By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 25 January 2026 at 10:14 am
Monday Boys Basketball – Lyndonville at Kendall, 7p.m. Girls Basketball – Pembroke at Holley, 7 p.m.
Tuesday Boys Basketball – Wilson at Barker, 6 p.m.; Medina at Roy-Hart, Albion at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; Perry at Holley, 7 p.m. Girls Basketball – Roy-Hart at Medina, 5 p.m.; Barker at Wilson, 6 p.m.; Newfane at Albion, 6:30 p.m.; Oakfield-Alabama at Kendall, 7 p.m. Swimming – Akron at Medina, Roy-Hart/Barker at Newfane, 5 p.m.
Wednesday Boys Basketball – Notre Dame at Lyndonville, Pembroke at Holley, Kendall at Oakfield-Alabama, 7 p.m. Wrestling – Alexander at Medina, Lyndonville at Albion, Roy-Hart/Barker at Maryvale, 6 p.m.
Thursday Boys Basketball – Barker at Albion, Newfane at Akron, 6:30 p.m. Girls Basketball – Albion at Barker, 6 p.m.; Oakfield-Alabama at Lyndonville, Holley at Alexander, Kendall vs. Pembroke at GCC, 7 p.m. Swimming – N-O Boys All-League meet at Akron, 5 p.m.
Friday Boys Basketball – Roy-Hart at Wilson, 6 p.m.; Barker at Medina, 6:30 p.m.; Oakfield-Alabama at Lyndonville, Holley at Alexander, Kendall vs. Pembroke at GCC, 7 p.n. Girls Basketball – Wilson at Roy-Hart, Akron at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday Girls Basketball – Medina at Maryvale, 11 a.m.; Lyndonville at Holley, 2:30 p.m. Wrestling – Albion Duals, 9:30 a.m.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 25 January 2026 at 10:05 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Hunter, 10, and Evelyn, 7, children of Josh and Ashley Schmidbauer of Middleport play Go Fishin’ at Nola’s Gaming & Crafting Cafe in Medina. The family had been out to supper and stopped in to see what it was all about, after looking in the window on their way to the car. (Right) New Orleans native Steven Sones displays pieces of King cake which he made. The cakes are a tradition in New Orleans from Epiphany until Mardi Gras and can be ordered from Sones or enjoyed at his new business, Nola’s Gaming & Crafting Café, with a cup of homemade hot chocolate or delicious chicory coffee.
MEDINA – A parent looking for something to occupy the children on a day off from school, an adult looking for something different to do in Medina or a shopper wanting to get in out of the cold and enjoy a cup of homemade hot chocolate need look no further.
Nola’s Gaming & Crafting Cafe has the answer.
Located at 525 Main St., Nola’s is a Gaming & Crafting Café, where all ages can sip, play and create by paying a nominal fee for a set amount of time. It is the brainchild of Steven and Jennifer Sones of Millville, who said they got the idea because they both love to play games. The name “Nola” is an acronym of New Orleans, La.
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Sones: Jennifer and Steven Sones stand by a painting created in their new store, Nola’s Gaming & Crafting Café, which they recently opened at 525 Main St. The business is described as a New Orleans-themed gaming and crafting café. The name Nola’s is an acronym for New Orleans, La.
Steven, a native of New Orleans, has had various jobs in management throughout his life, while Jennifer does auditing of Early Intervention in New York state. They met while both were living in Florida, and moved back near Jennifer’s home town of Lockport, where they married and raised their five children. They eventually decided to move to Orleans County and found a house in Millville.
The decision to go into business came as a result of wanting something to do in their spare time, their love of games and Jennifer’s interest in crafts.
“Medina has bars, restaurants, beauty salons, specialty shops and antique shops, but nothing for people to do for entertainment,” Steven said.
After searching for space in Brockport, Albion, Medina, Middleport and Lockport, they discovered the store formerly occupied by Into the Enigma at 525 Main St., Medina.
“We really wanted to be in Medina,” Steven said. “We love Medina.”
