Contributed Story Posted 27 August 2026 at 1:35 pm
Albion School District Press Release
Contributed Photo – Mike Sanders
Albion middle and high school English teacher and varsity wrestling Coach Mike Sanders has been appointed the district’s new Athletic Director by the Board of Education. He will assume his new position next Tuesday.
An Albion High graduate, Sanders has taught English in the district for 8 years and has served as varsity wrestling coach since 2022. He is also the founder and president of the Purple Eagles Wrestling Academy.
In his new position, Sanders will oversee all sports programs and provide leadership, coordination and innovation in the areas of interscholastic athletics and physical education.
“I am looking forward to the challenge of this new role,” said Sanders. “I am excited to build a strong athletics culture at Albion. A culture I grew up hearing stories about.”
“Education and athletics have truly defined my life, and that foundation was built right here in Albion,” added Sanders. “Growing up as a Purple Eagle taught me the value of community, grit, and pride. It’s that same deep-rooted love for the Albion community and athletics that makes me want to give back to our athletes and coaches, help elevate our athletic tradition, and guide them toward success. It won’t be easy. It may take some time. But as Joshua Medcalf says in Chop Wood, Carry Water, ‘Dream BIG. Start small. Be ridiculously faithful.'”
Sanders is a licensed New York State teacher and administrator. He attended Gannon University in Erie, PA, where he received his bachelor’s degree in English with minors in Pre-Law and Philosophy. While there, he competed on the wrestling team and was an NCAA Division II All-American. After graduating, he and his wife moved to Florida where he began his teaching and coaching career. He spent five years in Florida before moving to Woodstock, Virginia. While in Virginia, he attended Shenandoah University, where he earned his Master’s in Educational Leadership. In 2018, he moved back to Albion with his family to raise his kids in the same community that raised him.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 August 2026 at 1:08 pm
Contributed Photo – Melanie Green
Bogeys on the first two holes set an ominous tone as Medina’s Melanie Green went on to post a 5 over par 77 today on the opening round of the LPGA Tour’s FM Championship being held near Boston.
Green was 3 over after the front nine as she also had bogeys on 5 and 6 and a birdie on 4.
A birdie on 13, which offset a bogey on 11, did keep her at 3 over with a couple of holes to go.
However, disaster struck at the end as it did at the start as she bogeyed the final two holes to finish the day at 5 over par.
The tournament will continue on Friday after which the field will be cut for the title deciding final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 27 August 2026 at 12:14 pm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: People move into Main Street to welcome Terry Buchwald as Elvis, as he arrives on his motorcycle for Wednesday’s Super Cruise in Medina. This was the 16th year Buchwald has been performed at the event.
MEDINA – Medina’s Super Cruise on Wednesday night was one for the record books.
Good weather, 325 entries – some first-timers, entertainment by the popular Elvis impersonator Terry Buchwald and a crowd of thousands made for a very successful evening, to end this year’s weekly cruise-ins in Medina.
Summer cruise-ins on Friday nights have been a tradition in Medina for more than 30 years, having been started by the late David Green, Donna Bushover and former Medinan Donna Mruczek. For many years the season has ended with a Super Cruise on Main Street the last Wednesday in August. Buchwald has been an added feature for about 15 years.
Friends Pete Redding and Karen Schultz brought their Thunderbirds to Medina’s Super Cruise Wednesday night. His on the left is a 2010 and hers is a 2002.
In 2024, after Green retired as organizer of the event, local entrepreneur Rollin Hellner stepped in to keep the tradition going. The weekly cruise-ins were moved to the parking lot of the Medina Senior Center, with the final Super Cruise staying on Main Street.
Hellner initiated a few changes in the events this year, such as opening them up to other vehicles besides classical cars.
“Personally, I’d like to see anything that has an engine,” said Hellner, who is an avid collector with more than 40 vehicles.
Wednesday’s Super Cruise included motorcycles, a “really cool” Brockway semi and two exotic Vipers.
