Facebook

County in 2025 hit new record high for bed tax at nearly $120K

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 March 2026 at 8:18 am

Photos by Tom Rivers: Fireworks reflect in the Erie Canal on July 2 after a performance by the Albany Symphony in Medina as part of the celebration for the Erie Canal’s 200th anniversary. That concert attracted 1,000 people. There were many special events last year in the county for the bicentennial of both the canal and Orleans County.

ALBION – Orleans County set a new record high for bed tax in 2025, despite concerns that some Canadians might cut back on their traveling to the region.

Last year was a big year for celebrations in the county with the bicentennials of both the Erie Canal and Orleans County, as well as an active year for concerts, festivals and other events.

The Seneca Chief travels along the Erie Canal between Middleport and Medina on Sept. 25. The vessel is a replica of the maiden canal boat that carried Gov. DeWitt Clinton on the canal in 1825. There were celebrations along the canal system during the Seneca Chief’s 33-day journey last year from Buffalo to New York City.

The county imposes a 4 percent occupancy tax on lodging establishments, and that bed tax generated $119,501.51 in 2025, said County Treasurer Kim DeFrank.

 This is the fourth straight year the tax has topped $100,000 for the county.

Here are the totals in recent years:

  • $119,502 in 2025
  • $116,712 in 2024
  • $119,003 in 2023
  • $111,548 in 2022
  • $79,102 in 2021
  • $58,438 in 2020
  • $58,424 in 2019
  • $51,002 in 2018
  • $45,374 in 2017

There are about 200 rooms for rent in the county, including at hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and short-term rentals.

Orleans County imposes a 4 percent bed tax on top of the 8 percent sales tax.

The county sets aside the bed tax to fund the tourism department and initiatives to bring in visitors. The increase in funds allowed the county to hire a sportsfishing coordinator in December 2022, filling a position that had been vacant for nearly five years. Ron Bierstine promotes the county’s top tourism draw of sportsfishing attending more of fishing shows, including in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

The county also has stepped up its digital advertising on Facebook to promote events in Orleans to attract more visitors to the area. The tourism department promotes local festivities, museums and other attractions.

Wilson girls win Class C semifinal

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 5 March 2026 at 9:36 pm

No.3 seed Wilson turned back a late comeback bid by No. 7 Cassadaga Valley to earn a 51-45 victory in the semifinal round of the Section VI Class C girls basketball playoffs this evening at Jamestown Community College.

Wilson built up leads of 17, 32-15, at the half and  21, 46-25, at the end of the third period but weathered a 20-5 Cassadaga Valley fourth quarter rally to claim the narrow win.

Lucy Madan scored 14, Rowan Simpson 12 and Bella Thrush 9 to lead the way for Wilson.

Cassadaga Valley was led by Breonna Hopkins with 17 and Madison Debo with 14. Hopkins hit three threes and Debo scored 8 in the final quarter to lead the Lady Cougars rally.

Wilson will now face top seeded Frewsburg in the Class C championship game at noon Saturday at Jamestown Community College. Frewsburg downed No. 5 Randolph 61-38 in the other semifinal.

GO Art!’s annual award winners include 2 from Orleans

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 March 2026 at 4:46 pm

Lynne Menz to get Lifetime Achievement award, while Albion group supporting Bullard Park named “Organization of the Year”

Photos by Tom Rivers: Lynne Menz speaks on Sept.7, 2019 during a dedication ceremony for a bronze statue and memorial to the soldiers who trained at the Medina Armory, which is now a YMCA on pearl Street in Medina. Menz’s late father, Bill Menz, had the vision for the monument and pushed to get it done.

Provided photo: This lamppost was made from old, discarded steel from the lift bridge in Albion. Bill Schutt turned it into a lamppost that is now at Albion’s Erie Canal Park between the two lift bridges.

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council has announced the winners of the annual Genean Awards for artists, cultural supporters and organizations in Genesee and Orleans counties.

Lynne Menz of Point Breeze will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for her many years with the Orleans County Tourism Department, and as a very active volunteer with the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association, Friends of the Orleans County Marine Park, Oak Orchard Lighthouse Association and Medina Sandstone Society.

Menz helped her father, the late Bill Menz, make a bronze statue of a soldier a reality outside the YMCA in Medina, which formerly was used as the Medina Armory to train soldiers.