Cindy Robinson, who owns the English Rose Tea Shoppe a few doors away, convinced them they should be open in time for the Parade of Lights, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. They have since planned a grand opening on Monday, with special events planned all week. There will be paper mache Mardi Gras mask crafts, gaming specials and a princess party, with treats such as beignets and King Cake, both New Orleans favorites, especially at Mardi Gras.
“We are geared toward family days every day,” Jennifer said. “We will be hosting weekly family events on Saturdays.”
Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and on Sunday for special events. This week on Monday Nola’s will begin their week-long grand opening with hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Going forward Monday will be reserved for Magic Monday events. This Wednesday will feature a Dungeons and Dragons character build for the D&D campaign scheduled on the first and third Sundays. They will host a weekly Date Night on Saturdays with events geared strictly for adults.
Steven said their business is a great experience for home-schooled children.
Nola’s Gaming & Crafting has one of the largest libraries of games for all ages in Western New York, Steven said.
Some of the crafts featured are macrame, beaded jewelry, candle pouring, crocheting, air drying clay and vision board (collage) workshops.
A popular feature of the store are the New Orleans-themed beignets (pronounced ben-yea), king cakes and Snowballs, along with homemade hot chocolate or his special coffee with chicory.
Steven has been selling his snowballs at local events, including the Canal Village Farmer’s Market in summer and the Orleans County 4-H Fair, where they have been a big hit, especially with children.
Steven Sones serves Erica Waniecski of Medina a beignet and homemade hot chocolate at the new business he and wife Jennifer have opened in Medina. Sones, a native of New Orleans, makes the beignets, a pillowy soft, air-fried piece of dough topped with a heavy coating of powdered sugar. The confections are a tradition in New Orleans, especially at the famed Café du Monde.
Beignets are pillowy-soft, deep-fried pieces of dough, traditionally topped with a heavy coating of powdered sugar. Originating from France, they are famously known as the official state doughnut of Louisiana, where they were introduced by French settlers and became a staple of New Orleans, particularly at the iconic Café Du Monde.
King cakes are a tradition served primarily from Jan. 6, or the Epiphany, until Mardi Gras. The cakes are usually made from a rich brioche-like dough twisted into a ring and filled with ingredients like cinnamon, cream cheese or pecans. It is very common to find a small plastic baby figurine hidden within a ring of king cake. While there are many beliefs, some say that the figurine represents the Baby Jesus. The history and figurine are taped to the inside of each box for the customers to use as they see fit, Jennifer said.
He makes his king cakes with cinnamon or cream cheese and raspberry. In addition to selling the cakes by the slice, he also takes orders for whole cakes. Orders can be placed during carnival season on social media or by calling (585) 318-4001. Beignets may be ordered at any time.
“We want Nola’s to become a community hub,” Steven said.
A recent letter writer made several statements that were flat out wrong. ICE agents have not been attacked by protesters, period.
The first Amendment to the Constitution gives people the right to peaceably assemble. This right extends to taking pictures and videos of immigration officers in public places. There is no factual evidence of immigration officers being physically attacked by protesters, and protesting is legal under the Constitution.
The writer also blames the entire community for criminal activity committed by some members. Yes, there was fraud and that is being investigated; there have been arrests. But the entire community was not involved in that fraud. Blaming the entire community shows the writer ignorance and prejudices.
Minnesota State Senator Omar Fateh did not state he wants to open a no-go zone where no white people can go. What he did say was he wants to make the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood a no-go zone for “white supremacists.” The writer’s implication was far different from what was actually said or even implied.
With all the false statements and obvious intolerance and bigotry the letter writer displayed it is insulting that the Orleans Hub published the letter.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 24 January 2026 at 6:17 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Bryson Hazel works toward a win over Spencerport’s Jackson Bellanca during early round action of Medina’s annual Gary Gross Memorial Wrestling Tournament today.
Five Lyndonville wrestlers placed at Medina’s annual Gary Gross Memorial Tournament this afternoon.
