By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 August 2026 at 2:51 pm
Bullard hosting picnic for senior citizens on Thursday
ALBION – The thunderstorm has forced the Village of Albion to reschedule this evening’s concert featuring Highway 31. The band will instead perform at 6 p.m. on Aug. 26 from the amphitheater at Bullard Park.
Bullard next week will host the band Swamp Moose beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 19.
The park on Thursday is hosting a picnic for senior citizens from 4 to 6:30 p.m. The Village of Albion Recreation Department is putting on the event at the east end pavilion at Bullard.
Food and beverages will be served, including chicken barbecue, hot dogs, hamburgers, cucumber, tomato, onion salad, coleslaw with a sweet vinaigrette, water, watermelon and peach apple cherry dump cake.
Live music will be provided by The Hastings Duo. Participants are welcome to bring their own lawn chair but picnic tables will be available.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 August 2026 at 9:31 am
Severe, prolonged cold spell strained electric system, causing big jump
Photos by Tom Rivers: Jim Stokes, executive director of the Municipal Electric Utilities Association, speaks during the Village of Holley board meeting on Tuesday. In back from left include board members Rochelle Moroz, Jessica MacClaren, Mayor Mark Bower, Brenden Bedard and John Morriss.
HOLLEY – Village residents are accustomed to getting a very good deal on their electric bills. But last winter those costs skyrocketed after a prolonged cold spell in late January and part of February.
There were about two weeks total of very cold weather, and the frigid temperatures affected the Northeast, straining the electric system.
The power stayed on, but the price was up exponentially, even for municipal electric systems like Holley, said Jim Stokes, executive director of the Municipal Electric Utilities Association.
He addressed the Holley Village Board and residents during Tuesday’s Village Board meeting. Stokes said the state has taken some big power plants off line in recent years. That has hurt the in-state power generation capacity.
Jim Stokes said the state’s electric-generating capacity remains vulnerable to peak demand times where the power would need to be purchased from other states or Canada.
During times of peak demand, such as a prolonged freeze, the demand soars, and New York State looks to get power from Canada and neighboring states. Those areas also saw increased demand during last winter’s drawn-out severe cold, Stokes said.
Holley typically gets its electricity at a very lower price through a Niagara hydropower allocation. The Municipal Electric Utilities Association hedges that price and secures a low price for the 51 municipal systems. Holley has 1,008 customers on a 2,400-voltage system.
But the if the power demand exceeds the hedged amount of power, the municipal systems have to get more power from the open market at a time of high demand and very high prices.
“The market price went through the roof,” he said.
A kilowatt hour is typically about 29 to 30 cents in New York State. But in a municipal-owned system like Holley the cost is about 3 to 3.5 cents. During last winter’s severe cold, the price on the open market shot to 60 cents to a $1, causing shockingly high electric bills, even in Holley.
Stokes said the state hasn’t added significant electric capacity and is vulnerable again this coming winter if there is a prolonged cold spell.
He suggests insulating houses and taking other actions to reduce use during a peak demand time.
The best way to avoid the price spike is for an easier winter, without a prolonged deep freeze.
“Milder temps is our best hope,” he said.
He also was asked by Mayor Mark Bower if larger industrial users can cause price spikes. Stokes said the larger users help keep the base rates down because they pay a high percentage of those costs. But if the demand soars and the municipal systems needs power from the open market, a larger user can be a detriment.
“Large uses are not necessarily bad users,” he said. “The systems without industrial users struggle because it’s all on the backs of the residents.”
Jim Stokes presented Holley with two signs and plaques that proclaim Holley’s is a carbon-free electric system. The village gets a hydropower allocation from the Niagara Power Project. Pictured with Stokes include Matt Campbell (left), the village’s electric & water superintendent; and Mayor Mark Bower. The signs will likely be displayed with the Holley welcome signs at each end of Route 31 in the village.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 August 2026 at 7:18 am
Nesbitt Farms offers alternative land away from water plant, residents’ access road
Photo by Tom Rivers: Rick Stacey speaks to the Carlton Town Board on Tuesday evening, with members including Ryan Woolston, Town Supervisor Gayle Ashbery, Brian McCue and Charlie Ricci.
