By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 15 July 2026 at 9:32 am
Scoring early and often Albion downed host Lyndonville 14-3 in a GLOW League 18U Division baseball game Tuesday evening.
Improving to 7-0, Albion took the lead for good by scoring three quick runs in the first inning sparked by a double by Gavin Boyce and highlighted by an RBI single by Elliott Trapiss.
Lyndonville did answer with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first as Austin Fonda and Kameron Kassey had singles but could get no closer.
Albion scored twice in the second inning on a walk, a single by Jack Conn and an error and then began to pull away with five runs in the third inning. Nick Luft singled in a couple of runs to key that uprising which was ignited by a single by Kaiden Froman and two walks.
Albion capped off the win with four runs in the fourth as two walks and a single by Boyce set up that threat.
Boyce finished with 2 hits as did Fonda and Kasey for Lyndonville.
Rocco Sidari earned the win on the mound giving up 4 hits and striking out 9 in 4 innings of work.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Connor Jurs, 13, of Kent holds one of the fish he caught last year during the Danny Spierdowis Memorial Kids’ Fishing Derby. There were 67 participants last year. Prizes go to kids who catch the most fish by cumulative weight and also for the longest fish. There are different age divisions.
Press Release, Albion Sportsmen’s Association
ALBION – Free fishing. Free food and drinks. Lots of prizes.
What better way to spend a Saturday.
The 30th Annual Danny Spierdowis Memorial Kids’ Fishing Derby will be from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 1 at Albion Sportsmen’s Association on Keitel Road. Pre-registration begins at 8:30.
The derby is open to Orleans County residents only, ages 16 and under, with prizes given to all entrants and special prizes awarded to the winners in all age groups and categories. Last year, 18 children won fishing poles and all entrants received gift bags of tackle and candy.
The not-for-profit club provides drinks and lunch to all the children and parents.
The derby is named in honor of Danny Spierdowis, who died at age 19 in a car crash Jan. 20, 1990.
Anyone wishing to participate in the derby must register by July 28 by calling or texting Scott DeSmit at 585-815-5150. You can also email him at desmitmail@yahoo.com. Please provide the names and ages of the children and the number of adults attending.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 July 2026 at 10:31 pm
An air quality alert has been issued beginning midnight tonight through midnight Wednesday night for Orleans County due to wildfire smoke from northern Minnesota and Canada.
The air quality alert much of Western New York, Central New York and eastern Lake Ontario region.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued the advisory due to an Air Quality Index value of 135 for fine particulates in the outdoor air. The higher the AQI value, the greater the health concern, the DEC said.
When pollution levels are elevated, the State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects.
“People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease,” the DOH said. “Those with symptoms should consider consulting their personal physician.”
The highs the next few days include 89 on Wednesday, 86 on Thursday, 83 on Friday and 85 on Saturday.
There has been a lot of talk on the Hub and around town about canceling out the Water District (WD) 10.
As usual the news reports what sells.
The following is the explanation of the reason why WD 10 was canceled.
Also details how much money was spent by the town taxpayers since 2015 on WD 10. ($129,293.95) This includes hiring professional grant writing firms.
Right now there is not a debt service more than $900 per year per water district in the town of Barre.
WD 10 is a small district, there are 30 residential hook ups possible, chargeable dwelling units make it 37 total, approximately 75-83 people.
The town put in requests for grants. The town was expecting a grant for $1,624,800 from WIIA. This grant would have made the water affordable for WD 10.
We received two grants totaling $616,600 approximately. This smaller grant(s) made the debt service increase immensely.
Annual debt service could have cost this WD 10, $3,133.80 to possibly $5,000 to $6,000 annually for 38 years for each unit.
The town has asked Albany about using the grant money received of $616,600 and to let town employees start portions of the water line.
We learned, “that is not how grants work.” The town needs to take out loans and use loan money first. Once the loan money is used, the grant money kicks in.
There are more properties in the town that do not have water. More than the 30 that are in WD10.
The town is presently working on the new water tower project. The present water tower was built 30-plus years ago for the town population of 30-plus years ago.
Last spring there was a break at a fire hydrant in the town. By the time the Highway Department was able to fix it, the water tower was down two-thirds its capacity. We received many calls from residents of “no water” at the town building.
Moving forward: The town is going to be working a project to possibly get water to residents that do not have water.
