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County authorizes $6 million bond to pay for new emergency management office

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 May 2026 at 8:57 am

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has authorized the county to use a $6 million bond to pay for a new emergency management office at 14064 West County House Rd.

The Legislature in a unanimous vote on Tuesday authorized the county treasurer to issue a bond. That follows a vote about a month ago when the County Legislature approved about $5 million in construction bids today for a new Emergency Management Office.

The total cost of the EMO facility is expected to be about $5.5 million. The Legislature still needs to approve a bid for electric work on the building.

The new building will be one-story and 7,700 square feet. It was downsized from a proposal for a 17,000-square-foot building. Initially county officials sought a new building that was 11,000 square feet for offices and classrooms, and another 5,600 square feet for equipment storage. That complex would have topped $12 million.

The county has a $2 million federal grant secured by U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney towards the project. That puts the local contribution to the building at about $3.5 million. (The county needs to spend the money towards the building and then gets reimbursed the $2 million from the federal government.)

The construction bids approved on April 28 include $3,931,000 for general construction by the Watson Construction Group Inc. of Albion; $360,000 for plumbing/fire protection by McGrain Mechanical of Rochester; and $547,500 to McGrain Mechanical of Rochester for HVAC.

The new building will be west of the current structure that is about 3,000 square feet. Most of the current EMO building is underground and is prone to flooding after heavy rains. It isn’t handicapped accessible and is tight on space.

County officials eventually want to have that building demolished but that isn’t part of the construction bids approved today.

The new building will include offices for the EMO’s three full-time staff, a classroom for training for firefighters and other first responders, and space to have the backup 911 dispatch system.

Legislators approved two other resolutions on Tuesday related to the EMO.

The Legislature approved paying Colliers Engineering & Design in Rochester $110,546 and $20,717 for professional services for the Emergency Management Office facility.

The county also will be renting space from the Fancher, Hulberton and Murray Volunteer Fire Co. at 3353 Hulberton Rd. in Holley from June 1, 2026 to May 31, 2031, using two apparatus bays for equipment and miscellaneous storage needs at no cost for first year then $10,000 each subsequent year.

With the new building being downsized, the EMO has some storage needs. The agreement with FHM will allow the EMO to store a command post, foam trailer for when there are spills, PPE (personal protective equipment) and supplies for the Health Department.

The fire trucks from FHM are now kept at the Holley fire hall. Mercy Flight also is using part of the FHM site to keep ambulances.

Bourke wins state-wide award efforts to stop drunk driving in Orleans County

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 May 2026 at 7:49 am

Photo by Tom Rivers: Orleans County legislator Skip Draper, right, congratulates Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke for receiving the Maureen McCormick Lifetime Achievement award. It was presented April 28 by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, STOP–DWI and The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. Bourke was recognized during the Orleans County legislature meeting on Tuesday and was joined by chief deputies Jim DeFilipps, left, and Torry Tooley.

ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke has received a state-wide award for his efforts over many years to reduce drunk driving and keep the roads safer in Orleans County.

Bourke on April 28 received the Maureen McCormick Lifetime Achievement award, which was created in honor of Suffolk County special assistant district attorney.

Bourke arrested many drunk drivers on the road patrol as a deputy sheriff, including working on the night shift earlier in his 40-year career.

In the past six-plus years as the sheriff, he led the Sheriff’s Office to implement and expand drunk and impaired driving community outreach by obtaining the agency’s first DWI simulator, expanding community outreach into local schools, and increased Sheriff’s Office participation in prom season DWI simulations at schools.

These students from Lyndonville and Medina tried to steer pedal cars while wearing goggles that showed what is what like to have your vision affected by alcohol intoxicated or marijuana. The Sheriff’s Office had the pedal cars and googles available on May 12 as part of a mock DWI crash simulation today at the Ridgeway fire hall parking lot.

