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Over the past week, two noteworthy events happened to open our eyes.
First, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney brought forth her Border Security and Law Enforcement proposals. As stated in her article, she has visited both the northern and southern borders and convened with Customs and Border Protection.
Her Law Enforcement Plan will lend support to police so they can carry out their duties more effectively. Both plans were clearly explained if you clicked on the provided links.
In her news release, she cited the following:
“Since the start of the Biden-Harris administration, over 10 million illegal immigrants have entered our country, abusing our taxpayer-funded resources and wreaking havoc in our communities,” Tenney said. “Our law enforcement officers are also facing unprecedented challenges as violent crime surges and the Left seeks to undermine their ability to do their jobs safely and effectively. My plans offer a commonsense approach to securing our borders, stopping the influx of illegal immigrants, and supporting the brave men and women in law enforcement. I am committed to holding criminals accountable and ensuring our nation’s laws are upheld.”
For those people who still believe that Harris has effectively dealt with the border crisis, think again. The Mexican Cartels have not only brought in the drugs but military grade guns as well. The gun-running cartels act like terrorist cells.
The Central America Forward Program (which was previously cited as one of Kamala’s accomplishments) is still a work in progress and has met major setbacks due to corruption in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. It was also mentioned that Blas Nunez-Neto has worked out an arrangement with Mexico, permitting the US to send back (to their home countries) non-Mexican migrants. Good luck hunting them down.
The second major announcement this week was that The FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) has officially endorsed Trump as their candidate.
“Public safety and border security will be important issues in the last months of this campaign,” FOP National President Patrick Yoes said. “Our members carefully considered the positions of the candidates on the issues and there was no doubt—zero doubt—as to who they want as our President for the next four years: Donald J. Trump.”
As many of us have seen an uptick in local crime, it is probably safe to say if any emergency which threatened our safety emerged, we would call 911. This endorsement confirms that most policemen and women find their support with Trump. Therefore this statement is worthy of attention.
I am staying alert and as informed as possible. Weeding out the truth has become a daily mission for me.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 8 September 2024 at 1:13 pm
Making the long trek to the Southern Tier for the second time in three days, Albion played the second half of a season opening B3 Division football game at Olean this morning as the Purple Eagles dropped a 32-7 decision to the Huskies.
Quarterback Jonah Elsenheimer scored the Albion touchdown on a two-yard run and Lucas Rowley added the extra point kick.
Olean led 18-0 at the half.
Albion will open the home portion of the season this coming Friday as the Purple Eagles will host Depew at 7 p.m. Depew opened the season with a 43-14 B3 Division win over Dunkirk.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 8 September 2024 at 9:46 am
Monday Girls Soccer – Pembroke at Holley, Oakfield-Alabama at Kendall, 7 p.m. Field Hockey – Newfane at Barker, Akron at Wilson, 4:30 p.m.; Roy-Hart at Medina 7 p.m. Volleyball – Lyndonville at Wheatland-Chili, Holley at Alexander, Pembroke at Kendall, 6:30 p.m. Golf – Medina at Albion, Barker at Roy-Hart, Akron at Wilson, 4 p.m.
Tuesday Football – Holley at Bolivar-Richburg, 5 p.m. Boys Soccer – Lyndonville at Pembroke, 6 p.m.; Newfane at Medina, Akron at Albion, Wilson at Roy-Hart, 6:45 p.m.; Holley at Byron-Bergen, Kendall at Attica, 7 p.m. Girls Soccer – Albion at Akron, 4:45 p.m.; Medina at Newfane, Roy-Hart at Wilson, 6:45 p.m. Volleyball – Newfane at Medina, Akron at Albion, Wilson at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m. Cross-Country – Kendall at Holley, 5 p.m.
Wednesday Girls Soccer – Attica at Lyndonville, Kendall at Alexander, 5 p.m.; Holley at Bloomfield, 6:30 p.m. Volleyball – Kendall at Holley, 6:30 p.m. Golf – Albion at Barker, Roy-Hart at Akron, Newfane at Medina, 4 p.m.
Thursday Boys Soccer – Medina at Akron, 4:45 p.m.; Attica at Lyndonville, 5 p.m.; Roy-Hart at Albion, 6:45; Wilson at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; Kendall at Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m. Girls Soccer – Wilson at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; Albion at Roy-Hart, 6:45 p.m.; Akron at Medina, 7 p.m. Field Hockey – Medina at Akron, 4:30 p.m.; Barker at Kenmore, 7 p.m. Volleyball – Roy-Hart at Albion, Medina at Akron, Newfane at Wilson, Elba at Lyndonville, 6:30 p.m. Golf – Albion at Newfane, Wilson at Barker, Roy-Hart at Medina, 4 p.m.
