State Senate GOP gives recommendations to lower cost of living in NYS

Posted 28 January 2026 at 5:25 pm

Photo from State Sen. Rob Ortt’s Office: State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt joins his colleagues in the State Senate today during a press conference in Albany, unveiling their recommendations to bring down the cost of living in the state.

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

ALBANY – State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and members of the Senate Republican Conference today unveiled “An Affordable New York,” a comprehensive report including legislative recommendations to ease the high cost of living for New Yorkers.

The report is the result of a series of roundtable discussions held by the Senate Republican Conference throughout New York that focused on the key areas driving New York’s affordability crisis.

During the roundtables, the Senators heard from stakeholders and community organizations about a variety of issues including taxes and regulations, energy and utility costs, childcare, housing, insurance, transportation and commuting costs, and the cost of food and groceries.

Participants emphasized that while each of these components present affordability challenges on their own, together they form an unsustainable climate that makes the cost of living increasingly unaffordable for New Yorkers.

“Over the past few months, members of the Senate Republican Conference heard first hand from community members, business owners, and other stakeholders from across the state – and one thing is abundantly clear: New Yorkers are facing an unsustainable affordability crisis, and we continue to lose residents and businesses because of it,” Ortt said. “Despite Albany Democrats catching on to this buzzword, they continue to increase state spending, discuss raising taxes, and do nothing for business owners, all of which will only exacerbate affordability issues.”

The report makes a series of recommendations to help ease the burden on New Yorkers in several areas that were identified as major drivers of the high cost of living and doing business. Some highlights from the report include proposals that would:

Reduce Taxes

Eliminate state personal income tax on the first $50,000 for single filers and $100,000 for married filing jointly. Lower the tax rate to 4% for single filers up to $250,000 and $500,000 for married filing jointly and 5% for single filers of more than $250,000 and more than $500,000 for married filing jointly that are below the millionaire tax threshold. This would provide a personal income tax cut for all New Yorkers, providing $30 billion in tax relief over its 10-year implementation without having to cut funding from vital state programs (To Be Introduced, Senator Rhoads)
Exempt tips from state income tax (S.587, Senator Martins)
Exempt overtime wages from state income tax (S.3914, Senator Martins)
Freeze real property taxes for three years (S.8489, Senator Weber)

Reduce Regulations and Government Spending

Create a task force to review the State Administrative Procedure Act, making the regulatory process more business-friendly by ensuring state rules are consistent, efficient and not overly burdensome (S.930, Senator Gallivan)
Reduce bureaucratic red tape by requiring that when a rule is adopted that imposes a new administrative burden on a business, one or more existing rules must be amended or repealed to offset the cost (S.2371, Senator Ortt)
Establish the New York State Commission on Regulatory Efficiency to examine state regulations and identify unnecessary and wasteful state regulations. New York has over 300,000 regulations, the second most of any state only behind California (S.6724, Senator Ortt)
Require the Governor to hire an independent private professional service firm to audit state agencies and public authorities for any payments, claims or expenditures that appear improper, fraudulent or abusive. Such wrongdoing would be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency (S.8661, Senator Ortt)

Lower Costs of Basic, Everyday Necessities

Energy

Return unused funds held by the State from the New York State Climate Investment Account to ratepayers, providing nearly one billion dollars in relief to ratepayers at a time when utility bills are skyrocketing. (S.8461, Senator O’Mara)
Provide a one-year utility bill tax and surcharge holiday and two-year green energy tax holiday. Government taxes and fees account for between 25 to 50% of a customer’s utility bill. (S.8463, Senator Rolison)
Repeal the system benefit charge. The system benefit charge is a fee imposed on all ratepayers that provides money to NYSERDA and the PSC. Repealing such fees would lower utility bills. (S.7075, Senator Walczyk)

Housing

Establish the First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act. (S.850, Senator Helming)
Repeal All-Electric Building Act, which adds approximately $20,000 to $25,000 to the construction cost of a single-family home. (S.1167, Senator Mattera)
Allow developers to comply with the less costly and less burdensome 2020 Energy Codes in lieu of the 2025 Energy Code, a $7,400 savings per single family home. (S.8621, Senator Mattera)

Childcare

Ensure the Child Care Assistance Program is fully funded in the 2026-27 State Budget, so all eligible families receive proper help with childcare expenses.
Supplement the State’s existing child tax credit by providing a $1,000 “baby bonus” refundable tax credit for all parents of newborns. (S.4487, Senator Ashby)
Allow the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) to grant temporary staff to child ratio flexibility during documented staffing shortages (similar to ones granted during COVID) and clarify regulations to permit directors to serve as classroom staff during shortages without penalties. Currently, directors stepping into classrooms to maintain ratios are cited. Citations have led to insurance cancellations, threatening center viability. (S.9049, Senator Rolison)

Senate Republicans will continue to roll out key initiatives under their Save New York agenda through the coming weeks.