Mike and Janice Wagner of Pendleton brought a 1972 Chevy C10, which they’ve owned for nine years. When they got it from Charlotte, N.C. it was in parts, Janice said.
“He did the restoration,” said Janice of husband Mike. “He drives it to breakfast mornings, and one time a guy following him was irate because he was going so slow. When Mike pulled into the restaurant the guy followed him and walked up to the truck and pounded it with his fist, denting the molding.
Mike and Janice Wagner of Pendleton proudly show off their 1972 Chevy C10 at Medina’s cruise-in on Main Street Wednesday night.
When Mike retired from Harrison Radiator at age 56, he started collecting cars, Janice said. At one time he had 13 Corvettes, but then got interested in trucks.
The Wagners regularly go to Hoover’s Dairy in Sanborn to their cruise-ins, but Olcott is their favorite one, Janice said.
“This will be Olcott’s last year, unless somebody steps up to take it over,” she said.
Another cruiser was Bill Wellington of Lyndonville, who showed a 1933 Ford 3-window coupe, which he bought after he saw it at a car dealer’s seven years ago.
“This is my first classic car,” Wellington said. “I redid the motor and probably spend $3,000 a year on it.”
Joe and Kim Colosi of Lockport brought an impressive pair of Vipers to Super Cruise on Wednesday night. The 2010 Snakeskin Green car is No. 28 of 31 built. The one in the trailer is a 2017 final edition Viper GTS.
Joe and Kim Colosi of Lockport raised eyebrows with their display of two Vipers. They occupied a prime spot at the four corners of Main and Center streets with their pickup towing a trailer with elevator carrying their Vipers.
“This is the only show we’ve attended this year,” Kim said. “We like this area. It has turned out nice.”
She said Joe knows everything about every car, but especially likes Vipers.
“He got his first one in 2001, then we got a Lamborghini, before going back to Vipers,” Kim said.
Their 2010 Snakeskin Green Viper is No. 28 of only 31 built. A 2017 Viper GTS is a final edition model.
Hellner said another first-time entry came from Syracuse, the farthest anyone has traveled, he thought.
“I love it that the stores were open late, taking advantage of the thousands of people,” Hellner said. “And the restaurants were packed.”
Vehicles were judged in a number of categories, with the Colosi’s 2017 Viper named Best of Show, and a 1937 Ford Roadster owned by Rich Colonna named Best Custom Car.
“My only hope is Dave Green is looking down and smiling,” Hellner said.
Bill Wellington of Lyndonville stands next to his 1933 Ford 3-window coupe on Medina’s Main Street during Super Cruise Wednesday night.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 August 2026 at 11:51 am
License plate readers also help solve crimes, Bourke tells local officials
Photos by Tom Rivers: Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke, back left, and Chief Deputy Torry Tooley gave a presentation on Tuesday evening to local officials in the monthly Orleans County Association of Municipalities meeting at the Tavern on the Ridge.
ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke is a believer in the Flock automated license plate reader technology.
The Sheriff’s Office in November started using Flock and the cameras have helped locate missing teens and elderly drivers with dementia, while also steering deputies and investigators in the right direction to solve crimes.
“It is one more tool in our tool box,” Bourke told about 30 local officials on Tuesday during the monthly meeting of the Orleans County Association of Municipalities. “We’ve had very good results so far.”
The County Legislature in 2024 approved a $203,450 contract with Flock over five years to install 13 Flock cameras in the county. The county has made one payment so far at $47,450 and it was covered through a state technology grant, Bourke said.
Twelve of the Flock cameras have gone up since November. One more will be set up soon in Shelby. The cameras are mounted on poles. They read license plates on the back end of vehicles.
They store a snapshot of the vehicle for 30 days. Bourke and Chief Deputy Torry Tooley said the cameras don’t take videos, and don’t identify people by their faces. Flock doesn’t continuously track people or vehicles, and it doesn’t replace investigators or human judgement, Bourke and Tooley said.
Chief Deputy Torry Tooley said the Flock cameras have been helpful pursuing leads in cases.
