By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 1 June 2026 at 9:17 am
Playing at full strength for the first time, the Medina Mustangs FC snapped a season opening three game losing streak by downing the Rance FC 4-1 Sunday evening in a Buffalo and District Soccer League Championship Division game at Sahlens Sports Park.
Medina scored in the first half on a goal by Peter Martillotta as Caleb Suckow earned the assist.
The Mustangs then claimed the victory on three second half goals by Cole Callard off assists from Martillotta, Kyan Mathieu and Aiden Price.
The Mustangs will next have their home opener against the Sporting Cavs at 6 p.m. Sunday at Vets Park.
This Thursday Medina will begin Tehel Cup competition at Tapestry at 6:30 p.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 June 2026 at 9:00 am
Photo by Isabella Zasa: Orly the Ox rides a hydro-bike on the Erie Canal in Medina on July 18. This was one of five photos that won a statewide contest.
A photo of an ox mascot riding a hydrobike in Medina’s Canal Basin is one of five state-wide winners in a photo contest by the New York State Association of Counties.
Isabella Zasa, a digital contest creator and tourism assistant in the county’s Tourism Department, took the photo on July 18 showing Orly the Ox. In the background are people on kayaks, the Glenwood Avenue canal bridge and the “Big Apple” sculpture created by Richard Bannister.
Zasa spent part of her time last year creating frequent social media posts with Orly highlighting local history, attractions and activities in Orleans County. The hydrobike feature was among more than 200 posts that Zasa helped created in 2025, when Orly was out for Orleans County’s bicentennial celebration.
The New York State Association of Counties welcomes photos each year in contest that wants to “capture the spirit of your county.”
The rules state: “County government has many angles to capture, including public safety, infrastructure, public health, parks, community engagement, and more! Whether it’s an infrastructure project, a community event, or a snapshot of county operations, your photo can help illustrate the impact of counties across New York State.”
Zasa’s photo of Orly the Ox will be featured in an NYSAC News magazine as well as the 2027 NYSAC Calendar.
This photo of Main Street in Batavia and the Upton Monument was taken out of the old Genesee County Courthouse by Steven Falitico and also was among the five winners in the photo contest.
Other winners included “Tompkins County Naturalization Ceremony” at the County Courthouse in Ithaca by Robert Henry; “Madsion County Fair at Dusk” in Brookfield by Melissa During; and an aerial photo of “Chemung County, NY Government Sewer Consolidation Project” in Elmira by Jett Industries, Inc.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 June 2026 at 8:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Brittany Glasier, a behavior specialist with Arc GLOW, paints a temporary tattoo on Tammy Cummings of Barker as part of Saturday’s 5th Annual Jonathan Doherty and Gladys Hopper Self-Advocacy Day.
The event was held at the Trolley Building at the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County.
Provided photo: About 60 people attended the conference and many toured an ambulance brought by Mercy Flight EMS. Pam Cherry of Mercy Flight gave an overview on emergency response by Mercy Flight.
Orleans County District Attorney Susan Howard also gave a presentation on safety.
Tom Rivers, Orleans Hub editor, spoke about the importance of “being seen” and encouraged the group to be active in the community.
There was also a presentation by the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State, and welcome messages by Andrew Johnston is president of Orleans County Self-Advocate All Stars, and Logan Gerling, president of the Junior Self-Advocacy All Stars.
Saturday’s event was attended by about 60 people, which was up from last year’s event, Johnston said.
Christina Fontaine of Rochester tries the fish bowl toss. There were many activities for people to connect, learn and have fun together.
The direct support professionals through the Arc’s community services program helped run many of the games and programs.
Robert Hall, who works as a direct support professional with Arc GLOW, aims at the target with the dunk tank.
Robert Hall hit the target and a bucket of water dumped on Tyler Nunnery, who is vice president of the Self-Advocate All Stars in Orleans County.
The day self-advocacy day is dedicated in memory of Jonathan Doherty and Gladys Hopper, who both passed away in 2022.
Doherty passed away at age 38 on May 5, 2022. He was active in many groups in the community and was an Eagle Scout. He volunteered with the Bullard Park restoration, the Albion Strawberry Festival and the 4-H Fair. He was a member of the Albion Lion’s Club.