Gillibrand says Trump’s threat of 100% tariff on Canada will hurt New Yorkers

Posted 28 January 2026 at 3:14 pm

Press Release, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) held a virtual press conference to demand that President Trump stop illegally threatening tariffs against American allies.

Over the weekend, President Trump threatened to impose 100% tariffs on Canadian goods. He also said that the U.S. would levy a 25% tariff on South Korean goods. Earlier this month, the president threatened a 10 percent tariff on NATO countries unless the United States is given Greenland.

“As the president continues to recklessly and haphazardly threaten countries with tariffs, working New Yorkers and small businesses are paying the price,” said Senator Gillibrand. “If the president follows through on his latest threat to impose a 100% tariff on Canadian goods, New Yorkers will suffer. From fertilizer to electricity to car parts, Upstate New Yorkers rely heavily on Canadian products. At a time when prices are already soaring, working families shouldn’t have to pay more for what they need. I’m demanding that President Trump halt his illegal actions, and I will do everything in my power to hold the president accountable for the hardship he’s causing for New Yorkers.”

Last year, President Trump levied tariffs on over 90 countries, including a 35% tariff on certain Canadian goods and a 10% tariff on Canadian energy, energy resources, and potash. These global tariffs have already hit American families hard, increasing costs for New York households by an estimated $4,200. If the president follows through on his threats to impose further tariffs on Canadian goods, New York families will pay an even higher price, Upstate small businesses will suffer, and energy prices will skyrocket.

Senator Gillibrand has opposed President Trump’s tariffs since the start of his administration. Last year, she joined 14 of her colleagues in introducing the Small Business RELIEF Act to end Trump’s tariff tax and refund small businesses their duties paid. She also sent a legal brief with 206 members of Congress emphasizing to the Supreme Court that these tariffs are illegal.

Coleen Pahura appointed county’s real property director

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2026 at 1:23 pm

Photo by Tom Rivers: Coleen Pahura is shown outside her office this morning at 3 South Main St. in Albion, the lower level of the County Clerks’ Building. She was appointed on Tuesday by the County Legislature to be the county’s real property director, overseeing the Real Property Tax Services Department.

ALBION – Coleen Pahura has worked 25 years for the Real Property Tax Services Department, starting as a clerk and then as an assessor.

She now is the department’s director following an appointment on Tuesday by the Orleans County Legislature. She succeeds Dawn Allen, who retired after 19 years in the position.

Pahura admits she didn’t grow up aspiring to be an assessor or work in the Real Property Tax Services Department. In fact, she doubts that is a career goal for anyone before entering the workplace.

She had worked seven years in the City of Rochester in accounting when she took the Civil Service Exam 25 years ago. She wanted a job closer to home in Albion.

Pahura worked six years as a senior clerk in Real Property. Bob Harrold was the director at the time. When Dawn Allen took over 19 years ago, she left a job as assessor for the towns of Albion and Gaines.

Those two towns contracted with the county for assessing services, and Pahura took on tat job while working with the Real Property Tax Services Department.

She is ready for a new challenge after being an assessor for nearly two decades. Alexis Penna-Swan will be taking over Pahura’s previous job as assessor for Albion and Gaines. (Dawn Allen, while retired, is going to continue to work part-time as the Barre town assessor.)

The Real Property Tax Services Department maintains the tax maps in the county and has over 20,000 tax bills printed each year.

The office also prints out assessment and tax rolls, assists assessors, trains members of the Board of Assessment Review, and also assists in the enforcement of unpaid taxes.

Pahura’s appointment is for six years through Sept. 30, 2032.

Medina man admits to arson at Bates Road apartment duplex

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2026 at 12:04 pm

Zachary Natale could be sentenced to up to 13 years in state prison

ALBION – A Medina man admitted in Orleans County Court this morning to setting a fire on Dec. 17, 2024 at 207 Bates Rd.

Zachary Natale, 32, pleaded guilty to attempted arson in the second degree, a class C felony. The charge carries a sentence of a minimum of years in prison and a maximum of 15. As part of a plea deal today, he will up to 13 years in state prison when he is sentenced on April 1.

Natale also faces $270,000 in restitution for the fire that damaged a duplex apartment and forced a mother and her 9-year-old son to evacuate.

Natale also could be fined $5,000 when he is sentenced.

Natale was charged with second-degree arson, second-degree burglary and two counts of reckless endangerment in the first degree. The most serious charge carries a maximum of 25 years in prison.