CARLTON – The Carlton Town Board was asked on Tuesday to have construction halted on a 160-foot-high tower by the Village of Albion water treatment plant. The 150-foot-high tower would have a 10-foot-high lightning rod on top.
A group of residents led by Rick Stacey say there are several procedural errors in the project that warrant holding off construction. Stacey said there are better sites that would be safer for nearby residents and wouldn’t be a visual blight along the Lake Ontario shoreline.
Carlton Town Board members declined to comment on the matter during Tuesday’s Town Board meeting, after Stacey and another neighbor, Dave Coleman, asked questions about the project.
Town Supervisor Gayle Ashbery said any comments will be made by the town’s legal representation. Carlton on Tuesday voted to hire Bridget O’Toole, a partner with town attorney Doug Heath. O’Toole was appointed special counsel for town regarding the tower on Wilson Road.
Stacey said he didn’t want to see a legal battle over the issue. He asked the board to halt construction and discuss a better site with the nearby residents. Steve Nesbitt, a local fruit farmer, has offered to allow the tower on his property where he said it would safely be away from any public access roads.
The Carlton Planning Board last week approved an amended site plan for the project where the access road will be the driveway to the village’s water treatment plant.
Stacey, during Tuesday’s Town Board meeting, reiterated his claims that the nearby residents never received proper notification about the project.
The fall zone for the tower cuts across a private access road for Oak Orchard on the Lake. Contractors are already on site working on the project, and have used private land without permission to access the site, Stacey said.
“Over the last seven days, our local governments have permitted a private contractor to aggressively carve out an unpermitted access road directly to Wilson Road and fast-track the delivery of structural tower components to the site,” Stacey wrote in a letter presented to the Carlton Town Board. “This reckless acceleration is a transparent, bad-faith attempt to manufacture a fait accompli (a done deal) to outrun judicial intervention.”
He presented the letter on behalf of The Neighbors of Oak Orchard on the Lake & Nesbitt Fruit Farms – Steve Nesbitt Sr., Rick Stacey, David Coleman, Gary and Ruth Smith, and Brett and Arona Browning.
“We place the Town, Village, and County on formal record that you are moving forward with an unengineered, non-compliant, and hazardous structure,” their letter stated. “The project contains fatal legal, physical, and safety defects that expose all three municipalities, as well as individual board members, to severe civil liability, state regulatory clawbacks, and insurance coverage forfeiture.”
The tower is part of a $11,216,500 contract from North Shore Networks LLC in Medina to implement the faster internet service. The county in November 2024 was awarded a $11,562,698 state grant to upgrade wireless internet service throughout the county.
The funding came through the Empire State Development’s ConnectALL Municipal Infrastructure Program. This will allow the county to increase wireless internet speeds from the current 25 Mega Bit Per Seconds (Mbps) to 100 (Mbps).
The Carlton tower by the water plant included approvals from the Village of Albion, Town of Carlton and Orleans County.
The neighbors, in their letter, said the project was presented by Core Environmental, engineer on the project, to have “minimal visual impact” on the neighboring properties.
But that assertion “is a fraudulent distortion of the physical reality,” Stacey and the neighbors write. The tower’s 82-inch concrete base with a 20-foot diameter concrete ballasted base sitting entirely above ground.
“This massive, raw industrial mass will sit directly on our lakefront terrain, completely wiping out the pristine aesthetic values of our waterfront, shattering the historic context of the Nesbitt multi-generational homestead, and inflicting an immediate, unstudied economic blight on neighboring home values,” the letter states. “The claim of ‘minimal impact’ is an absolute fabrication.”
The neighbors cite other concerns, including the fall zone over residential lanes and critical utility paths. The tower would be sited 28 feet from the primary high-voltage overhead power lines feeding the water plant.
“Ripping down this primary electrical feed will immediately shut down the Village of Albion Water Treatment Plant,” the neighbors’ letter states. “This introduces a severe, widespread public safety crisis by creating a total loss of water pressure and municipal water supply, completely crippling fire protection services across the entire district during an emergency.”
Stacey and the neighbors also say there is a lack of structural analysis, blueprints and professional engineering seals for the tower. There should be an analysis whether the tower can withstand intense coastal winds and dead-weight loading, the neighbors write.
