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OC Leg approves 30% increase for towns to plow county roads
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature voted to pay the 10 towns in county 30 percent more in 2027 to plow county roads and do roadside mowing, with 5 percent increases annually in 2028 and 2029.
The 10 towns pushed for the sizable increase citing a dramatic rise in costs for fuel, salt, plow trucks and other equipment. Town officials say they just want to cover their costs for plowing, ice control and roadside mowing for 196.82 miles of county roads. The 30 percent increase will cost the county an additional $471,010 in 2027.
The towns currently get $7,218 a mile for their work on county roads. The new contract starts on Jan. 1 and will give the towns $9,383 per mile for plowing. The county doesn’t have its own fleet of plow trucks and relies on the towns for the snow plowing on roads.
The contract also calls for the towns to be paid $986.52 per mile for roadside mowing in 2027, with 5 percent increases the following two years.
The agreement gives the county and towns an option for another mutually agreed up two-year extension in 2020 and 2031.
The contract states the payments for snow and ice control will be made in June of every year, with the payments for mowing to be paid in three separate payments in June, July and August.
Area will move to past peak in fall foliage this week
Photos by Tom Rivers: Larissa DeGraw of Medina and her daughter Mirabelle walk in Mount Albion Cemetery this afternoon. They are from Medina and came to the cemetery to climb the 68-foot-high tower, which is a Civil War Memorial. The activity was part of a challenge for Red Ribbon Week to get out and exercise. There are many brilliant colors with the foliage at the cemetery, with a growing percentage of leaves on the ground.
Orleans County and much of the state will be moving past peak in fall foliage, I LOVE NY reported today in its weekly update on foliage conditions.
There will still be peak foliage throughout many parts of the Finger Lakes as well as the central and lower portions of the Hudson Valley and several locations on Long Island, I LOVE NY stated.
This map is provided by the Empire State Development Division of Tourism’s I LOVE NY program and shows much of the state will be past peak in fall foliage for the next week.
Although the area is moving to past peak, there are still many colorful leaves on the trees.
An observer for the weekly report said the leaves are at about 85 percent change at the Cobblestone Museum in Albion “with bright golden amber brown leaves.”
The leaves have changed colors and many have fallen by the tower at Mount Albion Cemetery.
Trump embraces socialism with government ownership stakes in companies
Editor:
A recent letter writer warned about the danger of socialism and urged voters to vote against socialist policies; I agree.
Socialism is defined by Merrian-Webster as the government “ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.” In July of this year, The Cato Institute reported that the Trump administration has taken a stake in 30 companies.
Under Howard Lutnick, the Department of Commerce awards grants for research and development to companies that sell a stake of their company to the government. The U.S. now holds a stake in microchip manufacturing, mining for minerals, and nuclear energy production.
The government holds a “golden share” in U.S. Steel, allowing the government veto power over executive decisions. The Trump administration is the very definition of Socialism. Representatives Claudia Tenney and Nick Langworthy are strong supports of these socialist policies. I urge voters to vote against these representatives, support Democrats and return our country to a capitalist economy.
William Fine
Brockport
Day of the Dead celebration will be Sunday at the 4-H Fairgrounds
Photo by Tom Rivers: An ofrenda was created by Lionel Rosario and his wife Delores Alvarado, and the display drew many onlookers during the Day of the Dead observance on Oct. 26, 2024 at the YMCA in Medina. An ofrenda is an altar that is typically in homes. The altars welcome returning souls and feature candles, wild marigolds, incense, photographs, mementos and loved ones’ favorite foods like fruit, tortillas, tamales, chocolate and bread.
Press Release, Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council
KNWOLESVILLE – A vibrant celebration of Mexican culture and traditions will come together at the Orleans County Fairgrounds on Sunday, November 1, for a Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration presented by GO ART! (Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council).
The free, family-friendly event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Trolley Building at the Orleans County Fairgrounds, located at 12690 Route 31 in Albion.
Día de los Muertos is a traditional Mexican holiday that honors and remembers loved ones who have passed away through colorful altars, family gatherings and other meaningful traditions. GO ART!’s celebration invites visitors of all ages to experience and learn about the holiday through hands-on art activities, live Mexican music, storytelling, traditional foods and cultural presentations broadcast live from Mexico.
“Día de los Muertos is a beautiful tradition that brings families and communities together to celebrate life and remember those who came before us,” said Gregory Hallock, executive director of GO ART! “As a regional arts council, we believe it’s important to celebrate the cultures and traditions that make our communities unique. This event is an opportunity for families to experience something meaningful, learn from one another and come together through art, music, food and remembrance.”