Assistant District Attorney Daniel Punch said Natale should have “reasonably known” people were inside the apartment when he started the fire, putting them at risk.

In other cases in County Court today:

• Colton Palmer, 31, of Clarendon was sentenced to six months in the county jail and five years of probation for attempted criminal sale of a firearm in the third.

Palmer admitted in a previous court appearance that on Sept. 30, 2018 he gave a Kimber Micro 380 pistol that wasn’t his to another person. He didn’t have a license to possess or sell the pistol. Palmer needed to be extradited from Montana to resolve the case.

Judge Sanford Church said it was “truly troubling” that Palmer had a handgun without a permit and then gave it to another person. Palmer then fought extradition to Orleans County, the judge said. Palmer also was fined $1,000 by the judge.

• Mitchell Gardner, an incarcerated person, was due to appear in court for aggravated harassment of a prison employee. However, Gardner lied down on the hallway in the basement of the courthouse and urinated on the floor.

Judge Church said he didn’t want Gardner in the courtroom after that incident.

Punch, the assistant DA, presented an offer to Joanne Best, the public defender, where Gardner would face 1 ½ to 3 years if he pleaded guilty to the aggravated harassment of a prison employee. Best said she would present that offer to Gardner.

Murray named 2 roads, Ogden and Padelford, for long-time doctors

Posted 28 January 2026 at 8:51 am

A Town of Murray road map shows Padelford Road, which connects to Route 31 near the Hickory Ridge Golf Course and RV Resort (shown on map as SUNY at Brockport – Fancher campus.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 6, No. 2

MURRAY – Road names are an interesting aspect of local history. We tend to take them for granted but they each have a story and reflect an aspect of our past.

Orleans County’s road names cover a range of topics: origin (Salt Works), nature (Hemlock Ridge), buildings (Schoolhouse, Fletcher Chapel), features (Culvert), boundaries (Townline, Countyline), functions (Telegraph), shape (Angling, Zig-Zag) and the wittily named Alps Road referring to its “mountainous” topography. Many roads were named for farmers or long-term residents: Carr Rd., Sawyer Rd., Lattin Rd.

Charles E. Padelford

In April 1973, Town of Murray Supervisor Thomas De Palma took what a Medina Journal editorial described as “a brave and commendable step” of naming two roads in the town in honor of former physicians. Dr. Charles E. Padelford and Dr. Leon Ogden tended to the needs of Murray residents for a total of 78 years, having started their practices in the horse and buggy era.

Padelford Road is located south of Fancher. It runs from Lynch Road to Route 31.

Ogden Road is located east of the village of Holley and runs from Route 31 to the Orleans-Monroe County line.

Charles E. Padelford was born in Canandaigua in 1869. He trained as a jeweler and optician but always wanted to practice medicine. Following his marriage to June M. Sidell in Victor in 1898, he entered the University of Buffalo School of Medicine and graduated in 1905, at the age of 36. He practiced in Clarendon for five years, then moved to Holley where he practiced until his death at the age of 74 in 1943.

In his memoir “Roses and Garlic” Michael A. Charles recounted that Dr. Padelford charged $1 for homecare, including medicine, but would accept food as payment. Since the Charles family operated a store, Dr. Padelford liked to get paid with large cans of black olives or stop at their gas pump to fill his tank.

Ogden Road is east of the Village of Holley in the southern part of Murray, close to the Clarendon town line.

Dr. Padelford helped found the Holley Rotary Club and the Holley Rod and Gun Club. In 1922, he donated a cup to the Gun Club which was to be owned permanently by the person who won the title three years in succession.

He had a keen interest in local history and was a collector of clocks, coral, books, canes and antique firearms. Several boxes of his papers were donated to the Holley Depot Museum. Dr. Padelford and his wife, Jenny, who died in 1963, are buried in Hillside Cemetery, Holley.

Dr. Leon Ogden was born in the hamlet of Allen’s Hill, Ontario County in 1875. He studied medicine at the Albany Medical School and by 1900 was practicing in the Murray area. The Holley Standard of Sept. 6, 1900, reported that “the excessive warm weather of the past week has caused a good many cases of sickness. Dr. Ogden has been very busy attending calls.”

He served as Coroner for 25 years and in 1950, he was honored by the New York State Medical Association for 50 years of service as a physician. His favorite pastimes were hunting and fishing.

He died in 1953 while vacationing in Lake Nipissing, Ontario, Canada. He and his wife, Katherine, who died in 1968 are buried in Hillside Cemetery, Holley.

