By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 May 2026 at 10:43 am
The price for regular unleaded gas was down a penny in Orleans County in the past week from $4.618 on May 18 to $4.608 today, according to AAA.
The national average price is $4.49, down three cents from last Monday, while the statewide average is $4.59, down two cents from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.13, AAA reported.
Here are the average prices in counties around Western New York:
Orleans, $4.608
Genesee, $4.573
Monroe, $4.562
Niagara, $4.556
Erie, $4.590
Wyoming, $4.623
Livingston, $4.598
Chautauqua, $4.614
Cattaraugus, $4.589
Allegany, $4.586
Diesel prices are also on the decline this week, with the national average at $5.58, down five cents from last week, and the New York average at $5.91, down three cents from last week.
“Gas prices are down across the board coming off the Memorial Day holiday,” AAA said today in a news release. “Despite pain at the pump, AAA projected 45 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles from home for Memorial Day this year, which set a new Memorial Day weekend travel record with 39.1 million people driving and 3.66 million flying to their destinations.”
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney and Congressman Nick Langworthy’s economic policies are hurting Western New York.
Their tariff policies are driving up cost of supplies and equipment for farmers. Fertilizer prices have increased between 4.7% and 37.6% according to a report from the National Corn Grower Association released last July, before the war with Iran.
Meanwhile, exports by New York dairy farmers declined by 12% in the first half of 2025 and soybean exports dropped from 985 million bushels in 2024 to 218 million bushels in the first eight months of 2025. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation farm bankruptcies in New York are increasing.
The Buffalo Niagara Manufacturing Association (BNMA) survey showed that Ms. Tenney’s and Mr. Langworthy’s tariffs are increasing cost of material and supplies harming manufacturing across Western New York.
Manufacturing Association of the Southern Tier found that more than 80% of their respondents reported that tariffs were increasing cost of raw materials. Peter Ahrens, Chief Operating Officer of the BNMA, reported that “the data shows far more manufacturers are struggling than benefiting under current trade policies.”
Small businesses that depend on tourism like lodging and hotels, rentals and restaurants are significantly hurt by the Republican’s policies. New York State Department of Labor reports that unemployment is increasing in Western New York.
It is no surprise that Moody’s Analytics put the possibility of a recession starting in the next 12 months at 49% before the war with Iran now with oil prices going up they predict a recession by more than 50%.
Farmers, manufacturing, and small business are all negatively affected by Republican economic policies. Your fuel costs are skyrocketing; food costs are increasing and the rise in inflation is eating your income.
While your economic condition worsens, Ms. Tenney and Mr. Langworthy are taking your tax dollars to fund a vanity ballroom for $1 billion dollars, a Triumphal arch for about $15 million, and their war in Iran for over $29 billion.
Now they are contemplating pulling $1.776 billion from the treasury, of your money, for the President’s slush fund to reward his supporters. Republicans are not working for the needs of Western New York.
5th annual event in honor of Jonathan Doherty and Gladys Hopper
Press Release, Orleans County Self-Advocate All Stars
KNOWLESVILLE – Join us for a welcoming day of learning, sharing, and community connection as self-advocates, families, and local partners come together to celebrate leadership, inclusion, and the voices of people with lived experience.
The 5th Annual Jonathan Doherty and Gladys Hopper Self-Advocacy Day will be Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Trolley Building at the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, Route 12690 Route 31, Albion.
Self-advocates, families, friends, community partners, and anyone who wants to support inclusion are encouraged to attend.
The schedule includes:
10 to 10:10 a.m. – Welcome and opening remarks by Andrew Johnston, president of Orleans County Self-Advocates All Stars
10:10 to 10:20 a.m. – Junior Self-Advocacy Welcome from Logan Gerling, president of Junior Self-Advocacy All Stars
10:20 to 10:30 a.m. – Tribute to Jonathan and Gladys by Russel Johnson, SANYS
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. – Special Guest Presentation by the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State, Inc. (SANYS)
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Lunch and Community Connection: Enjoy a meal together and take time to meet others in the community.
