Photos courtesy of Medina Triennial: Tania Candiani, left, will lead the recording of “Two Waters” on Saturday in the auditorium of the old Medina High School on Catherine Street. Two Waters is a choral performance inspired by one of the Erie Canal’s most unusual engineering features: the aqueduct where the canal crosses directly above Oak Orchard Creek, a spot where two waterways flow past each other without ever meeting.
Press Release, Medina Triennial
MEDINA – This Saturday, in the long-abandoned auditorium of Medina High School, Mexican artist Tania Candiani will gather hundreds of local participants—many from across Western New York—for a four-hour, one-take collective vocal performance that will be filmed as part of a new installation for the Triennial.
The 25,000-square-foot building, closed as a public school since 1991, is reopening as the central exhibition site for the Medina Triennial, one of twelve locations across the village showcasing internationally recognized artist works this summer from June 6 to Sept. 7 along the Erie Canal.
Candiani, who represented Mexico at the 2015 Venice Biennale, is known for creating artworks that bring together technology, history, and community participation. Her projects often transform local stories, industrial heritage, and environmental data into immersive sound and video installations.
In Medina, she’s collaborating with composer Rogelio Sosa on Two Waters (2026), a choral performance inspired by one of the Erie Canal’s most unusual engineering features: the aqueduct where the canal crosses directly above Oak Orchard Creek—two waterways flowing past each other without ever meeting.
Participants—recruited through an open call—will perform simple vocal gestures such as breaths, hums, tones, and whispers that build into a collective soundscape inspired by the canal and the region’s history of labor and infrastructure. The filmed performance will later become one of the Triennial’s major installations.
The project reflects the Triennial’s broader focus on Western New York’s landscape, labor history, and waterways, and its theme, “All That Sustains Us,” which looks at the systems and communities that maintain and shape places like Medina.
To be part of the vocal collective, click here for more information. The deadline to register is March 26.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 March 2026 at 8:40 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: An ambulance leaves the Medina fire station for a call on July 29, 2025.
MEDINA – The rates will be going up by 5 percent for most services and types of care from the Medina Fire Department’s ambulance.
The rate for mileage remains at $38 per mile, and the fire department kept bariatric at $850, out-of-district care at $75 and BLS treat and release at $396.78.
The following represent 5 percent increases: ALS treat and release, $564.39; BLS non-emergency, $923.35; BLS emergency, $1,172.42; ALS 1 non-emergency, $1,347.98; ALS 1 emergency, $1,661.82; ALS 2, $1,898.22; paramedic intercept, $1,220.71; and specialty care transport, $1,854.31. The new rates will be effective April 1.
The fire department ambulance typically brings in about $1.2 million in revenue a year. The revenue is on pace for $1.7 million for the fiscal year ending May 31, said Steve Cooley, the Medina fire chief.
The new rates are close to the average for the ambulance providers served by MedEx, an ambulance billing company based in LeRoy.
Cooley said he wants the rates to be fair for the people served by the Medina FD ambulance.
He said he is concerned by possible cuts through the Medicaid program. Gov. Hochul has proposed cuts that could reduce Medina’s revenue by about $70,000 a year, Cooley said.
Courtesy Medina Fire Department: Here is the new rate structure for ambulance services provided by the Medina Fire Department.
On Saturday, March 28, the third incarnation of the “No Kings” protest will take place in the US and in places all over the world. The movement is dedicated to the premise that citizens have the right to determine their own destinies, and the destiny of their country, while exercising the rights and responsibilities accorded them by the US Constitution.
Perhaps the hardest responsibility of living in a democracy rests in preserving it. “A republic, if you can keep it….” said Benjamin Franklin in 1787. Those words foreshadow the place we find ourselves now, where corruptive forces on all sides strain the seams of our laboriously constructed institutions and carefully protected freedoms. Ironically, those who attempt to bring our system down do so with the very liberties afforded by the Constitution and, unfortunately, the inattention of many citizens.
I urge all freedom-loving individuals to attend a “No Kings” rally this coming Saturday and future demonstrations as they occur. In Albion, we the people will meet at the intersection of Routes 31 and 98, at noon until 2 p.m.
At the time of this writing, the weather forecast for the event looks difficult, to say the least. But to paraphrase JFK: we should do this thing not because it is easy, but because it is hard.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 March 2026 at 10:45 pm
This rendering shows a redesign of the canopy at the front entrance of the middle-high school for Holley. It’s one of the projects approved by voters today for major construction work at the school district.