Counties in NYS may need to pay $170 million due to changes in SNAP program

Posted 28 January 2026 at 8:03 am

Press Release, New York State Association of Counties

The following statement is from Phil Church, president of NYSAC and administrator of Oswego County.

As a result of new federal and existing state laws pertaining to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), counties across the state will be on the hook for an estimated $170 million in new annualized administrative costs that support the payment of SNAP benefits beginning in the fourth quarter of 2026, according to the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, which briefed county leaders on Tuesday.

The new federal law lowers the federal share from 50 to 25 percent, requiring counties to pick up a larger share of the program costs. These are costs that will ultimately be passed on to local taxpayers, raising costs for homeowners at a time when “affordability” is the most pressing issue facing New Yorkers.

Counties across New York play a critical role in the administration of SNAP, ensuring that vulnerable residents receive the nutrition assistance they need. However, under the new federal law when the state’s benefit payment error rate in the program exceeds federally established thresholds of over 10 percent, beginning in FFY 2028 the resulting financial penalty of up to $1.2 billion will be shifted to the state, with no determination made by the state yet on whether part of that penalty will be shifted to counties.

We urge our federal representatives to work to delay the implementation of these new SNAP rules that will impact state and local taxpayers, and importantly, the residents who rely on these benefits. We are also calling on State leaders to work together with county officials to address the federal intent of preserving program integrity so that counties and our taxpayers are not saddled with these new costs.

Seahorses split with TigerSharks in N-O finale

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 January 2026 at 9:56 pm

Medina split with visiting Akron this evening to close out the dual meet portion of the Niagara-Orleans League swim season.

The Seahorses won the boys’ meet 86-61 and the TigerSharks took the girls’ competition 94-65.

Bryson Ford doubled in the 50 Free and 100 Butterfly and Bradley Goyette in the 500 Free and 100 Breaststroke for the Medina boys as Brandon Bruecker took the 200 Individual Medley.

For Akron, Aron Gehl won the 200 Free, Quinn O’Malley the 100 Free and Carson Flanders the 100 Backstroke.

Medina finishes at 6-2 and Akron at 3-5.

Charlotte Carlson doubled in the IM and Butterfly and Aurora VanDusen in the 500 Free and Breaststroke for the Akron girls as Eliza Koopman took the 50 Free and Brooke Milhollen the Backstroke.

For Medina, Madeline Mark won the 200 Free and Lily Hungerford in 100 Free.

Akron finishes at 6-1-1 and Medina at 2-6.

Newfane sweeps Roy-Hart/Barker
The Newfane boys and girls teams both closed out N-O title seasons with wins over visiting Roy-Hart/Barker.

The Newfane boys won 92-55 to finish at 8-0 and the girls took a 95-63 victory to wind up at 7-0-1.

Noah Kneeland doubled in the IM and 100 Free and Dylan Lamont in the Butterfly and Backstroke for the Newfane boys as Robert Hathaway took the 500 Free.

For the Roy-Hart/Barker boys, Noah Corraine won the 200 Free, Oscar Dergel the 50 Free and Jackson Brauen the Breaststroke.

Emma Haseley doubled in the IM and Butterfly and Riley Klopfer in the 200 Free and 500 Free for the Newfane girls as Sara Klinger took the 100 Free, Eliana Reis the Backstroke and Kimberly Schmitt the Breaststoke.

Samantha Fox won the 50 Free for Roy-Hart/Barker.

Final N-O Standings
Boys – Newfane 8-0, Medina 6-2, Albion 3-5, Akron 3-5, Roy-Hart/Barker 0-8
Girls – Newfane 7-0-1, Akron 6-1-1, Roy-Hart/Barker 4-4, Medina 2-6, Albion 0-8

Albion cagers score sweep over Newfane

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 January 2026 at 9:13 pm

Albion swept to a home and away basketball doubleheader victory over Newfane in Niagara-Orleans League action this evening.

Albion defeated host Newfane 69-54 in the boys game as Tyler Cody scored 24, Elijah Doxey 20, Nate Gibson 13 and Wesley Olles 8.

Kasey Wheat scored 16, Camlo Flowers 12, Camryn Stover 9 and Mac Capen 8 for Newfane.

Albion led 17-10 after one quarter, 35-29 at the half and 50-42 at the three-quarter mark.

The Purple Eagles and Panthers are now both 3-5 in N-O action.

In the girls contest, Albion downed visiting Newfane 50-40 as Melia Prince scored 14, Aaliyah Jones 11 and Leah Pawlak 10.

Albion is now 5-3 and Newfane 1-7 in N-O action.

Wilson sweeps Barker
Front-running Wilson likewise scored a home and away doubleheader sweep over Barker.