12:30 to12:45 p.m. – Community Safety Presentation by Susan Howard, Orleans County District Attorney
12:45 to 1 p.m. – Emergency Response Overview by Pam Cherry, Mercy Flight
1 to 2 p.m. – Community Connection Activities: Join in interactive activities designed to help people connect, learn, and have fun together.
2 to 2:20 p.m. – Community Media Spotlight by Tom Rivers, editor of the Orleans Hub
2:20 to 3 p.m. – Closing Activities: Wrap up the day with reflection, conversation, and time together.
We would love to see you there. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact: Terry Kingdollar, family support specialist, at (585) 261-8734 or tkingdollar@arcglow.org.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 May 2026 at 5:16 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The flags are raised at State Street Park in Medina for a Memorial Day ceremony that started at noon. The flags were raised while the national anthem was played by the Medina Marching Band.
The ceremony is held by the World War I cannon at State Street Park.
The crowd stood at attention while the anthem was played.
The parade procession heads down East Center Street where American flags and Hometown Hero banners lined the street.
The Honor Guard provided a dignified presence at the ceremony and also did a gun salute.
Jim Freas served as the emcee of the service in Medina. The names of Medina veterans who have passed since last Memorial Day were read during the service.
Bill Morgan, a member of the American Legion and VFW, marched with a group of veterans in the parade, which started at the Olde Pickle Factory on Park Avenue and went to State Street Park.
Carmen Stalker, drum major or the Medina Marching Band, leads the group down East Center Street.
The Medina Marching Band played patriotic music during the procession.
The marching band passes by the VFW on East Center Street.
The Medina Lions Club celebrated scholarship winners, Lilah Class (left) and Mackenzie Sword.
Jarred Saj carries the American flag in the parade.
Medina’s new Mini Mustang Band made its debut during the parade. The band includes students in grades 5, 6 and is co-led by teachers, Kyla Leno-Denise and Andrea Busch (in front behind banner).
Dave Sevenski marched with the Knights of Columbus and passed out treats along the route.
A big contingent from Medina youth sports teams marched down Main Street.
Rollin Hellner, owner of The Walsh, drove a vintage fire truck in the parade.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 May 2026 at 3:52 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Casimer Pruski, a member of the Knights of Columbus, marches in today’s Memorial Day parade in Albion. Behind him Joe Pawlak holds a sign, “FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.”
Veterans march down Main Street in Albion on their way to East Avenue and the front of the middle school where there was a Memorial Day service.
Phil Warne of the American Legion carries the American flag in the parade.
Boy Scouts marched in the flag with Stryker Braley carrying the American flag and Graham Firby holding the flag for Troop 164.
Rob Conner drives an Albion fire truck in the parade.
The Albion marching band performed in the parade.
The drum majors for the band this year include Gideon Pask and Hanna Kumalac.
The marching band heads down South Main Street past Hoag Library.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 25 May 2026 at 2:50 pm
Photo by CHeryl Wertman – Media’s Jimmy Dieter, shown here banging out a base hit during Sunday’s sectional open win over Newfane, and his Mustang teammates will host Fredonia in the Class B quarterfinals at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Vets Park.
It will be a very familiar postseason matchup as No. 2 seed defending champion Medina hosts No.10 Fredonia in the quarterfinal round of the Section VI Class B baseball tournament at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Vets Park.
It marks the third straight year that Medina and Fredonia have met in the sectionals.
In 2024 Medina nipped Fredonia 4-3 at Grand Island in a rain interrupted Class B championship game. Last year the Mustangs edged past the Hillbillies 2-1 in 9 innings in the Class B semifinals at Vets Park.
Medina, which is 16-2, opened sectional play on Sunday by thumping No. 15 Newfane 23-0 while Fredonia downed No. 7 Tonawanda 8-5.
The winner of Tuesday’s game will advance to Thursday’s Class B semifinal against the winner of the No. 3 Southwestern vs. No. 6 Springville contest.