Flock has been in the news a lot lately with concerns over mass surveillance and an abuse by a few law enforcement officers who used the cameras to try to track ex-girlfriends and other people of interest outside of investigations. The Flock system also can send alerts to administrators if there are irregular searches.
Bourke and Tooley said the Sheriff’s Office has controls in place to make sure there is limited access to only the sheriff, undersheriff, two chief deputies and two supervising deputies. All of the searches are logged.
In the first eight months of the system – from November through July 10 – there were 542 searches by Orleans County Sheriff’s Office with 200 searches (36.9 percent) for larceny theft investigations, 45 (8.3 percent) for traffic infraction and 38 searches (7.0) for missing person or runaway.
Sheriff’s officials also used Flock to search in cases for stolen property (5.4 percent), motor vehicle theft (5.2 percent), drugs/narcotics (5.2 percent), a wanted person (3.3 percent) and damage/vandalism (3.3 percent).
The searches for missing persons has gone up since July 10 and the Flock cameras were very helpful in locating a missing teen from Albion who was in Niagara Falls, Tooley said.
“This is a great investigative tool for the Sheriff’s Office,” he said. “It’s helped us solve crimes and finding missing people.”
Sheriff Chris Bourke said Flock cameras are “another tool in our tool box.”
The Sheriff’s Office for about 20 years had one license plate reader on a patrol car. The Flock cameras operate the same way except are mounted on a pole instead of a car, Bourke said.
Some of the local officials at Tuesday’s meetings asked if the leaders from each municipality were asked to have a Flock camera mounted in their municipality. Bourke said no municipal permission was asked because the cameras are either on the public right-of-way or private property.
Albion Town Councilman Terry Wilbert said the local officials should be notified at least as a courtesy “because we get the questions from the public.”
Darlene Benton, an Albion councilwoman, asked if the Flock data is shared with ICE. Tooley said the data isn’t shared with federal agencies, but can be with police non-federal agencies.
One of the Flock cameras in Kendall, at Sand Road and Route 18, has been defaced. Bourke said many of the cameras have been targeted by vandals around the country. Those vandals should know they will be prosecuted for damaging government property.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 August 2026 at 11:14 am
Aric Albright to take over in expanded role as superintendent of streets
File photo by Tom Rivers: Jay Pahura, Albion’s Department of Public Works superintendent, checks on the spray park at Bullard Park in June 2020. Pahura and the DPW did a lot of work on the upgrades at Bullard, in addition to their work maintaining and plowing streets, fixing water leaks, setting up and tearing down for events, and other projects in the village.
ALBION – The village’s superintendent of the Department of Public Works will be retiring on Friday. Jay Pahura has worked for the DPW the past 36 years.
Pahura has been a master problem-solver for the village, keeping the streets maintained, fixing waterlines and other aging infrastructure, village officials said in commending Pahura on Wednesday during his final Village Board as DPW superintendent.
“Over the years, you have helped keep this community moving—often behind the scenes, often without recognition, and always with a commitment to getting the job done right,” Mayor Tim McMurray said in praising Pahura on Wednesday. “From responding to major infrastructure repairs and unexpected emergencies, to preparing for public events and handling all the details that others may have forgotten to ask about, you have been someone the village could count on.”
Pahura brought a deep knowledge of the village and its infrastructure and strong work ethic to the job.
“Your work has made a real difference in the day-to-day lives of our residents,” McMurray said. “The roads, water, facilities, events, and services that people rely on do not happen by accident. They happen because of dedicated public servants like you who take pride in their work and understand that the smallest details often matter the most.”
The Village Board on Wednesday appointed Aric Albright, the chief operator of the village sewer plant (Pollution Control Facility), to an expanded role as superintendent of streets.
Albright will oversee the DPW, sewer plant, water plant and Mount Albion Cemetery. He will take on the added duties without a pay raise at his request, McMurray said.
Jason Zicari, the long-time superintendent at Mount Albion, also is retiring. Scott Bradshaw will serve as the working foreman at the cemetery.
