Veterans treated to holiday banquet at White Birch

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 17 December 2025 at 12:51 pm

Photos by Ginny Kropf: A table full of veterans and their guests enjoy conversation during the Christmas dinner served Tuesday night at White Birch Golf Course. Clockwise, from left front are Dave Barhite of Lyndonville, an Army veteran who served in Vietnam; Norma Huth (not pictured), wife of veteran Peter Huth of Medina; Diana Anderson and her husband Dan, an Air Force veteran, retired, from Medina; Army veteran Kevin Sheean and his wife Carol from Albion; Peter Huth, Army veteran who served in Germany; and Debby Rodrigues of Medina, daughter of a POW in North Korea and granddaughter of a World War I soldier.

LYNDONVILLE – Seventy-five Orleans County veterans and their guests enjoyed an evening of camaraderie, conversation and good food Tuesday evening at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.

Organized by the Orleans County Veterans’ Services office, the evening was sponsored through a grant from the Pfc. Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer-to-Peer Support Program. Named after an Army medic from New York state who enlisted after the Sept. 11, 2011 terrorist attack, Dwyer served in Iraq and later died after a long battle with post-traumatic stress disorder. The program was started in Orleans County in 2018, when the first event was a ride on a Christmas train at the Medina Railroad Museum. The program also this year provided free turkeys to 100 veterans at Thanksgiving.

Tuesday night’s event brought veterans from the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy and Space Force, with their guests. After a buffet dinner, Nik Mroz, director of the Orleans County Veterans’ Services office drew tickets for dozens of free prizes and gift certificates donated by local businesses.

Mroz introduced guests who have given their time in helping with programs to support local veterans, including Wayne and Barb Hale (Wayne has been active in the Sons of the American Legion for 29 years); Phyllis Schrader, a volunteer who heads the Veterans’ Van Service; Jackie Lonnen, office assistant who was instrumental in planning Tuesday’s evening and securing prizes; Assemblyman Steve Hawley, a member of the Army Reserves and National Guard who is an avid supporter of veterans; and Sara Hults, an Army veteran who is coordinator of Suicide Prevention for the Department of Veterans Affairs in the VA WNY Healthcare System.

Nik Mroz, director of the Orleans County Veterans’ Services Agency, welcomes veterans and their guests to a holiday meal Tuesday night at White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville, sponsored by the Pfc. Joseph P. Dwyer Peer-to-Peer Support Program.

Orleans County has a lot of veterans and they support them, Hawley said. A 1st lieutenant for 6 1/2 years, Hawley continues to support veterans, by participating in Wreaths Across America at Boxwood Cemetery and sponsoring veterans’ trips to Washington, D.C. every year.

“To our veterans, we say ‘thank you’,” Hawley said.

One of the guests Tuesday night was Jeanne Crane of Kenyonville, who brought her friend Dan Nogle of Medina, an Army veteran.

“This is a great thing they do here for veterans,” she said.

Also instrumental in planning the evening’s events was Jim Nudd of Medina, an Air Force career veteran and newly hired assistant in the Veterans’ Services office.

“He is a great asset to our office,” Mroz said. “He cares about helping vets.”

Mroz just completed his first year as director of the Veterans’ Services Office.

Chris Schicker, a four-year Marine veteran and his wife Sonya of Clarendon, share a table with Jeanne Crane and her friend, Dan Nogle of Medina, an Army veteran. Schicker served in the Persian Gulf and on an aircraft carrier.

County legislators should reduce more spending, cut sales tax on utilities

Posted 17 December 2025 at 12:38 pm

Editor:

Orleans County budget information recently appeared in the Orleans Hub, stating that the legislature has projected a $1,600,000 increase in sales tax revenue for next year (2026). The County expects to collect about 25 million dollars in sales tax revenue this year, with an increase driven primarily by inflated costs for everything we buy, resulting in a sharply increased tax revenue windfall for the County to spend.

Similarly, higher prices caused NY State to collect more sales tax revenue this year than was previously expected. Many residents in the State received refund checks to compensate them for this windfall of revenue.

Governor Hochul chose to “give back” a portion of this money to residents, because it was the right thing to do, rather than to “price gouge” residents by keeping it. We all know how costly it has become to live in NY State, especially for seniors and struggling, young families.

Our legislators were all voted back in, perhaps because they are doing a good job and often choose to do right by the people that elected them. If Governor Hochul is doing right for the people of New York State by “giving back,” perhaps she is setting a good example that might compel our County Legislators to do the same.

Winter is very tough on everyone living in Orleans County. Ever increasing utility bills must be paid to provide for basic necessities, such as heat and lights, together with the cost of operating appliances for preparing meals and washing clothes.