Friday Football – Newfane at Medina, Depew at Albion, Roy-Hart/Barker at Akron, 7 p.m. Girls Soccer – Lyndonville at Holley, Kendall vs. Notre Dame at GCC, 7 p.m. Volleyball – Attica at Holley, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday Football – Newfield at Holley, 1 p.m. Boys Soccer – Byron-Bergen at Lyndonville, 3:30 p.m.; Kendall at Albion, 5 p.m. Girls Soccer – Roy-Hart at Albion, Holley at Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m. Field Hockey – Akron at Roy-Hart, Newfane at Medina, Kenmore at Wilson, 10 a.m.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 8 September 2024 at 9:16 am
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina will open Niagara-Orleans League volleyball competition on Tuesday as the Mustangs host Newfane at 6:30 p.m. Veteran members of the Medina squad include Sam Heschke, Maddy Watts, Karlee Cau, Addy Paul and Jo Pollock. The Mustangs and Panthers both went 3-7 in N-O competition last fall.
Contributed Story Posted 8 September 2024 at 9:07 am
The Albion youth football teams swept all three games from Holley in Niagara Orleans Football Association (NOFA) action Saturday.
Beginners Division Albion 20, Holley 6
Patrick Westlund had 2 touchdowns and 43 yards rushing to lead a well balanced Albion attack. Hudson Palmer picked up 57 yards and a score. Gunner Jackson had 37 yards, Kenny Almonte 33 and Elijah Cornick 24 yards.
Cornick led the defense with 7 tackles. Almonte had 5 tackles, Palmer and Arlene Beecher 4 each, Royce Rotthoff 3, Lucas Rotthoff and Drake Neri each had a tackle.
Mini Division Albion 41, Holley 0
Four different players had touchdown runs to led the Eagles offense to a victory over Holley. Elian Almonte ended the day with 102 yards and 2 TD’s. Jayce Torres had 83 yards on the ground. Cayden Farrell had 56 yards, Kyle Schomske 23 yards, Moses Taylor 23 yards and each had a TD.
Kairo Bennett, Schomske and Torres led the defense with 6 tackles each. Almonte and Harrison Froman each had 5. Taylor and Parker Gardner 4 each. Farrell had a pick 6 to go with 3 tackles.
JV Division Albion 42, Holley 0
Liam Pearl led the Albion defense with 7 tackles. Aaden Roblero, Kolton Berry, Colton Moreland and Camden Holt each had 4 stops. Connor Hinckley, Holt and Cooper Traxler each had a fumble recovery.
Heyden Almonte finished with 174 yards rushing and 3 scores. Carter Farrell 153 yards and 3 TDs. Holt finished with 31 yards.
Most would agree that a strong and active two-party system is vital to our country. The Orleans Republican Party is alive and well.
However, the Orleans Democratic Party may be another story. A number of observers have said the county Democratic party is in a mess and in shambles.
The party website lists a Jeff Lewis as Chairman. One way to show his party is alive and well would be for Mr. Lewis to post items in The Hub on his party’s campaign strategy, where he could discuss the issues and show how his party intends to get out the vote prior to the Presidential Election.
Posting items in The Hub, and writing letters to the Editor could be indicators the Orleans Democratic Party is alive and well. No word from Mr. Lewis
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 September 2024 at 8:22 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Sandra Shaw, director of the Community Free Library in Holley, congratulates Arthur Barnes on Saturday for completing the second phase of a mural on the back of the library. Barnes painted the farming and country scene on the right side.
Tony Barry did the left side with an Erie Canal theme last year.
The library used a grant from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council to pay Barnes for the project. The library will pursue more grants to extend the mural in what could be four phases in all.
Shaw said the agriculture mural highlights an important component of the local community of Holley, Murray and Clarendon.
“This is who we are, and we wanted to celebrate farming, agriculture and the industries that grew out of it,” Shaw said. “We are exploring our agricultural past and the people who built the wonderful farms in our community.”
Arthur Barnes is shown next to the apples he painted as part of the mural. He created the depiction from memory, recalling a country scene growing up in Shelby Center. Barnes said he picked apples as a teen for a neighbor, Jeff Smith.
Barnes painted a mural that is 25 feet high and 21 feet wide. Barnes worked on the project over the summer, painting trees, a church, wheat fields and an apple orchard.
Arthur Barnes is shown with the two murals together. His mural blends in with artwork painted on the back of the library last year by Tony Barry.