The way grants work (so we are told) is the more residents and the more people involved in the area of a project, the larger the grant is for the project. This is our goal: to get water to the residents in need.
Dissolving WD 10 was not easy for the board to do. None of us took this matter lightly.
Also, a lot of controversial questions have come up about windmills and solar fields. The town does not make any money off of these projects until the green energy starts producing MW (megawatts).
The Hemlock Solar project is anticipated to start late fall, but it won’t be until the end of 2027 that MW’s will start being produced.
The windmills are anticipated to begin construction in 2027 and also possibly start producing MW’s in late 2028 or 2029.
If there are questions please come to the town board meetings or email or call the town building.
White Birch 14, Mera Hair 1
White Birch took just 4.5 innings to mercy Mera Hair 14-1 in Medina Women’s Softball League action Monday evening.
The Birch had 18 hits which included two home runs from Ella Lewis, one from Aubrey Lewis and one by Stacy Buckland.
Aubrey Lewis also had a triple and Buckland added a single. Morgan Ralph had a triple and a double, while Maddy Boyle had a double. Anna Lewis was 3 for 3 at the plate with three singles. Kenzie Muck and Rebekah Hoffee both had two singles and Dana Cotriss and Mallory Albone each had a single.
Mera Hair had five hits including a double by Janessa Lindsey. Jessica Demmer and Kelsey Matuszak both added singles.
The Birch is now 5-2
Jr. Wilson 21, Parkitect 14
Stormi Beach and Alysssa Robarge both had 4 hits and Jessica Rosenbeck and Sara Flansburg 3 each to lead Jr. Wilson past Parkitect.
Bree Smith had 3 hits for Parkitect as KB Ball and Kennedy Clark both had 2.
Mr. Septic 28, Banes 9
Playing two players short Banes lost to Mr. Septic which scored 15 in the first inning and 5 in both the second and third frames.
Lindsay Chatt had 4 hits including a home run for Banes as Connie Heschke, Jami Chatt and Teri Schrlau each had 3.
Amy Allis turned a double play from 2nd base in the 2nd inning for Banes which is 4-4,
Group seeks stronger environmental review at STAMP
Press Release, Allies of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation
Allies of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation welcomes Governor Kathy Hochul’s one-year moratorium on new hyperscale data center construction in our state. We agree that more study is needed to assess the impacts of these facilities on our shared environment – our waters, air, and plant and animal species – and on our utility rates, electrical grid, and quality of life.
The moratorium pauses permitting for data center project applications, like those of STREAM’s proposed data center at STAMP, that have not yet been deemed complete by NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). During the pause created by the moratorium, the Department of Public Service and DEC will carry out a General Environmental Impact Study in relation to data centers in the State, in order “to assess the potential environmental impacts of the construction and operation of data centers in the State, including energy demand, water use and quality, air quality, disproportionate impacts on disadvantaged communities, and noise levels.”
We urge GCEDC, the STAMP developer, to use the moratorium pause to conduct its own Environmental Impact Study of the possible impacts of data centers at STAMP, something DEC first called upon GCEDC to do over six months ago, but which GCEDC has thus far refused to do.
Over the last many months, residents of the GLOW Region and our statewide allies have powerfully and repeatedly called on local and statewide decisionmakers – including Governor Hochul – to stop the STAMP data center. We have demanded that they listen and take action in response to our overwhelming opposition. This moratorium is an appropriate response to our community’s serious concerns about hyperscale data centers and the impacts they will cause on our neighborhoods, our way of life and cost of living, and our environment.
We know who would profit from this data center: Big Tech, Private Equity, and GCEDC – not Genesee County residents or the Tonawanda Seneca Nation. We will continue to fight to protect our communities, our environment, and a livable future for us all.
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand also issued a statement in response to the one-year moratorium
“I applaud Governor Hochul for taking decisive action on data center construction. Today’s executive order sends a clear message New Yorkers deserve a say in how this technology impacts their lives and communities.
“This one-year moratorium is fundamentally about trust. Right now, New Yorkers aren’t convinced these massive facilities benefit them. Before we move forward, our communities need ironclad guarantees that their energy bills won’t spike, their water will be protected, and their air will remain clean.