Under Bourke’s leadership, all eligible road patrol personnel have obtained training in ARIDE (Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement) to help identify impairment from drugs and alcohol. The training is hosted by the Sheriff’s Office and made available to other agencies within Orleans County.

Bourke also made a commitment to re-establishing the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Drug Recognition Expert Program. For many years, the Sheriff’s Office didn’t have a certified drug recognition expert, but has added two in the past two years.

Under Sheriff Bourke’s commitment to drunk and impaired driving enforcement, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office has experienced a 150% increase in DWI arrests from 2021 to 2025, going from 22 to 55.

Bourke started his career at the Sheriff’s Office as a correction officer, and then a road patrol deputy, lieutenant and K9 officer and undersheriff.

“Throughout his forty plus year career with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Bourke’s rank has changed, his roles have changed, but what has not changed is his commitment to drunk and impaired driving enforcement,” said Lt. James White, who nominated Bourke for the state-wide award.

Kim DeFrank named County Finance Official of the Year in NYS

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 May 2026 at 8:47 pm

Orleans County treasurer served as president of state-wide association

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Kim DeFrank, the Orleans County treasurer, is congratulated by County Legislator John Fitzak after she was honored as the County Finance Official of the Year.

She received that award on May 21 in Glens Falls. She was honored by the New York State County Treasurers’ and Finance Officers’ Association. DeFrank served as president of the association in 2025.

DeFrank has been the county treasurer since 2018. She has worked in the county treasurer’s office for 32 years.

The association of county treasurers and finance officials meets four times a year, and had its summer conference in Batavia when DeFrank was president.

She said the statewide association provides a network of knowledge from other treasurers and finance officers around the state from counties of all sizes.

The association praised DeFrank for her “service and leadership to the association and for dedication to issues of importance to New York State County Finance Officials.”

Lady Eagles roll in Class C2 semifinal

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 May 2026 at 6:55 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall third baseman Alea Barrett puts the tag on Perry’s Madelyn Monteleone during the host Lady Eagles semifinal sectional win this afternoon.

Scoring early and often, No. 3 seed Kendall downed No. 10 Perry 9-3 in the semifinal round of the Section V Class C2 softball tournament this afternoon at Kendall.

The victory propels Kendall into Saturday’s Class C2 championship game at 12:30 p.m. at Livonia against top seeded Cal-Mum which downed No. 5 Warsaw 5-4 in the other semifinal.

Perry did score a quick run in the top of the first inning on a double by Madelyn Monteleone but Kendall answered right back with 3 runs in the home half of the frame to take the lead for good.

A bases loaded walk, a bunt single by Sophia Picardo and a wild pitch plated those runs as two walks and a single by Teagan Shaw loaded the bases to set up the opportunity.

The Lady Eagles doubled their lead to 6-1 by scoring once in the second on an RBI single by Shaw and twice in the third on a two-run triple by Alayna Keirn.

Brooke Rodas followed up with a two-run home run to highlight a three run fourth inning boosting the advantage to 9-1.

Shaw and Picardo both finished with 3 hits as Keirn had 2.

Brooke Miller earned the win in the circle allowing 3 hits and striking out 2.

Kendall’sAlayna Kiern fist bumps Coach Jeff Parizek after banging out a two-run triple. At right, Teagan Shaw bangs out a single for one of her three hits.

Artists working on projects at Medina Triennial

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 27 May 2026 at 3:16 pm

Arts initiative expected to bring 50,000 visitors from June 6 to Sept. 7

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Quincey Miracle, co-artistic director of the Triennial, works on a model of the Erie Canal, titled “Diversion”, in the Triennial Hub headquarters, located in the former NAPA building at the foot of Main Street. When complete, it will be filled with filtered water from the canal.

MEDINA – There’s been a buzz in the air around Medina for the past year, and it centers around what is being called “The Medina Triennial,” which the nation’s premier art publications Art in America and ARTnews have featured as one of the best art events to visit in the country this summer.