Tuesday’s other Class B quarterfinals will have No. 5 Roy-Hart hosting No. 13 Cleveland Hill and No. 9 Akron at No. 1 JFK both at 5 p.m.
Roy-Hart downed No. 12 Alden 6-3 in the opening round while Cleve Hill topped No. 4 Lafayette 16-1 and Akron edged Silver Creek 12-10. JFK had the opening round bye.
The Class B semifinals are scheduled for Thursday and the finals for Saturday at 4 p.m. at Frontier High School.
Class A2 Albion to visit Lew-Port
Surging No. 8 seed Albion will visit No. 4 Lew-Port in the semifinals of the Section VI Class A2 tournament at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Albion, which started the Niagara-Orleans League season at 1-3 has won 9 of its last 10 games. The Purple Eagles went 7-1 to close the N-O season with an 8-4 record and then won the first two sectional outings 5-3 over Ni. 9 Dunkirk and 8-2 over No. 1 City Honors to advance to the semifinals.
Lew-Port edged No. 5 East Aurora 3-2 in the quarterfinals.
Section V Class C2 Kendall to host Perry
Top seeded Kendall will host No. 4 Perry at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the semifinal round of the Section V Class C2 baseball tournament.
Kendall, which is 18-2, downed Genesee Region League foe No. 8 seed Byron-Bergen 11-0 in the quarterfinals while Perry bested No. 5 Naples 14-4.
Tuesday’s other semifinal will have No. 6 Cal-Mum vs. No. 2 Genesee Valley-Belfast.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 May 2026 at 2:47 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Boy Scout Troop 59 was part of the Memorial Day parade this morning in Holley.
Tyler Moore, left, carries the Troop 59 flag while Ryker Knight carries the American flag. They are joined by Scoutmaster Randy Moore.
There was a ceremony at the American Legion Post on Wright Street and then a procession from South Main Street to Hillside Cemetery where there were services in honor of veterans.
Madison Hults of Kendall leads the Holley-Kendall marching band as the drum major.
The band played patriotic music as part of the parade.
Miranda Blanar is a member of the color guard in the Holley-Kendall marching band. There are about 50 students total in the marching band.
The band works their way up the hill on South Main Street on their way to Hillside Cemetery.
Todd Klatt, a mechanic in the National Guard, drives this military vehicle in the parade. Klatt is a sergeant first class who returned home in November after a 9-month deployment to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The vehicle is a M1120A4 Load Handling System. It is a mobility tactical truck. The ladder truck for the Murray Joint Fire District is after the military vehicle.
The tactical truck had a tribute in honor of veterans who have died. Klatt’s wife Mary, son Trent and daughter Olivia were on back of the truck tossing candy.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 25 May 2026 at 2:38 pm
Top seeded Lyndonville will face No. 4 Andover-Whitesville in the semifinal round of the Section V Class D2 softball tournament at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Genesee Community College.
Lyndonville, which is 17-1, blanked No. 8 Hinsdale 18-0 in the opening round while Andover-Whitesville downed No. 5 Hammondsport 12-8.
The other D2 semifinal will have No. 3 Elba vs. No. 2 Avoca-Prattsburgh.
The D2 final is scheduled for Friday.
Section VI Class C
Wilson and Barker will both be competing in the semifinal round of the Section VI Class C softball tournament on Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Top seeded Wilson will host No. 5 Falconer and No. 2 Barker will host Clymer-Sherman-Panama.
The Class C final is scheduled for Friday at Olean.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 24 May 2026 at 7:40 pm
No.3 seed Kendall outlasted No. 6 Bloomfield 12-9 in a Section V Class C2 softball tournament quarterfinal round game this afternoon.
Brynn Hardenbrook had 3 hits and Izzy D’Agostino, Teagan Shaw and Sophia Picardo 2 each to lead the offense for Kendall, which will next face No. 10 Perry in the semifinals on Wednesday. Perry upended No. 2 Bolivar-Richburg 3-2.