Levi Boyer, chief operator at the water plant, will continue in that role.
McMurray said there will be cost-savings for the village with Albright in the new expanded role, and the mayor said it also makes more sense with the new position supervising all four departments.
“The village will be better off having one manager over everything,” McMurray said.
Albright and the village staff at the sewer plant as will continue to manage the sewer plants for Holley, Elba and Bergen.
The board on Wednesday voted to hire a part-time clerk to help with the paperwork and reports required at the sewer plants, and also Mount Albion. Callie Allport was hired for the job at $19 an hour.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 August 2026 at 8:36 am
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Anchoring the Barker/Roy-Hart lineup will be, in front, Ashton Ark, Max Townsend, John Brigham and RJ Townsend. In back are Jakob West, Owen Maedl, Logan Flint and Carter DerSarkissian.
Filling a number of holes at the skill positions will be key as Barker/Roy-Hart prepares to defend its C North Division football title.
The Bulls graduation losses at those positions included four first team All-Stars quarterback Tysen McCaa, running backs Joey Reiter, Vince Fazzio and Anthony Adinolfe along with second team honoree wide receiver Carson Schwab.
Looking to help fill those voids are junior quarterback Max Townsend along with senior wide receivers Ashton Ark and Carter DerSarkissian and junior running back Owen Maedl. DerSarkissian was a first team All-Star while Townsend and Ark were both second team selections. The receiving corps has also been bolstered with the addition of senior Matt Aquilina who did not play last year.
The Bulls return a solid group upfront on both sides of the line of scrimmage including seniors RJ Townsend and Logan Flint along with juniors Jakob West and John Brigham. Townsend and West were both first team All-Stars while Flint was a second team honoree and Brigham and Honorable Mention selection.
“Up front on both sides of the ball looks to be our strength,” said Coach Bill Brunning.”Overall we’ve got good experience. We’ll be tough to beat.”
Barker/Roy-Hart will open the season by hosting Newfane in an interdivisional game at 7 p.m. September 4. The Bulls will then begin C North Division competition on September 11 at Tonawanda.
The Bulls, which went 6-0 in the division and 8-2 overall last fall, will tune-up for the season opener by competing in a scrimmage at Oakfield-Alabama on Saturday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 August 2026 at 8:33 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Rich Nolan, lead singer for the Highway 31 band, belts out a song during Wednesday’s concert at Bullard Park.
The band was scheduled for Aug. 12, but a thunderstorm postponed the concert to Wednesday.
The band is shown performing a medley of “Jack & Diane” by John Mellencamp and “Glory Days” by Bruce Springsteen.
The band members include Rich Nolan of Gasport as lead singer, and the guitar trio of Aaron Clark of Holley, Clinton LaPorte of Le Roy, and Clinton’s dad Tim LaPorte Sr. of Batavia. Timmy LaPorte of Elba, Tim’s son and Clinton’s brother, is the drummer for the band.
There was a large crowd for the concert, including this group of dancers. Organizers said about 1,000 turned out for the event.
Food vendors were available throughout the concert series which started on June 10.
This group sat a little farther away from the amphitheater.
The concert series was funded with state arts money administered by the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 August 2026 at 7:34 am
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s veteran group includes, in front, Alakai Colmenero and Garret Jones. In back are Nathan Wehling, Ayden Coston and Landon Graybill. Missing are Adam Burgio and John Marat.
Looking to improve upon last fall’s 3-6-1 Niagara-Orleans record, Albion will have a pair of non league tune-up games next week before beginning league competition at Newfane on September 9.
The Purple Eagles will open at Holley on September 1 at 7 p.m. and then visit Pembroke on September 3 at 6 p.m. The N-O opener will be at Newfane on September 9.
Anchoring the Albion lineup will be the veteran group of seniors Adam Burgio, Alakai Colmenero, Ayden Coston, Landon Graybill and John Marat Along with juniors Garret Jones and Nathan Wehling. Jones earned second team N-O All-League honors last fall.