In the fall of 2025, the Triennial was announced and the former NAPA building on North Main Street was identified as the Medina Triennial Hub. Headquartered there is Federico Rosario, community engagement and program coordinator for the Triennial, and in the back space is a giant project in the works called “Diversion.” It is a replica of the Erie Canal with filtered water from the canal, in which people may walk.

Sculptors Tim Noble and Trevor Gross from the University of Buffalo are collaborating with James Beckett on this exhibit on digital quarrying on the lawn of Mustang City (former Medina High School).

In spite of many articles on the Triennial, many people are still asking, “Just what is this Triennial?”

Basically, it is an initiative of the New York Power Authority and Canal Corporation who was looking for a way to re-imagine the canal by creating a contemporary arts event with a triennial structure which would tie in with the canal’s 200th anniversary, according to Lielle Berman, Sustainability Project Manager at the New York Power Authority.

The inaugural 2026 Triennial is titled “All that Sustains Us,” and features more than 100 artworks across 10 sites in Medina, curated by Kari Conte and Karin Laansoo. Sites include Rotary Park, State Street Park, Mustang City (the old Medina High School), Medina Railroad Museum, Triennial Hub (former NAPA Auto Parts), floating barge in the Erie Canal basin, YMCA, Sacred Heart Church, Medina Memorial Hospital and Medina Theater.

At its core, the Triennial asks, “What essential efforts and commitments are required to sustain life in our fractured world?”

Of course, “triennial” means three, and the Medina Triennial, the first of its kind in the United States in a small town, will return every three years for two more times. Previous triennials in the nation were held in Boston, New Orleans and St. Louis.

One question on everyone’s mind is, “Why was Medina chosen?”

Berman’s answer was, “Medina is the widest part of the canal’s 363 miles. It has the only aqueduct, Medina Falls and the culvert. This is a very rich spot,” she said. “Medina is going through a renaissance, with culinary arts and community events.”

Conte explained the curatorial approach grew from close attention to Medina’s landscape and material culture – its historic sandstone, canal infrastructure and agricultural traditions. She added her experience with the village has been extraordinary.

The event is drawing international interest. Thirty-nine artists from around the world were invited to participate in Medina’s Triennial, and only two declined.

“That is incredible,” Conte said.

While several participating artists are from across the globe, some are from Western New York, Toronto and Detroit. A participating artist from Ireland is showing her work in America for the first time.

Some of the Triennial’s highlights are Mary Mattingly’s “Floating Garden,” a barge-based living artwork in the canal; James Beckett, who is working on “digital quarrying” of Medina sandstone; Selva Aparicio, whose residency is in collaboration with Medina Railroad Museum; and Michael Wang, who is researching maple sap production in the region.

Working at the Railroad Museum is Lina Lapelyte, who recently won the Golden Lion Award, the highest prize given in the Venice Biennale. Her workers are constructing a Medina sandstone walkway and singing while they work. Their performances at 2 p.m. on Saturdays are tentatively scheduled to air on Medina’s downtown speakers.

“So much of this is behind the scenes,” Conte said. “The artists are coming to Medina because they want to show their work here. This is first and foremost about art.”

At Medina High School, Beckett’s project is dominating the front lawn. There, he is collaborating with Tim Noble and Trevor Gross from the University of Buffalo in building a sculptural wall, using limestone slabs sandwiched with a top layer of Medina sandstone. All the material is reclaimed building pieces from across Western New York, Noble said. Its total weight is in excess of 60,000 pounds.

The Triennial officially opens to the public on June 6 and will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Regular hours throughout the summer will be from noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays to Sept. 7. Programs, maps and other information on the Triennial will be available to visitors at the Triennial Hub on North Main Street.

Mary Mattingly walks away from the barge in the canal basin, which she is transforming into a floating garden.

Governor announces reforms to lower auto insurance premiums

Posted 27 May 2026 at 2:54 pm

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced reforms to bring down costs of auto insurance rates and tackle fraudulent claims across New York State as part of her FY27 Enacted Budget.