The Wilson boys topped Barker 76-44 to stay unbeaten at 8-0 in N-O action as Aidan Neumann scored 32, Ryan Hough 10 and Brock Lepsch and Shamus George 9 each.

Donovan Hefferon scored 11, JJ Prynn and Carter DerSarkissian 9 each and Anthony Taliaferro 8 for Barker which slips to 1-5.

The Wilson girls improved to 7-0 in N-O action as Kylee Elia scored 18 and Rowan Simpson and Abbie Faery 12 each.

Elise Monaco scored 9 for Barker.

Non League Boys
Perry 75, Holley 45
Josh Silpoch scored 20 and Avante Walker 11 for Holley in the 75-45 non league loss to Perry.

G-R Girls
Oakfield-Alabama 47, Kendall 25
Oakfield-Alabama downed Kendall 47-25 in a Genesee Region League game as Hadley Hicks led the way with 22.

Mia Price scored 10 and Izzy D’Agostio 6 for Kendall.

GCEDC says Orleans opposition to data center review based on ‘sour grapes’

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 January 2026 at 8:54 pm

Retired DA Joe Cardone pitches his property in Shelby for massive project

File photo by Tom Rivers: A massive data center, totaling 2.2 million square feet, could be headed to the STAMP site off Route 63 in the town of Alabama.

ALABAMA – The leader of the Orleans County Legislature is asking the state Department of Environmental Conservation to be the lead agency for an environmental review of a proposed data center at the STAMP site in Alabama, just south of Orleans County.

Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the County Legislature, said in her Jan. 16 letter that the Genesee County Economic Development Center would be “biased” in the review of Project Double Reed and it would be better to have the environmental impact review conducted by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, not the GCEDC. Johnson sent the letter to DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton.

GCEDC has fired back with its own letter to the commissioner and also Regional Director Timothy Walsh, claiming the Orleans opposition is based on “sour grapes” because Orleans wanted the project in Shelby, not Genesee County.

GCEDC also said Orleans has been unable to secure larger-scale projects and tried to thwart Genesee County from running a sewer transmission line from STAMP to Oak Orchard Creek in Shelby to derail development of STAMP. GCEDC has decided to use the sewer plant in Oakfield, with the discharged water still ultimately going into the Oak Orchard.

Adam S. Walters of the Phillips Lytle LLP law firm sent the letter on behalf of the GCEDC on Monday, and cited several procedural errors in Johnson’s letter that should make it invalid. Among the five cited: the letter wasn’t sent by certified mail or other form of receipted delivery (instead by email).

The letter also didn’t have the backing of the full legislature because there was no formal resolution from the County Legislature, Walters said.

Orleans County also isn’t an “involved agency” for for the proposed data center as it “will not fund, approve or directly undertake Project Double Reed,” Wash writes. GCEDC considers Orleans County as an “interested agency” due to STAMP’s proximity to the Orleans/Genesee County line and sewer infrastructure planned to run from STAMP into Orleans County.

Walters said that Johnson’s letter “has no effect” since the GCEDC staked its claim to serve as lead agency more than 30 days ago and that “the NYSDEC itself did not challenge GCEDC’s declaration of intent.”

“It appears that the objections in the Johnson Letter do not stem from any legitimate environmental concerns but rather result from GCEDC refusing to push Project Double Reed to locate in Orleans County rather than at STAMP,” Walters said.

GCEDC first stated it would be lead agency for Project Double Read about a year ago. At the time the $6.3 billion project was proposed at 900,000 square feet and it would have paid $218.4 million to municipalities in revenue over 20 years. The data center now is proposed to be more than double that initial plan.

The initial declaration by GCEDC to be lead agency in the environmental review was rescinded when the project changed to a 2.2 million-square-foot data center consisting of three two-story buildings. It would be on approximately 90 acres at STAMP with another 40 acres to be utilized as temporary construction/logistics areas.

Johnson, in her letter, said no businesses are currently operating at STAMP despite years of public investment in the site. (Edwards Vacuum is building a 250,000-square-foot manufacturing site at STAMP, a $319 million project that is part of the semi-conductor industry.)

“Under GCEDC’s stewardship, STAMP has been nothing more than a series of unfulfilled promises, questionable allocation of resources and a series of environmental pollution events so significant that this Agency and the Federal government revoked its permits,” Johnson said.

GCEDC holds a “biased position,” Johnson said, to “justify the fact that it has spent almost $500 million of taxpayer dollars is to jump start a project — any project — regardless of its environmental impact.”

Her letter said the data center would have a negative impact on air quality, energy usage, water usage and wastewater disposal.