Other concerns listed by neighbors in their letter include:
• “Complete absence of professional project oversight and mandatory agency reviews.” No NYS Department of Environmental Conservation jurisdictional reviews. Despite sitting on the immediate waterfront of Lake Ontario, the project has completely bypassed mandatory reviews by the DEC for shoreline protection and environmental runoff mitigation.
• “Extreme ice-fall and ice-shedding projectile hazard to human life.” Because this structure sits directly on the open shoreline of Lake Ontario, it is subject to constant winter cycles of heavy freezing spray, severe atmospheric icing, and relentless lake-effect wind vectors.
“Laser metrics confirm the tower base is placed a mere 146 feet from the southern edge of our private residential walking road (the path our families must walk daily to get our mail) and only 160 feet from our eastern property line,” the letter states. “This structure creates an active 94-foot safety shortfall to our road and an 80-foot shortfall to our yards. The Town, Village, and County are actively permitting a predictable, lethal projectile trajectory over our heads and private land.”
• “Saturated foundation integrity, ballasted foundation hazard and active water table intrusion.” The physical footprint prepared for this multi-ton steel structure requires dropping a ballasted foundation straight into the Lake Ontario beachfront water table.
“Submerging a heavy, multi-ton 20-foot diameter ballasted foundation directly into a flooded hole in shifting, saturated coastal soil that breaches the active water table—without a certified Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) or NYS DEC Coastal Consistency Review—invites catastrophic foundation shifting, buoyancy destabilization, and structural failure,” the letter states.
• “Direct defeat of public safety fall zones and emergency vehicle blockade.”
Town of Carlton Zoning Code strictly dictates that a telecommunications facility’s structural “fall zone” must have a radius of at least 1½ times the height of the tower and cannot include public or private roads. The tower is located only 146 feet from a private access road. If this tower suffers a structural failure or collapse, its 160-foot radius will completely sever and block the sole ingress/egress path for police, fire, and emergency rescue vehicles to reach our five residential households, the neighbors write.
• “Critical public safety aviation hazard and agricultural flight path interference.” The 160-foot vertical structure is completely unlit, unmarked, and utilizes a dull, gray galvanized finish, rendering it virtually invisible against the grey winter skies and water of the Lake Ontario lakefront, the neighbors state in their letter.
Orleans County and Core Engineering bypassed filing a mandatory FAA Form 7460-1 Aeronautical Study, the neighbors say. “There is no FAA Determination of No Hazard to Air Navigation or official Antenna Structure Registration (ASR) on file for this footprint,” their letter states.
Nesbitt Fruit Farms has operated its high-density apple orchards on this lakefront since 1968. Crop-duster pilots navigate this specific airspace at low-altitude elevations of 15 to 30 feet, using the open waterfront to execute critical banking and turnaround maneuvers.
“Placing an unvetted, unlit 160-foot steel needle directly in an active agricultural spray line creates an immediate aviation collision hazard and an uncompensated economic blockade that forces a respected local business to lose essential crop protection,” the letter states.
• “Invalid permits issued by an uncertified code enforcement officer.” The individual acting as the Town of Carlton code enforcement officer, Kevin Sheehan, is not certified for code enforcement by New York State.
“Under New York State Executive Law, an uncertified individual does not possess the legal authority to review structural prints, sign off on site plans, or issue valid building permits,” the letter states. “Every single administrative permission or permit signed by Mr. Sheehan regarding this 160-foot structure is legally void ab initio (invalid from inception).”
• “Fatal multi-agency conflict of interest.” Kevin Sheehan also serves as an Albion village trustee. The village is the property owner of the tower.
“Under New York State General Municipal Law Article 18, this represents a non-waivable, fatal conflict of interest,” Stacey and the neighbors write. “An enforcement officer cannot legally or impartially review code applications or grant zoning exemptions for a project governed by his own elected political board.”
• “Fraudulent blueprints & state grant fraud exposure.” The construction drawings submitted by project planners completely ignored the physical, verified survey concrete corner markers on the property, creating a massive 34-foot dimensional error, the letter states.