GO Art! has named Bill Schutt of Basom, Genesee County as its “Individual Artist of the Year.” One of his projects was creating a lamppost in Albion that was made from old discarded steel from the Main Street lift bridge. He makes art from recycled metal.

The Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events Inc., a not-for-profit organization, will be honored by GO Art! as its “Organization of the Year.”

G-ACRE runs the annual Rock the Park – Albion Summer Music Festival, featuring about a dozen bands and performers over two days in August. G-ACRE also has been a fundraising arm for recent improvements at the park, including new basketball and pickleball courts.

The Genean Awards will be presented at 6 p.m. on March 28 at GO Art!, 201 East Main St., Batavia.

The awards include:

  • Lifetime Achievement in Orleans County: Lynne Menz
  • Lifetime Achievement in Genesee County: Maryanne Arena
  • Supporter (of the Cultural Sector) of the Year: Raeann Engler
  • Individual Artist of the Year: Bill Schutt
  • Honorable Mention: Lily Renz
  • Organization of the Year: Greater Albion Community Recreation & Events, Inc. (G-ACRE)
  • Volunteer of the Year: Andrea Hofmaster

Basketball players try out the new courts in Albion on Oct. 26, 2023, the day the courts opened. The Greater Albion Recreation Committee and Events Inc. secured the funding for the project.

Medina Planning Board approves sign for Triennial, work on Main St. building

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 March 2026 at 3:09 pm

Images submitted to Village of Medina Planning Board: The Medina Triennial will affix artwork on the Medina Theater as part of the upcoming Medina Triennial art initiative. The Planning Board approved the sign during its meeting on Tuesday.

MEDINA – The Village of Medina Planning Board has approved a temporary sign for the Medina Triennial and also a certificate of appropriateness for exterior work at 339 North Main St.

The sign will be 20 by 22 feet and will be a temporary display of artwork. It will be attached on the side of the Medina Theater at 601 Main St., near the back of the building facing Proile Alley.

Medina Triennial organizers expect to put the sign up in late May before the start of the Triennial on June 6. The arts initiative brings 35 works of art from artists around the world. The triennial runs until Sept. 7.

The Planning Board approved the sign until the end of September. The sign will be printed on a vinyl material and fastened on the building “in the least invasive way possible,” said Matt Hollenback, head producer for the Triennial.

Mark and Michael Zambito are seeking to put in new, larger windows at 339 North Main St., a site that was recently used by Patriot Guns and Mystic Dragon’s Lair.

The smaller windows will be replaced with bigger ones that will be either vinyl or aluminum that will have black frames.

The white coverings above the windows will be painted black. The Zambitos said there is missing and deteriorating bricks near the doors that they would like to wrap in a matte finish to prevent further damage to the bricks.

They said repointing the bricks and matching them with the existing ones could be difficult. Planning Board members said there may be usable bricks that match once the smaller windows are replaced with larger.

They encouraged the Zambito brothers to try to repair the brick work as part of the project.

The Zambitos said the work on the building in phase one of what they plan to be bigger improvements at the site.

Annual N-O vs. G-R senior basketball doubleheader will be Friday at Albion

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 5 March 2026 at 10:27 am

Albion will host the 25th Niagara-Orleans League vs. Genesee Region League Exceptional Senior basketball doubleheader on Friday.

The girls game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. followed by the boys contest at 7.

Both the girl and boys series are deadlocked at 12-12 although the G-R has won the last four girls and boys contests.

The roster for the N-O girls team includes Leah Pawlak and Madison Muckle from Albion, Rhoswyn Oakes and Tatianna Maxon from Medina, Kylie McOmber and Millie Owens from Roy-Hart, Hailey Dodge from Barker, Julia Noonan from Newfane and Marissa Brege, Olivia Novak and Cara Swader from Akron.

The G-R girls roster includes Lilly Raduns and Isabella Groves from Lyndonville, Ali VanAmeron, Mia Thom and Ella Turpyn from Holley, Stella Kwiatek from Kendall, Ava Yax from Alexander, Ashanti Caton and Payton Pope from Wheatland-Chili, Peyton Liss, Morgan Conibear and Onolee Easterbrook from Pembroke, and Simone Scharvogel and Megan Jarkiewicz from Byron-Bergen.

