By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 21 February 2026 at 2:14 pm
Leading from wire-to-wire, No. 3 seed Salamanca downed visiting No. 14 Medina 66-46 in a Section VI Class B girls basketball playoff game this afternoon.
Alexa Demmer scored 19, Caliyah St. Louis 15, Samantha Heschke 7, Harmoni Wilson 3 and Tatianna Maxon 2 for Medina which trailed 19-12 at the end of the first quarter, 31-23 at the half and 53-27 at the three-quarter mark.
Salamanca broke the contest wide open by starting the third quarter with a 16-0 run to open up a commanding 47-23 advantage.
Akron 48, Roy-Hart 12
In another Class B opener Akron downed Niagara-Orleans League foe Roy-Hart 48-12.
Adella Dukes scored 5 and Courtney Aquilina 4 for Roy-Hart which trailed 22-2 at the half.
Olmsted 69, Newfane 52
Olmsted ousted Newfane 69-52 in another Class B game.
Wilson 82, Barker 31
Wilson bested N-O foe Barker 82-31 in a Class C opener.
Bella Thrush scored 18 to lead Wilson as Andrea Faery added 10, Kylie Elia 9 and Abbie Faery and Rowan Simpson 8 each.
Hailey Dodge scored 10 points and Cheyanne Rouse had 7 points and 10 rebounds for Barker.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 21 February 2026 at 1:53 pm
In a tight sea-saw battle No. 7 Olean edged visiting No. 10 Albion 56-48 in a Section VI Class A2 boys basketball playoff game this afternoon.
There were 9 ties and 10 lead changes in the tightly contested game before Olean closed with an 8-1 run to claim the slender win. Up 48-47 the Huskies made good on six free throws during that decisive final run.
Mykel Rivera scored 14 of his game high 25 points and Taylor Teachman 7 of his 11 in the decisive final quarter for Olean which saw the Huskies outscore the Purple Eagles 23-13.
Elijah Doxey scored 17, Tyler Cody 12, Wesley Olles 7, Adam Burgio 5, Nate Gibson 4 and Elliot Trapiss 3 for Albion.
Albion grabbled a slender 8-7 lead at the end of the first period as Cody and Gibson both hit threes.
The Purple Eagles went on to maintain narrow two point leads of 21-19 at the half and 35-33 at the end of the third quarter.
Doxey scored 7 in both of the middle two periods while Olles had 4 in the second and Cody 5 in the third.
Albion’s last lead came at the outset of the final period as a three by Trapiss put the Purple Eagles back up 38-36.
However, Olean answered with a decisive 20-10 scoring edge to close and claim the win as Rivera had 11 and Teachman 7 to key that Huskies surge. Two three-point plays by Rivera and one by Teachman ignited the big quarter.
Olean will next face No. 2 Maryvale in the A2 quarterfinal on Wednesday.
The Huskies are now 15-5 and the Flyers 13-6.
The Purple Eagles close the season with a 10-10 record.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 February 2026 at 8:52 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: This welcome sign for Albion is shown along the towpath just east of the Ingersoll Street lift bridge. The village would get an additional $8,145 in state funding through Temporary Municipal Assistance.
The governor has announced a $150 million increase Temporary Municipal Assistance with the lion’s share going to cities of all sizes in the state.
Orleans County doesn’t have any cities and its 10 towns and four villages would receive a total of $80,148 as part of the allocations. The county has a population of 40,343 so the temporary aid amounts to about $2 per person.
The state began offering the Temporary Municipal Assistance in the 2024-25 budget at $50 million. It kept that $50 million in the 2025-26 budget and will triple it in the new state budget.
The temporary aid is on top of the AIM payments of Aid and Incentives to Municipalities, which distributes $715 million statewide to towns, villages and cities outside of New York City. With AIM, the cities get $647.1 million or 90.5 percent of the total, while towns statewide receive $47.9 million, and villages share $19.7 million.