HOLLEY – District voters today approved a proposed $22.9 million capital project. It passed with 207 yes votes to 60 opposed.
“Thank you to our families, community and staff for your support of this project, which will improve the quality of education for all of our students!” the district posed on its Facebook page.
State aid will cover the vast majority of the costs. Holley already has $4 million set aside for the local share of the project.
The proposed project focuses on four areas: program spaces – athletics & performing arts; safety, security and technology; infrastructure improvements for comfort, reliability and function; and site & transportation improvements.
The district provided this breakdown of the project:
Program Spaces: Athletics & Performing Arts
Providing A/C to Elementary School gymnasium
Refinishing gym floors at both ES and MS/HS
Rock wall improvements at the Elementary School
Replacing the auditorium stage rigging and curtains, and providing acoustic upgrades at the High School
Library upgrades at the Elementary School including a new circulation desk
Safety, Security and Technology
Camera system upgrades and replacements district-wide
Replacing fiber lines for data systems between the campus buildings
Audio/Visual upgrades at ES gymnasiums to improve educational experiences
Replacement of the canopy at the MS/HS for improved sightlines, lighting and security for visitors
Infrastructure Improvements for Comfort, Reliability and Function
Replacement of windows and masonry restoration at both the ES and MS/HS
Renovations to restrooms at both academic buildings to improve plumbing and infrastructure and also improve ADA access for all building occupants and visitors
Replacement of water softening system at the MS/HS
Providing A/C at data closets at both academic buildings
Site & Transportation Improvements
Repaving the parking lots around the bus garage
Utility and sitework improvements at the athletic fields to allow for a toilet facility to be installed
ALBANY – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) issued the following statement after being blocked from entering the state Capitol today.
“I was physically prevented from entering the Capitol today by a group of ICE protesters this afternoon on my way to the Assembly Chamber. What I find most troubling—and frankly frustrating—is that when I asked the State Police for assistance, I was told they had been instructed to stand down and not intervene.
“I fully support our men and women in uniform and understand they are being given orders in this circumstance. But, orders to troopers to stand down and not assist a law-abiding lawmaker from entering the Capitol to attend session and represent the people who elected me are deeply concerning and difficult to understand. This incident raises serious questions about security protocols and the ability of lawmakers to safely and freely carry out their duties.
“No elected official should be denied access to the Capitol, the very place where we are elected to serve the people of New York. Peaceful protest is a fundamental right, but it cannot come at the expense of public safety or the functioning of government. I am calling for a full review of what occurred and immediate action to ensure this never happens again.”
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 24 March 2026 at 7:25 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Gavin Dahlhaus puts a shot on goal during the Mustangs season opening lacrosse win over Tonawanda at Vets Park this afternoon. Defending for Tonawanda are Jacob Goddert (21) and Dominic Marchiano (11).
Building up a 3-0 half-time advantage, Medina went on to down Tonawanda 5-2 in the D Division lacrosse season opener this afternoon at Vets Park.
Sawyer Lilleby, Luke Duffina and Timmothy Vasquez took turns scoring the first half goals for the Mustangs.
Second half goals by Gavin Dahlhaus and Lilleby then put a lock on the victory for Medina.
The Mustangs next visit Akron on March 31 at 7 p.m.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 24 March 2026 at 7:08 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Madyson Flint delivers a pitch for Barker during this afternoon’s season opening non league win over visiting Kendall.
Three four run scoring innings keyed Barker to 12-3 win over visiting Kendall in a chilly season opening non league softball game this afternoon.
Kendall did grab a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a single by Alea Barrett but Barker answered right back with four runs in the home half of the frame on three walks and two errors to take the lead for good.
Barker then put a lock on the win by scoring four runs in the fourth inning on hits by Kaylee Stoll, Madelina Pavlock, Madyson Flint and Peyton Bradley and four walks and four more in the sixth on two walks and hits by Flint and Bradley.
Bradley and Flint both finished with 3 hits. Bradley, whose hits included a double, drove in a total of four runs.
Flint went the distance in the circle allowing only 4 hits and striking out 14.
Izzy D’Agostino had a double for Kendall.
Barker next visits Lockport on Friday.
Brooke Rodas bangs out a hit for Kendall. Lexi Brazzell is the Barker catcher.
Photo from Lollypop Farm: Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester, is caring for 58 dogs that were removed from a Yates residence on Monday.
