New tugboat heads across Orleans County

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 September 2025 at 10:16 am

Thomas X. Grasso, named for canal advocate, going to Buffalo for World Canals Conference

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A new tugboat, Thomas X. Grasso, heads west on the Erie Canal this morning, approaching the Gaines Basin Road bridge.

The tugboat is headed to Buffalo for the 2025 World Canals Conference.

The new tugboat is 64.5 feet long. It is a welcome sight on the Erie Canal, especially after some of the old tugboats have been taken out of service in recent years.

The boat is named for Grasso, a long-time advocate for the canal who served as president of the Canal Society of New York State. Mr. Grasso of Pittsford died at age 82 on June 6, 2022. He spoke several times in Medina about the canal as part of the Cycling the Erie Canal journey for hundreds of cyclists in July.

The new tugboat was built in 2025 by Blount Boats of Warren, Rhode Island for the New York Power Authority of White Plains, New York.

The tug is ice-strengthened and equipped with a heavy ice knife at the stem, gradual rake to the keel, and significantly reinforced structure using ABS Grade D plating in the ice belt. The tug will be able to assist with ice breaking operations on the Canal System as needed, the Canal Corp. states on its website.

The Grasso is a twin screw tug, rated at 750 horsepower. It has capacities for 4,140 gallons of fuel and 350 gallons of water.

The tugboat heads towards a bend in the canal near the northernmost point of the historic waterway.

The tugboat is shown this morning in Albion with the Orleans County Courthouse dome and the First Presbyterian Church spire in back. The tug spent the night in Albion next to the Canal Corp. maintenance facility.

Orleans officials draw line in the sand against human trafficking

Posted 17 September 2025 at 9:19 am

Photo courtesy of Orleans County Crime Victim’s Office: Pictured in photo include Holli Nenni, commissioner of DSS; Terra McGaffick, DSS; Judianne Gearing, DSS, Alex Eaton, District Attorney’s Office; Don Draper, undersheriff; James DeFilipps, OCSD chief deputy; Cyndi Stumer, deputy commissioner of DSS; Susan Howard, district attorney; Dan Punch, first assistant DA; Michelle Werth, Crime Victim coordinator.

Press Release, Orleans County Crime Victim’s Office

ALBION – The Orleans County District Attorney’s Office, Department of Social Services and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department on Monday gathered outside of the Public Safety Building to take part in the National Red Sand Project to help bring awareness to human trafficking and exploitation.

Today, 50 million people worldwide are being trafficked. Overlooked populations, most at risk of being trafficked, need support to not fall through the metaphoric cracks. The Red Sand Project fills sidewalk cracks to encourage people to question, connect, and take action against vulnerabilities that lead to human trafficking and exploitation.

To learn more, visit www.redsandproject.org.

Medina scores non league win over Park

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 16 September 2025 at 9:44 pm

Improving to 4-0, Medina posted a 5-1 win over host Park School in a non league boys soccer game this afternoon.

Aleks Seefeldt scored two goals for Medina as Vinny Gray, Caden Kingsbury and Aidan Papaj each had one.

Seefeldt also had a pair of assists as Izzy Anderson, Papaj and Kingsbury each had one.

Medina next visits Wilson in a key Niagara-Orleans League game at 7 p.m. Thursday.

N-O Boys Soccer
Wilson 7, Roy-Hart 0
Aidan Neumann scored 4 goals and David Giurski 3 to lead Wilson past Roy-Hart 7-0.

N-O Girls Soccer
Akron 4, Newfane 0
Olivia Novak scored two goals and Riley Irish-Barker and Sahpur Guijalva 1 each for Akron in the 4-0 win over Newfane.

Wilson 3, Roy-Hart 0
Wilson improved to 3-0 with a 3-0 win over Roy-Hart which slips to 1-1.

Non League Girls Soccer
CSAT 4, Medina 3
CSAT edged Medina 4-3 in a non league contest as Rhoswyn Oakes scored all three of the Mustangs goals.

