By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 20 December 2025 at 2:09 pm
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Madison Muckle drives to the basket against Letchworth defender Lillian DeRock during the host Purple Eagles loss to the Legends this afternoon.
Improving to 6-0, Letchworth rolled to a 62-16 win over host Albion in a non league girls basketball game this afternoon.
Charity Scott scored 14, Annika Milillo 13 and Gillian Kemp 12 to spark the balanced attack for the Legends which led 19-5 after the first quarter, 36-9 at the half and 53-11 at the end of the third quarter.
Aaliya Jones scored 7 and Jocelyn Friedl 4 to lead Albion.
The Purple Eagles next visit Newfane on January 5 for a Niagara-Orleans League game.
‘Every single individual who enters our prisons deserves to be safe, whether they are employed there or serving their time.’ – Gov. Hochul
Press Release, Governor Kathy Hochul
Kathy Hochul
Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday announced an agreement with the Legislature on the prison reform omnibus bill that would enact a series of ten transformational changes within state prisons and local jails.
The bill (A8871/S8415) will improve the safety and security of all incarcerated individuals and employees within prisons and jails, while also increasing accountability through reporting and greater oversight. This landmark legislation follows the murder of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi in DOCCS prisons, after which Governor Hochul directed DOCCS to implement immediate changes and then worked with the Legislature to provide additional funding for cameras and investigational staff.
“Every single individual who enters our prisons deserves to be safe, whether they are employed there or serving their time,” Governor Hochul said. “In the year since the murder of Robert Brooks, we have implemented a number of new policies and initiatives to begin the process of reforming our corrections system: expediting the installation and use of fixed and body worn cameras, making it law that body worn cameras must be worn and turned on, and investing more money in the Office of Special Investigations.”
With the changes agreed to with the legislature, the bill (A8871/S8415) codifies the requirement that cameras be installed in all facilities and also requires cameras to be installed in all vehicles used for the transport of incarcerated individuals, codifies the requirement that video evidence be promptly disclosed to investigating authorities, strengthens the procedures regarding notification to next of kin concerning deaths in custody, and strengthens the requirements surrounding autopsies of incarcerated individuals.
The legislation also increases the number of members on the State Commission of Correction — boosting the total membership to five, including three full-time commissioners and two part-time — and requires the Commission to conduct a study on deaths in State correctional facilities. This legislation also improves reporting requirements, provides additional avenues for incarcerated individuals to privately contact the Correctional Association of New York, and gives returning New Yorkers the ability to file claims after their release for harms caused while incarcerated.
DOCCS previously began implementing many core reforms with a clear focus on improving safety, accountability and transparency across the State’s facilities. Body-worn cameras are now fully deployed statewide, with all correction officers required to activate them at all times by law, regulation, and policy. Regular audits are conducted to ensure compliance. Fixed-camera projects have been prioritized at Marcy and Mid-State, including in medical areas, and the Office of Special Investigations has expanded hiring to increase investigative, medical, and data-driven capabilities.
In addition, DOCCS has implemented targeted de-escalation training, launched independent reviews of policies and practices, commissioned an external culture and harm-reduction assessment, and made leadership changes at both Marcy and Mid-State Correctional Facilities.
The Department has also strengthened CERT operations through expanded training, background checks, and mandatory camera use during deployments, while advancing multiple contraband-control measures, including enhanced body scanning and legal mail screening. Together, these actions, and others, reflect a department that is not waiting to act but is already moving decisively forward and committed to meaningful, lasting change.
Based on the agreement with the Legislature, the legislation signed will:
Require State and local correctional facilities to disclose video footage related to deaths to Office of the Attorney General (OAG) within 72 hours, or within 24 hours if it is belatedly discovered.
Require complete audio/visual camera coverage in all Department of Correction and Community Supervision (DOCCS) facilities and transport vehicles, extended storage of videos, and quick disclosure of the videos to incarcerated individuals and their counsel.
Require DOCCS post online within 48 hours of notifying next of kin of an incarcerated individual’s death.
Require the State Commission of Correction to conduct a study on DOCCS deaths over the past ten years.
Require copies of autopsy reports of individuals incarcerated in state or local facilities to include copies of the photographs and x-rays.
Provide for designation of a Deputy AG when OAG has a conflict.
Require DOCCS Office of Special Investigation (OSI) to quarterly report data.
