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.
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 December 2025 at 10:12 pm
Garden on municipal land would make site eligible for grant through Health Department
Photo by Tom Rivers: Megan Wakefield, leader of the Medina Community Garden, speaks during Monday’s Village Board meeting. Pictured, from right to left, include Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman, Deputy Mayor Jess Marciano, Trustee Debbie Padoleski and Village Clerk/Treasurer Jada Burgess.
MEDINA – The Medina Community Garden had a successful first year in 2025 despite the drought-like conditions, said Megan Wakefield, leader of the garden.
The site was in a backyard on Bernzomatic Drive, on the east side of the village. Wakefield said the garden produced crops despite a lack of rain for much of the growing season.
She would like to see the community garden in a more centrally located part of the village. She asked the Village Board to allow part of the green space on Park Avenue, between the village office and West Avenue.
Not only would that be in a more accessible location for the public, but Wakefield said it would also make the community garden eligible for grants through the local health departmet. To be eligible, the garden needs to be on municipal land, she said.
Mayor Merguerite Sherman commended wakefield for her efforts with the community garden, but the mayor said the village land by the village office is being eyed for an expanded parking lot especially if an addition in put on the fire hall at part of an existing parking lot.
Wakefield said she has scouted sites in the village for the garden that is on village-owned land, but 121 Park Ave. seems like the best location.
The grant from the health department could pay for raised beds, which Sherman and other Village Board members could make it easier to have the garden on village property.
Wakefield was asked about land by the compost facility and dog park on North Gravel Road, but she said that location would be too far for many community members.
She was also asked about village land behind the Medina Theater. Wakefield said she would look at it, including with the potential for raised beds.
Board members said they support the garden and want to try to find a suitable location.
Wakefield said the community garden can help many residents facing food insecurity.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 18 December 2025 at 9:34 pm
Akron swept to a doubleheader victory over host Albion in a Niagara-Orleans League swim meet this afternoon.
The TigerSharks won the boys’ meet 44-39 and the girls’ competition 55-35.
The Akron boys had a pair of individual event double winners in Evan Iversen (200 Free and 500 Free) and Aron Gehl (200 Individual Medley and 100 Breaststroke).
The Albion boys had Justin Kania double in the 50 Free and 100 Free and Nathan Wehling win the 100 Backstroke.
The Akron girls had Aurora VanDusen win both the 50 Free and 100 Breaststroke.
Keira Sidari was a double winner for the Albion girls in the IM and 100 Free as Victoria Rotoli won thr 500 Free.
N-O Wrestling Akron nips Albion
Akron edged Albion on a criteria decision points (most forfeits) in a Niagara-Orleans League wrestling match this evening after the contest finished deadlocked at 39-39.
Albion got pins from Elizabeth Colmenero (103), Stryker Sanders (118), Drake Schomske (126), Corbin Piccirilli (132) and Kaiser Allport (157) as well as an overtime decision win by Jaxon Lynch (150).
Girls Basketball Wilson 64, Barker 24
Defending champion Wilson posted a 64-24 win over Barker in a Niagara-Orleans League girls basketball game this evening as Rowan Simpson scored 25, Abbie Faery 12 and Lucy Madan 8.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 18 December 2025 at 9:17 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Holley’s Avante Walker drives to the basket ahead of Byron-Bergen defender Joseph Brumsted during the Hawks home court loss to the Bees this evening.
Improving to 4-1, Byron-Bergen posted a 52-39 win at Holley this evening in a Genesee Region League boys basketball game.
Byron-Bergen jumped out to an 11 point, 17-6, first quarter lead as Cody Carlson hit three threes and Adam Cardenas made three baskets.
The Bees went on to lead by margins of 15 (32-17) at the half and by 24 (49-24) at the end of the third quarter.
Cardenas finished with a game high 21 points on seven threes and Carlson had 16.
Avante Walker scored 17 and Cam Mosier 16 for Holley which slips to 1-4.
Holley’s Blake Coleman puts up a shot between Byron-Bergen defenders Joseph Brumsted (3) and Cody Carlson (2).
Photos courtesy of Orleans County master Gardeners: Master Gardener Michael Klepp shows participants the components of a handheld pruner in his 2025 Purposeful Pruning class.
Contributed by Katie Oakes, Orleans County CCE Master Gardener Coordinator
KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County Master Gardeners have set the schedule for 2026 for the “Master Your Garden” monthly educational classes. The classes are held on the first Saturday of every month at 10 a.m. in the “Buzz” Hill Education Center at the Orleans CCE office in Albion.
The series kicks off on Jan. 3 with “Smart Garden Research” taught by Master Gardener Julia Bender. In the class, she will show participants how to navigate the overwhelming world of online gardening advice with confidence, how to identify trustworthy sources, spot red flags in gardening content, and build a toolkit of reliable websites and resources.
Other topics include hydroponic growing, nature journaling, flower arranging, composting, container gardening and more! Check out the full lineup with class dates and details on the Orleans County CCE Master Gardener Facebook page here.
“We developed the Master Your Garden series to share accessible, practical gardening knowledge with our Orleans County community,” said Julia Bender, Master Gardener volunteer and chairperson of this educational series. “Whether you’re looking to gain confidence or connect with fellow gardeners, we hope you’ll join us in making 2026 your best growing season yet!”
Classes are offered at an optional $5 donation fee and are held in the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension Education Center, 12690 State Route 31, Albion. Pre-registration is encouraged to properly prepare for seating and materials, however, walk-ins are always welcome, especially with the first class being so close to the holidays. To register, call (585) 798-4265 ext. 125 or email klo54@cornell.edu.
Master Gardener Julia Bender teaches a class on the Fall Garden for the 2025 Master Your Garden series.