He was one of the founders of the Self-Advocacy All Stars in Orleans County and attended state-wide conferences. From those experiences he wanted to have a conference in Orleans County and worked on planning the first one just before his death.
Hopper, age 71, passed away January 6, 2022. She worked for many years for the Arc as an assembly line worker. In the early ’80s she also worked at the Orleans County Nursing Home in the laundry department. Hopper was a former member of the Board of Directors for the Orleans County Arc.
Loretta Windnagle of Holley, a junior self advocate, throws a ball at the dunk tank target, on Saturday.
Peggy Dollinger reacts after someone hit the dunk tank target and she was doused in water.
Contributed Photo – The Holley Hawks soccer club boys U11 team swept the Chili Soccer Association tournament this weekend. defeating Fairport 2-1, Clarence 6-0, Chili 3-1, and in the finals Chili 5-3. In back, from left are: Coach Jamie Gale, Trent Klatt, Kacey Flow, Kellen Farrell, Stephen Frittos, Logan Spencer, Jake Bevins, Matthew Meyers, Aryan Bower, Jaxson Lynch, Coach Jeff Lutes Front: Kyle Lutes, Mavrick DeYoung, Brayden Adam’s, Hudson Ashton, Finn Barhydt, Cruz Stevens, Zach Gale, Jeffrey Lutes Not pictured: Arianna Rivera.
Contributed Photo – Now in its milestone 70th season, the Albion Midget League held a belated opening ceremony on Saturday at the Midget League field. Bad weather forced the ceremony to be cancelled on opening day. Here former longtime Albion varsity baseball coach Gary “Chico” Mannella throws out the ceremonial opening pitch. His catcher was Buzz O’Mara who has umpired in the Midget League for 48 years. Mannella played for Sandstone during his midget league days as his father Guido was the team’s first coach . During his 21 years as Albion’s varsity coach, Chico Mannella guided the Purple Eagles to 13 Niagara-Orleans League championships, 3 Section VI titles and over 300 wins. “I guess that’s where I got my baseball DNA” Mannella has said of his early days playing for Sandstone at Sandstone Park.
Sandstone scored a pair of 9-0 wins last week over Vets and Carlton in Albion Midget League baseball action.
Elks Rotary also bested Carlton 9-1.
Nikko Russo had 2 hits including a triple, Giavanni LaMartina 2 including a double and Dominic Westland 2 to lead the way for Sandstone in the win over Vets. LaMartina also pitched 4 innings striking out 8 and Russo 2 innings fanning 6.
Vets had hits by Khristopher Wilston-Jones and Jaikiah Drisdom.
Bryce Saxton then had 3 hits including a double and triple and Russo 3 including 2 double in the win over Carlton as Cooper Traxler and Matthew Colmenero each added 2. Russo also pitched 5 innings striking out 14.
Elks Rotary 9, Carlton 1
Remi Ebbs registered 6 strikeouts and Ryno Coots 3 for Elks/Rotary. Coots also had 2 hits and Kayden Donnelly a two-run hit as Jordyn Williams had a strong game defensively at third base.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 31 May 2026 at 4:45 pm
Bogey problems, which arose early on Friday’s opening round, came back again late today as Medina’s Melanie Green posted a 3 over par final round at the LPGA Tour’s ShopRite Tournament at Galloway, New Jersey.
Unable to register a birdie, Green had pars on 15 holes but bogeys on 11, 12 and 16 to finish the tournament with a 1 over par 214 total.
She opened the tourney with a 1 over par 72 on Friday but rebounded with a 3 under round of 68 on Saturday to temporarily improve to a tie for 12 place.
Green will next be competing in the U.S. Women’s Open in California this coming Thursday through Sunday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 May 2026 at 3:22 pm
Wood fired pizza mobile business will continue
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Alexander family completed a busy day Saturday at Dubby’s Tailgate, the last one at 165 Platt St. for Dubby’s.
Brian and Rebecca Alexander opened the business about 5 ½ years ago. They said lease and building issues forced them to close Dubby’s Tailgate but they are hopeful Dubby’s Tailgate will be back at another location in the future.
“This is a bump in the road and not a dead end,” Brian said on Saturday night.
The top photo includes Brian and Rebecca and their five children as well as employee Madison Muckle at far right. Pictured from left include Brian, Maxine, Rebecca, Barrett, Abby, Michael, Lily Strickland and Madison Muckle. The Alexanders employed about 10 people at Dubby’s outside of their family over the years.