GCEDC responded that Johnson is way off on claiming $500 million in taxpayer dollars for STAMP. The number represents the total investment so far at the site, and most of that has been private contributions, GCEDC said.

“Accordingly, the motivations for Orleans County’s objection appear to be based on so called ‘sour grapes’ regarding failed efforts to secure a multi-billion dollar project and past litigation defeats rather than an honest concern about GCEDC serving as lead agency,” Walters wrote in his letter.

Joe Cardone has proposed his 284 acres of land off Route 63 in Shelby be considered for a large-scale data center.

Walters, the GCEDC attorney, said Johnson’s letter may be an effort to steer the data center into Orleans County. Joe Cardone, the retired district attorney for Orleans, met with the GCEDC on December 18 to pitch his property for the data center. Walters said Cardone is trying to “poach” the project so it can be on his property.

GCEDC, in its letter to the DEC officials, included information provided by Cardone to the GCEDC on why he sees his site as a superior location.

Cardone said it would be away from the Tonawanda Indian Reservation and the wildlife management areas, sensitive sites that many detractors say make STAMP a bad fit for such a large development project.

Cardone, in his presentation to GCEDC, cited other benefits of the site in Shelby:

“downstream” from all environmentally concerning areas
not bordered by sensitive Native American properties
only 5 miles due north of STAMP and 11 miles north of NYS Thruway
closer to Niagara Falls hydropower plant
close proximity to major utilities in Medina, including sewage disposal plant
within 2 miles of industrial development facility in Orleans County (Medina Business Park)
seismically stable property
existing 100-acre excavated stone quarry to serve as cooling station for “closed loop” system
located in sparsely population area
limestone material ad concrete plant at location for construction
access to facility on four roads (Route 63, Ryan, Blair and Salt Works roads)
noise less of a factor with currently operating stone quarry
minimal impact on environmental concerns or farming
more amenities available with the village of Medina just comfortably 3 miles to the north
results of reclamation of existing stone quarry
elimination of disposal into Oak orchard Creek

GCEDC said Cardone’s land would be years away from securing the needed infrastructure and approvals to make the site a possibility for such a development.

Johnson spoke about the letter and response from GCEDC after today’s Legislature meeting. She said she supports the development of STAMP but doesn’t want the sewer discharges harming the Oak Orchard Creek, which is a valuable asset in the county, particularly for fishing, the county’s top tourism draw.

The buildout of STAMP would have many positive ripple effects for Orleans County, she said, bringing more residents to the area for housing, businesses and other economic activity.

She said she was aware Cardone was presenting his land as an option for the data center and she said that is his right as a landowner, but it hasn’t formally been presented to the board of the Orleans Economic Development Agency as an option.

Cardone said the land is Shelby is a better location for the data center than STAMP, which borders a Native American reservation and wildlife management areas.

Updated at 11:22 a.m. on Jan. 28

Lynne Johnson, the County Legislature chairwoman, sent this statement about GCEDC’s response to her letter on Jan. 16:

“My job as Chairman of the Orleans County Legislature is to look out for the best interests of our community. In this instance, that means protecting Oak Orchard Creek which, given past history, is why we objected to GCEDC serving as lead agency for the purported data center project at STAMP. Our sole interest is in protecting the natural resources of Orleans County. Any insinuation that we are attempting to poach this data center project is categorically false and a red herring put forth to discount our legitimate environmental concerns.”

Stingy ‘D’, balanced offense keys Medina win

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 January 2026 at 8:51 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Avion Johnson drives in for a layup against Roy-Hart defenders Matt Aquilina and Tysen McCaa during the Mustangs win over te host Rams this evening.

Combining a stingy, aggressive defense with a balanced offense, Medina posted a 50-34 win over Roy-Hart in a Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball game this evening at Middleport.

Preston Woodworth scored 11 and Christian Moss 9 to lead the way for Medina as Carlos Doval added 8, Kendrick Russaw and Jimmy Dieter 6 each, Kolton Fletcher and Hadrian Batista 4 each and Avion Johnson 2.

Vinny Fazzio took game high honors with 22 for Roy-Hart as Jakob West and Matt Aquilina both had 4 and Tyler Rothwell and Tysen McCaa 2 each.

Steadily pulling away, the Mustangs led 13-12 at the end of the first period, 23-16 at the half and 39-25 after three quarters. Dieter and Doval both hit threes in the third period and Moss scored 6 in the final period.

Medina is now 5-2 and Roy-Hart 0-6 in N-O action.

Medina’s Christian Moss grabs a rebound away from Roy-Hart’s Tyler Rothwell.

Roy-Hart’s Vinny Fazzio goes in for a layup ahead of Medina defender Hadrian Batista.