Wouldn’t it be a wonderful gift in 2026, if the County Legislators chose to “give back” to the people of Orleans County, by removing the 4% sales tax it collects on residential utilities paid by residents? New York State does not charge sales tax on residential utility bills. Why must the County impose them when sales tax revenue is up by millions of dollars? Paying taxes on utilities causes much of the hardship felt by so many residents. Everyone would benefit!

Sales tax revenue in Orleans County is ever increasing, much like the sales tax collected by New York State. Governor Hochul has “given back” excess funds to New York residents. Isn’t it time for County Legislators to finally do the right thing and “give back” to County residents what was overcharged due to inflation? Are these Legislators comfortable with “price gouging” the people that put them in office? I should hope not!

Sales tax revenue has been a “cash cow” for ever increasing County spending (over $100 million dollars for 2026), causing budgets to balloon year after year because so much money is available to them. They will tell you that more than 90% of the taxes are mandatory by NY State. Perhaps we need to let them know that it is time to push back on our behalf, instead of functioning as a vehicle to carry out NY State mandates.

Except for one legislator, who is a very sensible Democrat, all of the legislators are Republicans. Why are they so willing to behave like state Democrats when it comes to the mismanagement of NY State finances? Are they truly Republicans? Perhaps we need a reset in the Legislature to elect people who will serve as our representatives to benefit Orleans County residents, rather than NY State.

If all the legislators decided to remove the sales tax on utilities for residents ended up having a smaller pot of revenue, they could always raise the county tax bills that are paid in January of each year. Or, they could raise the fees you pay to the County every time you register your motor vehicle. I would hope they would not consider either of those options. Reducing spending is the correct solution to keep government in check.

Removing the sales tax paid on utilities would enable legislators to proudly say they “did the right thing” to lower the tax burden and increase the quality of life for residents of Orleans County! This will help insure when it comes time for re-election, there will be a greater likelihood that voters will remember what the legislators had done for them (returning the over charged sales tax revenue and not “gouging” them) when it is time to cast their vote.

Voting for representatives who will work for you to make your life better here in Orleans County should be the primary concern for all who vote. We must demand that legislators, elected to represent the “people of Orleans County” actually work to benefit residents first and foremost, not just to enrich our financially irresponsible state government or to increase the size of our county government when elected.

Gary Deiboldt

Albion

Trump’s pardon of prolific drug trafficker needs explanation

Posted 17 December 2025 at 12:29 pm

Editor:

President Donald Trump recently pardoned Orlando Hernandez, the former President of Honduras who was serving a 45-year prison term in a US prison.

Hernandez was convicted in a U.S. court of taking millions of dollars in bribes to allow traffickers to move 400 tons of cocaine to the U.S.

Why did Trump pardon him? Perhaps someone from the Orleans Republican Party can help us understand.

Jack Capurso

Albion HS Class of 1960

Ashburn, Va.

Mercy Flight announces acquisition of Finger Lakes Ambulance

Posted 17 December 2025 at 12:19 pm

Press Release, Mercy Flight, Inc.

BUFFALO – Mercy Flight, Inc., a leading nonprofit provider of air and ground medical transport services headquartered in Buffalo, announced today that it has signed a purchase agreement to acquire Finger Lakes Ambulance EMS, Inc., a long-standing and well-established emergency and interfacility transport provider serving communities across the Finger Lakes region.

The acquisition will become final pending approval by the Finger Lakes and Monroe-Livingston Regional EMS Councils, and the New York State Department of Health.

For the past five years, Mercy Flight and Finger Lakes Ambulance have worked collaboratively to strengthen emergency medical services in their respective operational, clinical, and administrative areas through improved coordination, operational alignment, and shared clinical priorities.

Throughout this partnership, both agencies – like EMS organizations nationwide – have navigated increasing challenges related to staffing shortages, rising call volume, escalating operating costs, and unstable reimbursement structures.

Through ongoing discussions, both leadership teams recognized that a unified, forward-looking model could better address these shared challenges. As a result, the organizations have agreed to pursue a plan to combine under Mercy Flight’s nonprofit EMS structure—a model believed to be the first of its kind in New York State, bringing together a nonprofit and a for-profit EMS agency under a single nonprofit system.

“This opportunity allows us to offer access to safe, reliable, and compassionate ground medical transport services through our not-for-profit ground/air integration model,” said Margaret Ferrentino, president of Mercy Flight. “By integrating Finger Lakes Ambulance’s experienced teams and established operations into our nonprofit system and enhancing our existing working relationship with Mercy Flight Central (an unrelated nonprofit air ambulance provider headquartered in Canandaigua), we can ensure continuity of care while furthering our commitment to clinical excellence and community partnerships in rural communities. Because we already share such a patient-focused mission, this consolidation is a natural fit.”

