Medina man gets 5 years in prison for first-degree sex abuse

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2026 at 12:25 pm

Taylor Valovic

ALBION – A Medina man was sentenced to five years in state prison this morning by Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church.

Taylor Valovic, 30, pleaded guilty o July 29 to first-degree sex abuse. He admitted in court to putting his hand on a girl’s private parts for his sexual gratification. The victim is under age 11.

Valovic was already on probation for a previous sexual offense. His attorney said Valovic has completed courses and has been working on his mental health while in the county jail. The lawyer asked for no more than 2 years in prison.

District Attorney Susan Howard asked for five years, the maximum in a plea agreement.

Judge Church opted for the maximum, noting Valovic was already on probation when he committed the most recent crime.

Valovic also will have 10 years of post-release supervision when he is released from prison.

He apologized for the crime when he was given the chance to speak during sentencing.

“I am sorry for what I did,” he said.

Write-in candidate appreciates support in Clarendon campaign

Posted 4 November 2026 at 12:01 pm

Editor:

To my family, friends, and neighbors, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support. Having you alongside me has meant more than I can say.

Although I am disappointed by the outcome, my commitment to Clarendon remains unchanged. Regardless of how we voted, I hope we can come together around our shared goal of a peaceful, safe community for all, guided by character, integrity, and respect for one another.

I remain concerned about the tone of the campaign and the lack of clear proposals from Fred, to ease financial pressures on residents. These concerns deserve thoughtful discussion and practical solutions.

I encourage Fred Seeman to prioritize transparency and constructive dialogue, and I hope residents with different perspectives will have a voice in that conversation. I, along with 181 residents, will continue to follow developments closely, with a focus on accountability and the well-being of our entire community.

I also encourage residents to get involved with our Historical Society and take an active interest in its board elections. Community participation offers an opportunity to hear different perspectives and work toward shared goals. The Historical Society meets on the third Wednesday of every month. Let us move forward with mutual respect and a commitment to Clarendon’s future.

This has been an amazing journey, and I am truly grateful to each of you who shared it with me. Your support has meant so much to me. I have no regrets, and I am proud of the race I ran, the vision I shared for our community, and my commitment to staying focused on the issues that matter to Clarendon.

Thank you for being part of my journey,

Kathy Harnischfeger

Clarendon

Lyndonville/Barker has two G-R All Stars

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 4 November 2026 at 10:26 am

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville/Barker’s G-R All-Stars Brody Hazel, left, and Jesus Reyes Rosario.

Two Lyndonville/Barker players, seniors Jesus Reyes Rosario and Brody Hazel, have earned Genesee Region League boys soccer All Star honors.

Reyes Rosario scored 10 goals and had 11 assists.

Hazel made 101 saves in goal and registered five shutouts.

Lyndonville/Barker also had four G-R Honorable Mention selections including senior Michael Alexander, juniors Amir Zimmerman and Drew LaGreca and sophomore Maddox Smith.

Ortt, Hawley cruise to re-election to State Legislature

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2026 at 9:26 am

Photos by Tom Rivers: State Sen. Rob Ortt, left, and Assemblyman Steve Hawley speak during campaign events in Orleans County on Aug. 16.

Orleans County two representatives in the State Legislature were overwhelmingly re-elected on Tuesday.

Rob Ortt won another two-year term in the State Senate for the 62nd District and Steve Hawley will be back for another term in State Assembly for the 139th District.

They two have seldom had challengers in their districts that are heavily Republican.

Hawley, a Batavia resident, has been in the Assembly for over 20 years. He was first elected on Feb. 28, 2006 in a special election.

He was challenged by Sarah Wolcott, a Democrat from Batavia. Wolcott organized protests against Donald Trump, which attracted several hundred people. She ran made opposition to data centers a focus of her campaign.

Hawley secured 69.7 percent of the vote in a district that includes three counties. He had his largest margin in Orleans County with 74.1 percent of the vote. Here are the totals in the three counties: Orleans – Hawley, 9,901, and Wolcott, 3,461; Genesee – Hawley, 15,506, and  Wolcott, 5,863; Monroe – Hawley, 7,471 and Wolcott, 4,950.

Ortt, a North Tonawanda resident, was first elected 12 years ago. He is also the Republican conference leader in the State Senate.

He was challenged by Thomas Arida, a political activist and organizer from North Tonawanda. He has worked on over 150 campaigns at the  local, state and federal levels.

Ortt won with 62 percent of the vote in a district that includes all of Niagara and Orleans, and part of western Monroe counties. Orleans gave him his largest margin of support at 73.0 percent.

Here are the totals in the three counties: Orleans – Ortt, 9,754, and Arida, 3,597; Niagara – Ortt, 46,706, and Arida, 30,222; Monroe – Ortt, 15,730 and Arida, 10,129.