Increase the number of SCOC commissioners from three to five total, including three full-time and two part-time members, with at least one of the commissioners being a formerly-incarcerated person.
Give the Correctional Association of New York (CANY) more access to DOCCS facilities and data and give incarcerated individuals more avenues to privately access CANY.
Provide a window post incarceration for individuals to file claims arising from harms caused during incarceration.
New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Commissioner Daniel F Martuscello III said, “In the wake of the horrific murders of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi at the hands of correctional staff, the Department has undertaken the difficult but necessary work of reform focused on strengthening safety, transparency, and accountability across our system. With the signing of the omnibus bill, the Governor and the Legislature affirm my shared commitment to sustained, meaningful action. Taken together with the steps we have already implemented, this legislation positions the Department to move decisively forward. We are committed not to symbolic change, but to meaningful, lasting reform that focuses on dignity and respect for all.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 December 2025 at 10:04 am
Provided photos
ALBION – The Orleans Koinonia Kitchen celebrated its annual Christmas event on Thursday and served over 600 meals.
The OK Kitchen also gave gifts and goodie bags to 175 children. Faith Smith, the kitchen’s director, said the OK Kitchen assisted 275 families with food and gifts.
The Community of Hope Church prepared the hot meals, with to-go meals put together by Harvest Christian Fellowship.
The goodie bags for adults were handed out by Rome Santiago. Children received a filled fanny pack, goody bag and a toy that were given out by Annabella Dusharm and Meleana Mengs. Every family received a food box filled with non-perishable foods, eggs, fresh produce, Christmas tree cakes and frozen chicken that were handed out by Michael Smith and Albion Lions member Kevin Howard.
Debbie Coon Barbato set up a holiday craft table for children. Kelly Follman, a Lyndonville music teacher, and a student played music for the group at the OK Kitchen.
“We were blessed with so many donations from the community,” Smith said. She listed Harvest Christian Fellowship, Community of Hope, The Albion/Medina Lions, Albion Save-A-Lot ,Tops in Albion, Albion Faith Fellowship, Albion Middle School, Albion National Honor Society, Pirate Toys, Frosty & Friends, the Millers Bulk Food & Bakery, and Foodlink.
The kitchen is based at Harvest Christian Fellowship and served about 35,000 meals on Thursdays this year. The kitchen will be closed on Christmas and be back open on Jan. 1.
The OK Kitchen also gave out over 2,300 frozen meals, over 1,700 extra care bags, 1,600 food bags, 900 cleaning/laundry bags and over 750 bags for homeless people.
Faith Smith, the kitchen’s director, said the site is now fully supported by Foodlink.
“We will now be getting food on a regular basis, so we are looking for groups to come cook at the kitchen,” she said. “We will be supplying everything, food included!”
Volunteers are welcome to go to the OK Kitchen website – www.okkitchen.org, click the calendar and date, and send Smith a message.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 20 December 2025 at 8:50 am
Photo courtesy of Scott Robinson: Santa’s coat is draped on a chair in the waiting room of Medina Memorial Hospital’s Medina Healthcare Center, where Santa Claus gets his annual physical, before embarking on his strenuous round-the-world journey Christmas Eve.
MEDINA – Children around the world will be happy to learn Santa Claus has passed his annual physical, which he undergoes in preparation for his round-the-world trip Christmas Eve.
The announcement was made by Medina Memorial Hospital’s Healthcare Center, in conjunction with the North Pole. Since 2021, the North Pole has worked with Orleans Community Health on yearly check-ups for the jolly old man prior to Christmas Eve. This year’s physical took place with the primary care team in the Medina Healthcare Center.
“Thank you for being the heartbeat of our year,” said Alana Palone, clinic administrator at Orleans Community Health. “Happy Holidays from our healthcare team, and best of luck to Santa and his team on their big trip.”
“Santa is more than 1,700 years old, which is clearly the oldest patient we’ve ever had at the hospital,” said Scott Robinson, director of marketing for Orleans Community Health. “He was treated with adult medicine in mind. He did take a tour of the pediatric care rooms, as he always has the health of children on his mind.”
The official report is that Santa Claus is in great shape and there are no reasons, from a health standpoint, that he can’t withstand his magical flight on Christmas Eve. Orleans Community Health continues to applaud Santa for taking his yearly checkups seriously and also focusing on preventative screenings to avoid more serious issues.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 19 December 2025 at 9:49 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Jayzon Wills drives to the basket against Roy-Hart defender Vinny Fazzio during the host Mustangs win over the Rams this evening.