“Boundary lines were manipulated on the drawings to falsely manufacture zoning compliance,” the letter states. “Because these flawed layouts were submitted to New York State to secure public grant funding for this broadband project, the entire state grant allocation is now structurally linked to a fraudulent application. Plowing ahead exposes the Town, Village, and County to severe state regulatory audits and mandatory grant clawbacks.”
• “Unlawful fraudulent meeting process & open meetings law violations” The Town of Carlton rescheduled a Planning Board meeting last week from Aug. 5 to Aug. 3 to approve the amended site plan for the tower.
“This is a bad-faith violation of the New York State Open Meetings Law (Public Officers Law § 104), executed specifically to pass an un-referred scope amendment before the public could organize,” the neighbor write.
Stacey was given 5 minutes to speak at the meeting and share concerns, but the neighborhood wasn;t allowed to speak as a group. When Stacey tried to speak beyond the 5 minutes, he was told by attorney O’Toole he would be removed by law enforcement.
“Town Attorney Ms. O’Toole stepped in, acted as judge and jury, instructed the board exactly how to read and accept the amendments like puppets, and threatened to have Rick physically removed by law enforcement if he did not stop speaking,” the neighbors’ letter states.
The neighbors urged Carlton officials to consider Nesbitt’s land as an alternative inland site for the tower.
“This inland location handles the county’s connectivity needs perfectly, but places the structure safely away from the Lake Ontario water table, away from residential property lines, and completely clear of our shared emergency evacuation road and utility corridors,” the letter states. “Let’s do the right thing here.”
To move forward at the water treatment site and not issue a stop work order, represents “willful and reckless negligence, which strips the municipalities of standard governmental immunity, voids your insurance coverage limits, and exposes these boards and their individual members to direct, un-insured civil damages,” the neighbors state.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 12 August 2026 at 7:07 am
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall All State honorees Jonny Conte, left, and Vinnie D’Agostino.
Kendall, which reached the state championship game for the first time, has placed four players on the Class C All State Baseball squad.
The Eagles are represented on the first team by senior third baseman/pitcher Vinnie D’Agostino, on the third team by senior second baseman Jonny Conte, on the fourth team by junior first baseman/ pitcher CJ D’Agostino and on the fifth team by senior pitcher Nic Cole.
Vinnie D’Agostino hit .505 with 12 doubles, 4 triples, 3 home runs and 36 RBIs. On the mound he notched 80 strikeouts in 51.1 innings of work with a 0.955 era.
Conte hit .419 with 8 doubles and 22 RBIs.
CJ D’Agostino hit .452 with 9 doubles, 5 triples, 2 home runs and 24 RBIs. He also registered 56 strikeouts in 34 innings of work on the mound with a 1.835 era.
Cole notched 95 strikeouts in 62.2 innings of work and had a 0.894 era. At the plate he had 4 doubles and 22 RBIs.
Compiling a 24-3 record, Kendall captured Genesee Region League and Section V Class C titles, a regional win and a state semifinal victory before dropping a 4-1 decision to Saratoga Catholic in the state championship game.
In addition, Notre Dame has two Class C All-State honorees in junior Chase Antinore, who is a first team selection and junior Evan Fitzpatrick who is a second team honoree.
Pembroke senior Brayden Lange is a Class C Honorable Mention selection.
Eagles All State honorees Nic Cole, left, and CJ D’Agostino.
Over 200 firearms were seized in Bergen, Lyndonville and Medina
Press Release, U.S. Attorney for Western District of New York, Michael DiGiacomo
BUFFALO – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Peter Celentano, 37, of Bergen, who was convicted of illegal possession of machineguns, was sentenced to serve 41 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
On September 29, 2024, the New York State Police, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, executed a search warrant at Celentano’s residence in Bergen.
During the search, law enforcement recovered numerous items, including 3D printed pistol frames, firearm parts and accessories, ammunition reloading equipment, tools for constructing privately made firearms, a drill press, and two 3D printed machinegun conversion devices.
Law enforcement also conducted additional searches at properties in Lyndonville and Medina, during which they seized numerous AR-style lower receivers, 3D printed handguns, and additional firearm parts and accessories. In total, law enforcement seized over 200 firearms tied to Celentano.