Hospice of Orleans will give community presentations this month at 3 local libraries

Posted 4 November 2026 at 8:52 am

Press Release, Hospice of Orleans

ALBION – Hospice of Orleans, the trusted provider of hospice care in Orleans County, recognizes National Hospice and Palliative Care Month this November by highlighting the exceptional, personalized care available to patients and families when they need it most.

Every day, the Hospice of Orleans team helps individuals and families navigate life’s most difficult moments with dignity, compassion, and respect. The month also provides an opportunity to recognize the dedicated professionals who make this care possible and raise awareness of the comfort and support hospice can offer throughout the community.

Throughout November, Hospice of Orleans will host educational presentations at local libraries to help community members learn more about hospice care. Members of the care team will be available to meet attendees, share information, and answer questions.

Presentation schedule:

  • Lee-Whedon Memorial Library: November 10 at 1:30 p.m.
  • Community Free Library: November 17 at 11:45 a.m.
  • Yates Town Library: November 30 at 2:30 p.m.

No RSVP is required. For more information, please call Hospice of Orleans at 585-589-0809.

Tenney ‘deeply grateful’ for re-election to NY-24th District

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2026 at 7:42 am

Claudia Tenney

OSWEGO — Congresswoman Claudia Tenney won re-election in New York’s 24th District against Alissa Ellman, a Democrat from Lockport.

The Republican-dominated district includes 14 counties and runs from Niagara County through Orleans, the Finger Lakes and northern New York. Tenney had 70 percent of the vote in Orleans, 9,331 votes to 4,040 for Ellman.

Tenney issued this statement on Tuesday night:

“I am deeply grateful to the people of New York’s 24th District for once again placing their trust in me to represent them in Congress. Every time the people of this district put their faith in me, I am reminded of just how much that trust means. These are the communities I love, the people I care deeply about, and the place I am so honored to fight for.

“Over the past term, as a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I helped make the 2017 tax cuts permanent, fought to lower costs for hardworking families, seniors, and vulnerable people, secured critical funding for our communities, and continued standing up for our farmers, law enforcement officers, and veterans.

“Serving the hardworking people of Upstate New York is the honor of my lifetime. I never forget who sent me to Washington or the responsibility I have to them. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for allowing me to continue this important work. I will never take your trust for granted, and I will keep fighting every day for a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Upstate New York.”

Voters choose sanity, ethics in Blue Wave

Posted 4 November 2026 at 7:36 am

Editor:

Yes. Sanity, ethics and reality have prevailed. America – the Real America – is back.

Now for the sake of our grandchildren may both sides work together to repair the damage done by our not taking the danger of a demigod seriously.

Bipartisanship can happen if the Republicans accept that he is not a deniable threat any more and that compromise and cooperation is their job.

Bruce Kirby

Albion

Hochul re-elected governor; Blakeman had strong support in Orleans County

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 November 2026 at 11:24 pm

Photo from Office of the Governor: Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks during a roundtable on Oct. 27 at LaGuardia Community College in Queens about an expansion in free community college.

Kathy Hochul was re-elected as governor of New York, winning a second term over Bruce Blakeman, according to the Associated Press.

Blakeman, a Republican and Nassau County executive, had strong support in Orleans County, getting 71.3 percent of the vote.

Here are the vote totals in Orleans County for the state offices on the ballot and the 24th Congressional District:

Representative to Congress 24th District – Alissa J. Ellman (Dem, Wor), 4,040 votes, against Claudia Tenney (Rep, Con), 9,331 votes

Governor and Lt. Governor – Kathy Hochul and Adrienne Adams (Dem, Wor), 3,872 votes; Bruce Blakeman and Todd Hood (Rep, Con, Vote Affordable), 9,679 votes

Comptroller – Thomas DiNapoli (Dem, Wor), 4,785 votes; Joseph Hernandez (Rep, Con), 8,449

Attorney General – Letitia James (Dem, Wor), 3,997 votes; Saritha Komatireddy (Rep, Con), 9,309 votes

State Senate 62nd District – Thomas Arida (Dem, Wor), 3,597 votes; Robert Ortt (Rep, Con), 9,754 votes

Member of State Assembly 139th District – Sarah Wolcott (Dem), 3,461 votes; Stephen Hawley (Rep, Con), 9,901 votes

Justices of the Supreme Court, 8th JD (4 positions available)

Craig Bucki (Dem, Wor), 3,509 votes

Anne Joynt (Dem, Wor), 4,603 votes

Michael Amodeo (Dem, Rep, Wor), 10,105 votes

Robert Richardson (Dem, Rep, Con), 11,062 votes

Deanne Tripi (Rep, Con), 8,698 votes

Jonathan Hickey (Rep, Con), 8,024 votes

Robert Vario (Con), 1,278 votes

Shelby referendums rejected; Allport re-elected county legislator

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 November 2026 at 10:51 pm

Photo by Tom Rivers: Voters fill out their ballots at the Carlton Rec Hall this evening. Polls were open in all 10 towns in Orleans County today.