Bouncing back strongly from an 8 point first quarter deficit, Medina surged to a 71-49 victory over visiting Roy-Hart in a Niagara-Orleans League basketball game this evening.
Jerrel Nealy scored 14, Preston Woodworth 12, Christian Moss 11 and Kolton Fletcher 10 to lead Medina’s balanced attack. Hadrian Batista added 8, Jayzon Wills 6, Briley Allen 4, Avion Johnson and Vinny Gray 3 each.
Matt Aquilina took game high scoring honors with 20 for Roy-Hart as Vinny Fazzio tallied 7, Jakob West 5, Isaac Smith and Nick Harding 4 each, Tysen McCaa and Owen Maedel 3 each, Josh Bronschild 2 and Tyler Rothwell 1.
Aquilina scored 7 and West 5 to spark Roy-Hart out to a 19-11 first quarter lead.
However, Medina answered back with a 16-7 second period scoring spurt to rally into a slender 27-26 half-time lead.
Woodworth and Batista both hit threes and Wills made a pair of baskets, including the late go-ahead tally, to key the Mustangs surge.
Keeping the momentum, the Mustangs then broke the game wide open by outscoring the Rams 25-8 in the third period to extend the advantage to 18, 52-34, heading into the final quarter.
Fletcher and Woodworth both hit a pair of threes, Nealy had a three and a two and Moss a three-point play and a basket to lead that decisive uprising.
Medina is now 2-0 in N-O action (6-0 overall) and Roy-Hart 0-1.
Roy-Hart’s Matt Aquilina goes in for a layup as Preston Woodworth defends for Medina.
Medina’s Kolton Fletcher tries to get the ball away from Roy-Hart’s Vinny Fazzio.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 19 December 2025 at 9:32 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Courtney Aqulina puts up a shot against Medina defenders Harmoni Wilson (30) and Sam Heschke (5) during the host Lady Rams win over the Mustangs this evening.
Jumping out to an 18 point first quarter lead, Roy-Hart went on to down visiting Medina 65-32 in a Niagara-Orleans League girls basketball game this evening.
Adella Dukes scored 7 and Courtney Aquilina 6 to help spark Roy-Hart out to a 23-5 first quarter lead which the Lady Rams never relinquished.
Roy-Hart went on to hold leads of 28-14 at the half and 53-24 after three quarters.
Dukes finished with 22, Aquilina 21 and Brooke Corser 10 for Roy-Hart.
Caliyah St. Louis scored 15 and Sam Heschke 8 for Medina.
Roy-Hart is now 1-0 and Medina 1-1 in N-O action.
Kendall 51, Attica 13
Kendall romped to a 51-13 Genesee Region League win over Attica as Izzy D’Agostino scored 19 and Teagan Shaw 12 to lead the way.
Byron-Bergen 42, Holley 17
Jayna Burris had 5 points, Mia Thom 4 and Ella Turpyn and Des McCormack 3 each for Holley in the 42-17 G-R loss to Byron-Bergen. McCormack also had 7 rebounds and Thom 5.
Medina’s Tatianna Maxon works to keep the ball away from Roy-Hart’s Millie Owens. Caliyah St. Louis moves in to support.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 December 2025 at 9:17 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Members of the U-16 Lady Dukes softball team donated a bunch of toys to the Elks Lodge in Albion. The Elks have since given those toys to shared with students in the Albion school district.
The U-16 team includes Aubrielle Barry of Albion, whose parents Lisa and Chris Barry are both members of the Elks.
The Lady Dukes play their home games at Niagara-Wheatfield High School. They practice every Wednesday and Sunday, and play in many tournaments with most of their 70 to 75-game season in June and July. Most of the players are from Niagara and Erie counties.
Many of the team members were in Albion last Saturday to drop off the toys. The Lady Dukes they attended the Charles W. Howard Hometown Parade featuring more than 30 lighted floats in Albion.
Pictured in front from left include: Jenna Linderman, Madyson Flint, Madison Miller and Giana Fiorella.
In back include Lynda Standish, secretary of the Elks; Mike Jenks, exalted ruler of the Elks in Albion; Kyle Flint, Lady Dukes coach; Lillyana Dunsworth; Aubrielle Barry; Nicole Miller, assistant coach; Richard Robb, leading knight; and Jen Stephenson, member of the Elks.