The Tigers had Bryson Hazel (103) and Shannon Withey (157) place second, Brody Hazel (157) and Greyson Romano (165) fourth and Dom Hargrave (126) fifth.
The host Mustangs had Luke Duffina (132) place second and Tyler Raduns (157) fourth.
Hilton repeated as the tournament’s team champion with 198 points. Spencerport with 193.5, Canisteo-Greenwood 175, Grand Island 104 and Akron 97.5 rounded out the top five. Lyndonville finished sixth and Medina 10th in the 14 team field.
Canisteo-Greenwood had the most individual champions with five including Garrett Hall (110), Connor McCaffrey (126), Tristan Williamson (144), Austin Hall (157) and Carson Turner (190).
Hilton had a trio of champions including Patrick Gefell (103), Lukas Yeager (118) Jon Testa (132).
Spencerport had a pair of champions in Porter Vega (175) and Jeremiah Morgan (285) as did Byron-Bergen in James Lamb (150) and Bradley Tarter (215).
Rounding out the list of champions are Akron’s Joey Burg (165) and St. Mary’s Quinn Martin (138).
The tournament is held annually in memory of Medina Coach Eric Gross’ father, Gary, who was a long time very active supporter and booster of the Mustangs wrestling program.
Medina’s Davi Mucoucah works against Grand Island’s Joe Laurendi during early round action.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 24 January 2026 at 6:10 pm
Albion and Holley-Kendall both had individual weight class champions at today’s Livonia Tournament.
Albion’s Stryker Sanders won at 110 and Holley-Kendall’s Brenden Eichas at 132.
Albion also had Justin Mengs place second at 110, Jackson Snook second at 285, Jaxson Lynch third at 150 and Drake Schomske 4th at 126.
Holley-Kendall also had Immanuel Cornell (285) place third and Jeremy Lutes (103) fourth as Carson Cady (118), Brayden Mack (157), Tyler Davenport (190) and Aiden McGrain (215) all placed sixth.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 24 January 2026 at 5:27 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Tyler Cody puts up a three point shot during the Purple Eagles home court loss to Spencerport this afternoon.
Moving on top to stay with a big second quarter scoring surge, Spencerport went on to defeat host Albion 59-40 in a non league boys basketball game this afternoon.
Albion jumped out to a 14-9 first quarter lead as Tyler Cody had three baskets and a three and Elijah Doxey a two and a three.
However, Spencerport answered with a big 21-8 second quarter surge rallying the Rangers into a 30-22 half-time advantage. Jah’Mere Pritchett scored 8 and Kamariel Labord 6 to lead that uprisng.
The Rangers maintained an 18 point, 47-29, advantage at the end of the third quarter.
Pritchett finished with a game high 18 and Labord 15.
Cody had 17 and Doxey 16 on the afternoon for the Purple Eagles.
Nate Gibson puts up a shot for Albion as Eric Schuyler defends for Spencerport.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 24 January 2026 at 5:22 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Alexa Robinson scoops in a shot past Albion defenders Madison Muckle and Jocelyn Friedl during the Lady Tigers win over the visiting Purple Eagles this afternoon.
Regaining the .500 mark at 5-5, Lyndonville downed visiting Albion 42-25 in a non league girls basketball game this afternoon.
Isabella Groves scored a game high 15 points to lead Lyndonville as Alexa Robinson added 9, Braelynn Dillenbeck 7, Leah Costello 5, Leah Kenyon 4 and Hannah Fox 2.
Leah Pawlak tallied 14 to pace Albion as Aaliyah Jones and Melia Prince both had 3, Madison Muckle and Brianna Lewis 2 each and Joceyln Friedl 1.
The Lady Tigers led 11-6 after the first period, 21-11 at the half and 33-21 at the three-quarter mark. Robinson and Groves both scored a pair of baskets and Dillenbeck hit a three in the opening period to get Lyndonville rolling.
Notre Dame 66, Kendall 33
Note Dame topped Kendall 66-33 in a Genesee Region League game this afternoon.