First held in 2018, GO ART!’s Día de los Muertos celebration grew out of the organization’s commitment to recognizing and celebrating the diverse cultures that make up Genesee and Orleans counties. What began as a community cultural celebration has evolved to include expanded educational programming, hands-on experiences and opportunities for families to learn about the holiday’s traditions and significance. That growth is especially evident in the festival’s school field trip program, which is expecting nearly 500 students this year, its largest anticipated participation to date.
Festival highlights include:
- Live Mexican Music: A group of Hispanic and Latino musicians will perform a selection of Mexican music from 2 to 3:30 p.m., bringing live entertainment and another cultural element to the afternoon’s celebration.
- Hands-On Art Activities: Participants can create colorful works inspired by Mexican art and Día de los Muertos traditions, including tissue-paper marigolds, La Catrina dolls, Mexican-inspired tile art, monarch butterfly art, calavera (sugar skull) masks and alebrije-inspired creatures. Face painting featuring designs inspired by the holiday will also be available throughout the celebration.
- Live Presentations from Mexico: Luis Vazquez Estrada will join the celebration live from Mexico to explore the meaning, history and cultural significance of Día de los Muertos, sharing how communities in Mexico prepare for and celebrate the holiday. The 15-minute cultural presentations will take place at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
- Ofrenda and Remembrance Activities: A traditional ofrenda will provide a space for visitors to honor and remember loved ones. Attendees are invited to bring photographs or meaningful objects to contribute to the altar or create written and illustrated tributes at a dedicated remembrance station.
- Día de los Muertos Storytime: Families can enjoy readings of children’s books exploring the holiday’s traditions and meaning, with storytime sessions scheduled at 11:50 a.m., 12:50 p.m., 1:50 p.m. and 3:50 p.m. Books for the readings are generously provided by Hoag Library in Albion.
- Displays and Cultural Videos: Attendees can explore artwork celebrating Día de los Muertos and Mexican culture, along with screenings of previously produced videos highlighting the holiday’s traditions and cultural significance.
- Traditional Foods and Beverages: Visitors can experience a selection of Mexican-inspired foods, including chicken tinga-style tostadas, arroz rojo (Mexican red rice), frijoles de la olla (Mexican-style pinto beans), fresh fruit and pan de muerto, a traditional Mexican sweet bread. Beverages will include agua de jamaica (hibiscus drink) and water.
This event is supported by a Market New York grant awarded through Empire State Development and I LOVE NY, New York State’s Division of Tourism. Additional support is provided by the New York State Council on the Arts, Rochester Area Community Foundation and the Conable Family Foundation.
For more festival information, click here.
Orleans Community Health CEO joins rural healthcare leaders at national workshop
Marc Shurtz
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health CEO/CIO Marc Shurtz recently joined rural healthcare leaders from across the country for an invitation-only workshop focused on strengthening the financial and operational sustainability of rural hospital.
Hosted by the National Rural Health Association in Kansas City, Mo., the workshop brought together chief executive officers from eight hospitals participating in NRHA-sponsored strategic, financial and operational assessments. The technical assistance initiative is made possible through a cooperative agreement between NRHA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Facilities Program.
For Orleans Community Health, participation provides access to national rural healthcare experts, peer hospital leaders and resources specifically designed to help rural organizations evaluate their operations and identify opportunities for long-term sustainability.
“Rural healthcare continues to face challenges that require us to constantly evaluate how we operate, how we use our resources and how we prepare for the future,” Shurtz said. “Opportunities like this allow us to learn from experts who work specifically with rural hospitals, while also sitting at the table with other CEOs facing many of the same challenges. We can bring those conversations and ideas back to Orleans Community Health and determine what makes sense for our organization and the communities we serve.”
The workshop was led by Eric Shell, chairman of Stroudwater Associates, and Brian Bertsch, partner at Eide Bally, both of whom have extensive experience in rural healthcare finance, operations and leadership consulting.
Shurtz said the ability to exchange ideas with other rural healthcare executives is particularly valuable as Orleans Community Health continues to focus on maintaining access to healthcare locally.
“Our responsibility is not simply to look at where Orleans Community Health is today, but where we need to be five, 10 and 20 years from now,” Shurtz said. “Keeping rural healthcare sustainable requires difficult conversations, careful financial planning and a willingness to continually evaluate how care is delivered. Having access to organizations like NRHA and leaders from other rural hospitals gives us additional resources and perspectives as we make those decisions.”