The team shopped for the gifts at Target on Niagara Falls Boulevard.
Coach Flint said the players were enthusiastic about picking out toys for kids in the Albion school district.
“It was awesome to see the girls giving back,” he said.
Other team members not in the photo include Addison MacDougal, Ava Fraser, Grace Ortman, Leah Skurzewski, Leighton King and Zoie Downey.
The toys from the Lady Dukes and Elks Lodge were dropped off at the Albion school district. Pictured from left to right include Niccole More, Albion Elementary School social worker; Mike Jenks, Elks Exalted Ruler; Carl Phillips, Elks Trustee; and Angela Conway, Albion Elementary principal.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 19 December 2025 at 8:34 pm
Medina split with Roy-Hart/Barker in a Niagara-Orleans League swim meet this evening at Middleport.
Medina won the boys’ meet 73-47 and Roy-Hart/Barker took the girls’ competition 77-69.
Bryson Ford doubled in the 200 Freestyle and 100 Free for the Medina boys which also had Aidan Papaj win the 50 Free, Jonathan Dix the 100 Butterfly, Bradley Goyette the 500 Free and Brandon Brueckner the 100 Backstroke.
Hendrick Trombley won the 200 Individual Medley and Jackson Braun the 100 Breaststroke for Roy-Hart/Barker.
Madelina Pavlock was a double winner in the 200 Free and 100 Breaststroke for the Roy-Hart/Barker girls as Samantha Fox took the IM and Cora Lennon the 500 Free.
Madeline Mark doubled in the 50 Free and 100 Free for the Medina girls as Lily Hungerford won the Butterfly and Maya Anderson the 100 Backstroke.
Both the Seahorses and Channel Cats boys squads are now 1-1 in N-O action. The Roy-Hart/Barker girls are 2-0 and Medina 0-2.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 December 2025 at 5:25 pm
File photo by Tom Rivers: Barre will be able to build a new water tank in the Pine Hill area after being approved for a $2,097,940 grant from the state today. This photo shows the current 150,000-gallon water tank behind the firehall on Route 98. The new tank will be 250,000 gallons and will boost water pressure and allow for possible expansion of the water system on the western side, linking with Shelby.
Three towns in Orleans County have been approved for grants from the state for water infrastructure.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced nearly $8 million in grants for three towns – Barre, Clarendon and Kendall.
The grants are among $453 million approved for water infrastructure projects across New York State through the Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grant programs.
“New York families should not be burdened by rising water bills and outdated systems,” Governor Hochul said. “With this funding, the State is helping communities take on essential projects without passing unsustainable costs to residents and businesses. These investments will protect public health, support local economies, and help ensure reliable, safe water for years to come.”
The grants for Orleans County municipalities include:
• Town of Barre – $2,097,940 for water storage tank and pump station improvements.
Town Supervisor Sean Pogue said the grant will go towards a second water tank in town, with the new one in the Pine Hill area. The project also includes pump station upgrades.
Pogue said the exact location of the new water tower is to be determined. It will be a 250,000-gallon tank, which is bigger than the 150,000-gallon behind the fire hall on Route 98.
Barre also is waiting word on whether it will be approved for a grant for Water District. No. 10 through the Community Development Block Grant program.
• Town of Clarendon awarded $928,000 towards Water District No. 14 , which includes a section of Route 237, Boots Road, Merrill Road and McAllister Road. The project will link some water districts and close some dead-end lines while expanding public water access.
• Town of Kendall – $5 million for Water District No. 11, which covers 76,700 linear feet (nearly 15 miles) on Roosevelt Highway and Lakeshore, Petersmith, Norway and Center roads.
Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata said the project loops districts improving water flow and bringing more public water to residents.
“There are streets where half are with water half are without,” he said. “We’re trying to complete the puzzle. This will be the second largest water district in the town.”
The town and residents had wells tested, completed income surveys and took other steps to secure the grant.
“They deserve it,” Cammarata said about the need for the new water district. “We’re very thankful and very appreciative.”
Kendall also putting in a new sewer district that is currently under construction.
“We’re moving in the right direction to give our residents more reasons to work here and stay here and be part of our community,” he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 December 2025 at 2:36 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Josh Mitchell, a funeral director with Mitchell Family Cremations & Funerals, lights candles in honor of loved ones of people who attended a “Service of Remembrance & Hope” on Thursday evening at the First Baptist Church of Albion.