Teagan Shaw scored 9, Izzy D’Agostino 8, Sophia Picardo 7, Mia Price 5 and Stella Kwiatek and Brynn Hardenbrook 2 each for Kendall.
Albion’s Brianna Lewis grabs a rebound from Lyndonville’s Leah Costello.
ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office has issued a travel advisory for Orleans County, effective 10 a.m. Sunday, until further notice.
Winter Storm “Fern” is expected to impact Orleans County and Western New York from Sunday through Monday evening with 8 to 14 inches of snow possible.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for our area. The N.W.S. predicts “very difficult travel and hazardous conditions during this storm event.”
Based on information from the N.W.S. and other sources, the sheriff recommends essential travel only during this storm. Heavy snow and frigid temperatures will make travel extremely difficult, and the safety of our citizens is our number one priority.
The Sheriff’s Office will be adding road patrol deputies along with extra dispatchers in the Sheriff’s 911 Center.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 24 January 2026 at 3:27 pm
Albion earned a split with host Akron in a Niagara-Orleans League make-up swim meet this morning.
Albion won the boys’ meet 73-63 as Justin Kania won both the 50 Free and 100 Free, Nathan Wehling the 100 Backstroke and Logan Kast the 100 Breaststroke.
Evan Iverson doubled in the 200 Free and 500 Free for Akron as Aron Gehl took the 100 Individual Medley and Logan Meyers the 100 Butterfly.
Albion finishes the regular season at 3-5 while Akron is 3-4 with one meet remaining.
Akron won the girls’ competition 89-59 as Aurora VanDusen won both the 500 Free and Breaststroke, Brooke Milhollen the 200 Free, Avery Haak the Butterfly and Morgan Tomporowski the Backstroke.
Keira Sidari was a double winner in the IM and 100 Free for Albion as Anna Grillo took the 50 Free.
Akron improves to 5-1-1 while Albion finishes at 0-8.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 January 2026 at 1:38 pm
UPDATED at 8:41 a.m. on Jan. 25: The following churches have announced that their services are cancelled on Sunday due to the impending winter storm and a travel advisory:
One Church in Medina
The Vine in Medina
Disciples United Methodist in Clarendon
Oak Orchard Assembly of God
Family of God in Middleport
Community of Hope – Albion Free Methodist
Concordia Lutheran Church in Kendall
First Presbyterian Church of Albion
First Baptist Church of Albion (online teaching will be available on church’s Facebook page)
Christ Episcopal Church of Albion. (The Warming Center will be open for those needing a warm place to stay.)
Holley Presbyterian Church
St. Peter Lutheran Church in Medina
Barre Center Presbyterian Church
Eagle Harbor Methodist Church
Lyndonville United Methodist Church
Holy Cross Lutheran in Middleport
Lyndonville Presbyterian Church
Canalside Community Church in Albion canceled in-person worship but will have online teaching at 10:30 a.m. through the church’s Facebook page.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 24 January 2026 at 11:56 am
Medina and Roy-Hart/Barker split in a Niagara-Orleans League make-up swim meet this morning at Medina.
Medina won the boys’ meet 79-59 and Roy-Hart/Barker took the girls’ competition 80-71.
Bryson Ford was a double winner in the 50 Free and 100 Butterfly and Bradley Goyette took the 500 Free to lead the Medina boys.
Jackson Braun doubled in the 200 Free and 100 Breaststroke and Hendrick Trombley in the 200 Individual Medley and 100 Backstroke for Roy-Hart/Barker as Noah Corraine had a win in the 100 Free.
Medina is now 5-2 and Roy-Hart/Barker 0-7.
Samantha Fox doubled in the 50 Free and Backstroke and Mirabelle Strong in the IM and Butterfly for the Roy-Hart/Barker girls as Madelina Pavlock took the Breaststroke.
Madeline Mark doubled in the 200 Free and 100 Free and Savannah Thompson took the 500 Free for Medina.