The Temporary Municipal Assistance follows the same percentages with the cities getting nearly all of the money.
Here is the breakdown of AIM and Temporary Assistance for Orleans County municipalities:
Village of Albion – $38,811 AIM, $8,145 TMA, population 5,637
Village of Holley – $17,786 AIM, $3,732 TMA, population 1,754
Village of Lyndonville – $6,251 AIM, $1,311 TMA, population 791
Village of Medina – $45,523 AIM, $9,555 TMA, population 6,047
Town of Albion – $46,944 AIM, $9,852 TMA, population 7,639
Town of Barre – $12,486 AIM, $2,619 TMA, population 1,830
Town of Carlton – $13,680 AIM, $2,871 TMA, population 2,823
Town of Clarendon – $11,416 AIM, $2,397 TMA, population 3,305
Town of Gaines – $21,323 AIM, $4,476 TMA, population 3,226
Town of Kendall – $21,299 AIM, $4,470 TMA, population 2,614
Town of Murray – $44,677 AIM, $9,375 TMA, population 4,806
Town of Ridgeway – $46,273 AIM, $9,711 TMA, population 6,577
Town of Shelby – $45,007 AIM, $9,447 TMA, population 4,878
Town of Yates – $10,421 AIM, $2,187 TMA, population 2,567
The cities get a lot more in assistance from the state. Here are some examples of smaller cities and their AIM and TMA:
City of Batavia in Genesee County – $1,750,975 AIM, $609,978 TMA, population 15,174
City of Salamanca in Cattaraugus City – $928,131 AIM, $323,328 TMA, population 5,929
City of Sherrill in Oneida City – $372,689 AIM, $129,831 TMA, population 3,077
City of Lockport in Niagara County – $2,650,525 AIM, $923,349 TMA, population 20,876
Hochul in announcing the funds on Thursday said the additional Temporary Municipal Assistance will help the local governments minimize the burden on taxpayers.
“Having spent years in local government, I understand the unique challenges our local leaders are experiencing, which is why my Administration has worked closely with municipalities across the state to increase financial support from the State,” Governor Hochul said. “We want all of New York’s municipalities to succeed, and this funding is crucial to putting all of our cities, towns and villages on stronger financial footing and allowing them to keep their residents safe and continue providing the vital services they rely on.”
The New York Conference of Mayors represents cities and villages around the state. The organization praised the governor for the extra money. The organization urged the State Legislature to approve the funding increase.
“This additional aid will deliver meaningful relief not only to municipalities across New York grappling with mounting fiscal pressures, but also to taxpayers striving to balance household budgets amid the rising cost of living,” said NYCOM Executive Director Barbara Van Epps said. “We deeply appreciate the Governor’s recognition of the vital role local governments play in moving New York forward, and we urge the State Legislature to preserve this additional investment in the adopted state budget — because when our cities and villages rise, all of New York rises with them.”
New York State Association of Towns Executive Director Christopher Koetzle said commended the governor for the additional unrestricted aid.
“This funding delivers critical fiscal flexibility, allowing towns to sustain essential public services and reduce reliance on real property taxes,” he said. “This proposal demonstrates a clear commitment to supporting municipalities with meaningful, direct assistance.”
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 20 February 2026 at 9:33 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s Anthony Taliaferro drives to the basket duing the host Bulldogs sectional win over Cassadaga Valley this evening.
Building up a commanding 23 point half-time advantage, No. 12 seed Barker rolled to a 71-45 victory over visiting No. 13 Cassadaga Valley this evening in the opening round of the Section VI Class C boys basketball tournament.
Anthony Taliaferro poured in a game high 24 points and Donovan Hefferon tallied 17 to spearhead Barker’s fast break attack which was sparked by an aggressive, stingy defense. Carter DerSarkissian added 8, Carson Schwab 7, JJ Prynn 4, Caden Garcia 3 and Ashton Ark, Peyton Wagner, Keagan Schaal and Matthew Meza Ray 2 each for the Bulldogs.