“At the federal level, my mission is to ensure AI innovation benefits every American, not just a powerful few. That requires establishing clear, reliable rules of the road. We must build a framework that protects our kids from harmful algorithms and social media tools; shields seniors and consumers from AI-driven scams and fraud; and safeguards American jobs and livelihoods from displacement.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 July 2026 at 12:51 pm
Board said site has been overwhelmed by brush and construction material from outside village
Photo by Tom Rivers: A gate is locked to prevent access for people to dump brush at the village of Medina’s compost site on North Gravel Road next to Boxwood Cemetery. Medina officials said people were leaving construction materials and other debris.
MEDINA – The Village Board doesn’t anticipate reopening the compost site for brush dumping anytime soon.
The site has been closed for about six weeks for people to unload brush and lawn clippings. That was the intended use, but the site has been overwhelmed with construction materials and debris, as well as brush from people from outside the village.
The board was considering allowing village residents to come to the village office and get a key to open a locked gate, but has decided against that.
The village DPW picks up brush the first Monday each month. It is usually a one-day job, but this month it took 2 ½ days to get all the brush piles around the village, said Jason Watts, superintendent of the Department of Public Works.
He wants to go at least another month with the gate closed at the compost site and gauge how much brush is left around the village. He expected there would be more than normal due to people being unable to use the compost site.
“Right now is prime time for brush with everyone cleaning up their yards,” Watts told the Village Board on Monday evening. “I feel bad for residents leaving brush and having it sit out all month.”
He urged people to have it out in time for the first Monday of the month. He said the DPW starts picking up from the east end of the village first and then works through to the west end.
Trustee Mark Prawel said he favors just having the DPW pick up the brush and not having any dumping by residents or people outside the village. The brush piles are burned at the compost site, which is a concern for some neighbors.
He said the site has too much brush and other materials already.
“I don’t see how we can open it up when we don’t have a solution for getting rid of what we have now,” Prawel said.
Village Board members said they expect residents will get used to leaving the brush by the curb and not dumping at the compost site.
Governor seeks to repeal sales tax exemptions for projects
File photo by Tom Rivers: A massive data center, totaling 2.2 million square feet, has been proposed for the STAMP site off Route 63 in the town of Alabama. Stream US Data Centers said it would spend $19 billion on the project. Stream is seeking $1.43 billion in sales tax exemptions – $715,944,000 locally and $715,944,000 to the state.
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
Governor Kathy Hochul today signed an Executive Order to create the nation’s first moratorium on new hyperscale data centers, establishing the strongest standards for data center development and creating a blueprint to support localities.
The Governor is temporarily pausing State environmental permits for up to one year in order to build a nation-leading regulatory framework that protects ratepayers, the environment, the energy grid and communities across the state.
“New York has always been at the forefront of innovation and change but we’ve also always guaranteed that New Yorkers benefit. As data center development threatens to hike up utility bills, deplete our natural resources, and create uncertainty for New Yorkers, it’s my responsibility to take action and lead,” Governor Hochul said. “New York will lead the way in creating the strongest standards in the nation for data center development, ensuring that when companies succeed because of New York, New Yorkers succeed too.”
New York State is experiencing unprecedented growth in demand for data center development driven by artificial intelligence and other computing operations. The increase in demand has led to proposals across the state for the construction and operation of data centers that could require massive amounts of energy and water to run and cool thousands of computer servers.
Earlier this year, the Governor directed the Department of Public Service (DPS) to begin the Energize NY proceeding, which will require data centers to either pay more for their energy or supply their own, allowing the state to keep energy more affordable for New Yorkers.
As part of that proceeding, the Governor is now also directing DPS to develop a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for data centers to ensure new data centers coming online are being held to consistent standards. During the development of this GEIS, which will take up to a year, a moratorium will be in place and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will not issue any discretionary permits not already deemed complete.
The state will use the GEIS to assess the potential environmental impacts of the construction and operation of data centers in the state, including their effect on energy demand, water use and quality, and air quality. Once the State finalizes these standards, the moratorium will be lifted, allowing new data center projects to proceed as long as they follow state, zoning code and other local approvals.
Dr. Kirk Scirto, a family medicine specialist at Tonawanda Family Care Center, spoke at public hearings on Feb. 3, 2025 at the Alabama Fire Hall. He called data centers “parasitic centers.” He said the constant noise from the data centers is comparable to the sounds of jet engines. The impact from the noise and light will have negative impacts on neighbors and wildlife, he said.
