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Veterans appreciate dinner, musical celebration offered by Medina High School
Editor:
To the Medina High School National Honor Society, Marching Band, Faculty, and everyone who made last Friday’s special evening possible, on behalf of the veterans of Orleans County, I want to extend our deepest and most heartfelt gratitude for the wonderful Veteran’s Day dinner and musical celebration you hosted in our honor.
Your generosity, thoughtfulness, and willingness to give your time and talents to recognize our veterans means more than words can adequately express. Providing a free dinner was an incredibly kind gesture, but what made the evening truly special was the love, respect, and appreciation that went into every detail.
To the members of the National Honor Society, thank you for demonstrating what community service, compassion, and citizenship truly mean. Your efforts remind us that the values of service and sacrifice are alive and well in the next generation.
To the members of the Medina High School Marching Band, thank you for sharing your incredible musical talents with us. Music has a special way of touching the heart, stirring memories, and bringing people together. Your performance made the celebration even more meaningful and gave us something to remember long after the evening ended.
To the teachers, administrators, parents, volunteers, and everyone behind the scenes, please know that your efforts did not go unnoticed. You created an atmosphere where veterans could come together, enjoy a wonderful meal, share fellowship, and, most importantly, feel appreciated.
For many veterans, military service represents a chapter of life filled with tremendous pride, lifelong friendships, personal sacrifice, and memories that never fade. Sometimes, we don’t hear the words “thank you” as often as we should. Your celebration reminded us that our community remembers, that our service matters, and that the sacrifices made by generations of men and women in uniform are not forgotten.
Perhaps the greatest gift you gave us that evening was not the meal or even the music. It was the opportunity to see firsthand that the young people of our community understand the importance of honoring those who came before them and preserving the values of patriotism, service, and gratitude.
You didn’t just host a dinner for veterans. You made us feel valued, respected, and appreciated. And that is a gift we will carry with us.
Thank you for your generosity, your kindness, and for reminding all of us what makes Orleans County such a special place to call home.
With sincere appreciation and heartfelt gratitude,
Thank You, Medina High School!
With respect and gratitude to all who served,
Nikolas Mroz
Director of Veteran Services Agency in Orleans County
Governor announces paving projects around state, including Route 18 in Yates, Carlton
YATES – A section of Route 18 will be repaved, one of 68 paving projects around the state, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced today.
The repaving will be on Route 18 from the Niagara County line to oak orchard Creek, covering Yates and part of Carlton. It will cost $81,000, according to the governor’s office.
Other nearby projects include:
- $2 million to resurface Route 5 (Main Street) within the Village of LeRoy and Route 19 (Clay Street) from the south village line to Randall Road in the Town of LeRoy and Village of LeRoy, Genesee County.
- $2 million to resurface Route 19 from Route 31 to Route 104, and Route 31 from Redman Road to the Sweden Corners Plaza entrance east of Route 19 in the Village of Brockport and the Towns of Sweden and Clarkson in Monroe County.
Hochul announced $100 million in funding for repaving projects in 68 locations across the state to help rejuvenate roadways impacted by the harsh winter weather. A total of 642 lane miles of state highways across every region of the state will be repaved under the State Department of Transportation’s “Harsh Winter Paving” program.
“New York’s roads face challenging conditions from extreme weather in all seasons, and this investment will help to rejuvenate some of the state highways most impacted by the harsh winter weather we see each year,” Hochul said.
Barre mural unveiling changed to Nov. 18
BARRE – The unveiling of a mural celebrating the Barre community will be at 7 p.m. on Nov. 18. The date was originally reported as Nov. 19 but needed to be moved back a day.
Stacey Kirby Steward created the 4-by-8-foot painting that will be on display at the Barre Town Hall.
The mural includes Barre landmarks and highlights an agricultural theme. Steward is working on the final touches, and she tried to show different parts of Barre, including Route 98, West Barre, East Barre, Pine Hill and some of the crops on the muck.
The Barre Betterment Committee spearheaded the project and received a grant through the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council. The public is welcome to the unveiling next Wednesday.
Medina will have ribbon-cutting celebration on Thursday for new pedestrian bridge
Photo by Tom Rivers: Kevin Foster and his son Jack, owners of RJT Construction Services, were the first to walk across a new pedestrian bridge that was set into place on Oct. 15 over the Oak Orchard Creek in Medina.
MEDINA – Village of Medina officials and other local leaders will celebrate a new pedestrian bridge over Oak Orchard Creek with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m. on Thursday.
The bridge was set into place on Oct. 15. A crane from Trimble Services LLC in Fulton lifted the 33,000-pound steel bridge over the Oak Orchard. The bridge was manufactured by Bridge Brothers Inc. from Pickens, South Carolina.
The bridge is 100 feet long and 8 feet wide. It was delivered in Medina on a truck in two 50-foot sections and bolted together by RJT Construction Services, the general contractor on a project that also included 2,000 feet of sidewalks along Maple Ridge Road.