“We’ve got a good group of athletes but not a lot of soccer experience,” said Coach Bridgett Varin.
President’s policies have pushed up costs for groceries, gas, healthcare
Press Release, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, a new Joint Economic Committee (JEC) report found that as of July 2026, the average household in New York has had to pay an additional $5,000-plus for goods and services due to rising costs under President Trump.
When campaigning in 2024, candidate Trump promised, “Starting on day one of my new administration, we will end inflation, and we will make America affordable again.”
In response to the new report and Republicans broken promises, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement:
“President Trump and Congressional Republicans promised to lower costs and end inflation, instead they’ve made life $5,000 more expensive for New Yorkers,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Look at what they have done: they gutted Medicaid and cut Medicare and health care subsidies to fund tax breaks for billionaires, launched a war that increased gas prices, and supported tariffs to make groceries and essentials more expensive. I will not stop fighting to lower New Yorkers’ costs and hold this administration accountable for hurting working families and small businesses across our state.”
Housing Costs – New York families have had to spend an additional $1,078 on housing costs such as rent and mortgage payments since President Trump took office.
Grocery Costs – Americans paid an additional $310 for groceries in President Trump’s first year than in 2024, and grocery prices are now more than 4 percent higher than when Trump took office.
Beef and coffee prices are hitting Americans especially hard. Since the President took office, the average price of ground beef has risen almost every month to a record high of more than $7 per pound. Coffee prices also spiked and are now nearly $10 per pound.
Energy Costs – Gas prices have soared since the start of Trump’s Iran War. In total, people across New York have spent an additional $3 billion on gas since the beginning of the Iran war. That has cost the average family in New York an additional $521 in gas costs
Families in New York spent an additional $190 on electricity in 2025 under President Trump than they did in 2024. And, in just the first six months of 2026, they are expected to spend an additional $225 on electricity than they did in the first half of 2024.
New York families who use heating oil paid an additional $248 to heat their homes this March compared to last year.
Health Care Costs – Because of Trump and Republicans’ refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax cuts that help people afford their health insurance, monthly premiums for ACA plans rose over 50 percent on average in 2026 compared to last year. Meanwhile deductibles surged to record highs, increasing by more than $1,000 on average.
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index and Average Price Data, Joint Economic Committee– Republicans, Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Walmart.com, AAA.com, Edmunds.com, Federal Highway Administration, Energy Information Administration, National Weather Service, heatable.com, Kaiser Family Foundation. Gas cost calculations are current through August 17, 2026.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 August 2026 at 2:51 pm
ALBION – An Albion man today was given the maximum of 1 to 3 years in state prison through a plea agreement.
Timothy Ausman Jr., 56, admitted in court on June 24 that he was driving under the influence of alcohol and without a license when he was driving recklessly in the village on May 18, crashing into two Albion patrol cars.
He also needs to pay the full restitution for repairing the cars at $14,320. That restitution covers the cost of repairs, towing and getting decals replaced. Ausman will need to pay back the village’s insurance company, NYMIR.
Ausman and his attorney, public defender Joanne Best, asked for mercy from County Court Judge Sanford Church, saying Ausman is a critical caregiver for an 8-year-old daughter with life-threatening kidney disease.
Ausman’s other daughter died from a kidney disease last year at age 8. After being sober for six years, Ausman said he struggled after his daughter’s death and returned to drinking alcohol.
He has already been in the jail for 101 days. Best asked for a split sentence of the local jail plus probation.
She acknowledged he has a criminal history but has no prior felonies the past 16 years.
On May 18, he was charged with petty larceny, and then drove a Chevrolet Trailblazer without a license. When officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Ausman failed to comply and fled from officers through portions of the Village of Albion. Officers initiated a pursuit with emergency lights and sirens activated.
During the pursuit, Ausman allegedly failed to stop at multiple stop signs, drove on road shoulders and sidewalks, operated recklessly through residential neighborhoods, and repeatedly refused commands to stop his vehicle, the Albion Police Department said.
