where there is a war memorial and gazebo. It is located on Kendall Road, across from the Kendall Elementary School.
• LYNDONVILLE – A parade will start at 9 a.m. from the parking lot at the former St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Lake Avenue and participants will march to the library for the ceremony which follows. (For veterans who wish to march in the parade or ride the trolley, they should arrive in the Lake Avenue parking lot no later than 8:45 a.m.)
• MEDINA – The parade will start at 11 a.m. at the Olde Pickle Factory building on Park Avenue and proceed to the State Street Park where a ceremony will be held at about noon.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 May 2026 at 7:55 am
ALBION – The Albion Betterment Committee, which has planted numerous dogwood trees in Albion, wants to see more trees planted in the village.
The ABC will be selling trees today at cost from 4 to 6 p.m. at Bullard Park. There will be 10 white oaks at $4.90 each and 10 white dogwoods for $7.50 each. The white oaks are about 4 to 5 feet high while the dogwoods are 3 feet high.
Gary Kent, an ABC board member, said the white oaks are good wildlife trees. They are slow growing and very hard. The dogwoods are flowering trees in the spring.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2026 at 10:03 pm
Provided photos
KENDALL – Students and staff at Kendall Elementary School gather around the flagpole in the front of the school on Thursday during the school’s annual Memorial Day observance.
The annual ceremony at the school began with students watching a 2-minute video created by our art teacher, Andy King. The video discusses the history of Memorial Day and differentiates it from Flag Day, Veteran’s Day, and the 4th of July.
“We strive to ensure that students understand and appreciate the true meaning behind this 3- or 4-day holiday weekend,” said Kevin Watson, the school principal. “During this video, students are instructed about the sounding of Taps, Taps-related etiquette (not wearing hats, not speaking, not clapping following the playing of Taps).”
This group plays Taps in the school’s front yard.
The students gather around the flag pole and Taps was played by a group of five musicians. That included two high school students – Leah Brundage and Savannah Stone; Kendall music teachers – Lindsey Chalmers and Josh Mantegna; and Board of Education trustee David Warren. The BOE member is part of Bugles Across America, a national organization that links bugle players up with miliary funerals.
Kendall also live streams the Changing of the Guard in an available room so that classes may stop by throughout the day and watch the ceremony.
The musicians playing Taps include, from left: Lindsey Chalmers, Savannah Stone, Leah Brundage, Joshua Mantegna and David Warren.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 22 May 2026 at 8:18 pm
No. 8 seed Medina dropped a 25-2 decision at top seeded East Aurora this evening in the quarterfinal round of the Section VI Class D lacrosse tournament.
Luke Duffina and Clayton Wagner each scored a goal for Medina.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 22 May 2026 at 8:14 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Viktor Snyder dives into third base as Dunkirk’s Jaryel Vazquez awaits the throw. The action took place during the Purple Eagles sectional win this afternoon.
No. 8 seed Albion trimmed visiting No. 9 Dunkirk 5-3 in the opening round of the Section VI Class A2 baseball tournament this afternoon.
Albion jumped out to an early 4-1 lead by scoring twice in the first inning on a pair of bases loaded walks and twice in the second on an RBI single by winning pitcher Nate Gibson and an RBI sacrifice fly by Kaiden Froman. Two walks and a single by Elliot Trapiss set up the first inning threat while singles by Gavin Boyce and Trapiss set up the second inning opportunity.
Dunkirk did close the gap to 4-3 with a pair of runs in the fifth inning but could not pull even as Gibson registered clutch strikeouts to get out of trouble in both the fifth and sixth innings.
The Purple Eagles added a big insurance run in the sixth on an error.
Gibson pitched the first 6 innings allowing only 1 hit and striking out 12. Boyce came on to hurl the seventh inning giving up no hits and striking out 1.
Albion will next visit top seeded City Honors in the quarterfinals at noon on Saturday.
Albion’s Nate Gibson, at left, delivers a pitch. At right, Mason Snook stretches for the throw at first base to get the out on Dunkirk’s Evan Dolce.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 22 May 2026 at 7:59 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall third baseman Sammy Conte tags out Byron-Bergen’s Gavin Kinkelaar during the Eagles home field sectional win this afternoon.
Jumping out to a 9-0 lead in the first two innings, top seeded Kendall went on to blank Genesee Region League foe No. 8 Byron-Bergen 11-0 in the quarterfinal round of the Section V Class C2 baseball tournament this afternoon at Kendall.
Kendall scored 4 quick runs in the first inning on a two-run error and a two-run single by Jacob Abrams. A double by Jonny Conte, a hit batter and a single by Vinnie D’Agostino loaded the bases to set up the opportunity.
Andrew Cole had a two-run single and Vinnie D’Agostino and Abrams RBI doubles to highlight a 5 run second inning.
An RBI triple by Vinnie D’Agostino and an RBI single by Andrew Cole then plated a pair of runs in the third to round out the scoring.
Vinnie D’Agostino finished with 3 hits as Andrew Cole and Abrams both had 2.
Nic Cole and Abrams combined to hurl a 2 hitter with 8 strikeouts on the mound in the five inning run rule win for the Eagles.