Dubby’s operated out of a 10,000-square-foot warehouse that proved a great venue for cornhole tournaments, parties, benefits, and other special events, including a wine-tasting after party with musicians for the Albion Merchants Association, Orleans County’s Family Game Night and the Home and garden Show for the Chamber of Commerce.
Rebecca Alexander cooked out of a wood-fired oven on Saturday. Her husband Brian and their daughter Abby also are shown in the busy kitchen. Abby said she racked up 18,000 steps by the end of evening.
Dubby’s will continue the wood-fired pizza mobile business that started about eight years ago. This Friday they will be at the Red Rocks Ponds RV Resort on Canal Road in Holley.
The Alexanders said they appreciated the strong community support for Dubby’s Tailgate, which featured the restaurant and many tailgate games, including cornhole, pool, “Fowling” a combination of football and bowling, Skeeball, darts and other activities.
The Alexanders said they are proud the concept as an “eater-tainment” business worked. They made many friends and were pleased to see the many benefits raise money for people in a health crisis.
Brian and Rebecca Alexander are shown by a Dubby’s Tailgate mural inside the warehouse that offered many games for people to have fun. Dubby’s hosted popular cornhole leagues and tournaments. Some of those tournaments had 100 teams, and brought in professional players.
Debbie Prest helped put on some of the benefits, and has been a loyal customer from day one at Dubby’s Tailgate. One of the benefits was in her honor after she was diagnosed with cancer.
“They have definitely contributed to the community and to everybody,” Prest said on Saturday at a counter inside Dubby’s.
She praised the Alexanders for not charging a rental fee to host the benefits, and they welcomed outside groups to cook chicken barbecues on site as additional fundraisers for the beneficiaries of the benefits even though Dubby’s didn’t get any direct revenue from the chicken barbecues.
Dubby’s also had plenty of space to put baskets up for raffle. Some of the benefits had well over 100 baskets and other larger items.
Prest said she admires how the family with five children works well together.
There were more than 150 baskets up for raffle on July 20, 2025 during a benefit at Dubby’s for Debbie Prest. Dubby’s hosted many benefits and community events in the past five years.
Tina and Jeremy Neal often would dine out at Dubby’s, meeting there for dinner after her Friday shift at Ace Hardware. Their late son Byron loved the cheese pizza at Dubby’s. His parents would often order that pizza in his honor.
“We adore these people,” Tina said about the Alexanders. “They are lovely people.”
On Saturday, Tina ordered pizza logs while Jeremy had an Uncle Tony pizza with meatballs and creamy garlic drizzle.
Mike Beach has been the cornhole league coordinator the past five years. Dubby’s proved a great venue for the league and tournaments. Albion is located between Rochester and Buffalo and the tournaments drew players from both metro areas.
Dubby’s also had space for 14 boards to be played at once. Most other tournament sites have space for 5 to 8 boards. Dubby’s also has the restaurant and bar on site, where many locations might just offer pizza slices and hot dogs.
“People love it here,” Beach said on Saturday after a final cornhole tournament. “It had the best of everything.”
He was happy to coordinate the league and tournaments, pleased to see people socializing in Albion.
“Here you had a place to hang out,” he said. “There was nothing like it. We’ve met so many people and had so much fun here the past five years.”
Brian and Rebecca said they want to recreate Dubby’s Tailgate at another location. They learned some lessons with the Platt Street location, and they know the business model works.
“We’re not going out because we weren’t unsuccessful,” Rebecca said. “We were just hitting our groove.”
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 31 May 2026 at 10:10 am
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Fresh from repeating as Section V Class C2 champions, Kendall is now taking aim at earning a second straight trip to the state tournament as the Eagles face Gananda at 7 p.m. Monday at Dwyer Stadium in Batavia. Kendall advanced to Monday’s Section V Class C state qualifier by downing Genesee Valley Belfast 3-1 to win the Class C2 title while Gananda nipped Notre Dame 1-0 to claim the Class C1 championship. Kendall is now 20-2 and Gananda 19-2. Here Kendall players and coaches celebrate with the championship trophy after downing Genesee Valley Belfast in the Class C 2 title contest Friday at Livonia. The contest was a repeat of the 2025 C2 title matchup which saw the Eagles score a 6-0 win. The Eagles roster includes seniors Jonny Conte, Adrian Bucci, Jonas Rhodes, Vinnie D’Agostino, Izaiah Rivera, Mikey Colucci and Nic Cole; juniors CJ D’Agostino and Jacob Abrams; sophomores Sammy Conte, Andrew Cole and Owen Collyer and freshmen Andrew D’Agostino and Luca D’Agostino. Guiding the Eagles are Head Coach Tige Noni and Assistant Coaches Jeff Conte and Tim Stedman.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 May 2026 at 8:55 am
This photo of the sunrise this morning was taking at Glenwood Lake in Medina by Kimberly Stawicki.