Officers attempted multiple controlled tactics to slow and stop the vehicle due to concerns for public safety and the belief that he was highly intoxicated driving near residential areas and public parks. The pursuit concluded on South Clinton Street after Ausman struck a patrol vehicle and lost control while entering a residential property.
“Unfortunately on that particular day things just unraveled for him,” Best said at sentencing this morning.
Ausman pleaded guilty on June 24 to aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and attempted criminal mischief in the second degree.
Best asked that Ausman not be sentenced to state prison “so he can provide some comfort and care to his daughter.”
Ausman apologized and said he would be committed to his ailing daughter.
Judge Church said Ausman’s actions on may 18 put the community at risk, including police officers, other motorists and people in the neighborhoods due to his reckless driving.
In addition to the prison sentence, Ausman will need to pay $375 in court surcharges and fees.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 August 2026 at 2:29 pm
Provided photo: Don Dwyer will perform in a concert at 7 p.m. today at the Gaines Basin Cobblestone Schoolhouse.
GAINES – The Orleans County Historical Association will welcome Don Dwyer for a concert this evening at Gaines Basin Cobblestone Schoolhouse, 3286 Gaines Basin Rd. Albion.
Dwyer will perform his program “Songs and Stories of the Erie Canal” and share the meaning behind the songs he sings as well as their impact on society at that time. The concert starts at 7 p.m.
Dwyer is a musician, singer and songwriter from the Buffalo area. He has performed in New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Ohio. The event is free to the public.
OCHA has two additional history talks after today’s concert.
On Sept. 30, retired teacher Doug Miller is back with a program about the Burned Over District.
On Oct. 28, retired Gaines historian Dee Robinson will share unique items from the Hoag Library, where she is the local history reference librarian.
OCHA also concludes its Sunday cemetery tours this Sunday at 6 p.m. at Mount Albion. People are urged to park at the main entrance near the chapel. The slate roof is complete and people can look at it as well as view the chapel’s interior and see the work that still needs to be completed.
The Mount Albion tour will focus on the oldest section of the cemetery. Participants should wear footwear with good tread as some spots of the tour will be on hilly, uneven, unpaved surfaces.
The tour includes four American Revolutionary War soldier graves as well as several pioneers of Orleans County.
Provided photo: Pictured from left include Genesee County Economic Development Center EVP of Business & Workforce Development Chris Suozzi, Edwards Vacuum Technical Training Specialist Jacob Samland, Orleans-Niagara BOCES Instructor William Rakonczay, Edwards Vacuum Manufacturing Engineer Anthony Cercone, and Edwards Vacuum Manufacturing Engineering Manager Michael Auquier.
Press Release, Genesee County Economic Development Center
BASOM – The success of a recent Orleans Career and Technical Education Center graduate in his new role at Edwards Vacuum demonstrates opportunities available during the ramp up of the semiconductor dry pump manufacturing facility in Genesee County.
Lockport native Anthony Cercone joined Edwards Vacuum earlier this year after graduating from a high school Advanced Manufacturing Engineering course in 2023.
“It’s amazing to work here. It’s really changed my life for the positive,” said Cercone, a manufacturing engineer. “I never thought I’d be this close to home and have so much opportunity.”
Edwards Vacuum, a technology leader in the semiconductor industry, will produce dry vacuum pumps used throughout the world in major chip manufacturing facilities at a new 250,000 square-foot facility at the Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP).
“We’re undergoing a massive hiring push as we ramp up production,” said Dan Papsidero, General Manager. “Machine installations and prove-out activities are well underway. We are making parts, we are making a small number of pumps and that’s only going to increase in the very near future.”
Papsidero noted that Edwards currently has posted around half of the positions to be hired this year, including roles in CNC machining, assembly and test technicians, and other manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, planning and logistics.
“We will have a multitude of roles from entry level to experienced professionals that we will be hiring,” Papsidero said. “We will likely be around 100 (professionals) by the end of this year and into the next year will potentially climb to 200 or more … as demand increases this facility could max out with over 300 people, and then we could be expanding the facility in the future.”