Bob Woodhouse, chairman of the Board at G.W. Lisk, added: “G.W. Lisk cares deeply about the health and wellbeing of the people of Clifton Springs and surrounding communities. It is important to us that the high standard of EMS care in the region continues under a trustworthy partner that puts patients first. We believe Mercy Flight, with its nearly 45-years of service to its community, is the right organization to take on this responsibility. We look forward to seeing the combined leadership of these agencies and the accomplishments this partnership will bring.”

All of Finger Lakes Ambulance’s current employees—including EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, and support staff—will be welcomed into Mercy Flight’s nonprofit mission. Operations will continue without interruption throughout the transition.

“We are proud to join an organization whose values so closely align with our own,” said Al Kalfass, executive director of Finger Lakes Ambulance. “Our teams are dedicated to caring for our communities, and we look forward to the continued growth and advancement of that work within Mercy Flight’s nonprofit framework.”

As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, Mercy Flight reinvests all net resources into patient care, safety, clinical excellence, and strengthened community service. The addition of Finger Lakes Ambulance’s service area will expand its regional coverage and improve coordination between air and ground EMS resources.

Mercy Flight foresees no changes to its air ambulance service in Western New York as a result of this ground ambulance service expansion, and expects to continue to collaborate closely with Mercy Flight Central, a completely separate nonprofit helicopter ambulance service that covers the Finger Lakes region.

About Mercy Flight Inc.

Mercy Flight is an independent, nonprofit provider of air and ground medical transport services, dedicated to providing rapid and cost-effective lifesaving care to communities across Western NY and beyond. Since 1981, Mercy Flight has delivered compassionate, high-quality medical transport services without regard to a patient’s insurance status or ability to pay. Today, the organization operates helicopter bases in Buffalo (headquarters), Olean, Springville and Batavia.

Mercy Flight’s ground ambulance division, Mercy Flight EMS, provides service for Genesee County, Niagara County, Orleans County, the Town of Hamlin, and the Town of Concord and Village of Springville. Together, the organization’s employees, now 300 strong, support the mission of being “A BEACON OF HOPE…WHEN MINUTES MATTER”. For more information, visit www.mercyflight.org.

About Finger Lakes Ambulance

Finger Lakes Ambulance began operations in 1955 under Walter’s Ambulance. It expanded significantly after merging with Geneva Town Ambulance in the 1980s and has operated under its current name since 1988. With approximately 100 staff members and a service area exceeding 1,200 square miles, Finger Lakes Ambulance plays a vital role in the regional EMS system, providing emergency and interfacility care across the Finger Lakes.

Hometown Holiday was hopping in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2025 at 10:19 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Albion was busy on Saturday during its annual Hometown Holiday event. There were many activities in the downtown business district, the library and other locations.

The top photo shows kids making crafts and enjoying hot chocolate at Hoag Library. They also made get well cards for 4-year-old Paisley who is struggling from complications from a small intestine transplant. Paisley, the daughter of Josh Daniels and Ashley Nenni, has been at Mount Sinai in New York City for over a year.

The kids at Hoag were all able to take home a tea cup to give to a family member for Christmas. The activity was organized by Lori Laine, Maureen Bennett, Marilyn Burgoon and Michelle Hughson.

Maureen Bennett, left, and Val Rush as Mrs. Claus greeted people at Hoag Library.

The day started with Coffee with a Cop at the Village Office. Sgt. Robert Wagner, second from left, and officer Sean McElhinny are shown with Kay Ecker, left, and Anita Finley who were leading a crafts activity where people could decorate ornaments.

Ashley Johnson brought her son and two nieces to decorate ornaments.

Hometown Holiday was capped with a parade at 6 p.m. and after-parties at Dubby’s Tailgate and 39 Problems.

Wreaths set at graves for 360 veterans at Mount Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2025 at 9:18 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Wes Tabor, a Vietnam War veteran, sets wreaths at the graves of veterans at Mount Albion Cemetery on Saturday. Tabor was a frontline medic in the war from 1969 to 1970.

Mount Albion for the second year joined in Wreaths Across America. The first year in 2024, there were 225 wreaths. On Saturday, the total was boosted to 360.

Jenn Thom leads the wreath effort at Mount Albion. She is the director of Operation Honor. She would like to see wreaths for all the veterans buried at Mount Albion – more than 2,000.

Jennifer Hughes, Girl Scout leader for Troop 82094, brought several scouts to Mount Albion to help place the wreaths, including her granddaughter, Evelyn Strickland.

Angie Wolfe and her son Caleb, 13, carry wreaths to be placed at the veterans’ section of the cemetery. Caleb volunteered with the History Club at Albion school.