It’s going to be a sunny week in Orleans County. The forecast shows lots of sunshine.
Today will be mostly sunny with a high of 72, followed by a sunny Monday with a high near 69, the National Weather Service in Buffalo said.
Tuesday is forecast to be sunny with a high near 73, and then a sunny Wednesday with a high near 76.
The Weather Service said Thursday also will be sunny with a high of 81, followed by a partly sunny Friday with a high near 82, and a partly sunny Saturday with a chance of showers and a high near 80.
Robyn Ottaviano took this photo of the a nearly full Blue Moon on Saturday night in Medina.
Bob Barrett encountered a newborn deer in the weeds on the edge of his yard in Clarendon on May 28. “So cute,” he said. “Look but don’t touch… mama will be back!”
State Senator Rob Ortt wrote an illogical letter opposed to State Senate Bill S399A which is designed specifically to address Glock pistols that can easily be converted into illegal machine guns.
In his unhinged rant he claims that banning this pistol would “strip New Yorker of their freedoms.” This proposed legislation does not ban the sale of handguns by other companies. It does not increase regulations or create a burden on gun owners or those wishing to buy a handgun.
Mr. Ortt even acknowledges that: “By law, the very thing Democrats are trying to prevent is already illegal.” Since it is already illegal how does it “strip New Yorker of their freedoms” or chip “away at the constitutional rights and liberties of responsible citizens?”
Mr. Ortt’s logic further falls apart when he criticizes statements made by Governor Kathy Hochul in her state of the state address as “complete nonsense” and then, in the very next sentence, writes that what she said, “may be factually true.”
The Glock pistol is sought after by criminals because they can be easily modified into machine guns. Over 11,000 devices to convert semi-automatic firearms into illegal machine guns have been recovered between 2019 and 2023. These devices have been recovered from numerous crime scenes.
California, New Jersey, and Connecticut have or are considering bans on Glock pistols. Last October a New Jersey judge allowed a lawsuit against Glock Inc. to continue writing that the lawsuit: “sets forth factual claims that Glock deliberately designed its handguns to be readily convertible to illegal machine guns, marketed those products, and failed to employ responsible controls or modify the design despite numerous warnings and increased harm.”
Rob Ortt is being very melodramatic and exaggerating claims of Constitutional harm. If we didn’t have government regulations, people could sell broken glass to children, like in the Saturday Night Live sketch.
This proposed law does not affect law abiding responsible citizens. As a taxpayer and as a citizen I am tired of reading about school shootings, or church shootings, or shopping mall shootings. And I am tired of reading that every proposed gun safety law is a Constitutional crisis. This is a common-sense law.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 31 May 2026 at 8:27 am
Provided photos: Kim Gray, left, chief nursing officer at Orleans Community Health, is shown with the nominees for this year’s DAISY Award. They are Pamela Washak, Carol Martucci (winner), Karina Rotoli and Amy Strickland.
MEDINA – For the third year, Orleans Community Health has participated in the DAISY Award program, recognizing two nurses whose compassion, professionalism and dedication have made a lasting impact on patients and families throughout the organization.
The internationally-recognized DAISY Award program honors extraordinary nurses for the clinical skill and compassionate care they provide every day, according to Scott Robinson, director of marketing.
Jennifer Adams, one of the recipients of the DAISY Award at Medina Memorial Hospital, poses with Kim Gray, chief nursing officer, after the awards ceremony last week.
This year’s award recipients are Emergency Room nurse Jennifer Adams and nursing supervisor Carol Martucci.