Mason Debo led Cassadaga Valley with 18.
Setting the tone for the evening, Barker jumped out to a 21-9 first quarter lead as Taliaferro scored 10 and Hefferon 7, including a three.
Taliaferro tacked on 10 more points in the second period, including a three and a three-point play, while DerSarkissian and Schwab both chipped in with threes as the Bulldogs lead jumped to 23 at 41-18.
Barker’s Carson Schwab puts up a shot against Cassadaga Valley defender Mason Debo.
Barker led by as many as 31, 49-18, early in the third period which finished with the Bulldogs up by 29 at 58-39. Hefferon had 6 in the period and DerSarkissian added a three.
The victory advances Barker to a second round contest at No. 5 Cattaraugus/Little Valley on Tuesday.
Springville 64, Roy-Hart 61 OT
No. 6 seed Springville outlasted visiting No. 11 Roy-Hart 63-61 in a first round Class B1 contest.
Roy-Hart sent the contest into overtime deadlocked at 54-54 by outscoring Springville 16-4 in the fourth quarter.
Springville though answered with a 10-7 scoring edge in the extra period to claim the narrow win.
Matt Aquilina scored 32 and Vinny Fazzio 15 to lead Roy-Hart.
Barker’s Donovan Hefferon drives to the basket as Mason Debo defends for Cassadaga Valley.
ALBION – The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the return of the annual Home, Garden & Outdoor Show, taking place March 28 and 29 at Dubby’s Tailgate, 165 S. Platt Street, Albion.
This two-day community event brings together local businesses, industry experts, and residents for a weekend focused on home improvement, gardening, outdoor living, and family-friendly activities.
The show will feature vendor exhibits, educational presentations, food vendors, raffles, children’s activities, and seasonal highlights including an Easter plant sale and visits with the Easter Bunny.
The Home, Garden & Outdoor Show provides an opportunity for local businesses to connect directly with homeowners and community members seeking products, services, and inspiration for their homes and outdoor spaces.
Vendor applications are now open, and space is limited. Businesses in home improvement, landscaping, construction, real estate, finance, décor, outdoor recreation, and related industries are encouraged to apply.
Applications are due by March 23, and interested vendors can access the application by clicking here.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 20 February 2026 at 1:20 pm
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Wesley Olles and his Albion teammates will visit Olean on Saturday for the Section VI Class A2 playoff opener.
No. 10 seed Albion will open Section VI Class A2 boys basketball playoff competition on Saturday by journeying to the Southern Tier to face No. 7 Olean at noon.
Albion brings a 10-9 overall regular season record into the sectionals while Olean is 14-5.
The victory will visit No. 2 Maryvale on Wednesday February 25.
Offensively, the Purple Eagles have been led by the quartet of Elijah Doxey (313 points, 16.5 average), Tyler Cody (291 points, 15.3 ave.). Nate Gibson (212 points, 11.2 ave.) and Wesley Olles (172 points, 9.1 ave.) Olles has also grabbed off 143 rebounds, Cody 114, Doxey 100 and Gibson 87.
Leading the Huskies on offense have been Mykel Rivera (236 points, 12.4 ave.) and Joe Mest (178 points, 9.4 ave.)
Saturday will also be a busy day for Niagara-Orleans League girls basketball as six of the seven teams will be in action, mostly against each other.
In Class B, No. 12 Roy-Hart will visit No. 5 Akron and in Class C No. 3 Wilson will host No. 14 Barker. In addition, in Class B No 14 Medina will visit No. 3 Salamanca and No. 6 Newfane will face No. 1 Olmsted. All of the games are scheduled for noon.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 20 February 2026 at 11:33 am
The Kendall boys and Lyndonville girls have both earned home games for the upcoming opening round of the SEction V baskeball palyoffs.
Seeded No. 6 the Kendall boys will host Genesee Region League foe No. 11 Byron-Bergen at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The victor will then play the winner of the No. 14 Letchworth vs. No. 3 Pembroke game on Friday.