Press Release, Lollypop Farm
YATES – On Monday, Lollypop Farm, which is the Humane Society of Greater Rochester, was requested by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office to assist with a welfare check on Murdock Road in the town of Yates in Orleans County.
Upon arrival, and following an initial assessment of the conditions, humane investigators determined that intervention was necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals on the property.
The Animal Emergency Response Team was activated to support the operation, including the safe removal of animals, documentation of conditions, and coordination of transport. In total, 58 dogs were humanely removed from the home and transported to Lollypop Farm, where they will receive comprehensive veterinary evaluations and ongoing care.
The investigation is ongoing, but help is needed to care for these dogs. Please visit our website at lollypop.org/alert to learn how you can provide supplies and resources, and even help us make space to care for these dogs.
Editor’s Note: Sheriff Chris Bourke said the dogs were all Chihuahuas. Two others were found deceased on scene and another was euthanized, Bourke said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 March 2026 at 1:54 pm
Sherman gets praise and some criticism for tenure as mayor at final regular board meeting
Election inspectors count votes and verify voters’ signatures on March 18 when about 900 people voted in the village election. Mary Ann Ander is in front. In back, from left include Linda Deyle, Judy Szulis and Cynthia Kiebala.
MEDINA – The hard-fought recent village election featured many social media posts that residents say were often nasty and unfair personal attacks.
Those posts, campaign mailers and comments at public meetings often set an unpleasant tone.
“This was the ugliest election in the history of the village,” resident Mary Hare said during Monday’s Village Board meeting.
She faulted the union for Medina firefighters for dividing the village with their social media posts. That union endorsed Mayor Marguerite Sherman and Courtney Henderson as a trustee.
When the votes were counted last Wednesday night, Debbie Padoleski won as mayor, 489-405 over Marguerite Sherman, while Jeff Wagner, 491 votes, and Mark Prawel, 487 votes, were both elected trustees. Dean Bellack received 319 votes and Henderson, 212 as a write-in.
Mayor Marguerite Sherman is ending 12 years on the Village Board including the past two years as Medina mayor. She urged the board to work together for the betterment of the community.
The firefighters’ union worries about a move to declare a new ladder truck surplus, and possible reductions in staff. Padoleski has cited the example of volunteer departments nearby. Medina has 17 paid firefighters who provide an ambulance service to western Orleans County in addition to responding to fire and other emergency calls.
Hare chided the union for being so vocal in the election.
“Most people want to see them gone,” she said during Monday’s meeting.
Kayla Rosenbeck, the mayor’s daughter, also spoke during the meeting, and said she received an “extremely vile letter” during the election. She said many of the public comments crossed a line of decency.
“It was an absolutely horrendous election,” she said.
Rosenbeck is an English teacher at Medina and she said many high school students have attended village meetings and witnessed character attacks and also seen the aggressive online comments.
“We all need to do better,” Rosenbeck said. “How we communicate matters. Students watch how adults handle disagreements, stress and patience.”
Rosenbeck said she also needs to do better.
“We need to choose words that lift up and don’t tear down,” she said.
Rosenbeck thanked her mother for an “unwavering commitment” during her time as a village trustee and mayor.
Another speaker during Monday’s meeting, Ellen Goheen, said she received a message urging her to vote in the election. Goheen said she moved out of the village eight years ago and wasn’t an eligible village voter. The message came from Village Trustee Jess Marciano and wasn’t from Medina’s mass notification system, which started five years ago.
Marciano said she had a list of numbers and sent them texts from her personal phone number, urging them to vote. She apologized to Goheen for bothering her. Marciano said the message didn’t favor any particular candidates and simply said to get out and vote.
“It was nothing improper from the village,” Marciano said during Monday’s meeting. “It was 100 percent me trying to get more people out to vote in our village.”
Medina had 894 people vote out of 3,655 eligible for a turnout of 24.5 percent.
Monday was the final regular board meeting for Mayor Marguerite Sherman. She has been mayor the past two years and was a trustee for 10 years before that.
Trustee Prawel thanked her for the numerous hours she put in for the community.
“I want to thank Mayor Sherman for all of her service,” Prawel said. “It was a lot of hard work for the Village of Medina.”
Trustee Marciano and Village Clerk/Treasurer Jada Burgess also commended Sherman for her tenure on the board.
“You’ve done a lot for this village,” Burgess said.
Sherman’s husband Jon Sherman also spoke during the meeting, saying his wife listened to residents and scheduled vacations so she wouldn’t miss village meetings. Even on vacation, she answered emails and messages.