Michael Auquier, manufacturing engineering manager, joined Edwards in 2024 as the company began construction of the manufacturing facility at STAMP and throughout the hiring and training of manufacturing engineering members. He serves as the instructor of a CNC Fundamentals course at Genesee Community College and is actively involved in growing CNC training and awareness of careers in western New York.
“This is a great place to be. I advertise to these kids that this is something that you should actually really consider, to support a family, to have a good life, and to go home happy knowing that you’ve done something to contribute,” Auquier said. “Edwards is a great launching pad for anybody who wants to get involved in the trades, or if you’re even at a mid-career level and you want to make a change, or you want to experience a different kind of culture that is really focused on your development and success.”
In Cercone’s example, the pathway for local students is clear. At the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center, Cercone achieved a gold medal at the national Skills USA competition and participated in the Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program.
As Edwards Vacuum ramps production, Cercone said he is excited to apply his training from Orleans Career and Technical Education Center instructor Bill Rakonczay in a role focused on the tooling manufacturing process.
“He taught us how to use manual machines, CNC machines, how to program them, and soft skills,” Cercone said. “It allowed me to know what I wanted to do for my life, and to get already set up in my life before I even turned 18.”
To learn more about Edwards Genesee and future job opportunities, please visit the company’s careers website.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 August 2026 at 11:55 am
Long-time Clarendon official called ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ by judge
Melissa Ierlan
ALBION – A former Clarendon official with a long list of good works in the community was sentenced today for fourth-degree grand larceny for taking $62,000 from the Clarendon Hisotrical Society.
Melissa Ierlan, 59, has to pay full restitution and will spend the next four months with weekends in the county jail.
County Court Judge Sanford Church insisted on some jail time for Ierlan. A plea agreement from District Attorney Susan Howard called for five years probation, full restitution and no jail time.
But Judge Church during sentencing today said he couldn’t agree to that arrangement without some incarceration.
He also insisted that Ierlan clearly state she stole the money. The judge said many of Ierlan’s supporters have been saying she didn’t take any money.
There has been some disagreement on the precise amount. The amount of funds missing from the Clarendon Historical Society was identified as $102,752 by the state comptroller’s office. That office then lowered the amount to $70,000.
Ierlan was able to show time stamps of cash withdrawals from the bank and photos of items purchased on behalf of the society to lower the amount to $62,000.
Her attorney, George Muscato, said Ierlan did steal money – clearly at least $20,000. She is agreeing to repay the $62,000 and acknowledge that is the number for missing funds without proper authorization.
The judge still wanted it to be known that Ierlan was admitting to stealing the money, not simply using it without proper authorization.
“You did steal the money?” Judge Church asked Ierlan.
“Yes, sir,” she responded.
When Ierlan admitted in court to taking the money, the judge agreed to proceed with sentencing but he made it clear there would be some jail imposed. Ierlan could have withdrawn the plea, but she opted to go forward with sentencing.
“I realize what I have done has hurt the whole community and broken a lot of trust,” Ierlan said during sentencing. “I’m embarrassed and I’m sorry.”
Ierlan intends to remain in the Clarendon community. Her husband, Fred Seeman, is a Clarendon town councilman who won a Republican primary in June to be town supervisor. He will be unopposed on the ballot in the November election, but is facing a write-in campaign from Kathy Harnischfeger.
Ierlan was the town’s code enforcement officer for 20 years, and also served as the Hillside Cemetery administrator, town historian and president of the Historical Society. The comptroller found no misappropriated funds in her roles with the town government as codes officer, historian and cemetery administrator.
The Historical Society has its own board and that board allowed her to be the sole signer for writing checks. The board has since reorganized and the group said it is satisfied with the $62,000 in restitution, Howard told the judge.
Ierlan has been a dynamic community member, volunteering on the Holley Board of Education, and repainting about 50 historical markers around the county. She organizes Clarendon’s annual lighted Christmas parade and has Santa at the Historical Society to greet children.