Kendall jumped out to an early 9-3 lead by scoring 5 runs in the second inning and 3 in the third. Singles by Hardenbrook and Picardo set up both uprisings as D’Agostino had an RBI single in both frames.
Two runs in the sixth inning on a bases loaded walk and an RBI single by Adrianna D’Agostino later helped lock up the win.
Section V Class D Baseball Arkport/Canaseraga 12, Lyndonville 1
Top seeded Arkport/Canaseraga downed visiting No. 8 Lyndonville 12-1 in a Class D quarterfinal as Micah Marvin and Caden Carey combined to pitch a no hitter with 12 strikeouts.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 24 May 2026 at 7:36 pm
Vendors welcome for flea market at Olde Pickle Factory
Photo by Ginny Kropf: From left, Medina Lions Jason Cogovan, Jim Hancock and Pete Kaiser pose with the sign at the Olde Picke Factory advertising their chicken barbecue, community yard sale and flea market on June 6.
MEDINA – The Medina Lions’ annual Community Yard Sale first kicked off summer events in Medina more than 20 years ago on the first Saturday in June. The addition of a flea market and chicken barbecue at the Olde Picke Factory have made it a popular attraction which grows in popularity every year.
This year’s event on Saturday is co-chaired by Pete Kaiser and Jim Hancock, with help from Jason Cogovan, Randy Reese, Dave Bellucci, and Chris and Julie Keller.
Kaiser has the added distinction of being “Weiner Man,” a title earned by loading a grill on his pickup truck and driving throughout the village during the yard sale selling hot dogs. The theory behind the “Weinermobile” is that shoppers don’t want to leave the multiple yard sales which dot the village streets just to get lunch. It is much more convenient to run to the curb and grab a hotdog, so as not to miss a big bargain.
The flea market annually brings up to 40 vendors who set up on the grounds of the Olde Pickle Factory. Anyone still wishing to reserve a spot may do so by contacting Randy Reese at (716) 471-0524.
The popular chicken barbecue by Chiavetta’s will again be served, beginning at 11 a.m. until sold out. Tickets may be reserved in advance by calling Jim Hancock at (585) 798-2118.
Proceeds from the event are used by Medina Lions for projects to support the community.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 24 May 2026 at 7:17 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Cam Fike bangs out a triple for Medina which romped to a 23-0 sectional win over Newfane at Vets Park this evening.
No.2 seed Medina opened defense of its Section VI Class B baseball championship by romping to a lopsided 23-0 five inning run rule victory over Newfane at Vets Park this evening.
The Mustangs wasted little time in taking control exploding for 9 runs in the second inning as Carlos Doval had a two-run single, Hadrian Batista and Kolton Fletcher RBI singles and Cam Fike an RBI sacrifice fly.
Keeping the momentum, Medina erupted for 7 runs in the third inning as Jimmy Dieter had a three-run double, Fike a two-run double and Aidan Papaj a two-run single.
The Mustangs capped off the win with 5 runs in the fourth frame as Preston Woodworth had a two-run double and Doval a two-run single.
Papaj, Fike, Batista, Dieter, Fletcher, Doval and Ryan Pegelow each finished with a pair of hits as the Mustangs had a total of 16 base raps. Fike’s hits included a triple.
Vinny Gray earned the win on the mound allowing only 1 hit with 6 strikeouts in 4 innings of work. Mason Berry came on to hurl the fifth inning and gave up no hits and struck out 3.
Medina will next host the winner of the No. 10 Fredonia vs. No. 7 Tonawanda game at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the quarterfinals.
Vinny Gray, at left, picked up the win on the mound for the Mustangs. At right Medina’s Preston Woodworth avoids the tag attempt by Newfane’s Bryce Kurtz during a run down.
Akron 12, Silver Creek 10
No. 9 Akron edged No. 8 Silver Creek 12-10 in another Class B opener.
A two-run double by Hunter Haist keyed a three-run seventh inning which provided the margin of victory for the Tigers.