During the investigation, law enforcement learned that Celentano provided another individual with nine lower receivers, two of which contained the “third pin hole,” qualifying them as machineguns. An individual known by defendant had subsequently discarded these firearms off the Beals Road Bridge into the Erie Canal. A New York State Police dive team searched the Erie Canal beneath the bridge in Medina and recovered a cardboard box containing 10 AR-style receivers, an unmarked handgun, ammunition magazines, and additional firearm parts.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Kevin Sucher, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Joseph M. Graff, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan DiGirolamo, New York Field Division.
Photos courtesy of Crosby’s and Reid Petroleum: Crosby’s employees joined officials at Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to celebrate the $20,432 raised at Crosby’s stores to support awareness, research and treatment for CF. The Albion store at the routes 31 and 98 raised the most of all the Crosby’s stores. Zoey, a local CF fighter, holds the ceremonial check.
Press Release, Crosby’s and Reid Petroleum
ALBION – Crosby’s and Reid Petroleum successfully concluded their 2026 campaign partnership with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, raising a total of $20,432 to support awareness, research and treatment for CF.
The donation was presented to representatives of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF), as well as Tim, Annelle, and Beth Royer, the grandparents and mother of Zoey – a local CF Fighter supported by the CFF and Crosby’s. The presentation took place at Crosby’s Albion location, which was recognized as the store that had raised the most during this year’s CF Awareness Campaign.
“When the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation was founded 71 years ago, children born with cystic fibrosis were generally not expected to live long enough to attend kindergarten or elementary school,” said Heather McKeever, executive director of the Cystic Fibrosis
Foundation of WNY. “Because of Crosby’s support along with our Western New York community and donors like you, the median age is now 66 years old, and people with cystic fibrosis continue to live longer and healthier lives. Together, we will make CF stand for ‘Cure Found’!”
Crosby’s received a plaque from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The presentation was made last Friday at the Albion store at 204 South Main St. Every year Crosby’s dedicates a campaign month among other outside efforts to raise money and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis, along with the guidance and partnership of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. This year once again, the Albion store raised the most money for CF over the course of our campaign.
Throughout the campaign, Crosby’s customers showed their support by:
Rounding up at the register
Purchasing $1 pinups
During the event, Crosby’s Vice President Lenny Smith spoke about the personal and community-wide importance of the partnership, sharing the words of his late friend, who both fought and advocated for CF: “That’s what hope looks like: science, compassionate care, family, and community all coming together. I truly believe that is what we’ve accomplished here.”
The Reid Group, based in Lockport encompasses Reid Stores, LLC d.b.a. Crosby’s and Reid Petroleum, LLC. Crosby’s operates 90 locations throughout Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania. Reid Petroleum is a full-service independent fuel marketer providing a comprehensive range of products and services for retail and wholesale customers.
The family-owned business traces its roots to 1922 and is led more than a century later by 3rd and 4th generation members along with over 1,000 dedicated associates.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 August 2026 at 2:09 pm
Provided photo
ALBION – Albion’s Class of 1966 celebrated its 60th reunion last Friday at the Tavern on the Ridge.
Sitting from left to right include Ann Moore Brown, Donna Howes, Jennifer Buckner Conley, Chris Butcher Matull and Debby Passarell.
Second row from left: Barbara Christopher Dunham, Marcia Telga Stornelli, Sandra Restivo Hinmin, Cris Eddy Haltom, Marie Davis Rice, Bruce Sidari, Rebecca Passarell Daniels, Pat Whipple Clark, Charles Craddock, Patricia Barnum McKenna, Marylin Clark Burgoon, Margie Roth Page, Patricia Mack Halt and Linda Pecorella Freas.
Back row from left: Mark Theodorakos, Tom Gardner, Ernie Katsampes, Robert Parke, Jack Kriss, Dave Canham, Wil Harris, Jack Batchellor, Jim Wells, Phil Coville, Dave Bieber and Mike Elam.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 11 August 2026 at 2:01 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina Class B All-State honorees Aidan Papaj, left, and Preston Woodworth.
State finalist Medina has placed three players on the Class B All State baseball squad.
Medina, which reached the state championship game for the first time, is represented by junior shortstop/pitcher Aidan Papaj who has been named Co-Player of the Year, junior pitcher/shortstop Preston Woodworth who is a first team honoree and senior outfielder Vinny Gray who is a 6th team selection.