Barry painted a portrait of Holley’s namesake, Myron Holley, and a Erie Canal scene. Myron Holley was an early commissioner for the canal.
Barry shared some of his leftover paint and a color scheme for the overall project.
“I owe a lot to Tony Barry,” Barnes said. “It was his idea.”
Shaw said Barnes did a great job with the mural, and was very welcoming to the public when they stopped by to see the progress.
“I met some old friends and I made some new ones,” Barnes said about working outside on the mural. “It was more fun than I thought it would be.”
This is the sixth large-scale mural Barnes has done in Orleans County. The other five are canal scenes, including his first one in Holley from about 30 years ago. That one is on display in the Murray-Holley Historical Society Museum.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 7 September 2024 at 9:31 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Mia Standish sends the ball up field during this evening’s tournament title win over Alexander as Rori Higgins trails the play.
All of the scoring came in the second half as Albion shutout Alexander 3-0 this evening in the championship game of the Purple Eagles girl soccer tournament.
A goal by Rori Higgins two minutes into the second half off an assist from Mia Standish snapped a scoreless deadlock and proved to be the game winner for Albion.
Cami London tackled on a pair of big insurance goals, the first off an assist from Julia Button and the second on a breakaway, to help lock up the win.
Aaliyah Jones earned the shutout in goal for the Purple Eagles.
Pembroke blanked Medina 5-0 in the consolation game.
Albion and Medina will both open Niagara-Orleans League competition on Tuesday as the Purple Eagles visit Akron and the Mustangs travel to Newfane.
W-C Tournament
Holley lost on penalty kicks to host Wheatland-Chili in the championship game of the W-C girls soccer tournament.
The game was scoreless at the end of regulation time and after the overtime periods.
Kenzie Snook brings the ball up field for the Purple Eagles.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 7 September 2024 at 1:21 pm
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Cole Callard
Medina romped to a 10-0 victory over Cardinal O’Hara in a non league boys soccer game this morning at Vets Park as senior Cole Callard set a new Mustangs career goal scoring record.
Callard scored 3 goals to increase his career total to 59 breaking the old mark of 56 held by Nate Dillenbeck.
It was a big two sport weekend for Callard who also scored 2 goals in Medina’s 6-0 win over Pembroke and was a perfect 8 for 8 in extra point kicks in the Mustangs 56-7 football win over Roy-Hart/Barker both on Friday.
Vinny Gray and Briley Allen each added 2 goals for the Mustangs as Luke Duffina, Aleks Seefeldt and Tyler Kroening each chipped in with 1.
Seefeldt also had 3 assists as Gray, Callard and Jimmy Dieter each had 2 and Duffina 1.
Now at 2-0, Medina will next host Newfane at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday in the Niagara-Orleans League opener.
Maryvale 4, Roy-Hart 1
Maryvale downed visiting Roy-Hart 4-1 in a non league game as Michael Fuller scored the lone goal for the Rams.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 7 September 2024 at 1:08 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Akron’s Morgan Tomporowski sends the ball up field during this morning’s league home opener as Naomi Bish (22) and Madelina Pavlock (16) pursue for Barker.
Akron opened defense of its Niagara-Orleans League field hockey title with a 3-0 win over visiting Barker this morning.
All of the scoring came in the opening half as Morgan Tomporowski scored once in the first quarter and Julia Klodzinski twice in the second period.
Roy-Hart 5, Wilson 0
Roy-Hart opened N-O competition with a 5-0 win over visiting Wilson which slips to 1-1.
Brooke Zglinicki scored 2 goals for the Lady Rams as Ava Achtyl, Adella Dukes and Savannah Newton each netted one.
Zglinicki, Newton and Violette Streckewald all had assists and Cas Sanney earned the shutout in goal.
Newfane 5, Kenmore 2
Newfane evened its N-O record at 1-1 with a 5-2 win over Kenmore as Ella Tower scored 3 goals and Kyra Austin 2.
Akron’s Madigan Regan gains control of the ball against Barker’s Kaylee Stoll.
Akron’s Madison Gates works against Barker’s Madelina Pavlock.
BARKER – A Barker home has been declared a total loss after a late-night fire, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office reported.
The homeowner at 8713 Main St. called 9-1-1 at 3:25 a.m. today, reporting the house was filling with smoke.
Upon arrival, deputies located an active fire inside of the home and reported that the two occupants at home had already evacuated. Responding personnel from numerous fire companies arrived on scene and extinguished the fire.