The Governor secured common-sense steps to battle fraud, limit damages paid out to bad actors and ensure that consumers, not insurance companies, are prioritized. These reforms build on Governor Hochul’s ongoing efforts to make the state more affordable and put money back into the pockets of hardworking New Yorkers.

“Outdated laws, special interest loopholes and jackpot insurance payouts to bad actors have long forced New Yorkers to pay some of the highest car insurance rates in the nation,” Governor Hochul said. “These hard-fought reforms are a win for every New Yorker who depends on a car to go to work or drop their kids at school. But it’s bigger than that – I’ve heard from farmers who say these reforms will lower the cost of getting their goods to market and from construction supply companies who say this will lower the cost of building. This is how we are delivering on the promise to tackle the affordability crisis head on.”

New Yorkers’ insurance rates total an average of slightly more than $4,000 annually, nearly $1,500 above the national average. Car insurance rates are driven up by a combination of fraud, litigation, legal loopholes and enforcement gaps. Staged crashes and associated insurance fraud inflate premiums up to $300 a year, according to some estimates. New York’s broken insurance system is not just hurting those who rely on a car to get around, but local businesses that rely on trucking to make ends meet.

The FY27 Enacted Budget includes sweeping reforms designed to help drive down New York’s exorbitantly high auto insurance rates, addressing the root causes by targeting fraud and tackling runaway litigation. No other Governor in a generation has taken on tort reform and walked away with a deal that will result in significant savings for New York consumers and businesses. The Budget also includes provisions that enable prosecutors to seek criminal penalties against any individual responsible for organizing a staged accident, not just the particular individual behind the wheel.

The state of Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation has issued an analysis demonstrating how its 2023 tort reform package has resulted in a 5.6 percent decrease in the average auto insurance rates across the majority of its market. For example, in 2025, Florida’s largest carrier returned nearly $1 billion in excess profits to 2.7 million policyholders. Florida’s analysis of its declining rates offers a stark contrast with New York’s experience in the same timeframe. Following the implementation of tort reform, Florida reversed its double-digit growth of auto insurance rates in 2023 into a 7.4 percent reduction in the average rates by 2025, showcasing savings for consumers.

  • Limiting Damages for Individuals Engaging in Unlawful Behavior at the Time of an Accident – Caps damages for drivers engaging in criminal behavior at the time of the incident, to ensure drivers flouting the law — including uninsured motorists, drunk drivers, and drivers in the act of committing a felony — don’t walk away with a jackpot payday at the expense of everyone else.
  • Tightening the Serious Injury Threshold – Improves statutory definitions to clarify what actually constitutes a ‘serious injury’ so that damages for pain and suffering or emotional distress are reserved for those able to objectively demonstrate that they have suffered a serious injury.
  • Limiting Damages for Individuals Who Are “Mostly” At Fault in Causing an Accident –Ensures that if a driver is found to be mostly at fault for causing an accident, they cannot sue their victims for outsized payments for damages. This change will put New York in line with most other states.
  • Applying stringent oversight on insurance companies rates, preventing excess profits, and returning savings to consumers – Puts consumers first by preventing insurance companies from exorbitantly raising rates by setting a legal threshold that prevents excess profits and returns savings to consumers. Additionally, the Budget creates new regulatory safeguards to prevent insurance companies from raising rates without seeking express approval from the Department of Financial Services.
  • Ensuring Fair Rates for Drivers – Protects consumers by prohibiting insurance companies from setting rates based on extraneous, personal factors like homeownership status, occupation, education level or zip code.

Payton Preston named ‘Outstanding Senior’ at Holley Central School

Posted 27 May 2026 at 2:38 pm

Press Release, Holley Central School

Provided photo: Holley Central School Superintendent Karri Schiavone, left, congratulates Payton Preston as Holley’s “Outstanding Senior.”