Kendall tops rival Holley in Volleyball

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 16 September 2025 at 9:36 pm

Kendall outlasted rival Holley 14-25, 25-17, 25-13, 23-25, 15-11 in a Genesee Region League volleyball match this evening.

For Kendall, Rylan Clark had 9 aces, 11 kills and 9 digs, Emma Minster 10 aces, 9 digs and 21 assists and Makayla Bentley 3 aces, 9 kills and 11 digs.

For Holley, Ali VanAmeron had 6 kills, 3 aces and 3 digs, Cadence Lujan 6 kills, 2 aces and 3 digs and Brianna Pellegrino 5 kills and 1 block.

Notre Dame 25-25-25, Lyndonville 5-11-13
Hannah Fox had 3 kills and Ainsley Vann and Emily Dill 1 ace each for Lyndonville in the three set G-R loss to Notre Dame.

Albion and Barker/Lyndonville tie in 2 OT

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 16 September 2025 at 9:25 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion and Barker/Lyndonville battled to a double overtime scoreless tie this evening in a Niagara-Orleans League girls soccer game at Albion. Here Barker/Lyndonville’s Alexa Robinson heads toward the goal against Albion defender Lux Froman.

Albion’s Brittany Lewis sends the ball up field as Rylan Townsend defends for Barker/Lyndonville.

Kendall and Holley roll to boys soccer wins

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 16 September 2025 at 9:18 pm

Kendall and Holley both romped to Genesee Region League boys soccer victories this evening.

Seven players scored goals for Kendall in a 7-0 victory over Pembroke while Holley blanked Wheatland-Chili 5-0.

Jonathan Esposito, Pablo Rosario-Reyes, Brandon Barrett and Brenden Eichas all scored goals in the first half for Kendall.

The Eagles then got second half goals from Mikey Colucci, Dom Heirigs and CJ D’Agostino.

Cam Mosier scored two goals for Holley as Avante Walker, Blake Coleman and Cooper Wolf each netted one.

Gage Yockel, Dylan Warner, Chase Kempa and Josh Silpoch each had an assist for the Hawks.

Kendall is now 4-0 in the league and 6-0 overall while Holley is 2-2, 2-3.

Roy-Hart spikers post key win over Newfane

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 16 September 2025 at 9:09 pm

Roy-Hart scored a straight set 25-20, 25-17, 25-10 win over Newfane this evening to take over sole possession of the Niagara-Orleans League volleyball lead.

Roy-Hart is now 3-0 and Newfane 2-1.

Grace Pearl had 9 spiking kills, Zoe Healey 4 kills and Ryleigh Capen 17 assists to lead the way for Roy-Hart.

In the other N-O matches, Akron came from behind to defeat Albion 17-25, 25-19, 25-13, 25-18 and Wilson donwed Medina 25-11, 25-14, 25-15.

Jillian LeBaron had 6 kills and 39 digs, Madison Muckle 36 digs and Alivia Dumrese 5 kills for Albion.

Maya Anderson had 2 kills and 2 blocks for Medina as Natalie Herbert and Karlee Cau each had a kill.

Roy-Hart and Barker score N-O golf wins

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 16 September 2025 at 9:03 pm

Roy-Hart defeated Akron 232-267 and Barker downed Wilson 247-271 in Niagara-Orleans League golf matches this afternoon.

Gavin Heideman took medalist honors with s 43 for Roy-Hart which improves to 7-0 as Evan Poeller and Isaac Smith both shot 45.

Drew LaGreca took medalist honors for Barker with a 45. Barker’s JJ Prynn and Wilson’s Ben Meyers both shot 47.

Lyndonville scores G-R win over Attica

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 16 September 2025 at 8:45 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Colton Smith looks to drive around Attica defender Samuel Dunlap during the Tigers home field victory this afternoon.