One of the occupants, an 18-year-old female, was transported to Medina Memorial Hospital for evaluation and treatment of minor injuries. The home is considered a total loss, but the total damage amount is not yet available, the Sheriff’s Office reported.
The residents of the house have been connected with the American Red Cross for emergency assistance. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Niagara County Origin and Cause Team.
Responding departments included Barker, Olcott, City of Lockport, Gasport and Hartland.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Towpath Masonic Lodge master Matthew Fleminger ties the apron on John Long, signifying his 75 years as a member of the Craft. Long and two 10-year members were honored at a special awards ceremony Wednesday night in Middleport. (Right) Matthew Flammger holds the apron being presented to John Long Wednesday night for 75 years of membership. Next is Jim Horncastle, District Deputy Grand Master of the Niagara-Orleans District; Long, a retired chiropractor from Medina; and Peter Stein, Past Deputy Grand Master.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 7 September 2024 at 8:03 am
MIDDLEPORT – Members of the Towpath Masonic Lodge #1193 had the rare honor of recognizing a 75-year member in a special awards ceremony Wednesday night.
John Long of Tonawanda, a retired chiropractor who practiced in Medina in the 1940s, became interested in Masonry when he came to Medina to open an office and met Alvin Eskelson. Eskelson owned a dairy in Medina and was dedicated to Masonry, having been a past master of the Medina Lodge #336.
Scott Mason, secretary of Towpath Masonic Lodge, presents a rose to Marina Long, wife of 75-year member John Long, during an awards ceremony Wednesday evening.
Eskelson owned the building which housed Curry’s Dress Shop and Long’s office was on the second floor.
The Towpath Lodge was formed from the merger of Middleport’s Cataract Lodge #295, Medina Lodge and Lyndonville’s Yates Lodge 675. The only other 75-year member was the late Don Ross of Albion, who was a member of the Medina Lodge. The late Herb Koenig was a long-standing member of the Middleport lodge, having been a member for 65 years.
Other members of long standing are Frank Berger of Medina, who will be a 64-year member this year; and Robert Donovan of Medina, a 53-year-member who is a five-time past master.
The awards ceremony including reading a letter from Richard P. Schultz Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge, in which he stated Long’s 75 years as a Masonic member were a milestone in the fraternity,
While Flammger presented Long with the ceremonial apron, Long’s wife Marina pinned the 75-year pin on his lapel.
“This is one of the most momentous times in my entire life,” Long said. “I was raised in the Lodge in Medina on June 8, 1948. I remember Alvin Eskelson like it was yesterday. Masonry has been the foundation of my life. I encourage all of you to never give up and never surrender what we stand for.”
Ten-year awards were presented to Raymond Feller of Lyndonville and Thomas Weeks of Medina.
Masons also promote respect for the women in their lives and Wednesday’s program included a tribute to wives and mothers by Ben Logsdon, after which Scott Mason presented the women in the room with a rose.
Flammger concluded the evening by saying that presenting awards like this is the highlight of being master of this lodge.
“I thank you for the privilege of serving as master of Towpath Lodge,” he said.
John Long’s wife Marina affixes a 75-year pin on his lapel during an awards ceremony Wednesday night at Towpath Lodge, which is comprised of members from Lyndonville, Medina and Middleport. Looking on are Towpath master Matthew Flammger, District Deputy Grand Master of the Niagara-Orleans District Jim Horncastle, and Peter Stein, Past Deputy Grand Master.
Special guests for the evening included Jim Horncastle, District Deputy Grand Master of the Niagara-Orleans District, and Peter Stein, Past Deputy Grand Master.
Stein said interest in Masonry is on the rise, with 1,800 men inquiring about membership last year.
Horncastle extended congratulations to everyone who received an award during the evening.
“A 75-year membership doesn’t come along every day, and it is a pleasure to be here,” he said.
The evening included a meal prepared by Barb Anderson, wife of lodge treasurer Jim Anderson.
John Long, now a resident of Tonawanda, and his wife Marina chat with Frank Berger of Medina during the awards ceremony Wednesday night in which Long was honored for 75 years as a member of the Masonic Lodge.
Raymond Feller of Lyndonville was presented with a plaque for 10 years of Masonic membership by Matthew Flammger, master of Towpath Masonic Lodge. With them are Jim Horncastle, left, District Deputy Grand Master of the Niagara-Orleans District and Past Deputy Grand Master, Peter Stein, right.
Shown here are Jim Horncastle, District Deputy Grand Master of the Niagara-Orleans District; Thomas Weeks, holding his 10-year membership plaque; Matthew Flammger, master of Towpath Lodge; and Peter Stein, Past Deputy Grand Master.