Papaj and Woodworth are both repeat All-State honorees.
In addition, Roy-Hart has two Class B All-State honorees in senior second baseman/pitcher Isaac Smith who is a second team honoree and senior outfielder/pitcher Gavin Heideman who is a 6th team selection.
Papaj hit .507 for the season with 6 doubles, 2 triples, 30 RBIs and 41 stolen bases. On the mound he registered 112 strikeouts in 59.2 innings of work.
Woodworth notched 132 strikeouts in 69.1 innings of work on the mound. At the plate, he hit .400 with 14 doubles and 29 RBIs.
Gray hit .299 with 4 doubles, 2 triples, 15 RBIs and 30 stolen bases.
Compiling a 22-3 overall record, Medina captured both Niagara-Orleans League and Section VI titles for the third straight year and went on to win both regional and state semifinal contests before dropping a 3-0 decision to Chester in the state championship game.
Smith hit. 429 with 8 doubles, 1 triple, 4 home runs and 32 RBIs. on the mound he registered 41 strikeouts.
Heideman hit .259 with 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run and 11RBIs. He notched 70 strikeouts on the mound.
NOTE – THE LOCAL STATE CLASS C HONOREES WILL BE POSTED ON WEDNESDAY.
Class B All-State honorees, from left, Isaac Smith (Roy-Hart), Vinny Gray (Medina) and Gavin Heideman (Roy-Hart).
RIDGEWAY – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) will be on hand Tuesday, Aug. 18, for his final American Red Cross Blood Drive of the summer.
No new appointments are currently being accepted, but Hawley encourages those who have already signed up to attend and donate. As blood supplies remain critically low, every donation can help ensure hospitals have the blood they need to care for patients throughout the region.
“Every blood donation has the potential to save lives, and our community has always stepped up when help is needed,” Hawley said. “I encourage everyone who has already scheduled an appointment to join us for our final blood drive of the summer and make a difference for someone in need.”
The blood drive is from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Co., 11392 Ridge Rd., Medina, NY 14103.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 11 August 2026 at 12:23 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Jr. Wilson shortstop Sara Flansburg makes a throw to first for an out during Monday evening’s playoff action. Connie Heschke of Banes is at second base,
Jr. Wilson and Banes both scored victories Monday evening to advance to next week’s Medina Women’s Softball ‘A’ League playoff finals.
Jr. Wilson downed Banes 14-10 in the winners bracket final.
Banes rebounded to outlast Katys/Parkitects by a football like score of 28-21 in the losers bracket final to also advance to the finals.
The championship round is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. next Monday at the Jr. Wilson fields.
Earlier in the evening Parkitects ousted White Birch 11-0.
Jr. Wilson 14, Banes 10
Sparking the Jr. Wilson attack was Lizzy Hazel who had a RBI double in the first inning along with Alyssa Ramarge who hit a home run and grand slam.
Sharon Korzelius also chipped in a double, while Jenn Thom, Connie Hornquist, Jodi Zacher, Jaclyn Rodriguez, and Sara Flansburg all had hits for Junior Wilson.
Lindsey Chatt, Sue Seefeldt and Amy Lavender each had 3 hits for Banes as Connie Heschke, Jami Chatt, Morgan Allis, Rileigh McCae and Teri Scharlau each had 2.
Banes 28, Parkitects 21
Allis had 5 hits and Lindsey Chatt 4 to lead the offense for Banes as Heschke, Jami Chatt, Cathy Riggs, Seefeldt and Lavender each had 3 and Sophia Goyette, McCabe and Scharlau each had 2.
Lorelei Sanders, Alisha Foss, Bree Smith and Kennedy Clark each had 3 hits for Parkitects.
Parkitects 11, White Birch 0
Parkitects banged out 16 hits including a double and single by Smith and a double by Haley Shaffer. Kim White, Jen Masse, Sanders, Robin Blaun and Kristen Ball all had two singles. Foss and Clark both had one single.
White Birch, which played with oly 9 players, had eight hits including a double and single by Rebekah Hoffee, two singles by Kenzie Muck and one single each by Ella Lewis, Anna Lewis, Maddy Boyle and Mallory Albone.