She has spearheaded historic preservation initiatives in the community, and helped Boy Scouts earn their Eagle rank through projects in the cemetery.
Judge Church acknowledged he received testimonial letters about Ierlan’s good works.
But he said the amount of theft and the division its caused in the community warrants time in jail.
“We have a bit of a wolf in sheep’s clothing here,” Judge Church said.
Ierlan was able to pay $40,000 in restitution today. The remaining $22,000 will be paid at $1,000 a month. Ierlan is working at a business in Murray.
She also needs to pay $375 in court charges.
The judge in refusing to only sentence Ierlan to probation noted a previous case in March where a man received four months of weekends in jail, plus five years of probation for stealing $49,000 in lottery tickets from a Clarendon business.
Howard said she agreed to the plea deal for Irelan without jail to try to bring the case to closure.
“This incident has polarized the Town of Clarendon where I was worried they would never get back on track,” Howard said.
The judge said Ierlan shouldn’t avoid jail when the other person who took the lotto tickets got weekends in jail.
“This seems more heinous than the other one,” Judge Church said, comparing Ierlan’s crime to the man who took the lottery tickets.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 August 2026 at 8:54 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Skip Draper, right, on Tuesday presents a Stork Award to county dispatchers Jodi Marion and Mike Schultz for their efforts to help deliver a healthy baby on Aug. 15.
The father of the baby called 911 around 11:45 a.m. The baby was born four minutes later at the Clarendon Crosby’s.
Marion stayed on the phone with the father while Schultz dispatched an ambulance that took the mother and newborn to Strong Memorial Hospital.
“Ot was a sign of relief to hear the baby crying,” Marion recalled.
Marion is a former EMT who became a dispatcher three years ago after working in the Albion village clerk’s office.
She enjoys the job as a dispatcher, where she said “you are the first person to call when people need help.”
Schultz is a former Kendall fire chief who has worked as a dispatcher for 12 ½ years.
Pictured from left include Deputy Matt Prawel, 911 communications director Julie Vendetti, dispatchers Mike Schultz and Jodi Marion, Legislator Skip Draper, and Sheriff Chris Bourke.
Vendetti has worked in dispatch for 15 years and said this is the third time in her career a dispatcher has helped deliver a baby over the phone. Jerry Bentley did it twice, she said.
The Stork Award from the County Legislature commends Marion and Schultz.
“Your quick thinking, swift actions, and dedication in the moment will forever be widespread and extremely appreciated,” the award states.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 26 August 2026 at 8:10 am
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s large veteran group includes, in front, Addisyn Weller, Xyon Weese, Jillian Maines, Sophia Pavlock, Lexi Brazzell and Autumn Lewis. In back are Naomi Bish, Elise Monaco, Milayna May, Adeline Atwater, Brooke Weber, Lauren Zglinicki and Faith Bowerman.
Perennial contender Barker returns a large veteran group with which to again challenge for top Niagara-Orleans League field hockey honors.
That veteran contingent for Barker, which has finished either first or second in each of the past 25 years, includes seniors Brooke Weber, Faith Bowerman, Lauren Zglinicki and Naomi Bish along with juniors Elise Monaco, Sophia Pavlock, Lexi Brazzell, Xyon Weese, Addisyn Weller, Jillian Maines, Milayna May, Autumn Lewis and goalie Adeline Atwater.
“We’ve got a good core group and they are stepping up,” said Coaches Karin Menz and Bill Moeller.
Barker’s graduation losses included first team N-O All-League honorees Kaylee Stoll and Madelina Pavlock along with second team selections Jordyn Kinne and Haley Dodge.
Barker went 10-2 in N-O action last fall finishing second to Akron which had a fifth straight 12-0 N-O championship season.
Barker will tune-up for the N-O season opener at home against Wilson on September 10 by facing Pioneer in the WNY Field Hockey Preseason Classic on September 2 at 4 p.m. at Starpoint.