Jenn Thom, director of Operation Honor, and Wes Tabor set wreaths at Mount Albion with temperatures in the low 20s.

When the volunteers set the wreaths, they were encouraged to say the veteran’s name and thank them for their service.

These Girl Scouts from Medina – Rayne Davis in front, Alaina Fry behind her, and Madison Fry at right – carry wreaths to place at veterans’ graves.

Tigers romp to G-R win over W-C

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 16 December 2025 at 10:14 pm

Lyndonville romped to a 63-38 victory over host Wheatland-Chili in a Genesee Region League boys basketball game this evening.

Lane Woodworth scored 18, Lyric Raduns 17, Colton Smith 16, Quincy McClinsey 9 and Atticus Mank 3 for the Tigers.

Kendall 61, Alexander 34
A 30-17 edge in rebounds and 20 steals keyed Kendall to a 61-34 G-R win at Alexander.

Sammy Conte had 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 5 assists; Jonny Conte 12 points and 5 steals; Jonas Rhodes 9 points and 5 steals; CJ D’Agostino 8 points, Vinnie D’Agostino 7 points, Noah Morehouse 6 points and Caleb Opalecky 4 points for the Eagles which led 21-20 at the half.

Roy-Hart 61, Cleveland Hill 39
Roy-Hart downed visiting Cleveland Hill 61-39 in a non league game as Matt Aquilina scored 29, Tysen McCaa 8 and Vinny Fazzio 7.

Attica 67, Holley 60
Cam Mosier scored 20, Josh Silpoch 14 and Avante Walker 12 for Holley in the 67-60 G-R loss to Attica.

Wilson 51, Newfane 45
Wilson downed rival Newfane 51-45 in the Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball opener for both teams.

Aidan Neumann scored 18 and Ryan Hough 11 for Wilson while Kasey Wheat led Newfane with 13.

Girls Basketball
Wilson 56, Newfane 26
Wilson opened defense of its N-O League girls basketball title with a 56-26 win over rival Newfane.

Lucy Madan and Abbie Faery each scored 12 for Wilson which led 37-13 at the half.

Stephanie Chunco and Emma Johnston each scored 9 for Newfane.

Starpoint 70, Roy-Hart 32
Courtney Aquilina scored 15 and Adella Dukes 10 for Roy-Hart in the 70-32 non league loss to Starpoint.

‘Peace officers’ can often diffuse volatile situations, saving lives

Posted 16 December 2025 at 9:53 pm

Editor:

Elmira in the 1970s: Retired Police Chief Eugene “Gene” Golden, my father, walked up to Karam’s Corner Grocery Store. A newly formed SWAT team, in armor, were deploying to rush a home. Dad approached the officer in charge, “What’s going on Joe?”

“John Smith (alias) is threatening to shoot up the neighborhood with his shot gun.”

“I know John. He’s mentally ill. Let me try to talk with him.”

“Are you sure?” responded Joe. Dad assured him that it would be OK.

Dad knocked on the door, “John, it’s Gene Golden.”

John opened the door.

Seeing an open beer on the table, “John, are you going to invite me in for a beer, or what?”

John reluctantly did. The shotgun was on the table. They talked.

After a few minutes, John had surrendered the gun to Dad and walked outside with him. He went peacefully with the police.

Several months later, in Elmira, the SWAT team surrounded a housing project in center town. The situation was similar. They sent in a robot. Then they stormed the place. One police officer was shot and killed.

It came out, after months of investigation, that the officer had been killed by “friendly” fire.

My father, admittedly was a big man, great athlete in his youth and had arrested many violent people, including, forcibly a famous serial killer, Freddie Wood. He contended that “a police officer shouldn’t have to draw his gun more than a few times in his career.”

Interestingly in about 1993, Jerry Orbach, a police detective on Law and Order, said much the same thing. (By the way, I see Law and Order as being the most fair, respectful and realistic show on police and prosecution. In my opinion, most others are not respectful to police.)

It’s hard to know how many police officers are injured and killed by “friendly fire.” (There are innocent bystander victims as well.) Not all police departments share statistics with the FBI. And like the banks, schools, Catholic and other churches, Boy Scouts, there’s a tendency to hide problems. Example: with NFL footballer/soldier Pat Tillman, the Army withheld that he’d been the victim of “friendly fire.”

I worked in criminal justice from 1959 to 2007 for 2 counties, NY State and Genesee Hospital Domestic Violence Program. I disarmed several violent men and physically intervened in domestic violent instances, among most dangerous for police to answer. In all instances, I controlled the situations without needing to use force. Police and Probation were called “Peace Officers.”

I recently heard a speech by the head of Police Training for New York State. He calls police “warriors.” Who are we at war with – fellow citizens and humans? Fellow police? Studies show that police commit crime at about the same rate as average Americans.