Mustangs avenge earlier loss to Lady Rams

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 January 2026 at 8:38 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Alexa Demmer puts up a shot as Courtney Aquilina (20) and Kylie McOmber (21) defend for Roy-Hart. The action took place during the Mustangs home court win over the Lady Rams this evening.

Avenging an early season 33 point (65-32) road loss, Medina bested visiting Roy-Hart 57-44 in a Niagara-Orleans League girls basketball game this evening.

Caliyah St. Louis scored a game high 22 points, Alexa Demmer 17, Samantha Heschke 16 and Tatianna Maxon 2 to lead the way for Medina.

Courtney Aquilina scored 19, Millie Owens 11, Adella Dukes 8, Kylie McOmber 4 and Brooke Corser 2 to pace Roy-Hart.

Medina led 12-9 at the end of the first period as St. Louis tallied 8 in the early going.

The Mustangs maintained leads of 29-17 at the half and 40-29 at the end of the third period.

Heschke hit two threes and St. Louis had 6 points in the second period. Heschke then had a two and a three and St. Louis a pair of baskets in the third period. Demmer tallied 9 in the final stanza to help cap off the win.

Medina is now 3-4 and Roy-Hart 4-3 in N-O action.

Roy-Hart’s Courtney Aquilina goes up for a rebound against the Medina duo of Samantha Heschke (5) and Madison Zeiner (52).

Medina’s Caliyah St. Louis puts up a shot as Kylie McOmber (21) and Peyton May (23) defend for Roy-Hart.

Orleans County OFA accepting nominations for seniors who are active volunteers

Posted 27 January 2026 at 1:00 pm

Honoree to be recognized on ‘Older New Yorker’s Day’ in May

Press Release, Orleans County Office for the Aging

ALBION – The Orleans County Office of the Aging (OFA) is currently accepting nominations to honor an older resident who has made outstanding contributions to our community through their volunteer work.

The honoree will be part the statewide Older New Yorker’s Day of Recognition which will be held this May.

“The Orleans County OFA is thankful that we have so many older adults who are committed to service and to helping others,” said Melissa Blanar, director of Orleans County OFA. “This statewide program is a chance to celebrate their talents and achievements and say thank you for their efforts. I hope we receive several nominations.”

Blanar said the Office for the Aging Advisory Council will select the awardee, who will be also be recognized locally in addition to the state event. Nominees must be older adults residing in Orleans County who have achieved something extraordinary or performed exceptional service to the community since the age of 60.

To nominate someone for this award, there is a short application form that can be found by clicking here.

Nomination forms should then be sent to: Melissa Blanar, Director, Orleans County Office for the Aging, 14016 Route 31 W., Albion, NY 14411, or emailed to Melissa.Blanar@orleanscountyny.gov.

Nominations are due by Feb. 15. Please call OFA at 585-589-3191 if you have any questions.

On snow day, kids in Kendall shovel out many fire hydrants

Posted 27 January 2026 at 11:53 am

Photos courtesy of Kendall Fire Department: More than 40 kids took the challenge on Monday to shovel snow away from fire hydrants in the Kendall community or to help shovel a neighbor’s driveway.

Press Release, Kendall Fire Department

KENDALL – During Monday’s snow day with kids getting the day off from school, the Kendall Fire Department set out to create a simple and fun way to keep kids engaged while also helping the community.

What began as a small idea quickly turned into an inspiring display of community pride, service and teamwork.

The department announced a contest inviting children to shovel out a fire hydrant or a neighbor’s driveway for a chance to win a ride to school on a Kendall fire truck. While firefighters anticipated just a handful of participants, the response far exceeded expectations, with over 40 submissions from children across the Kendall community.

“Helping others is at the core of what we do,” Capt. James Fox shared. “But watching these young kids brave the cold, take initiative, and help ensure fire hydrants were accessible was truly special. Clearing hydrants means that if a home or a neighbor’s house were to catch fire, firefighters can access water quickly when every second matters. That level of awareness and selflessness at such a young age was one of our proudest moments.”

To thank everyone who participated, the Kendall Fire Department will be hosting a pizza party on Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. at the firehouse for all contest participants. During the event, the department will also draw the name of the winner who will receive a memorable ride to school on a Kendall fire truck. The drawing will also be done live on Facebook.

The department would also like to recognize Partyka Farms for their generous donation of ice cream for each child who participated in the contest, helping make the experience even more rewarding.

“In a time when there can be so much division, the Kendall community once again showed what makes our town special,” Fox added. “This event was a powerful reminder that we are one school, one community, and one family.”

The Kendall Fire Department thanks all the children, parents, and neighbors who helped turn a snow day into an unforgettable demonstration of community spirit.