The new bridge and sidewalks have been several years in the waiting. The village in 2021 was awarded a $1,094,196 grant to construct the bridge and sidewalks as part of a multi-use path for pedestrians and bicycles. The funding was awarded by the state through a federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant.
That is covering 80 percent of the project. The remaining 20 percent is being paid locally from the village ($55,000), Town of Shelby ($130,000) and Orleans County ($97,500) using their share of funds from a now closed revolving loan fund through the Orleans Economic Development Agency.
OC Rivals, Bulls prep for sectional finals by attending Media Day at U.B. Stadium
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – OC Rivals players at today’s Media Day at the University at Buffalo Stadium. In front are Matthew Jacobs and Jackson Snook. In back are Elijah Doxey, Preston Woodworth and Noah Harrison.
Checking out the new venue, players from the 10 competing teams took part in Media Day at the University at Buffalo Stadium this afternoon in preparation for the Section VI football championship games on Thursday and Friday.
It marks the first time since the sectionals began in 1979 that the playoffs were not held at Highmark Stadium (formerly Rich Stadium and then Ralph Wilson Stadium).
The OC Rivals will play in the Class B championship game at 5 p.m. Friday against West Seneca East. The Barker/Roy-Hart Bulls will compete in the Class C title contest at 2 p.m. Friday against Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton.
The Rivals were represented by seniors Preston Woodworth, Jackson Snook, Elijah Doxey, Noah Harrison and Matthew Jacobs.
The Barker/Roy-Hart players included Carter DerSarkissian, RJ. Townsend, Ashton Ark, Jakob West and Logan Flint.
“It means everything” said Woodworth of the chance to play for a sectional title. “We want it really bad. Especially for some of the Albion guys who haven’t been too successful the last couple of year it means a lot to them. And also for us Medina kids not having experienced what the sectional championship is like. It’s definitely a cool experience. We’re ready.”
“We’ve meshed,” said Snook of the very successful and impressive way the fledgling merged Albion/Medina team has come together to earn a share of the B1 Division title and advance to the sectional finals. “We’ve all become very trustworthy of the guys on the team.”
“It means a lot,” said Snook who along with many of his Rivals teammates struggled through a couple of long seasons the past two years at Albion. “We went 0-8 my sophomore year and 1-7 my junior year so going 9-1 this season that’s a crazy turn around. Now to win a sectional title my senior year that would be pretty good.”
The contest will be a rematch of the regular season game which saw West Seneca East nip a penalty plagued OC Rivals team by one point 35-34.
“We had like 150 yards in penalties that game and I think that was one of the biggest reasons we lost the game,” said Snook of the Rivals lone loss.
“We’re playing as a family,” said DerSarkissian. “This means everything to be at this stadium, to experience it is awesome. We just have to play with emotion and not be emotional. It is our get back game,” he added noting that the Bulls lost to Chautauqua Lake in last year’s sectional semifinal.
The Niagara-Orleans League will also be represented on Thursday as Newfane will play for the Class D title at 5 p.m. against Randolph.
The Barker/Roy-Hart players include, from left, Ashton Ark, Carter DerSarkissian, RJ Townsend, Jakob West and Logan Flint.
Medina sets public hearing for no-parking on West Oak Orchard near Vets Park
MEDINA – The Medina Village Board is considering making West Oak Orchard Street, between Gwinn and Genesee, no parking.
This is a section that includes Veterans Park, where Village Trustee Jeff Wagner said the street is often congested with traffic, making it challenging for emergency vehicles and other motorists. People often park along the street when there are games and other events at Vets Park.
The board will have a public hearing at 6 p.m. on Dec. 14 to hear feedback on the proposal. The hearing will be at the Shelby Town Hall.
Medina approves buying 2 new patrol vehicles for police department
MEDINA – The Village Board on Monday approved buying two new patrol vehicles for the police department, and also announced the board is close to new collective bargaining agreement with the union for the police officers.
The department has been operating about half strength with officers, including its former police chief, leaving for other departments where the pay is significantly higher.
The board said it is committed to rebuilding the department. The officers have been without a contract for about 3 ½ years.
The Medina PD currently has three marked patrol vehicles and an unmarked car.
The board approved spending $66,701 each for Ford Explorers that will be outfitted with light bars, steel cage, and other equipment. The vehicles will be purchased from Bob Johnson Ford in Avon at the state bid price.
Medina will pay for them through a Bind Anticipation Note to be paid over three years. The interest rate is expected to be between 4 and 5 percent.
The new vehicles are expected to arrive in the spring, Police Chief Corey Black said.
The department has two Tahoes with mileage in the 50,000 to 60,000 range, Black said. Both have had engine trouble but he expects they can last with less wear and tear once the new vehicles join the fleet.