The Governor also directed Empire State Development (ESD) to issue a Community Investment Framework (CIF) within 60 days, which will provide clear guidance to local entities to help them negotiate community benefits as part of any large-scale data center deal, including local infrastructure improvements, child care investments, and direct financial support for their community.
The CIF will also establish frameworks that provide organized labor a seat at the table and prioritize prevailing wage standards and project labor agreements for data center construction, local hiring, apprenticeships and workforce development to maximize economic benefits. This framework will additionally include a formula to help communities assess where to begin investment negotiations. An outline of the CIF is currently available on ESD’s website, and the public is encouraged to submit feedback.
Additionally, the Governor is directing DPS to consider creating a New York Grid Acceleration Fund to require data centers to invest in the state’s aging grid infrastructure and energy needs so all New Yorkers benefit from responsible development. The fund could support the procurement of new clean energy supply and establishment of an insurance pool to which developers may need to contribute to protect against speculative large loads that create uncertainty and increase costs. DPS will also consider approaches to require data centers to fund new clean electric generation dedicated to their operations, including but not limited to customer-sited distributed energy resources and battery storage.
Finally, Governor Hochul is pursuing legislation to repeal sales tax exemptions for massive data centers across the state.
Since taking office, Governor Hochul has ensured New York is leading the nation in AI innovation and development. As part of her FY25 Budget, the Governor launched Empire AI, a nation-leading initiative to advance AI research for public good. This year, she launched the FutureWorks Commission to advise on policy and private sector actions to protect the security of workers while harnessing the economic benefits of AI for all New Yorkers. This blue ribbon Commission is composed of nation-leading experts, workers’ advocates, and business leaders, and will be charged with advising Governor Hochul on how to navigate the AI transition, so that the benefits of AI can be shared among New York’s families, workers, and small businesses — not just large corporations.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 July 2026 at 10:31 am
POINT BREEZE – For the second this summer, a concert at the Orleans County Marine Park has been rescheduled due to hot weather.
The Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association and Friends of the Orleans County Marine Park announced that the concert planned for this evening featuring Feedback has been rescheduled to Aug. 18.
The June 30 concert with Something Else also was rescheduled to Aug. 11 due to a heat advisory.
Today’s high temperature is forecast to reach 93 degrees with heat index values as high as 105 expected.
A heat advisory for Orleans County is in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 14 July 2026 at 9:12 am
Contributed Photo – Elks/Rotary players and coaches celebrate after capturing the Albion Midget League 12U Division playoff championship Saturday with a 3-0 win over previously unbeaten Sandstone. In front are Owen Beecher, Nate McDaniels, Parker McDaniels, Mason McDaniels, Hunter Sutch and Josh Mengs. In back are Coach Evan Coots, Head Coach Tim Wolcott, Ryan Coots, Remi Ebbs, Kayden Donnelly, Greyson Roberts, Jordyn Williams and Coach Mike Roberts.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 14 July 2026 at 9:05 am
A quick three run first inning scoring bursst ignited Albion to a 10-0 win over Warsaw in a GLOW League 14U Division baseball game Monday evening.
An RBI single by winning pitcher Robert Hickman keyed that uprising. On the mound, Hickman allowed 2 hits and struck out 8 in four innings of work.
Improving to 7-0, Albion put a lock on the win by erupting for 5 runs in the third inning as Brody Furness had an RBI double, Blake Brown and Jace DiMatteo singles and Hickman an RBI sacrifice fly.
Jackson Frasier capped off the scoring with a two-run single in the fifth inning.
Brown, Hickman and Frasier each finished with a pair of hits.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 July 2026 at 9:00 am
Photo by Natalie Baron: Kids have fun at the bounce houses last year on July 16 during a countywide rec day at Bullard Park. The event returns tomorrow and kids can use the bounce houses and play other games for free.
ALBION – A big group of kids is expected on Wednesday for the annual County Wide Recreation Day at Bullard Park in Albion.
The park will have food, bounce houses, splash pad, games and other activities available for free from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be appearances by Hamburglar and Grimace, the McDonald’s mascots, and Patrick the Magician will perform at 11 a.m.
The Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern, Knights of Columbus and Salvation Army all covering the cost of the food for the children. The bounce houses, pony rides, face painting and magic show are all covered by the Village of Albion Parks and Recreation.
Last year 500 kids attended the Countywide Rec Day.