Improving to 18-2, Kendall will next face the winner of the No. 5 Naples vs. No. 4 Perry game on Tuesday.
Nic Cole, at left, delivers a pitch during early inning action. At right, Andrew Cole had a big day at the plate driving in 5 runs.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 22 May 2026 at 7:41 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Arnie Sturtevant delivers a pitch during the Lady Tigers home field sectional victory over Hinsdale this afternoon.
Scoring runs in big bunches, top seeded Lyndonville romped to an 18-0 five inning run rule victory over No. 8 Hinsdale in the quarterfinal round of the Section V Class D2 softball tournament this afternoon at Lyndonville.
Brooke Robinson, winning pitcher Arnie Sturtevant, Emily Dill, Rylan Townsend, Braelynn Dillenbeck and Natalie Rath each banged out a pair of hits to lead Lyndonville’s 15 hit attack.
In the circle, Arnie Sturtevant allowed only 2 hits and struck out 7 in four innings of work. Kalynn Sturtevant came on to hurl the final frame and gave up no hits and struck out 2.
Lyndonville set the tone at the outset by scoring 4 runs in the first inning on triples by Robinson and Arnie Sturtevant, a pair of errors and a fielders choice play.
Keeping the momentum, the Lady Tigers tacked on 3 runs in the second inning as Townsend had a two-run single.
Lyndonville broke the game wide open in the third inning exploding for 10 runs as Robinson had an RBI triple, Arnie Sturtevant and Dill RBI doubles, Townsend a two-run single and Hannah Fox and Dillenbeck RBI singles.
Rath closed out the scoring with an RBI single in the fourth.
Improving to 17-1, Lyndonville will next face the winner of the No. 5 Hammondsport vs. No. 4 Andover-Whitesville on Tuesday.
Lyndonville’s Brooke Robinson, at left, bangs out a triple. At right, Lyndonville’s Braelynn Dillenbeck slides into third as Hinsdale third baseman Karissa Keller awaits the throw.
Chancellor’s Award winners from top left to bottom right: Jessica Hibbard, Susane Nugent, Stephanie Ortel, Tara Freitag and Dr. Christopher Caputi.
Press Release, Genesee Community College
BATAVIA – Five exceptional members of the Genesee Community College team have been recognized by the State University of New York for outstanding contributions to their profession, the campus and the community.
The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence is given in recognition of consistently superior professional achievement and encourages the ongoing pursuit of excellence.
“The SUNY Chancellor’s Awards represent the highest recognition of excellence across the SUNY System,” said Dr. Craig Lamb, president, GCC. “I am incredibly proud of our faculty and staff whose passion, innovation and dedication have earned this distinguished honor. Their work exemplifies the very best of Genesee Community College and our commitment to student success.”
The following faculty and staff members earned a SUNY Chancellor Award for the 2025-2026 academic year.
• Tara Freitag won the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching. This award recognizes consistently superior teaching at the graduate, undergraduate or professional level in keeping with the State University’s commitment to providing its students with instruction of the highest quality.
Ms. Freitag has served as a dedicated member of the GCC adjunct faculty since August 2015. Throughout her tenure, she has instructed a diverse range of courses, including Introduction to Dance, Hip Hop Dance, and Dance for Musical Theatre. Beyond the classroom, Ms. Freitag plays a vital role as a Student Engagement and Inclusion Associate and as the Head Coach of the GCC Dance Team.
Her extensive contributions as a choreographer for the GCC Theatre Department further underscore her profound commitment to both the institution and its students. Ms. Freitag’s technical mastery is matched by her inclusive teaching philosophy, which ensures that dance is accessible and enriching for all students, regardless of their prior experience. Her adaptability and unwavering focus on student success make her an invaluable asset to the college community.
• Susane Nugent won the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service. These are system-level awards established by the University to give system- wide recognition for superior performance and extraordinary achievement by employees in the Classified Service. These awards demonstrate the University’s commitment to individuals who provide superior service to its students and the community at large.
Ms. Nugent embodies excellence through her steadfast commitment to student success and her ability to foster high-level collaboration across the institution. By orchestrating comprehensive support networks involving Admissions, ACE, Faculty, and Academic Leadership, she ensures each student receives precise and compassionate guidance. Her dedication is defined by a proactive approach that guarantees continuity and confidence for students throughout their academic journey. Ms. Nugent’s ability to navigate complex challenges with patience and a solution-oriented mindset reinforces a culture of exceptional service at GCC.
• Dr. Christopher Caputi won the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service. This award recognizes the consistently superior service contributions of teaching faculty. This service must be sustained over multiple years and may occur in a variety of venues.
For 18 years, Dr. Caputi has exemplified faculty service through his tireless dedication to his college, community, and profession. Within the institution, he has held numerous leadership roles in the Academic Senate and various committees, while also providing pro bono wellness workshops and physical therapy consultations for his colleagues.
His impactful community work includes bringing the Go Baby Go program to campus, which provides custom mobility cars for children, and serving as president for local nonprofits like ACORNS. Furthermore, he has enriched his students’ education by embedding service learning into the PTA curriculum and securing new scholarships. Ultimately, Dr. Caputi’s multifaceted contributions and professional outreach embody the spirit of service and make him exceptionally deserving of this award.