Jumping out to a 3-1 half-time advantage, Lyndonville went on to defeat visiting Attica 4-1 in a Genesee Region League boys soccer game this afternoon.

Jesus Reyes scored two goals and Colton Smith one to give the Tigers the first half lead.

Reyes completed his hat-trick with a second half goal to round out the scoring for Lyndonville

Reyes, Smith and Barrett Alexander all chipped in with assists.

Lyndonville is now 2-1 in the league and 3-1 overall.

Lyndonville’s Gavyn Draper advances the ball up field against Attica’s Dylan Ozimek.

Akron scores key N-O League field hockey victory over Barker; R-H downs Medina

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 16 September 2025 at 8:38 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Akron’s Morgan Tomporowski puts a shot on goal surrounded by a group of Barker players including Madelina Pavlock (16), Hailey Dodge (14) and Kaylee Stoll (1). The action took place during Akron’s key win at Barker this afternoon.

Taking over sole possession of first place, defending champion Akron downed host Barker 3-0 in a key early season Niagara-Orleans League field hockey game this afternoon.

Morgan Tomporowski scored goals in the first and fourth quarters and Madison Gates in the third period to lead the way for Akron.

Lady Tigers goalie Marissa Brege made a big save just before halftime to keep Akron up 1-0.

Akron is now 4-0 and Barker 3-1.

Roy-Hart 4, Medina 0
Roy-Hart blanked visiting Medina 4-0 as Adella Dukes scored 3 goals and Brooke Zglinicki 1. Dukes and Alayna Kowalski each had an assist.

Roy-Hart and Medina are now both 2-2.

Akron’s Madison Gates battles for control of the ball with Barker’s Jordyn Kinne.

Medina, Albion and Barker boys win N-O League Cross-Country season openers

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 16 September 2025 at 8:18 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers: Taylor Alvord of Roy-Hart won the girls cross country race in Albion today. She is shown in the corn fields behind the school near the 2-mile mark of the 3.1-mile race.

Tristian Tilbe of Albion got off to a fast start in finishing first in today’s cross country race in Albion.

The Medina, Albion and Barker boys cross-country teams all scored home course victories this afternoon to open the Niagara-Orleans League season.

Medina defeated Newfane 22-39 as Cole Hughes finished second and Jonathan Dix third to lead the Mustangs. Newfane’s Sean Milezorski won the race.

Albion downed Roy-Hart 15-45 and Wilson 16-45 as the quartet of Tristian Tilbe, Matt Bloom, Stryker Sanders and Justin Mengs led the way for the Purple Eagles. Roy-Hart bested Wilson 26-29 in the other portion of the meet.

Barker defeated Akron 20-39 as Luke Fay won the race for the Bulldogs.

In the girls races Newfane defeated Medina 15-50 as Eden Hillman won the race for the Lady Panthers.

Roy-Hart bested Albion 18-39 and Wilson 15-50 and Albion downed Wilson 15-50. Roy-Hart’s Taylor Alvord was the race winner.

Akron downed Barker 15-50. Barker’s Mirabelle Strong won the race.

Shelby appoints Jim Heminway as acting town supervisor

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 September 2025 at 8:05 pm

Heminway won primary for town supervisor but term doesn’t start until Jan. 1

Jim Heminway

SHELBY – Jim Heminway is getting a head start as the Shelby town supervisor.

Heminway won a Republican primary in June for town supervisor and appears to be a lock to win the general election as an unopposed candidate.

His one-year term will start on Jan. 1. However, this evening he was appointed as acting town supervisor until Dec. 31 by three members of the Town Board: John Misiti, Linda Limina and Ed Zelazny.

The Town Board needs either an acting town supervisor or town supervisor in order to file the town budget by Nov. 20.

The board has been without a town supervisor for about two months since Scott Wengewicz resigned in mid-July. Heminway beat Wengewicz in the Republican primary on June 24, 283 to 118.