We now know that to be true about priests, other clergy, bank and school employees. Various studies show that major corporations have committed at least 5 felonies, another that 91% have committed at least two, that they were caught at.

The upper classes and connected get different results than the poor and worker classes. Quality of defense lawyers and ability to afford expensive defense and get bailed out makes a huge difference, as well as preferential treatment.

In my opinion we expect the impossible from police and fail to support them.

In the past, our current president blocked many safety procedures that would have protected police and made their job safer and more doable:

He illegally purged 500,000 violent fringe folks from justice records.
Suspended rule that would have prohibited mentally ill from having guns.
Barred Social Security from sharing info on mental illness.
Halted required child safety devices on guns.
Deregulated exportation of “assault” weapons.

“Warriors” or Peace Officers? I asked my sister, Rosanne Leach, who’s worked as a mental health nurse in the community and at Rochester State Hospital, whether she’d ever worried about our father coming home from work in his 34 years. We both agreed we hadn’t.

Police training now seems to make a mantra out of its dangers. Police work is more dangerous than a lot of jobs. But many other jobs are more dangerous, notably construction and farming.

By the way, Eugene F. Golden was named “New York State Police Chief of the Year” in 1962, among other awards for his leadership in the field.

My father and I say “Peace Officers.”

Robert E. Golden

Kent

Golden, a former Orleans County Director of Probation and member of NYS Probation Commission, worked 43 years in criminal justice. He plans to follow up with a series of articles on police, including the difficult and even impossible expectations we, the public have.

Newfane swimmers sweep Albion

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 16 December 2025 at 9:41 pm

Newfane swept to a pair of Niagara-Orleans League swim meet wins over Albion today.

Newfane won the boys’ meet 88-63 and the girls’ competition 101-49.

Noah Kneeland was a double winner in the 50 Freestyle and 500 Free for the Newfane boys squad which improves to 2-0.

Justin Kania won the 100 Free, Nathan Wehling the 100 Backstroke and Logan Kast the 100 Breaststroke for Albino which is now 1-1.

Sara Klinger doubled in the 200 Free and 50 Free and Riley Klopfer in the 100 Butterfly and 500 Free for the Newfane girls which also improve to 2-0.

Keira Sidari won both the 200 Individual Medley and the 100 Free for Albion which is now 0-2.

2 local leaders graduate from WNY Health Leadership Fellows

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 December 2025 at 9:36 pm

Renee Hungerford, Karen Kinter both complete 18-month program

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Renee Hungerford, executive director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, left, and Karen Kinter, executive healthcare consultant and former CEO of Oak Orchard Health, posed for this picture in Hoag Library when they announced their acceptance into the Health Foundation of WNY’s Health Leadership Fellows 18-month program. They graduated from the program on Nov. 16.

ALBION – Renee Hungerford, director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee County, and Karen Kinter, executive healthcare consultant and former CEO of Oak Orchard Health, have graduated from the prestigious Health Foundation of WNY’s Health Leadership Fellows program.

When they were selected for the 18-month program in 2024, neither realized the other Albion businesswoman had also applied.

Graduation took place Nov. 16 at the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester, followed by a reception at the Strathallan in Rochester.

During the two-day graduation celebration, each team presented their projects to a team of panelists and a large audience, Hungerford said. Team members were named after characters of the Apple TV show, Ted Lasso, and Hungerford and Kinter were members of Team Nate.

During the course of 18 months, their team worked together to create the Fresh Start Care Center located at Community Action’s Main Street Corner Thrift Store. In addition to creating, planning, executing and implementing the project, the team worked together on an evidenced-based paper which substantiated the need for the intervention, according to Hungerford.

The project goal, she said, was to reduce chronic student absenteeism and increase student success by removing barriers to attendance, such as lack of the ability to launder clothes, obtain personal care items or have adequate facilities for personal hygiene.

The Fresh Start Center is a groundbreaking initiative designed to address hygiene insecurity among disadvantaged youth in Orleans County. Information supplied by Hungerford states the center is in response to alarming data showing up to 39 percent of students in Orleans County live in poverty, with many homes lacking basic plumbing.

Teachers have reported that hygiene-related stigma contributes to chronic absenteeism and social isolation, particularly among high school students. She said on a daily basis, as many as a dozen students are lined up at the door to the nurse’s office, waiting to take a shower.

Kinter likened the WNY Health Fellowship Program to Leadership Orleans. She said during their participation their team built a business plan and a pilot to operate the Fresh Start Center.

“We also got seed money from the Foundation to buy a washer and dryer,” Kinter said. “We got other money from the community and a private donation which funded supplies. Our class also donated laundry supplies and money to continue to help with operating costs.”