The No. 8 Lyndonville girls will host No. 9 Lima Christian at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The winner will visit top seeded Avoca Prattsburgh at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Seeded No. 9, the Kendall girls will visit No. 8 HAC at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The victor will face the winner of the No. 1 Letchworth vs. No. 16 Rochester Academy game.
The No. 9 seed Lyndonville boys will face No. 8 Hinsdale at Fillmore on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. The winner will face top seeded Andover-Whitesville on Friday.
The No. 12 seed Holley boys will visit No. 5 Williamson at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The victor will face the winner of the No. 4 East Rochester vs. No. 12 EMHCH contest Saturday.
Seeded No. 9 the Holley girls will visit No. 8 Red Creek at 1 p.m. Saturday. The victor will face top seeded Cuba-Rushford/Bolivar-Richburg at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 February 2026 at 10:48 am
Income limit would stay at $24,700 but percentages of exemptions would go up
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature is looking to increase the maximum exemptions for low-income seniors from 50 percent off their property taxes to 65 percent.
The county, however, isn’t proposing to increase the income limits for people 65 and older to be eligible for an exemption. That will remain at a $24,700 threshold.
The Legislature will have a public hearing at 4:25 p.m. on March 24 at the legislative chambers of the County Administration Building, 14016 Route 31 W.
The Legislature is proposing the following exemptions based on income levels:
$16,000 or less – 65 percent exemption
$16,000.01 to $16,999.99 – 60 percent exemption
$17,000 to $17,999.99 – 55 percent exemption
$18,000 to $18,999.99 – 50 percent exemption
$19,000 to $19,999.99 – 45 percent exemption
$20,000 to $20,999.99 – 40 percent exemption
$21,000 to $21,999.99 – 35 percent exemption
$22,000 to $22,899.99 – 30 percent exemption
$22,900 to $23,799.99 – 25 percent exemption
$23,800 to $24,699.99 – 20 percent exemption
Gov. Kathy Hochul in December signed legislation to allow local municipalities to increase the size of the exemptions from a maximum 50 percent to 65 percent.
“No New York senior should lose their home because they can no longer afford their property taxes,” Hochul said on Dec. 6 in announcing the higher exemption levels. “By signing this legislation, we are working to make New York more affordable for our seniors on fixed incomes and empowering them to age in place, at home, in the communities they know and love.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 February 2026 at 10:20 am
Charlie will promote fishery at parades, other public appearances
Provided photo: Charlie the Chinook is shown on a trailer during last year’s parade in Carlton.
ALBION – For about 40 years a 13-foot-long fiberglass fish has promoted the fishery in Orleans County. Last year, the fish was named “Charlie the Chinook.”
Charlie rode on a trailer and appeared at the Carlton parade and other events. A banner declared Charlie to be “King of Orleans County.”
But Charlie has been falling apart. He was cracked and being held together with duct tape, said Ron Bierstine, the county’s sportsfishing coordinator.
The Orleans County Tourism Department is getting a new fiberglass body for a replica Charlie the Chinook float. The County Legislature on Tuesday approved spending $5,235 to Fiberglass Animals and Objects in Seward, Neb. A grant from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council will cover the cost.
County Tourism also received a $2,500 from Brookfield Power to go towards painting the fish and refurbishing a trailer for the new chinook.
Bierstine said the giant fish has been popular and well received by the public for nearly four decades.
“He jazzes people up,” Bierstine said.
The big fish was created in the early 1980s to promote a Rotary fishing derby. It was made by Jack Elam and Bob McGaffick.
For about 25 years it was on a trailer on Route 279 in Gaines next to the Bait Barn run by the late Al Capurso. Students in the Medina FFA about a decade ago worked to bring the fish back to its original luster.