Press Release, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer
WASHINGTON, D.C. —U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) are calling on the Trump administration to immediately reverse its decision to withhold billions of dollars in federal child care and social services funding from five states, including more than $3.4 billion from New York.
The Trump administration has announced plans to withhold funding intended to support low-income children and families, targeting New York and other Democrat-led states. These subsidies help working parents across New York access affordable, high-quality child care.
In a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Senators Gillibrand and Schumer called on the administration to immediately reverse course and restore critical funding that New York families rely on.
“The Trump administration is pulling the rug out from under working families, threatening the affordable child care that parents in New York and across the country depend on,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This reckless move could force local child care centers to close their doors, leaving parents without the support they need to go to work and keep food on the table. Our children deserve better than to be used as political pawns. With everyday costs already skyrocketing for families, I will continue to fight relentlessly to secure this vital funding and stop these harmful political ploys that are putting our children and their futures in jeopardy.”
“Hundreds of thousands of New York households rely on the cash assistance and social services supported by CCDF, TANF, and SSBG, and any delay in funding will be catastrophic for families, children, workers, and communities across New York. Simply withholding funds will not fix fraud. Instead, it will destabilize an already fragile child care and social safety net system,” the senators wrote.
The senators demanded that the Trump administration detail any instances of the “extensive and systemic fraud” it cited, without evidence, to justify the funding freeze; identify which agency is conducting any such investigation and when it began; and provide a written justification for withholding federal child care and social services funding without first following established oversight procedures.
In New York alone, this funding freeze threatens more than 219,000 children who rely on child care services, as well as thousands of child care providers statewide, many of them small businesses that cannot withstand funding delays and may be forced to close.
Anyone who thinks that ICE is the reason for the unrest in Minnesota is out of their mind.
As ICE is there to arrest criminal illegal aliens and protect Minnesota residents and the rest of the U.S. They are attacked by “peaceful protestors.” They burn police cars, throw rocks at police officers performing their duties, call them names, tip off the criminals of their impending arrest and taunt them. These are the actions of criminals, not peaceful protestors.
If there are more people without criminal histories being arrested, that’s because they hang with criminals.
The billions in Minnesota fraud can be attributed to the illegal alien population from Somalia, a totally lawless country whose residents after “escaping” from that country, refuse to assimilate to our customs and want to make America into the same s-hole they came from.
Minnesota State Sen. Omar Fateh wants to open a no-go zone where no white people can go. Somalian immigrants are not an asset to our country. They have already cost us billions in fraud.
Ever since President Trump beat them like a drum in the election, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and the rest of the Democrats have lost their minds and are totally responsible for the violence and unrest. This is certainly insurrection and they should be removed from office and held in federal prison.
A few days ago, a lawless mob of “peaceful protestors” raided a church during Sunday services as one of the men told the congregation about their white privilege. The leader of this attack was a former member of BLM.
The state of Minnesota is waging war not just on ICE but on the entire country.
MEDINA – The Medina Police Department charged two people with felony drug possession and intent to sell on Friday.
Police officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Pearl Street and Main Street at about 12:45 a.m.
Police officers determined that both the driver and passenger had suspended driver’s licenses. That required the vehicle to be towed due to the lack of a valid licensed operator.
While conducting an inventory search of the vehicle prior to towing, officers located suspected narcotics. Evidence was seized and both occupants were taken into custody.
Milton Hinckley IV, age 31, was charged with criminal possession of a narcotic drug with the intention to sell in the third degree, a Class B felony; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony; aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor; operating a vehicle without inspection, a violation; and obstructed plate, a violation.
Leah Gerety, 26, was charged with criminal possession of a narcotic drug with the intention to sell in the third degree, a Class B felony; and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony.
Both were processed and released on appearance tickets. They are scheduled to appear in town court at a later date.
The investigation was conducted by officer Brown, Officer Wendling and Officer Clouser of the Medina Police Deputy with assistance from Deputy Stornelli of the Sheriff’s Office.