Referendums that asked Shelby voters to have the town clerk and highway superintendent be hired or appointed by the Town Board, rather than as elected positions, were soundly defeated.

The proposition to make the clerk an appointed position was rejected by a 926-525 vote, while the highway superintendent proposition was voted down, 911-534.

The Shelby Town Board was seeking to have the town be the first to make the positions as appointed, saying people could apply for the positions and the board would review their credentials.

But residents opted to keep the positions as elected.

In the only contested race on the ballot among town and county positions, incumbent Don Allport, a Republican, was re-elected county legislator with 8,529 to the 4,211 for Marlene Seielstad.

Here are the vote totals for the town and county positions:

Orleans County

  • County Legislator at Large West – Merle “Skip” Draper (Rep), 9,513 votes
  • Legislator at Large Central – Marlene Seielstad (Dem), 4,211 votes, against Donald Allport (Rep), 8,529 votes
  • Legislator at Large East – Edward Morgan (Rep), 9,569 votes
  • Legislator District 1 – William Eick (Rep), 2,654 votes
  • Legislator District 2 – Lynne M. Johnson (Rep), 2,221 votes
  • Legislator District 3 – Fred Miller (Dem), 1,480 votes
  • Legislator District 4 – John Fitzak (Rep), 2,665 votes

Towns

  • Albion Supervisor – F. Richard Remley (Rep), 1,188 votes
  • Albion Town Justice (vote for up to 2) – Joseph Fuller (Rep), 1,143 votes, and Gary Moore (Rep), 1,148 votes
  • Barre Supervisor – Stephen Coville, II (Rep), 578 votes
  • Clarendon Supervisor – Frederick Seeman (Rep, Lawn Life), 939 votes against 181 write-ins
  • Gaines Supervisor – Tyler James Allport (Rep), 758 votes
  • Gaines Superintendent of Highways 1 yr to fill vacancy – Robert Verhagen (Rep), 775 votes
  • Kendall Supervisor – Anthony Cammarata (Rep), 835 votes
  • Kendall Superintendent of Highways – Eric Maxon (Rep), 915 votes
  • Murray Supervisor – Gerald Rightmyer (Rep), 1,141 votes
  • Shelby Supervisor – Jim Heminway (Rep), 1,132 votes
  • Yates Supervisor – Susan Hrovat (Rep), 587 votes against 98 write-ins

Kendall downs rival Holley to earn a berth in the state Class C girls soccer tournament

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 3 November 2026 at 9:56 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s Jersie Drake sends the ball up field as Alyana Stevens defends for Holley during the Lady Eagles win over the rival Lady Hawks in the Section V Class C state qualifier game this evening at Cal-Mum.

Scoring twice in each half, Kendall earned a berth in the upcoming state playoffs by besting rival Holley 4-1 in the Section V Class C state qualifier this evening at Caledonia-Mumford.

Improving to 19-1, Kendall will now face Section VI Class C champion Wilson in the Far West Regional at Williamsville East at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Kendall jumped out to a 2-0 lead as Mackenzie Cooper scored at 26:54 off a direct kick by Sophia Picardo and Jersie Drake tallied on a rebound shot at the 7:45 mark off an assist from Ryleigh Denning.

Holley did cut the deficit to 2-1 when Kyla Burne scored with just 40 seconds to go in the half off an assist from her sister Emma but the Lady Hawks could get no closer.

Kendall put a lock on the win with a quick two goal scoring burst early in the second half.

First, Picardo scored at 30:01 off assists from Denning and Hailey Ball . Then Denning tallied herself just three minutes later  as Picardo earned the assist.

Holley’s Kyla Burne gets the ball past Kendall goalie Teagan Shaw for the Lady Hawks lone goal.

Teagan Shaw made 5 saves in goal for the Lady Eagles.

“It was a gritty performance against a tough Holley team,” said Kendall Coach Nino Pilato. “We came out energized in the second half and I thought we set the tempo.”

Holley finishes the season at 14-6-1.

Kendall advanced to the state qualifier by winning the Section V Class C2 championship with a 9-0 win over Fillmore.

The berth in the state finals is the first for Kendall since 2018 when the Lady Eagles captured the state Class D championship.

Holley gained a spot in the qualifier by capturing the Section V Class C1 title with a 1-0 win over top seeded Avon. The 1-0 sectional win was the third straight for the Lady Hawks.

Kendall’s Sophia Picardo drives the ball to the goal as she netted the Lady Eagles third goal. Defending for Holley is Brianna Tomasino.