There is a Ford Explorer with about 140,000 miles that Black expects to be sold once the new vehicles arrive. The unmarked car is a Malibu that Black said has a lot of miles. He said that vehicle could stay with the village, but might be better utilized for other departments to go to conferences and trainings.
Black said he would ultimately like to see the Medina PD get on a schedule of replacing a vehicle every four years.
Trump, although crude at times, shows concern for all Americans
Editor:
Thank you for publishing my letter to Governor Hochul, and Mr. Ballard’s rather sparky reply. It seems this topic has struck a nerve.
The whole point of the letter was to point out to our sitting Governor an opportunity for trying to establish a better relationship with the President and the federals was available, and missed completely. This is a shame.
When offering an opinion, it is very easy to feel very hurt when someone disagrees, but that is the nature of opinion, isn’t it?
When a leader misses an opportunity to speak for all New Yorkers, not just their supporters, this does a disservice to all.
Yes. Our President can be crude, and rude. Guess what? He is a New Yorker. Does he like to make up nicknames for others, some derogatory? Guess what? He is a New Yorker. Has his message to the people been he is concerned for all Americans – yes. His record stands for itself.
Again, thanks for publishing the letter. I hope this and others may cause many to at least stop and consider what is expected of elected officials at all levels of government.
Sincerely yours,
Charles R. Kinsey
Holley
Sobieraski to challenge Bourke for sheriff of Orleans County in 2027
Brett Sobieraski
ALBION – Brett Sobieraski announced today he is running for Orleans County sheriff. Sobieraski, a retired sergeant with the Rochester Police Department, works an investigator for the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force.
He will be challenging Chris Bourke, who wants another four-year term. Bourke has been sheriff the past seven years. He is a 42-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department, starting as a part-time corrections officer and working his way up as a deputy sheriff, K9 officer, lieutenant, undersheriff and then sheriff.
The two faced each other for sheriff in 2019, with Bourke the victor, 51 to 49 percent in a Republican primary. Sobieraski was then a write-in candidate in November 2019 and received about 20 percent of the vote.
Sobieraski lives in Carlton. He has more than three decades of law enforcement experience.
“I’m running for Orleans County Sheriff because Kathy Hochul and Democrat Socialists in Albany and Washington continue to strip us of our rights and coddle career criminals,” he said in a campaign announcement this morning. “I’m a conservative Republican who will fight every day to protect our communities from dangerous offenders and make our community safer.”
With the Task Force he said he has investigated and arrested dozens of felony-level drug dealers, leading to the seizure of deadly narcotics, illegal weapons and drug proceeds. The Task Force operates within the Orleans County District Attorney’s Office.
Sobieraski began his career with the Lockport Police Department before joining the Rochester Police Department and becoming a sergeant. He supervised the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team and served as entry team leader with the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team.
He also served as an instructor at the regional police academy, training the next generation of law enforcement professionals in drug identification, officer safety and emergency response.
Sobieraski, 60, is also well known in the region for taking on endurance challenges to raise money and awareness for families of fallen law enforcement officers, and non-profit organizations. In July, he raised over $25,000 for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee by leading an effort to cover 400 miles on foot over eight days.
In 2023, he ran 50 marathons in 50 days, starting in Florida and ending in Rochester. He raised over $100,000 for the family of Rochester police officer Anthony “Maz” Mazurkiewicz. He was killed in the line of duty on July 21, 2022.
When his sons were kids, Soberiaski also volunteered as a local sports coach with the Kendall Wrestling Program and baseball team. He is the founder of Limitless Racing Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides children with disabilities the opportunity to participate in road races.
He also volunteered with the Special Olympics, Huther Doyle addiction services, veterans’ organizations, families of fallen law enforcement officers, and individuals battling serious illnesses.
“Orleans County is my home,” he stated in a news release. “While Albany politicians prioritize criminals and make us less safe, I’ll be the fighter our community needs to aggressively target those bringing dangerous drugs into our community, create safer roads, unify our local police agencies, and bring new leadership into the Sheriff’s Office. We need change. I’m ready to get to work for our families, businesses and schools.”
A Republican primary is scheduled for June 22, 2027, with the general election on Nov. 2.
Albion grad helps Penn St. Harrisburg advance to NCAA women’s soccer tourney
Contributed Photo – Sydney Mulka
Albion graduate Sydney Mulka has helped the Penn St. Harrisburg women’s soccer team earn a third straight trip to the NCAA Division III national tournament.
Mulka, who is a senior goalie, made 3 saves to earn the shutout in Penn St. Harrisburg’s 2-0 victory over St. Mary’s, Maryland Saturday in the United East Conference playoff championship to earn a trip to the NCAA tournament.
Mulka started 18 games this season making 52 saves and posting a 0.99 goals against average as Penn St. Harrisburg won the conference title for the third year in a row.
A starter since her freshman year, Mulka is a multi year first team United East honoree.
Penn St. Harrisburg will face Williams College in the opening round of the NCAA tourney on Saturday at William Smith College in Geneva, N.Y.