• Jessica Hibbard won the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. This award recognizes consistently superior professional achievement within and beyond the position.
Ms. Hibbard is a respected and student-centered leader who has dedicated over twenty years to the Genesee Community College community. Known for her strategic vision and steady presence, Jessica successfully led the integration of the library and learning center, creating a collaborative environment that serves as a model for our campus.
A true innovator, she pioneered hybrid learning long before it became a necessity, ensuring our faculty and rural students remained connected and supported. Her peers value her for her transparency, inclusive decision-making, and unique ability to keep student needs at the heart of every complex project. Beyond her formal duties, Jessica contributes to key committees, leads cross-campus initiatives, and supports community partnerships that promote digital equity and expand educational access.
• Stephanie Ortel won the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. This award recognizes consistently superior teaching at the graduate, undergraduate or professional level in keeping with the State University’s commitment to providing its students with instruction of the highest quality.
Since joining the GCC Veterinary Technology program in 2016, Ms. Ortel has been impacting every student through her diverse course load and unwavering mentorship. With an extensive professional background, she shares real-world experiences and leverages industry contacts to secure student internships. Stephanie is renowned for fostering a supportive, community-like atmosphere, ensuring students feel supported both academically and personally.
Her innovative spirit is highlighted by her integration of AR/VR technology into the curriculum, a pioneering approach recently featured in a national professional journal. Beyond technical skills, Ms. Ortel secures funding for mental health resiliency workshops and assists students with scholarship applications. Whether guiding a committee through the intricacies of sterile surgical gowning or emailing alumni about job openings, her dedication never wavers. This commitment to student success, combined with her creative pedagogy and professional excellence, makes her a truly deserving recipient of this award.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2026 at 12:17 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata speaks on June 5, 2025 during a ground-breaking celebration for a $17 million sewer project in Kendall and Hamlin. He is shown at Lake View Park on Thompson Drive, where the project started and then headed east to Hamlin covering about 15 miles of sewer pipe.
KENDALL – The Town of Kendall has been awarded an additional $4.7 million from the state for a new sewer district that is nearly constructed.
Kendall celebrated the start of a $17 million sewer project about a year ago. The 15-mile-long sewer district serves 330 residences in two towns with most of the sewer pipe going in Kendall. There is also a portion of the project in Hamlin.
The project starts at Thompson Drive in Kendall and heads east along the shoreline in Kendall, and then includes part of Hamlin, covering an area just south of the Hamlin Beach State Park.
Kendall officials pushed for the sewer project after lake waters were so high they chewed away many feet of the shoreline in 2017 and 2019, threatening residents’ property.
Kendall was able to tap more than $12 million in the State’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI), up from the initial award of $9 million. Kendall also was awarded a $1,763,835 state grant through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act to put in the sewer lines.
Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday announced $4.7 million in an additional state grant and low-cost financing for the construction of the new low-pressure sewer and collection system that serves parts of Kendall and Hamlin.
Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata said 22 residences have already hooked into the sewer district.
“This is a big enhancement to protect the lakeside residents from rising waters,” Cammarata said this morning. “This is a big project that we’ve been working on for seven years.”
The additional state funds will reduce the debt payments for the district users, Cammarata said.
Gov. Hochul announced $113 million on Thursday for water and sewer infrastructure improvement projects, including the money for Kendall and Hamlin.
“Safe, reliable water infrastructure is essential to healthy communities and a strong economy, and New York is continuing to lead with historic investments statewide,” Hochul said. “We’re helping communities make needed water infrastructure improvements that improve quality of life while protecting New Yorkers from rising costs.”
Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt
ALBANY – The Senate Republican Conference today wrote a letter to Governor Hochul urging her to suspend the state taxes on motor fuel and diesel. The letter is signed by State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and 21 other senators.
Suspending the tax would provide an estimated $0.16 per gallon cost savings to New York households who are struggling with the cost of gas prices at the pump and diesel prices indirectly through increasing prices of consumer goods.
New York is facing an affordability crisis: record high energy costs, rising gas and diesel prices, the highest-in-the-nation tax burden, and an overall cost of living that is unsustainable.
The letter reads, “The last time gasoline prices in New York reached $5 per gallon, during the Biden Administration, the State implemented a temporary fuel tax holiday that you [Governor Hochul] strongly supported. At the time you stated:
‘Fuel prices have surged in recent months, hurting working families and small businesses the most and it is critical that we provide New Yorkers relief by suspending certain fuel taxes for the next seven months, New York is providing $609 million in direct relief to New Yorkers – a critical lifeline for those who need it the most.’
In 2022, the State estimated the fuel tax suspension provided a reduction of at least $0.16 per gallon statewide.”
Currently, local officials within several counties have already adopted sales tax reductions when purchasing gas including Dutchess, Onondaga, Rockland, Putnam and Ulster counties.
The last time New York passed and implemented a gas tax holiday was in 2022, under President Biden and Governor Hochul.