Board members Jeff Schiffer and Stephen Seitz Sr. also resigned in mid-July. Seitz also was the deputy town supervisor.

The board was left with only two out of five members and couldn’t meet or conduct town business because it didn’t have a quorum until last week. That’s when Misiti joined the board following an appointment by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Misiti, Limina and Zelazny were unanimous in appointing Heminway as the acting town supervisor. He starts in the midst of the Town Board and department heads working to put together Shelby’s budget for 2026.

Misiti, during this evening’s meeting, said none of the three existing board members could be appointed acting town supervisor without resigning their seat. None wanted to do that and Misiti said the appointment could appear biased if they appointed one of the current members.

Heminway brings more than 40 years of experience in working in local industry with 20 years at Sigma (now Baxter) in Medina and then 21 years at Monroe Electronics (now Digital Alert Systems) in Lyndonville.

Public welcome for prayer, conversation at Medina Theater during Charlie Kirk funeral

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 September 2025 at 2:58 pm

MEDINA – The Medina Theater will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday during the funeral of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative political leader who was slain on Sept. 10 while speaking at a college event in Utah.

The Medina Theater will show the funeral live on its big screen and also on smaller televisions. The Rev. Vince Iorio will share a prayer and others are welcome to come together and share in their grief and mourning for Kirk, who was an influential leader especially among younger adults.

President Donald Trump said he will attend the funeral at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

“Anyone who would like to come is invited,” said Dawn Meland, who is helping with the event at the theater, 603 Main St. in Medina. “We welcome all to join us in prayer. They can watch the funeral and have a conversation.”

The event, Meland said, has been put together by “a group of citizens that want to honor the memory of Charlie Kirk. It’s not partisan.”

Hands 4 Hope collecting winter clothing at Red Jacket rallies

Posted 16 September 2025 at 1:02 pm

Photos courtesy of Hands 4 Hope: The Hands 4 Hope ministry is shown last winte at Lyndun Drive in Albion.

Press Release, Hands 4 Hope

Last year the community was generous giving winter clothing to Hands 4 Hope. This is shown inside the Arnold Gregory Office Complex where Hands 4 Hope is based.

ALBION – Once again the months of Brrr are upon us, Septembrrr, Octobrrr and Novembrrr!

And so is Hands 4 Hopes winter coat events, the “Red Jacket Rally.”

This Thursday marks their first of three consecutive monthly events, the community is welcome to donate or receive winter jackets, hats, gloves and boots during the event.

This Thursday find them at Ace Hardware on E. Center Street in Medina from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Last year this event helped get over 600 winter coats out into the community to those in need.

Donating is easy: just drop winter items off during the events on the third Thursday each month.

Starting in Medina, then off to Holley on Oct. 16 and wrapping up in Albion the Hoag Library on Nov. 13.

For more information, on supporting this cause or Hands 4 Hope in general please visit the website at www.hands4hopeorleans.org.

We appreciate your support as we offer Hope to our local community.

Orleans/Niagara BOCES cosmetology students welcome public for clinic

Posted 16 September 2025 at 12:30 pm

Provided photos from Orleans/Niagara BOCES: Missy Outten and Sophia Gerhardt of Barker get ready for the cosmetology clinic at Orleans/Niagara BOCES in Medina.

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

Kyra Monnier of Albion is one of the cosmetology students at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES.

MEDINA – The cosmetology students at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center are excited about starting their clinic Oct. 2.

The clinic is open to the public at 4232 Shelby Basin Rd. in Medina on Thursdays and Fridays (8:30 to 10:30 a.m.) when school is in session. Customers will be walking away with new looks or just a smile after having some pampering with our talented students.

What a great way for our students to get their hours towards their cosmetology license and helping community members feel and look great!

Teachers Sue Lindke (slindke@onboces.org) and Anne Carnahan (acarnahan@onboces.org) can be contacted to set up appointments or get more information.

Price list is located on the Orleans/Niagara Career and Technical Education Centers page on Facebook.