Orleans Community Health was the only New York healthcare organization represented among the eight participating hospitals. Other participants represented rural healthcare organizations in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
The workshop preceded the 2026 Critical Access Hospital Conference and provided participating organizations with an opportunity to prepare for their upcoming assessments and identify strategies that can be applied within their individual communities.
For Orleans Community Health, the initiative complements ongoing efforts to strengthen services, improve operational efficiency and ensure that residents of Orleans County and the surrounding region continue to have access to healthcare close to home.
“Rural hospitals are different from larger healthcare systems, and the solutions have to reflect those differences,” Shurtz said. “Our goal remains the same – to build an organization that is financially and operationally sustainable while continuing to provide the services our community depends on.”
‘This is amazing’ – Lyndonville elementary kids celebrate new playground
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – A new playground opened this morning at Lyndonville Central School and these fourth-graders were delighted to try the We-Go-Round.
The new playground is accessible for children with mobility issues and disabilities. The playground was designed and installed by Parkitects, a company owned by Lyndonville graduate Ben Frasier.
Kids could be heard shouting, “I Love it” and “This is amazing” as they tried the different playground equipment.
One fourth-grader goes down a double slide.
The new playground includes a We-Go-Round, Sway Fun Glider, We-Saw and other equipment that will be accessible to kids of all abilities and mobilities. The previous playground was over 20 years old and wasn’t handicapped accessible.
Dr. Heather Lyon, Lyndonville superintendent, checks out a new sensory dome in the playground by the elementary school. The sensory dome is an intended spot for children on the autism spectrum to get away from the activity and noise from the other parts of the playground.
Lyon was thrilled to see the children having so much fun on the new playground.
“You cannot have a bad day when you have this much joy,” she said about the happy kids on the playground.
Ben Frasier, a 1988 Lyndonville graduate and owner of Parkitects, gets ready to cut the ribbon and open the gate for kids to try the new playground. Fourth-graders Sophia Kleeh, left, and Ernest Orgar hold the ribbon while Dr. Elissa Smith, principal of grades PreK through 6, leads a countdown.
Ben Frasier gives a victorious gesture after cutting the ribbon. He said it’s phase 1 with plans to expand, adding equipment geared towards older children.
He will be meeting with students next month and wants to hear their vision of a “dream playground.”
Frasier believes with fundraising, grants and in-kind services, Lyndonville can build a great playground for children of all ages.
These kids play on the Wee-Saw.
Frasier and Parkitects donated about $250,000 in equipment and in-kind services to the playground. Parkitects had a team of 18 employees on site on Oct. 6 to install the playground.
The school district also was able to use $160,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds for playground equipment.
Donations for the project included Orleans Ready Mix with concrete; Watson Construction Group with removal/demolition of all of the old playground equipment and 14 inches of mulch; Barre Stone Company with 100 tons of crusher run stone; Shelby Crushed Stone with 100 tons of crusher run stone; Town of Yates with hauling the stone to the school; and Medina Lumber & Hardware with pressure treated 2×12’s covering 228 linear feet around the perimeter.
Play Surface Specialties installed the 3 ½-inch rubber surface which includes an outside lane with orange paws prints. Lyndonville’s school mascot is a tiger.
OC Rivals will host Iroquois Thursday in a Section VI Class B quarterfinal contest
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Anchoring the offense for the OC Rivals heading into Thursday’s sectional opener against Iroquois at Vets Park is this group of linemen. From left are Cole Herman, Nate Surdell, T.J. Champney, Matt Jacobs, Jackson Snook and Logan Kast.
Post season football playoff action gets underway Thursday as the OC Rivals host Iroquois in a Section VI Class B quarterfinal game at 7:05 p.m. at Vets Park.
The B1 Division’s No. 2 seed, the OC Rivals bring a 7-1 overall record into the sectionals while the RedHawks, which are the B2 Division’s No. 3 seed, are 5-3.
The victor will advance to the semifinals against the winner of Friday’s quarterfinal between Pioneer (B2 Div. No. 1 seed) and Maryvale (B1 Div. No. 4 seed).
Friday’s other quarterfinal matchups will have Lackawanna (B2 Div. No. 4 seed) at West Seneca East (B1 Div. No. 1 seed) and McKinley (B1 Div. No. 3 seed) at Depew (B2 Div. No. 2 seed.)