“It’s 24-7,” he said. “The Village of Medina has come a long way in the past 12 years as a destination.”
He urged the new board that takes over April 1 to keep moving the community forward.
The mayor said the village has had many successes in recent years, and other communities routinely reach out to Medina to try to model the community’s success. Sherman said the struggles with a new ladder truck and an addition that would be big enough to house it have “tarnished” the village.
That truck has been declared surplus and the village is looking to sell it, although nothing is definitive now. The truck is currently in Tonawanda for some “punch list” work by a mechanic. Once it’s back in Medina it will likely be housed in the DPW building while the board determines if and when it will be sold.
“I remain proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish in the past 12 years,” Sherman said at Monday’s board meeting.
The state is investing millions in Medina through the Canal Corp. and the NY Forward program. Private entities also are putting their money in the village, she said.
Sherman said she wishes the new board the best, and said differences of opinion should be viewed as an asset.
Brian Hellner, a Newfane resident operating a tour boat business from the Medina Canal Basin, addressed the board and said his experience in recent years with Sherman and the board has often been “frustrating and discouraging.”
He said correspondence has been unprofessional and “unnecessary threatening.”
“We should be treated as partners, not adversaries,” he said.
Hellner said he looks forward to a different approach by the Mayor-elect Padoleski and the new board.
John Parada, a resident, responded that the board has been accommodating to Hellner in getting him a lease to operate the tour boat business. Parada said Hellner often didn’t follow the rules, which required a response from the village. When Parada spoke, Hellner and his son Rollin, owner of The Walsh, got up and walked out of the meeting room at the Shelby Town Hall.
The new mayor and the two elected trustees will be sworn in at 6 p.m. on April 6. There are two budget meetings on March 25 and March 27 before the start of the Padoleski tenure as mayor.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 March 2026 at 11:38 am
File photo by Tom Rivers: These deer are pictured on Nov. 20, 2014 when they were close to the road on the west side of Route 279 in Gaines, just south of Route 104.
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation is reporting 2025 was the safest in New York’s recorded history with seven hunting-related shooting incidents.
Those incidents include five which were self-inflicted and two involved more than one person. One incident involved an unlicensed individual who was hunting illegally, the DEC said. There were no hunting-related shooting fatalities.
“The historic low number of incidents observed in 2025 demonstrates that hunting is safe and is getting safer thanks to the efforts of DEC’s Hunter Education Program, volunteer instructors, and the vigilance of New York’s hunters,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “In addition to being safe, hunting is ecologically important, helping manage wildlife populations, promoting conservation-related behaviors, and providing a local, affordable food source. I am proud of our team’s efforts to grow New York’s hunting community.”
Hunting remains one of the most popular forms of wildlife-related recreation in the state with nearly 600,000 New Yorkers participating annually, helping achieve state wildlife management objectives and safely enjoying time outdoors, the DEC said.
The DEC reported these hunting-related shooting incidents:
Small Game Hunting:
Jan. 3 in Ulster County – While rabbit hunting, a 60-year-old hunter slipped and unintentionally discharged a round of birdshot into their left forearm.
May 13 in Orange County – While turkey hunting, the 64-year-old shooter fired one round, striking the victim approximately 40 yards away with multiple pellets. The victim sustained injuries to their right eye, left ring finger and left shoulder. (The shooter was not legally hunting, and had no hunting license, but injured a legal hunter during an open hunting season.)
Sept. 27 in Livingston County – During squirrel hunting, the 28-year-old hunter was shot with one round of pellets, causing superficial penetrative injuries on the front of their body from chin to abdomen.
Big Game Hunting:
Oct. 30 in Erie County – A 59-year-old hunter sustained a self-inflicted crossbow injury to the left foot while afield hunting deer.
Nov. 15 in Sullivan County – While exiting the woods after deer hunting, a 46-year-old hunter’s holstered handgun discharged one round into the upper thigh.
Nov. 19 in Chautauqua County – While pulling a loaded firearm from a vehicle, the 14-year-old hunter unintentionally discharged one round, which entered and exited their mid-torso.
Nov. 21 in Delaware County – While tracking a deer, the 68-year-old hunter tried to remove a handgun from its holster and accidentally discharged a round into their left calf.
The seven incidents in 2025 follows 11 in 2024, and 12 in 2023. In 2020, there were 22 incidents. The 10-year average shows 12.7 incidents a year, according to the DEC.