Haist and Jackson Schlabach both finished with 3 hits and Gavin Miller 2.
Akron will next visit top seeded JFK in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 24 May 2026 at 3:49 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Hank Snyder makes a run saving sliding catch in right field during the Rams sectional win over Alden at Vets Parkl this afternoon.
A three run fourth inning scoring burst keyed No. 5 seed Roy-Hart to a 6-3 victory over No. 12 Alden in the opening round of the Section VI Class B baseball tournament at Vets Park this afternoon.
Breaking away from a 3-3 deadlock, Roy-Hart scored 3 times in the decisive fourth frame on a two-run double by Gavin Heideman and an RBI single by Isaac Smith. A single by Will Bundrock started the uprising.
Earlier, the Rams scored once in the first on an RBI single by Heideman, once in the second on an RBI single by Sean Mettler and once in the third on an error.
Roy-Hart shortstop Sean Mettler turns a third inning double play after taking a throw from second baseman Isaac Smith. The Alden base runner is Aiden Jordan Helms.
Alden tied the game at 3-3 with solo runs in the first inning on a single by Michael Clifford, in the third on a wild pitch and in the fourth on an error.
Jared Hy earned the win on the mound for the Rams as he allowed 4 hits and struck out 5 in 6 innings of work. Smith came on to hurl the final frame giving up 1 hit and striking out 3.
Defensively, the Rams turned a double play in the third inning from Smith at second to Mettler at shortstop to John Brigham at first.
Roy-Hart will face the winner of Monday’s game between No. 4 Lafayette and No. 13 Cleveland Hill in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Roy-Hart pitcher Jared Hy helped himself out on the base paths by stealing third and later coming in to score a run. Ethan Schmitz is the Alden third baseman.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 24 May 2026 at 3:22 pm
File Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Gavin Boyce
No. 8 seed Albion upended No. 1 seed City Honors 8-2 in the quarterfinal round of the Section VI Class A2 baseball tournament this afternoon in Buffalo.
The victory advances Albion to a semifinal contest at 5 p.m. Tuesday at No. 4 Lew-Port which ousted No. 5 East Aurora 3-2.
Leading by a narrow 3-2 margin, Albion put a lock on the victory by erupting for 5 runs in the top of the seventh inning on an RBI single by Nate Gibson, run producing sacrifice flies by Nick Luft and winning pitcher Gavin Boyce, an error and a fielders choice play. A triple by Elliot Trapiss ignited the decisive uprising.
Earlier, the Purple Eagles scored one in the first on an RBI single by Mason Snook, once in the third on a sacrifice bunt by Snook and once in the fourth on an RBI single by Boyce.
Boyce, Gibson, Will Plummer and Drew Pritchard each finished with a a pair of hits.
On the mound, Boyce scattered 3 hits and struck out 10 in six and one-third innings of work. Pritchard came on to get the final two outs on strikeouts.
Class C
No. 7 Portville edged No. 7 Barker 5-4 and No. 5 Brocton/Cassadaga Valley downed No. 12 Wilson 12-1 in Section VI Class C contests.
Brocton/Cassadaga Valley erupted for 9 runs in the second inning to key the win over Wilson.
A 4 run second inning on 3 walks, a single and a two-run doubled keyed the win for Postville.
Barker rallied for 3 runs in the seventh inning on RBI singles by Keagan Schaal and JJ Prynn and a run producing sacrifice fly by Drew LaGreca but saw the comeback bid fall just short.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 May 2026 at 8:50 am
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Board of Education will have a special meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday to present budget options after the district’s proposed budget for 2026-27 was rejected by voters on Tuesday.
The meeting on Tuesday will be in the Jr./Sr. High School Library.
The district’s proposed $19,194,000 budget was voted down with 172 opposed and 129 votes in favor.
The tax levy in the proposed budget would have increased by 2.5 percent from $4,758,692 to $4,877,659.
A contingency budget would mean reducing spending by another $266,495 to get the budget to $18,927,505.