Kinter called the fellowship program a great networking opportunity which provided collaboration with more than 40 organizations from across the region.

“This program made them aware of Orleans County, who we are and what we are doing,” she said. “We learned what other organizations are out there in the region that can be of help to us. The president of the Foundation met us and got to hear our suggestions.”

Hungerford also praised the program.

“I felt truly honored to be selected for the 11th cohort of the Health Leadership Fellows program, as it fit well into my personal goal of doing my part to fix our broken healthcare system,” Hungerford said. “Good health outcomes start with ensuring people have resources for basic needs, such as nutritious food, shelter, access to health services and knowledge. Health literacy is paramount for people to thrive. I am thrilled that we chose a project that is focused on young people. Children and youth have little to no control over economic circumstances. All of us, as a supportive community, need to ensure they have what they need to achieve success.”

Accumulating enough money to purchase a shower for the Fresh Start Center continues to be an ongoing goal for Community Action. Hungerford’s family donated their time to install plumbing and electrical for the Center, and donations will continue to be accepted to purchase a shower. Checks may be made out to Community Action, designated for the Fresh Start Center and mailed to 409 East State St., Albion, 14411.

Hungerford said they had been quoted $16,000 for a shower, but she is confident they can acquire one cheaper than that.

Cassie Healy, manager of the Main Street Corner Thrift Store, also oversees the Fresh Start Center.

Provided photo: Karen Kinter and Renee Hungerford, fourth and fifth from left, are shown with their fellow team members after graduation in November from the WNY Health Leadership Fellows program. They are shown at the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester.

YMCA announces new programs at Medina site

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 December 2025 at 9:04 pm

Organizations accepting donations for food pantry, gloves and hats for ‘Warming Tree’

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Andrew Houseman, senior program director at the Orleans County YMCA, stands by the containers used to accept donations of non-perishable food items for The Vine’s food pantry. Houseman has announced a lineup of new programs for the upcoming year, for all members of the family.

MEDINA – A lineup of new programs and old favorites at the Orleans County YMCA will welcome members in the New Year.

Recently hired senior program director Andrew Houseman has announced a lineup of new programs of interest to the entire family.

“You are going to see a tremendous change in programming,” Houseman said.

The first new class is a baking class, developed because of the interest in a recent cooking class, Houseman said. The baking class, which will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 30, will be led by Lockport chef Tyler Mitchell. The class will focus on how to make different holiday cookies.

A continuing program will be co-ed adult basketball on Monday nights.

Beginning Jan. 6, the Medina High School cheerleaders will lead a dance class, open to all experience and skill levels aged 4 to 12. No expensive costumes or recitals are required. The course will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. for seven Tuesdays.

Houseman said the cheerleaders practice tumbling at the Y and he suggested they do something for the public in return. They also lead a class in tumbling for 5- to 14-year-olds. The classes will be for seven weeks from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, starting Jan. 8. The tumbling camp is designed to build strength, balance and confidence.

Peewee and youth soccer provide fun, teamwork, skill building and scrimmages, and take place from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays. The class starts Jan. 7 and runs through Feb. 25.

A very popular offering is the Youth Basketball League, which last year attracted 70 kids, Houseman said.

“We are hoping for the same interest this year,” he said.

The league begins Jan. 8 and runs through Feb. 26. Practices are from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, and games are from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturdays.

A fitness program will be new in 2026, Houseman said. “New Year Healthy Habits Guide” is an eight-week challenge beginning Jan 8 with group exercise led by a professional trainer. A personal training award will be given to those who complete the program, who will also receive a discount on exercise classes. Participants will get a workout plan and nutritional support, Houseman said. Check-in is from 3 to 4:30 and 6 to 6:30 every Thursday

Another new program is Pickup Basketball, which begins Jan. 4. Members can come into the Y and organize their own basketball games, Houseman said.

There are a number of new family events, from parents’ night to schools-out programs.

One of the group training exercises the Y is trying to promote is TRX training, Houseman said. He also said HIIT virtual classes are new for 16-year-olds and up. Members can watch classes on TV. If the trainer is absent, there will still be a class. The HIIT class is from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursdays.

Houseman said they are also trying to push Zumba. They have had a big interest, but would like to see a bigger turnout, he said.

A new community library has been set up, where members can give a book or take a book.

In an effort to support their community, Houseman said the Y has been collecting non-perishable food for The Vine church on Maple Ridge Road. They have also partnered with the Medina Police Department to create a Warming Tree, in which they are seeking donations of hats and gloves for both children and adults.

“We were looking for ways to partner our organization and giving to the community was the best idea,” Houseman said. “I am friends with police officer Brandon Brown and we came up with this idea.”

The police department will deliver the hats and mittens to strategic locations where they will be available to those who need them.