HOLLEY – Payton Preston of Holley has been recognized by the Monroe County Council of School Superintendents as a 2026 Outstanding Senior at the annual Dr. Michael C. O’Laughlin Outstanding Senior Recognition Dinner on May 14.

One senior from each high school in the Monroe One and Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES region is selected for this honor based on scholarship, leadership, service and character.

Payton is a dedicated student who has been actively involved in academics and extracurriculars throughout her high school career. She participated in varsity soccer, cheerleading and tennis, demonstrating commitment, teamwork and school spirit across multiple programs.

She serves as president of the National Honor Society and is a member of the National Technical Honor Society through her Career and Technical Education program. Her leadership and academic success reflect a strong work ethic and commitment to excellence.

Payton also served as a SOAR mentor for seventh-grade students during her junior and senior years, providing guidance and support to peers transitioning into middle school. Outside of school, she is active in 4-H, further demonstrating her commitment to community involvement and personal growth.

“Payton exemplifies the heart of Holley,” said Holley CSD Superintendent Karri Schiavone. “She is a well-rounded student whose leadership, academic achievement and commitment to service set her apart. Her dedication and passion make her a positive role model and a deserving recipient of this recognition.”

She will continue her education at SUNY Geneseo this fall, where she plans to major in biochemistry.

Class B semis next for Mustangs and Rams

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 May 2026 at 10:26 am

Medina and Roy-Hart will both be competing in the semifinal round of the Section VI Class B baseball tournament on Thursday.

No. 2 seed Medina will host No. 3 Southwestern and No. 5 Roy-Hart will visit top seeded JFK, both at 5 p.m.

Medina and Southwestern have become virtually annual foes in the sectionals as this will be the fifth time in the last six years that the Mustangs and Trojans have met in the Class B competition.

Medina blanked Southwestern 4-0 in last year’s Class B final but the Trojans shutout the Mustangs 3-0 in the opening round of the 2023 tournament. Before that the Mustangs downed the Trojans 5-0 in the 2022 semifinals and 10-0 in the 2021 quarterfinals.

Medina advanced to Thursday’s semifinal by blanking No 10 Fredonia 8-0 while Southwestern downed No. 6 Springville 8-6.

The Mustangs bring a 17-2 record into Thursday’s contest while the Trojans are 15-3.

Roy-Hart, which is 14-2, shutout No. 13 Cleveland Hill 3-0 in the quarterfinals while JFK, which is 16-2, nipped No. 9 Akron 3-2 in 8 innings.

The Class B championship game is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday at Frontier High School.

2 Democratic candidates for Congress will be at June 4 forum in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 May 2026 at 9:41 am

Alissa Ellman and Diana Kastenbaum will take questions at Hoag Library

Diana Kastenbaum, left, and Alissa Ellman will face each other in a Democratic Party Primary on June 23 with the winner to go against Claudia Tenney in the general election.

ALBION – Two candidates running for Congress will be at a 7 p.m. forum on June 4 at Hoag Library.

Alissa Ellman and Diana Kastenbaum will be at the forum hosted by the Orleans County Democratic Committee.

The two are in a primary where early voting starts on June 13 with the primary ending June 23. The winner will face Claudia Tenney in the general election for the 24th Congressional District which stretches from Lake Ontario in Niagara County through the Genesee Valley, encompasses the Finger Lakes region, and extends east to the St. Lawrence Seaway.

“While only registered Democrats can vote in the Primary Election for these candidates, this forum is a chance for our whole community, however affiliated, to hear directly from folks who will be running against Claudia Tenney in November,” said Beth Wood, secretary of the Orleans County Democratic Committee. “Democracy depends upon well informed citizens who learn, register to vote, and then get to the polls to be sure their own choice is counted.”

Diana Kastenbaum was born and raised in Batavia, and was owner and CEO of a tool-and-die casting company, Pinnacle Manufacturing Company. She previously ran for Congress in 2016 when Batavia was in the 27th Congressional District.