Trump administration twists facts in labeling Alex Pretti a ‘domestic terrorist’

Posted 27 January 2026 at 11:08 am

Editor:

Once again, someone is killed by immigration officers in Minnesota. Once again, the official account of what happened is not supported by video evidence.

According to the government, Alex Jeffrey Pretti “approached U.S. Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun,” and Border Patrol tried to disarm him. Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, has issued a statement claiming that Mr. Pretti intended to “kill law enforcement” and calling him a “domestic terrorist.”

Video of the incident shows a completely different story. In the video, Mr. Pretti is directing traffic in an area with agents around. Then he tries to help another protester who federal agents pushed to the ground. Mr. Pretti is then surrounded by six or seven heavily armed agents in full military gear and body armor; he puts his hands up, showing a phone in one hand and the other hand is empty.

The federal agents spray Mr. Pretti in the face with pepper then they pull him to the ground. An agent appears to take a legal firearm out of the back of Mr. Pretti’s waistband. It is important to note that Mr. Pretti had a legal permit to carry that firearm.

Then shots are fired and Mr. Pretti stops moving. So, it appears that Mr. Pretti is disarmed, on the ground with at least six agents in full combat gear on top of him when he is killed. It appears to be an execution.

It appears, at the very least, that federal agents violated Mr. Pretti’s First Amendment rights to protest, his Second Amendment rights to legally carry a firearm, and his Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.

The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Associated Press and other organizations have analyzed the video and concluded that it contradicts what the Trump administration is telling us. Is the administration lying to us? Mr. Trump and his Republican enablers have demonstrated a willingness to lie when it is in their interest.

Normally, the FBI investigates these types of shootings. But once again neither the FBI nor local law enforcement officials will be allowed to investigate the incident. The Department of Homeland Security, which has already passed judgment that Mr. Pretti was a terrorist and the killing was justified, will investigate. Why won’t they allow independent investigations? What are they afraid of? What are they hiding?

Once again there is no accountability and no transparency from this administration or the Republican enablers. Finally, I want to remind everyone that Representatives Claudia Tenney and Nick Langworthy are silently acquiescing to this administration’s violation of our Constitutional rights and the lack of accountability.

William Fine

Brockport

State comptroller: All 5 school districts in Orleans not in fiscal stress

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 January 2026 at 9:34 am

Albion and Lyndonville have perfect “0” scores with no indicators of fiscal stress

The state comptroller’s office report has put out a report of the nearly 700 school districts in the state, assessing their fiscal stress.

In Orleans County, the five districts Orleans – Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina – all have no designation for fiscal stress.

The comptroller has a ranking system where points are assigned to financial indicators showing fiscal stress. The more points for a district, the more signs of fiscal stress.

The comptroller rates the districts by four levels: no designation (fiscal stress points from 0-24.9), susceptible (25 to 44.9 points), moderate (45 to 64.9) and significant (65 to 100).

Statewide there are two districts rated in “significant stress” with Mount Vernon in Westchester County at 85.0 points and Harrisville in Lewis County at 73.3.

Four others are in moderate stress: West Canada Valley in Herkimer County, Fulton in Oswego County, South Country in Suffolk County and Marathon in Cortland County.

There are 25 others, including Newfane in Niagara County, that are considered to be “susceptible.”

• Albion had a perfect score of 0, showing no signs of fiscal stress. Albion had $35,023,445 in gross expenditures in 2025, and a total fund balance of $52,566,362 with no operating deficits, according to the comptroller’s report.

• Holley is in “no designation” but its fiscal stress score has risen from 13.3 in 2023 to 20.0 in both 2024 and 2025.

Holley scored some fiscal stress points for cash ratio (cash and investments as percentage of current liabilities) and cash as a percentage of monthly gross expenditures.

Holley had $26,692,070 in gross expenditures for 2025 and a total fund balance of $12,385,393.

• Kendall in 2025 had gross expenditures of $21,077,261 and total fund balance of $15,068,835.

The district’s fiscal stress points have dropped from 13.3 in 2023 to 10.0 in 2024 to 6.7 in 2025. Kendall had 6.7 points in 2025 for “operating deficits.”

• Lyndonville also had a perfect score of 0 points. The district had $15,877,658 in expenditures and total fund balance of $11,275,775 in 2025.

• Medina had 0 fiscal stress points in 2023 and 2024, but has 10 for 2025 with 3.33 for cash as a percentage of monthly gross expenditure and 6.67 for operating deficits.

Medina totaled $44,922,233 in expenditures and $6,863,209 in total fund balance for 2025.

Click here to see the full comptroller’s report on fiscal stress for school districts.