The RedHawks offense has been led on the ground by Trey Pfeiffer (795 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns) and through the air by quarterback George Issa (1,163 yards passing and 14 touchdowns). His main receivers have been Jackson Kwaizer (21 receptions for 395 yards and 7 TDs), Larson Fragale (20 for 338 and 4 TDs) and Roman Williams (37 for 330 and 3 TDs).
OC Rivals quarterback Preston Woodworth has passed for 1,202 yards and 15 touchdowns. His main receivers have been Noah Harrison (28 receptions for 552 yards and 7 TDs) and Eijah Doxey (26 for 495 and 4 TDs). Doxey also leads the teams in rushing with 591 yards and 8 touchdowns as Jayzon Wills has 471 yards and 4 TDs.
Final B1 Division Standings (Division and Overall records) – West Seneca East 6-1, 7-1; OC Rivals 6-1, 7-1; McKinley 5-2, 6-2; Maryvale 4-3, 5-3; Williamsville South 4-3, 4-4; Lake Shore 2-5, 3-5; Amherst 1-6, 1-7; Lew-Port 0-7, 0-8
NOTE: Tickets for the game must be purchased online by clicking the following link here.
DSS in Orleans County honored for being best in region for foster care outcomes
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature on Tuesday gave “Special Recognition” certificates to employees in the Department of Social Services who work in Child & Family Services, Foster Care, Adoption and Prevention. This also includes the DSS attorney and Legal Department.
They were honored because Orleans County received the number one ranking in the region for permanency outcomes for children in foster care.
Legislator Don Allport, right, presents certificates to, from right to left: Lianna Sheffer, supervisor in Divisions of Foster Care, Adoption and Prevention; Dana Graber, DSS attorney; Renee Rowley, legal assistant; Cyndi Stumer, deputy commissioner of DSS; and Shirley Mazourek, DSSS commissioner.
Mazourek praised her staff for working towards permanency outcomes in foster care, when children cannot remain safely with their biological parents. The main permanency outcomes can be reunification, where a child returns to their biological family; adoption, where full parental rights and responsibilities transfer to adoptive parents; legal guardianship, where care responsibilities transfer to a relative or trusted adult; and emancipation/aging out, where youth reach adulthood.
The County Legislature also recognized DSS staff including Elizabeth Boring, Jessica Czechowicz, Allyson Deslatte, Judianne Gearing, Isabella Gibbs, Saul Harrison, Brianna Heffernan, Heather Jackson, Jeannine Larkin, Elizabeth Milazzo, Sharon Nenni, Meghan Reuther, Rebecca Rinker, Julianna Schultz, Tyra Shepherd, Shelley Sherman, Holli Smith, Aaron Strathearn, Maria Strathearn and Miya Troidl.
County Legislator Don Allport presented a proclamation on behalf of the Legislature to the DSS declaring November as National Adoption Awareness Month. He gave the proclamation to Cyndi Stumer, deputy commissioner (center); and Shirley Mazourek, commissioner.
The proclamation states:
“Whereas, November 2026 is National Adoption Awareness Month and is designed to provide us with an opportunity to acknowledge the families and staff who are involved in adoption activities throughout the year; and
“Whereas, adoptive and foster care families open their hearts and homes, demonstrate great compassion and provide hope and love to children. National Adoption Awareness Month helps to raise public awareness of the fact that there are children available who are waiting for caring families; and
“Whereas, in Orleans County there are currently children in foster care awaiting adoption. The valuable contributions of foster care and adoptive parents are recognized as they continually strive to improve the quality of life for the children brought into their lives.”
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Lady Hawks nip Red Creek in Class C1 semi
No. 3 seed Holley upended No. 2 Red Creek 1-0 in the semifinals of the Section V Class C1 girls soccer playoffs this evening at Red Creek.
Carsyn Mogle scored the lone goal for the Lady Hawks in the first half off an assist from Emma Burne.
Zoey Warner made 2 saves to earn the shutout in goal as the Lady Hawks improve to 13-5-1.
Holley will next face the winner of the other semifinal between No. 1 Avon and No. 4 Byron-Bergen/Elba in the Class C1 championship game at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Geneseo High School.
Wilson 2, Portville 1 (OT)
Top seeded Wilson edged No. 5 Portville 2-1 in overtime in the semifinals of the Section VI Class C girls soccer playoffs this evening at Wilson.
Wilson will now face No. 3 Frewsburg for the Class C championship on Friday at Allegany-Limestone. Frewsburg downed No. 2 Holland 4-2.