She was married to late actor and comedian Hiram Kasten for 38 years until his passing in 2024. She is the mother of a daughter Millicent who serves as an attorney in public service. She serves as a trustee on the Genesee Community College. She also was on the board for the  Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council and the Landmark Society of Genesee County.

Alissa Ellman is a disabled Army veteran who served in Afghanistan. She was working in Veterans affairs at the Buffalo VA, helping veterans secure their benefits. But her job was suddenly eliminated over a year ago by Elon Musk and DOGE. That prompted her to run for Congress. She grew up in Houghton in Allegany County.

Ellman in 2018 was diagnosed with a type of adrenal cancer associated with toxic burn pit exposure during her time in Afghanistan.

Kastenbaum and Ellman also will have a debate on June 9 at 7 p.m. at Genesee Community College in Batavia. That debate will be moderated by the League of Women Voters of Rochester.

Medina and Roy-Hart merge for girls soccer

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 May 2026 at 9:39 am

Hampered by low numbers the past couple of years Medina will now be joining up with Roy-Hart for girls varsity and JV soccer beginning this fall.

The merged Roy-Hart/Medina team will compete in the Niagara-Orleans League and will be a Class A team for Section VI competition.

The merger plan, which is for three years, looks to bolster the rosters for both schools.

For Medina, which has not had a JV team for several years and finished the final few games of last fall’s varsity season undermanned with less than 11 healthy players, it will provide an opportunity for its players to play on full varsity and JV teams.

For Roy-Hart, which returns only 10 players with varsity experience having graduated 8, including 7 starters, it will give the team depth and allows for a full JV team.

“We want to rebuild, to regroup,” said Medina Athletic Director Eric Valley. “We had the option to either keep struggling to field a full varsity team or to join up with Roy-Hart so we can have our players playing at the level they should be.”

Valley notes that some 15 students in grades 9-11 have indicated their interest to play for the new merged team.

“It will be a positive for both schools,” said Roy-Hart Athletic Director John Grzymala. “It gives the Medina kids a chance to compete on a full team. It will also give us some good overall depth for our program. I totally agree with Eric that you don’t want to have to move players up to the varsity before they are ready. This will allow them to play at the right level. The big thing is we want the kids to have the opportunity to play varsity soccer,”

Both schools are also looking to develop modified level teams.

This will now give the N-O League two merged teams for girls soccer with the other being Barker/Lyndonville.

Logan’s Landscaping donates bench at Medina Memorial

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 27 May 2026 at 8:32 am

Provided photo: A bench donated to Orleans Community Health and Orleans Community Health Foundation was recently dedicated at the front entrance. Here, chief executive officer Marc Shurtz, left, landscaper Logan Callara, Orleans County Legislature Chairman Lynne Johnson and County Legislator Skip Draper pose with the bench after the ceremony.

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health Foundation and Orleans Community Health are recognizing the donation of a beautiful bench from local entrepreneur Logan Callara, owner of Logan’s Landscaping.

The bench was formally dedicated during a gathering attended by Orleans Community Health chief executive officer Marc Shurtz, Callara, Orleans County Legislature Chairman Lynne Johnson and County Legislator Skip Draper.

A lifelong Orleans County resident, Callara has become known not only for his growing landscaping business, but also for his commitment to supporting the local community through volunteerism and charitable efforts, according to Scott Robinson, director of marketing at Orleans Community Health.

Callara’s donation reflects a continued investment in the health and wellbeing of local residents and visitors, Robinson said.

“We are incredibly grateful to Logan and Logan’s Landscaping for donating such a beautiful bench for our patients, families and visitors to enjoy,” said Megan Johnson, executive director of the Orleans Community Health Foundation. “As we prepare to break ground on the new entrance for the Medina Healthcare Center on the hospital’s south side, we are excited that the bench will have a permanent home in that new welcoming space for our community.”

The bench currently serves as a place of comfort and rest for visitors to the hospital campus and will eventually be relocated to the new south entrance as part of the ongoing Medina Healthcare Center project.