Bsnes outfielder Morgan Allis stretches to make a catch in deep centerfield.
Press Release, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee
File photo by Tom Rivers: Renee Hungerford, executive director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, in shown in 2025 standing outside the Head Start school on East State Street in Albion.
ALBION – Community Action of Orleans and Genesee is currently assessing the impact of a significant reduction in federal Head Start funding that will affect the organization’s operations, staffing, and future planning.
The reduction totals nearly $1 million, representing approximately one-third of the agency’s Head Start funding. As Head Start accounts for more than half of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee’s overall operating budget, the impact extends beyond a single program and presents challenges for the organization as a whole.
“While this funding reduction is occurring within the Head Start program, it is important to understand that no challenge affects only one area of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee,” said Renee Hungerford, Executive Director/CEO. “We operate as one agency, and changes of this magnitude create ripple effects across our organization.”
In addition to the direct reduction in program funding, administrative funding associated with federal grants is also affected proportionally, creating further financial implications that must be carefully evaluated.
The funding reduction stems primarily from enrollment challenges that have affected Head Start programs in communities across the country. Locally, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee has found it increasingly difficult to maintain full enrollment as more families find themselves caught on the benefits cliff, earning too much to qualify for Head Start services while still not earning enough to comfortably afford childcare and other basic necessities.
These are often minimum wage earners. At the same time, the expansion of Universal Pre-K programs that provide transportation has become the most practical option for many families. Community Action of Orleans and Genesee’s current funding structure makes it increasingly difficult to sustain the cost of busing, creating an additional challenge in serving families who need reliable transportation for their children.
“Our families are making the best decisions they can for their children,” Hungerford said. “When transportation is provided through another program, parents often have little choice but to enroll there. Unfortunately, the current funding model does not adequately account for the rising costs of transportation, facilities, insurance, supplies, and utilities, making it increasingly difficult to sustain services while remaining competitive with other early childhood programs.”
While enrollment has declined, Hungerford emphasized that the funding reduction is not a reflection of program performance or community need.
“The reality is that Head Start remains critically important in our community,” Hungerford said. “The challenge is that eligibility rules and economic realities have changed. Many working families no longer qualify even though they continue to struggle financially. At the same time, transportation has become an increasingly important factor in parents’ choice of early childhood programs.”
Hungerford also noted that Head Start provides far more than preschool services.
“Head Start is much more than Pre-K,” she said. “It is a comprehensive child and family development program. We provide education, health screenings, dental referrals, family support services, and resources that help parents achieve greater stability and independence. The impact extends well beyond the classroom.”
During Program Year 2025-2026, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee’s Head Start program demonstrated significant outcomes for children and families:
32% of preschool children successfully transitioned to kindergarten with improved school readiness skills, while another 42% will return for a second year of Head Start services to continue their development.
100% of enrolled children received preventive health screenings.
76 children were brought up to date on age-appropriate immunizations through coordination with healthcare providers.
49% of Head Start children received dental examinations and follow-up care in a region where access to pediatric dental services remains extremely limited.
80% of families participated in family engagement activities.
100% of families established and made progress toward family partnership goals related to employment, education, parenting, school readiness, housing stability, or financial well-being.
Community Action of Orleans and Genesee also notes that federal funding reductions are typically calculated using a per-child formula. However, those calculations do not adequately account for fixed costs that continue regardless of enrollment levels, including facilities, transportation, utilities, insurance, regulatory compliance, educational materials, and other operational expenses. As a result, the financial impact of enrollment-based funding reductions often exceeds what the formula suggests.
Community Action of Orleans and Genesee’s leadership team is actively reviewing all available options and advocating for every opportunity to lessen the impact of the reduction. Hungerford has begun reaching out to federal, state, and local elected officials to seek assistance and support in protecting critical services that benefit children, families, and communities throughout the region.
“This funding reduction affects far more than our organization,” Hungerford said. “It impacts the children we educate, the families we support, and the communities our elected officials serve. I am asking our federal, state, and local leaders to work with us to protect these vital resources for their constituents and help ensure that vulnerable families do not bear the burden of these cuts.”
Hungerford also expressed gratitude for the support already received from local leaders.