The Medina students needed to rebuild the tail, strip down and rebuild the fins, fix holes and re-do the interior wire structure. They applied many coats of paint and studied the right coloring to make the fish look like a Chinook salmon – it’s green and brown with some blue, with a gray belly and a pink stripe on the sides.
Bierstine said he looks forward to getting the new fish out to meet the public. Fishing is the county’s top tourism draw, generating about $28 million in economic impact, according to a 2017 report from the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Here’s how the fish looked about a decade ago when it was outside the Bait Barn, Al Capurso’s shop in Gaines. The late Capurso had the fish for about 15 years before giving it to the county tourism department to promote the fishery.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 20 February 2026 at 8:58 am
Van service transporting 818 veterans to appointments in 2025
Photo by Ginny Kropf: The Medina chapter of Sons of the American Legion donated $2,000 to the Veterans’ Van Service in Albion on Thursday. Presenting the check to Phyllis Schrader, chair of the Veterans’ Van Service, and David Kusmierczak, president of the Joint Veterans Council, are, from left, Wayne Hale and Phil Rudnick, SAL members; and Scott Carlton, Medina SAL commander.
MEDINA – Maintaining a fleet of vans to provide free medical transportation to Orleans County veterans would likely be impossible without the support of many local organizations throughout the county.
One of these organizations is Sons of the American Legion, whose Medina chapter on Thursday morning donated $2,000 to the Veterans’ Van Service. Making the presentation to Phyllis Schrader, chair of the Veterans’ Van Service, and David Kusmierczak, president of the Joint Veterans Council, were SAL commander Scott Carlton and members Wayne Hale and Phil Rudnick.
Carlton said the SAL hold various fundraisers throughout the year, enabling them to support programs for veterans, such as the Van Service. One such fundraiser is clam night, starting at 4 p.m. today, until sold out, at the American Legion on North Main Street in Medina.
“We’ve supported the Van Service for many years,” Hale said. “This makes about $8,000 we’ve donated over the years.”
The Veterans Van Service has been in operation since 1997, an idea of local veteran, the late Jim Andre.
“Jim saw a need for such a service and the idea was developed by the late Frank Tower, then the Veterans’ Services officer, and the late Frank Berger, a legislator and a veteran,” Schrader said.
Initially, the service started Dec. 13, 1996 with a card table, a phone and one van, operating out of the county office building. The first year in operation they provided 5,184 hours of service by the all-volunteer drivers and office schedulers. They had driven 37,099 miles on the first van when a second one was acquired.
“We started with one driver and now we have 20 drivers and 10 office staff, all volunteers,” Schrader said.
For years, the late Owen Toale of Medina shopped for suitable vans.
“We only buy good, used vans,” Schrader said. “We can’t afford new ones.”
The fleet now consists of five vans.
The vans are available to transport any veteran from Orleans County to medical appointments in the Western New York area, namely Medina, Lockport, Buffalo and Rochester.
Veterans must give the Van Service two weeks’ notice of their appointment so office staff can secure a driver. The service is totally free to veterans.
Gas and maintenance of the vans is paid for by the Buffalo Veterans’ Administration, funded by private donations.
The Veterans’ Van Service operates under the Joint Veterans’ Council and now occupies its own office in the Orleans County Veterans’ Services office in Albion.
Schrader attends the Joint Veterans’ Council meeting the third Monday of each month and reports on the van service’s activity for the previous month.
Year-to-date figures for 2025 were 616 trips transporting 818 veterans; 27,334 total miles driven; and 3,874 hours by 26 volunteers.
In other news from the Veterans Service Office, clerk Jackie Lonnen announced the Jospeh P. Dwyer Peer to Peer Program will sponsor three free games of bowling for veterans on Feb. 28 at Medina Lanes. The event, from 1 to 5 p.m., will include pizza, wings and soft drinks. Veterans must RSVP by calling (585) 589-3219.