For more information about Orleans Community Health Foundation or ways to support local healthcare initiatives, visit www.orleanscommunityhealth.org/giving or e-mail foundation@medinamemorial.org.

Holley student raises $2,350 for C.U.R.E. in memory of Evan Valentine

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 May 2026 at 12:26 am

Provided photo

HOLLEY – Nora Lindsay, center is shown presenting a ceremonial check for $2,350 for C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association. She is shown with Neil and Diane Valentine, parents of the late Evan Valentine.

Evan passed away at age 18 on February 21, 2021 after a courageous battle with acute myeloid leukemia. Evan was very active in Holley’s music program and also was a soccer player and Eagle Scout.

Evan was friends with Nora’s older brother, Gabe Lindsay. Nora last year raised $700 for the C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association by selling cookies.

This year she organized a cash raffle. Tickets sold for $10 each with $500 awarded for first prize, $350 for second, and $150 for third.

The raffle raised $1,850 and another donation came in for $500, bringing the total to $2,350. She was joined by Evan’s parents in presenting the donation on Tuesday to the C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association in Rochester.

“My mother always taught me that no one ever really dies until the last time someone says your name,” Nora said. “Evan Valentine meant a lot to my brother, and my family is close, so when my brother went to college I told him I’d make him proud. The first time I really understood what community meant is when the Holley community rallied around Evan and his family,” Nora said. “So, for all those reasons and more, I wanted to honor his memory and all that C.U.R.E. does both seen and unseen.”

Evan Valentine, left, was a very active student at Holley.

Medina blanks Fredonia to gain Class B semis

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 26 May 2026 at 9:36 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Aidan Papaj hurled Medina to a shutout sectional win this afternoon at Vets Park.

A big early inning scoring burst keyed No. 2 seed Medina to an 8-0 victory over No. 10 Fredonia in the quarterfinals of the Section VI Class B baseball tournament this afternoon at Vets Park.

The victory propels Medina into the Class B semifinals against No. 3 Southwestern at Vets Park on Thursday. Southwestern downed No. 6 Springville 8-6 this afternoon. The Section VI website has the semifinal game scheduled for 5 p.m.

Leading 1-0, Medina broke the game open by erupting for 6 runs in the third inning on a two-run single by Preston Woodworth, an RBI single by Hadrian Batista, a pair of bases loaded walks and a wild pitch. A walk and a single by Vinny Gray set up the threat.

Woodworth also had an RBI double in the sixth inning to drive in the Mustangs final run.

Batista and Woodworth both finished with a pair of hits.

Aidan Papaj hurled a 2 hitter with 13 strikeouts as the Mustangs improve to 17-2.

Preston Woodworth, left, and Hadrian Batista both had key RBI hits for the Mustangs.

Roy-Hart wins to advance to Class B semis

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 26 May 2026 at 9:21 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Evan Poeller hurls Roy-Hart to a shutout sectional win.

No. 5 seed Roy-Hart bested visiting No. 13 Cleveland Hill 3-0 in the quarterfinals of the Section VI Class B baseball tournament this afternoon as Evan Poeller hurled the shutout.

Poeller allowed only 2 hits and struck out 6 as the Rams advance to Thursday’s semifinal at top seeded JFK which nipped No. 9 Akron 3-2 in 8 innings in another quarterfinal this afternoon.

Hank Snyder led the Rams offense with a pair of hits including a double.

Roy-Hart, after leaving the bases loaded in the third inning scored what proved to be the game winner in the fourth frame as Snyder singled and came home on a wild pitch.

The Rams added a big insurance run in the fifth as Poeller singled and came home on an error, and another in the sixth on an error after three walks had loaded the bases.

Roy-Hart improves to 14-3 with the win.

Roy-Hart third baseman RJ Townsend makes a throw to first base to get the out on Cleveland Hill’s Xavier Westbrooks.