“We are thankful to Orleans County Legislature Chairman Lynne Johnson for her support of our advocacy efforts and her recognition of the importance of preserving these resources for our community,” Hungerford said. “Strong partnerships with local elected officials are critical as we work together to protect services that benefit children, families, and vulnerable residents throughout Orleans County and Genesee County.”
The agency is conducting a thorough assessment of financial and operational implications while pursuing every available avenue to preserve funding and minimize impacts on employees, services, and the families who depend on Community Action of Orleans and Genesee’s programs.
“These are difficult conversations, and we recognize the uncertainty they create for our staff, our families, and our community partners,” Hungerford said. “Our commitment is to approach every decision thoughtfully, strategically, and with the long-term sustainability of the agency in mind.”
Despite this challenge, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee remains focused on its mission and its commitment to helping local residents overcome barriers and achieve self-sufficiency.
“Community Action has weathered challenges before, and what has always carried us forward is the strength of our people,” Hungerford said. “Every day, our staff make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, families, and individuals across our communities. We remain committed to serving those who depend on us.”
Community Action of Orleans and Genesee will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available and decisions are made.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 August 2026 at 8:50 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Brandon Brown is sworn in as a new sergeant for the Medina Police Department on Monday evening. His wife Diana Brown holds the Bible while he takes the oath of office.
Brown joined the Medina PD in Feb. 25, 2025. Before that he worked about two years for the Le Roy Police Department.
Diana Brown pins the chevrons on her husband’s collar after a swearing-in ceremony on Monday evening. Medina Mayor Debbie Padoleski is in back.
Sgt. Brown, an Albion graduate, said he enjoys working with the Medina community and is excited to be part of the leadership working to rebuild the Medina Police Department. The Medina PD is currently at about half strength after several officers left to join other nearby higher-paying departments.
The Medina PD has been without a new contract for more than three years and is in arbitration.
Brown said the police department and Village Board support training for the officers and want them to forge strong relationships in the community. He cited a recent outing at the YMCA where he and other officers played dodgeball against YMCA staff.
“Medina is a like a hometown to me,” he said about the community policing efforts. “I’m happy here. The communication is positive with the board.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 August 2026 at 8:12 am
Photos courtesy of Greg Jones
ALBION – A plaque was unveiled on Monday evening dedicated the playground at Bullard Park for Katherine “Kathy” LaLonde.
She passed away at age 54 from cancer on Oct. 6, 2013. She was an active volunteer in the community and was part of the team that worked to revitalize Bullard Park.
LaLonde helped write successful grant applications for Bullard Park improvements, leading to new playground equipment, a new spray park, pavilion with bathrooms and amphitheater.
LaLonde spearheaded efforts to develop a long-term master plan for the Bullard Park. She volunteered on the village’s Recreation Committee and personally served refreshments to children at some of the local parks.
Many of Kathy LaLonde’s family members attended the playground dedication on Monday. From left in front include daughter Joyce LaLonde, husband Steve LaLonde holding Joyce’s daughter Katherine, and sister Julie Sanford. In back from left: sister-in-law Diane Church, nephew Brad Sanford, niece Molly Church, son-in-law Nate Birnbaum (Joyce’s husband), brother Sanford Church, and brother-in-law Scott Sanford.
Kathy LaLonde volunteered her time to write grants and help formulate a vision for Bullard Park. The Rebuild Bullard Committee wanted to turn the park into a bigger community asset. In the 2000s and early 2010s, Bullard had aging playground equipment and was a far cry from the center for recreation it has become.
Her efforts helped land a $499,605 state grant in 2016 for the spray park, pavilion, bathrooms and amphitheater. She worked on other grants for the playground equipment.
On Monday evening, village officials and the Greater Albion Community Recreation & Events unveiled the plaque and dedicated the playground in honor on Kathy LaLonde.
“This serves as a reminder of the unwavering strength and determination that Kathy put forth to enhance Bullard Park and of her love of the youth of this community and beyond,” the plaque states.
As a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Albion, LaLonde was involved in many youth programs, including Pray and Play, Sunday school, mission trips, the Heifer International Ark Fundraiser, the many Christmas pageants, and TGIF.