In another act of community involvement, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee and the Albion FFA donated boxes of produce from their recent food collection, and anyone who wanted or needed fresh produce was welcome to take it. As of Monday, nearly all of it was gone, except for acorn squash.

Houseman said that their Child Watch service has been extended to 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4 to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

“Andrew has done a great job bringing new programming to the Orleans branch,” said Dean Bellack, chief volunteer officer at the GLOW YMCA. “I know he has more planned and I hope the community is as pleased as I am with the positive change.”

One final note Houseman shared is news about the archery classes by the Society for Anachronism (archery) which the Y has been hosting in space developed by Merle Fredericks’ Christian Bowhunters. The Society is planning to put on a show for the public in early spring. It will feature archery demonstrations and medieval fighting.

Houseman also announced a special promotion for new members in January. From Jan. 1 to 17, all new members will receive a $25 program credit. They can join online at www.glowymca.org or in person at the YMCA, 306 Pearl St.

More information on programs and prices are available by contacting the Y at www.glowymca.org or calling (585) 798-2040.

Mustangs nip Flyers in home opener

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 16 December 2025 at 8:54 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Jerrell Nealy puts up a shot over Maryvale defender Eric Hayes during the Mustangs narrow win over the visiting Flyers this evening.

Medina’s home opener turned out to be a down to the wire thriller this evening as the Mustangs nipped Maryvale 53-51 in a non league contest.

Trailing 49-48, Medina rallied into the lead at 51-48 on a three by Preston Woodworth with 35 seconds remaining.

However, Maryvale answered with a pair of clutch free throws by Jacob Goins to retie the game at 51-51 with 29 seconds to go.

The Mustangs finally regained the lead for good at 53-51 on a layup by Jerrell Nealy with 12 seconds remaining.

Woodworth then blocked a last second Flyers shot to preserve the narrow win.

Nealy finished with a game high 29 and Woodworth 11 as Christian Moss added 7, Kolton Fletcher 3, Carlos Doval 2 and Hadrian Batista 1 as the Mustangs improve to 5-0.

Goins finished with 18 and Eric Hayes 12 to lead the Flyers which are now 3-1.

Nealy scored 10 quick points in the opening quarter as Medina jumped out to a 15-9 lead.

The Mustangs maintained slender one point, 26-25 lead at the half as Nealy tallied 8 in the second quarter.

Putting together a 13-3 run to open the second half, Maryvale rallied into a nine point, 38-29, advantage midway through the third period sparked by threes by Goins and Kevahni Moore.

Medina though answered back with an 8-0 run to close the period and slice the deficit to just one at 38-37. as Woodworth had a two and a three to key the rally.

The Mustangs pulled even twice late in the final stanza, first at 45-45 on a free throw by Moss and again at 47-47 on a basket by Moss before finally regaining the lead at 51-49 on Woodworth’s third three of the evening.

That set the stage for the hectic final half minute which in rapid succession saw the Flyers retie at game at 51-51, Nealy score what proved to be the game winning basket and Woodworth lock up the victory with a block of a last second Flyers shot.

Medina next returns to Niagara-Orleans League action on Friday hosting Roy-Hart at 6:30 p.m.

Medina’s Jayzon Wills drives to the basket against Maryvale’s Jacob Goins.

Striking sunset brings out shutterbugs

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 December 2025 at 8:21 pm

It was a sensational sunset this evening in Orleans County. Several people sent in photos to the Orleans Hub, including the top one of cattle on Marshall Road in Ridgeway. Kimberly Stawicki took that photo.

Kari Hagglund took this photo of the Butts Road canal bridge in Albion. She declared, “Gorgeous sunset tonight.”

Theresa Brien took this photo of the sunset. “Everything was pink!”

Mike Zeliff took this photo of the sunset on Route 63 in Lyndonville.

After several days of a deep freeze, the temperatures will climb above freezing on Wednesday with a high of 39. Then the highs are 48 on Thursday, 39 on Friday and 37 on Saturday.

Allies of Tonawanda Seneca Nation strongly oppose ‘monstrous data center’ proposed for STAMP

Posted 16 December 2025 at 11:17 am

Group wants DEC to be lead agency for environmental review process

Press Release, Allies of Tonawanda Seneca Nation

ALABAMA, NY – Local residents are denouncing a sprawling data center complex proposed by STREAM US Data Centers and corporate parent Apollo Global Management at Western New York Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing (STAMP) being developed by the Genesee County Economic Development Center in Alabama, NY.

Residents join the Tonawanda Seneca Nation in demanding that the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation take over from GCEDC as lead agency for purposes of environmental review of the new data center plan, which at 2.2 million square feet and 500 megawatts would be the largest in Western New York and more than twice as large as a plan proposed by STREAM and rejected by the community earlier this year.