Also, on April 1 Lonnen said they will be giving away 100 hams to veterans for Easter. More details will be forthcoming.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 February 2026 at 8:27 am
Steven Ploof
ROCHESTER – Steven Ploof, who briefly was chief deputy of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office in 2023, could be sentenced to up to six years in prison and fined up to $250,000.
Ploof on Thursday in federal court pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca to threatening to assault a member of the immediate family of a federal law enforcement officer. Ploof did so with intent to impede with the law enforcement officer while engaged in the performance of official duties, or with intent to retaliate against such law enforcement officer on account of the performance of official duties, said U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo of the Western District of New York.
Ploof, who worked 16 years for the Ogden Police Department, resigned from the Orleans County in June 2023 after being put on administrative leave relating to suspected drug use, according to Channel 10 News in Rochester. As chief deputy he was tasked with providing oversight of the Civil Division and the numerous local, state and federal grants managed by the Sheriff’s Office.
Ploof on September 15, 2025, went to the Ogden residence of an FBI special agent and his family. When he arrived at the house, Ploof placed two posterboard signs on the front porch. One sign read “Corrupt FBI AGENT!” and the other sign read “I Want To (expletive) Your Kids!” Video of Ploof placing the two signs on the front porch was obtained from a residential security system, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Everardo A. Rodriguez, who is handling the case.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Greece Police Department, Ogden Police Department and the Orleans County Sherriff’s Office.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 18 before Judge Vacca.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 February 2026 at 5:50 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A block of East Bank Street from Main to Platt streets has been fenced off since Tuesday night after a roof collapsed earlier that day at 20 East Bank St.
An engineer with Glynn Geotechnical Engineering reviewed the building this afternoon and deemed it structurally sound and not in danger of collapse, said Chris Kinter, the village’s code enforcement officer.
He expects about half of the fencing will be able to be removed on Friday, from Main Street to just before 16 East Bank St.
Frank Corso owns the buildings that include the storefronts and upper-floor apartments from 16 East Bank to 28 East Bank. Those areas remain off limits while contractors will work to put a temporary roof over 20 East Bank to keep out the water and snow, Kinter said.
“It’s not a permanent solution,” Kinter said today just after 5 p.m.
Once the weather is better, Kinter said Corso will be working to put a new roof on the building.
The fenced off area also will include the village municipal parking lot at the corner of East Bank and Platt Street. That lot is next to Corso’s building at 28 East Bank.
Kinter said he would like to see the fenced off area eventually be reduced to just the spot at 20 East Bank St. Once the work is complete on the building, that fencing could also be removed.
The sidewalk has been open on the north side of the street. About half of the fencing is expected to be removed on Friday, which should allow parking by the buildings from Main Street to about halfway down the block.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 February 2026 at 3:16 pm
Jayleen Negron, left, and Quincy Byrd both are facing felony charges for criminal possession of a controlled substance.
MEDINA – Two people in Medina have been charged after an investigation in the sale and distribution of cocaine in Medina, the Orleans County major Felony Crime Task Force is reporting.
Jayleen Negron, 31, and Quincy Byrd, 30, both have been charged with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (B felony) and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree (C felony).
A search warrant was executed at Negron’s residence at 228 Eagle St., apartment B, and law enforcement seized a quantity of cocaine, packaging, scales and other drug paraphernalia. The warrant was executed by the Task Force, the Orleans County Special Response Team, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and Medina Police Department.
Byrd, a resident of 816 Park Ave., apartment 2, is currently on parole with the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. he was arraigned in Orleans County CAP Court by Shelby Town Justice Edward Grabowski and was committed to the county jail on $25,000 cash bail or $50.000 bond. Byrd is to return to Ridgeway Town Court on March 9 at 9:30 a.m.
Negron was released on an appearance ticket pursuant to the New York State bail reform law, returnable to the Ridgeway Town Court on March 2 at 9:30 a.m.
The Task Force said further arrests and charges are pending in this case. Assisting in the investigation include Orleans County District Attorney Susan Howard, the Albion Police Department K9 Unit and the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.