“The partnership with the DAISY Foundation underscores our commitment to acknowledging the exceptional work of our nurses who make a meaningful impact on the lives of our patients and their families every day,” said Kimberly Gray, chief nursing officer at Orleans Community Health. “Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system, and we are excited to join hands with the DAISY Foundation to shine a spotlight on their extraordinary efforts.”
In addition to Adams and Martucci, this year’s nominations included Danielle Gullo, Leann Balcerzak, Jill Kotzbach, Karina Rotoli, Lisa McQueen, Amy Strickland and Pamela Washak.
One nomination for Adams highlighted the comfort and reassurance she provided during a patient’s care experience.
“What stood out most was how she guided my care so seamlessly,” the nomination stated. “She anticipated my needs, ensured my comfort, and consistently checked in on my pain and anxiety. Nothing ever felt chaotic or uncertain because she created an environment of reassurance and compassion. It was clear she was not just performing tasks – she was caring for me as a whole person.”
A nomination for Martucci recognized her compassion and professionalism during a stressful medical situation.
“She compassionately explained my situation and reassured me I would be in good hands and all would be well,” the nomination read. “When I got to Unity, the ER doctors there looked over my chart and records and said, ‘Well, we really don’t have any further tests to do. Medina did everything.’ This brought a smile to my face and pride for my hometown hospital.”
Established in 1999, the DAISY Foundation was created by the family of J. Patrick Burns, who died at the age of 33 due to complications of the autoimmune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura. “DAISY” stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem.
The DAISY Award is presented through nominations submitted by patients, families and co-workers who wish to recognize nurses for the outstanding care they provide. Orleans Community Health congratulates all of this year’s nominees and thanks its nursing staff for their continued dedication to serving the community.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 30 May 2026 at 8:48 pm
File Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Melanie Green
Registering three birdies on both the back and front nines, Medina’s Melanie Green fired a 3 under par 68 today on the second round of the LPGA Tour’s ShopRite Tournament at Galloway, New Jersey.
Starting on the back nine, Green registered birdies on 10, 12 and 18. Keeping the momentum she scored 3 more birdies on the front 9 on 1, 3 nd 4.
The 6 birdies more than offset 3 bogies (on 11, 15 and 5). as she rebounded strongly from a 1 over par round of 72 on Friday.
Her two day total of 2 under par 140 puts her in a tie for 12th place heading into Sunday’s final round.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 30 May 2026 at 8:30 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Aidan Papaj banged out a pair of hits and hurled a shutout on the mound to help Medina captire the Section VI Class B title with a 3-0 win over JFK this afternoon at Frontier High School.
Capturing a sectional title for the third straight year and the sixth time in the last seven seasons, No. 2 seed Medina shutout No. 1 JFK 3-0 in the Section VI Class B baseball tournament championship game this afternoon at Frontier High School.
Aidan Papaj hurled the shutout on the mound and Preston Woodworth drove in all three runs to lead the way as the Mustangs advance to the state tournament with a 19-2 record.
Preston Woodworth celebrates after banging out a two-run double in the first inning.
Papaj scattered 5 hits and struck out 11. He worked out of trouble several times in the early going as JFK left runners stranded in scoring position in each of the first three innings.
He allowed only 2 hits over the final four innings and finished strong notching three strikeouts in the seventh to close out the win.
“I just tried to stay within myself,” said Papaj. “It means so much” he added of winning the sectional title.
Woodworth banged out a two-run double in the first inning and an RBI ingle in the third for the only scoring the Mustangs would need.
A single by Papaj and a bunt single by Vinny Gray set up the first inning scoring opportunity. Another single by Papaj and a walk to Gray then set up the third inning scoring chance.
Medina, which had only three scattered hits over the final four innings was stymied a bit by hitting into a pair of double plays and having three runners thrown out on base.
“We battled through it,” said Woodworth. “Aidan did a fantastic job pitching.”
The Mustangs other hits included a double by Cam Fike and singles by Hadrian Batista and Carlos Doval.
Medina will next begin state playoff competition by taking on the Section V Class B champion (either Bath Haverling or Wellsville) in the Sub Regional at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Frontier High School.
Note: Additional photos are now posted on the Hub’s Facebook pages.
Medina first baseman Cam Fike awaits the throw on a pickoff attmept on JFK’s Matthew DeSilva.
Medina’s Vinny Gray lays down a bunt.
Medona’s Jimmy Dieter steals second ahead of the throw to JFK’s Victor Borowick.