“As a resident of Genesee County, I am outraged by STREAM’s new and monstrous plan. I urge all my neighbors and community members to join me in echoing the Tonawanda Seneca Nation’s call for NYSDEC to take over as lead agency. GCEDC being in this role is the definition of the fox guarding the henhouse and would lead to even more harm and failed promises,” said Adrienne Yocina, a Pembroke resident who has been active in the Rethink STAMP campaign.

Calls from the GLOW Region are bolstered by a recent letter, signed by more than 100 environmental, faith, human rights, and good governance groups and 500 individuals from across New York state, which urges STREAM and Apollo to abandon plans for a data center at STAMP.

The letter, sent just prior to publication of plans for the new data center, expresses far-ranging concerns about the threats from such a facility to regional environmental quality, local quality of life, and the sovereignty and well-being of the federally recognized Tonawanda Seneca Nation, whose Reservation Territory abuts the parcel under consideration for a data center and whose Council of Chiefs has long expressed opposition to industrial development at STAMP. STREAM withdrew an earlier data center proposal after the Nation and the Sierra Club filed a lawsuit alleging violations of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).

“Stream’s first proposal was met with powerful, unanimous opposition from local community members and the Tonawanda Seneca Nation – including nearly 800 written comments, 50 spoken comments made at a public hearing, and countless opinion pieces published in local papers. A proposal for an even larger project would be an insult to the many people who passionately detailed the unsuitability of this site for a data center project,” the letter asserts. “Locating a data center on the Nation’s unceded homelands, surrounded by a network of public protected lands and in the middle of a vast complex of thriving, biodiverse wetlands: this is an ecological travesty that also threatens the existence of the Nation.”

STREAM’s new plan envisions a massive complex of three towering structures more than 100 feet tall, occupying more than 2.2 million square feet and using more than 500 megawatts of electricity per year. The facility would burn tens of thousands of gallons of diesel fuel and emit carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, benzene, and other hazardous air pollutants. 500 megawatts is roughly the amount of energy required to power 350,000-375,000 residential homes for a year.

Allies of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation and others recently held a press conference outside the New York Power Authority (NYPA) Board of Trustees Meeting to highlight the ongoing failure of Governor Hochul, NYPA CEO Justin Driscoll, and the NYPA Board of Trustees to uphold the stated demands of the Nation regarding allocations of Niagara River low-cost hydropower to industrial tenants at STAMP. In an April 2025 letter, the Nation wrote that it “strongly opposes any allocation of low-cost hydropower to a data center at STAMP.”

STREAM intends to take advantage of space that was previously part of a parcel owned by Plug Power, which paused construction on its green hydrogen manufacturing facility in 2023, leaving a gap in financing for the onsite electrical substation. Despite hundreds of millions in taxpayer subsidies, Plug Power never turned a profit and has never produced hydrogen or a single permanent job at STAMP. Project Double Reed’s backers claim the project would produce roughly 90 permanent jobs.

STREAM’s plan also calls for onsite storage of 114,000 gallons of diesel fuel and discharge of 20,000 gallons of sanitary wastewater per day. Currently, GCEDC plans to store sanitary wastewater discharge from operations at STAMP in a large sewage tank located onsite. Wastewater would be transported daily by diesel truck to be dumped at a municipal wastewater facility in the Village of Oakfield.

GCEDC’s STAMP Committee and Board of Directors will meet on Thursday, December 18 at 3:30 p.m. at the MedTech Centre in Batavia. GCEDC is expected to formalize its intent to take lead agency status for environmental review of the data center complex under SEQRA, giving other agencies 30 days to accept or dispute GCEDC taking this role.

In September, GCEDC voluntarily rescinded approvals for a smaller data center plan from STREAM. This rescission followed litigation by Tonawanda Seneca Nation and the Sierra Club, which asked that the approvals be vacated based on GCEDC’s violations of both procedural and substantive requirements of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). The litigation contended that GCEDC violated the law when it issued decisions awarding subsidies of $472 million to Stream U.S. Data Centers and conducted environmental review without project specifics or site plan review.

“Data center” is a generic term referring to operations ranging from cryptocurrency mining to Artificial Intelligence processing. Data centers are well known for their massive energy demands and for producing continuous low-frequency noise and vibrations. Scientific research establishes a link between excessive noise exposure and harms to both public health and the health of wildlife.

Data centers also produce significant air pollution and add significant load to the energy grid, leading to higher consumer electrical bills and increasing the frequency of blackouts and brownouts. Data centers produce few permanent jobs, rarely remain in operation for more than 10-15 years, and face growing opposition from communities across the country concerned about their noxious public health and environmental impacts.