The service was presented by Mitchell Family Cremations & Funerals and the Albion Ministerium.
About 25 people attended. They wrote names of loved ones who were recognized by lighting candles and also by having those names read out loud during the service.
Gary Simboli, a retired music teacher at Albion, performs, “Mary, Did You Know?” during the service.
The Rev. Dr. Brenda Bierdeman, a minister at the Albion Free Methodist Church, reads scripture from Psalm 61:1-4, and Psalm 62: 1-2. “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken,” part of the passage states.
Erin Moody sings “Christmas in Heaven” during the service. He lit a candle in honor of his son Brennan, who passed away from a car accident when he was 17 on June 18, 2019.
The Orleans County Veterans Affairs deserve thanks for providing a wonderful event on Tuesday night at the White Birch.
Honoring so many Orleans County veterans with this kind of event is a great way of thanking these veterans who gave years of service. Many were never recognized or honored in the past.
Please continue because these veterans are very grateful.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 December 2025 at 8:14 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Community Action staff and volunteers pose in a room at the Main Street Corner Thrift Store in Albion, which is filled with gifts and food for 131 families. Gifts were distributed on Thursday. From left are Ryan Lasal, director of Community Planning at CAOG; Nicki Targa, Emergency Services assistant; Kristina Ettinger, director of Community Services; and Maria Morgan, a volunteer.
ALBION – Three hundred and forty-one families will enjoy Christmas dinner and celebrate with gifts, thanks to Community Action of Orleans and Genesee counties and generous contributions from the community.
Community Action’s Christmas giveaway has been an ongoing program to assist families struggling financially. This year saw one of the largest (if not the largest) number of requests.
Ryan Lasal, director of Community Programming at Community Action, gives a ham to Filamena Salyer of Albion. In addition to food for Christmas dinner, Salyer received gifts for her young son.
In Albion 131 families received gifts and food for a Christmas dinner, which included a ham. Holley gave out gifts and food to 36 families, while Genesee County filled 174 requests.
Every eligible family who applied received a box of food with a ham or turkey and food for a traditional holiday meal, said Ryan Lasal, director of Community Planning at CAOG. Children filled out a wish list and each child received a gift, Lasal said.
On Tuesday, Lasal and Kristina Ettinger, Community Services organizer, were assisted by Nicki Targa, Emergency Services assistant and volunteers Brittany Knight, her son Teddy and Maria Morgan. Morgan regularly works 21 hours a week volunteering, Lasal said.
Ettinger said by the end of the day on Tuesday, most all of the packages will have been distributed.
The distribution took place at the rear of Community Action’s Main Street Corner Thrift Store, where two rooms were filled with bags and boxes of gifts and food.
One resident who happily picked up his gifts was Dennis Massey of Albion.
“Getting this food means we won’t be hungry on Christmas,” he said. “This is a gift from God.”
Massey said there are four in his family who will now have a Merry Christmas. He said Community Action has helped him before and he was very thankful.
Brittany Knight volunteered to help with her son Teddy, 8.
“Community Action gave to us when we first moved here, and we wanted to give back,” Knight said.
While requests for holiday assistance were up from last year, Lasal said they were able to fill all requests because of the generosity of the community.
“A lot of organizations stepped up and adopted children,” Lasal said. “This is the most prepared we’ve been for the holiday.”
Last year, Community Action served a total of 244 families in both counties.
“When SNAP benefits were canceled, the community really rallied around our agency,” Lasal said. “We saw a big influx of donations and cash.”
He said they worked with Walmart to buy 160 hams and 130 turkeys.
Toys and gifts for children were made possible through donations from the Pirate Toy Fund of Rochester, Toys for Tots and a toy drive by Canalside Tattoo in Medina.
“A lot of community members just came in and dropped off presents, food and cash,” Ettinger said.
Filomena Salyer of Albion was another resident whose family will have a happy holiday because of Community Action.
“Getting food for Christmas and gifts for my son means a lot to me,” Salyer said. “I am very thankful for Community Action. By the grace of God they have been very generous to me. Our Christmas would be pretty bland without their support. I thank God for this place.”
Community Action of Orleans and Genesee gave out Christmas food and gifts to more than 300 families on Tuesday. Here, Dennis Massey of Albion, right, picks up his gifts and Christmas ham from Kristina Ettinger, director of Community Services; Teddy Knight, 8; and Ryan Lasal, director of Community Programming at COAG.