There were no fatal incidents last year. There was one in 2024 and two in 2023.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 24 March 2026 at 10:10 am
Photos courtesy of Medina Railroad Museum: Two dozen players showed up for bingo at the Medina Railroad Museum on Saturday, the first of several bingo afternoons scheduled at the museum each month through August.
MEDINA – Visitors to the Medina Railroad Museum shouldn’t be surprised to see some unusual activities taking place.
Renee Hemby, event coordinator, and museum staff have come up with a schedule of new things to do while visiting the museum.
“We want to get more people interested in visiting the museum to see what we have to offer,” Hemby said.
James Ruiz gives a thumbs up for the fans who came to play bingo at the Medina Railroad Museum on Saturday. With him are Autumn Bower and Renee Hemby, event coordinator.
The theory is that although someone might not be a fan of railroading, when they get there, they are sure to find something of interest.
The first of the new events is bingo on select Saturdays from April to October. Games are scheduled April 18, May 23, June 20, July 18, Aug, 8 and Oct. 17. The first game last Saturday brought several dozen fans to play bingo, enjoy beignets from Nola’s Gaming, hot chocolate and a free mug.
“We will partner with the community for our events,” Hemby said. “This includes Becker Farms Brewery and Greenlief food truck,” she said. “Those who came last week had a great time and said they would come back again.”
March 28 will feature the Easter Depot Dash for children through age 12, featuring relay races, games, food truck and other children’s activities.
Other events planned are History in Motion at 6 p.m. June 3, July 1, Aug. 5 and Sept. 2. These are dates of the new Historic Speaker series.
The museum will participate with Medina’s Community Yard Sale on June 6 and 7 with their Trackside Treasures Yard Sale. The community is invited to donate Christmas or railroading treasures.
On July 19, Boxcar Buddies will welcome Girl Scouts of Western New York. The museum will cooperate with them to earn a patch.
Aug, 15 is Platform Play Day and basket raffle from noon to 4 p.m.
Train rides are scheduled during a Golden Age Rail Tour at 11 a.m. on Sept. 19 and 20, which will include a guided tour along the rails and history of railroading. At 2 p.m., a second train ride will be a murder mystery ride titled “Murder at the Museum,” enacted by Western New York Improv. A food truck will also be on site.
On Oct. 4, the museum will feature Boy Scouts and Boxcars.
The famed Polar Express Train Ride will return for excursions to the North Pole weekends Nov. 21 through Dec. 20. Excursions in 2025 brought 28,000 riders to Medina.
I would like to publicly thank Dan Rosentreter for taking a chance on Medina when he opened The Coffee Pot. It has been a warm, comforting place where people can meet and socialize, or quietly sit and enjoy a cup — just what the village needed coming out of the pandemic.
Dan is selling the business so he can pursue a different dream, and I wish him and Hans (now running Hans’s Bakery on Main) all the best in whatever they pursue in the future.
One of Medina’s greatest assets is no shortage of people who are willing to invest in its business district.
The Coffee Pot will likely change under its new owners, whoever they may be, but I hope whoever it is tries to maintain some of the magic Dan and Hans created in that space.
Contributed Photo – The Lyndonville girls varsity basketball team has earned a New York State Public High School Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete Team Award by compiling a composite average of 94.04. In front are Alexa Robinson, Isabella Groves and Hannah Fox. In the second row are Annalee Clark, Lilly Raduns and Leah Costello. In the back row ar Braelynn Dillenbeck, Leah Kenyon, Emily Dill and Rylan Townsend.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 March 2026 at 9:14 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Park Avenue in Medina has been infested with large potholes. The Medina Department of Public Works used cold patch recently but that didn’t stick.
DPW superintendent Jason Watts said the street needs to be repaved. He asked for the public’s patience in the meantime.
He will soon be meeting with Keeler Construction, which does the paving in the village, to work out a schedule for the work.
Watts acknowledged the street is very bumpy in spots.
“Anything we do now is just a waste of money,” he said about the cold patch and other attempts at short-term fixes. “I do have a plan. Just go slow and be patient with me.”
The street’s condition was brought up during Monday’s Village Board meeting.
He said the DPW could put millings in some of the deeper potholes. He also will see about putting up signs that note Park Avenue is a “rough road” and drivers should go slow.
Watts said the punishing winter was hard on the pavement in Western New York.
“We’re not the only community with rough roads,” he said.
There are many potholes and deteriorating pavement on Park Avenue in Medina.