The N-O boys squad includes Tyler Cody, Wesley Olles and Nate Gibson from Albion, Vinny Fazio from Roy-Hart, JJ Prynn, Donovan Hefferon and Carson Schwab from Barker, Camlo Flowers from Newfane, Ben Gerstung and Blake Gerstung from Akron and Aidan Neumann, Shamus George and Brock Lepsch from Wilson.

The lineup for the G-R boys team includes Jonny Conte, Jonas Rhodes, Vinnie D’Agostino and Noah Morehouse from Kendall, Colton Smith from Lyndonville, Josh Silpoch from Holley, Owen Schultz from Pembroke, Kingston Woods and Mason Snyder from Alexander, Mason Watterson and Gabe Smith from Oakfield-Alabama and Joel Lamb and Cole DiQuattro from Byron-Bergen.

Ortt, NYS Senate Republicans say ‘green energy’ mandates driving up electric costs

Posted 5 March 2026 at 10:03 am

Democrats asked to repeal legislation that GOP says could increase gas prices by $2 a gallon

These receipts were created and shared by the New York State Republican Conference.

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

ALBANY – State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and members of the Senate Republican Conference on Wednesday highlighted an explosive new memo from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) regarding the shockingly high costs of New York’s so-called “green energy” mandates on New Yorkers.

They also called on Democrats to repeal the statute requiring the state to implement a Cap-and-Invest program, a program the state now acknowledges could increase gasoline prices by as much as $2.23 per gallon and raise annual utility bills by up to $4,100 for upstate residents and $2,300 for residents in New York City.

Since Democrats passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) in 2019, Republicans have demanded answers about its cost, expressed concerns about its mandates and questioned if its goals were realistic or achievable.

Last week, it was disclosed that NYSERDA has issued findings that fundamentally agree with much of what Republicans have been saying for the past 7 years – that the Democrat’s Climate Law is unaffordable and failing to meet its own benchmarks.

“This conference has called for transparency and accounting of the true costs of the CLCPA for years. Now, thanks to a memo from NYSERDA, we finally know what we’ve been saying all along – New Yorkers simply cannot afford the Democrats’ green energy mandates,” said Rob Ortt, the Senate Republican leader.

Cap and Invest is part of the Democrats’ CLCPA, a scam known for its so-called “green” mandates on ratepayers. Democrats’ ideological approach to energy issues in this state has caused the highest utility bills New Yorkers have ever seen. Republicans in both the Senate and Assembly are taking action now to provide relief by pushing to scrap the most damaging parts of the CLCPA, especially Cap and Invest.

Governor Hochul’s New York State Energy Research and Development Authority released a memo outlining “likely costs of CLCPA compliance.” In the memo it reads, “The primary driver of these projected cost increases is the Cap-and-Invest program — “the greenhouse gas accounting approach incorporated in statute and regulation, in combination with current emission reduction targets, mean that current law attributes higher emissions to New York than other leading jurisdictions do for the same activity.”

According to NYSERDA Memo, absent changes, within five years:

  • Gasoline prices could increase by $2.23 per gallon — on top of whatever market prices are at that time. At today’s prices, that would mean roughly $5.25 per gallon.
  • Natural gas costs could increase by $16.96 per MMBtu.
  • Upstate households using oil or natural gas could see energy costs increase by more than $4,100 per year.
  • New York City households using natural gas could see annual gross costs rise by approximately $2,300.
  • Utility costs for small and medium commercial businesses increase by up to 45% – these costs would be passed down to consumers
  • Costs for operating a delivery truck would increase by over 60%.

In addition to the disastrous Cap and Invest program, the Senate Republican Conference has unanimously opposed other new energy costs and mandates within the CLCPA that have increased costs and decreased choices being forced under an extreme climate agenda that is unaffordable, unrealistic, and unattainable.

“They continue to champion policies that they unequivocally know are driving up costs and making life less affordable,” Ortt said. “You can’t just say affordability and wish it into existence when your policies are going to add $4,100 to people’s bills and drive gas costs up to $5 or more at the pump. Democrats want to be California-we are on our way. New Yorkers need to understand-to get different policies they need different policy makers.”

Highway crews have been awesome during difficult winter

Posted 5 March 2026 at 9:39 am

Editor:

As a life-long resident of WNY I want to thank all those responsible for their outstanding responses in preparation for and each day for this winter’s weather.

So often I would waken to the sound of snowplows passing from 4:30-4:50 morning after morning heading to the canal bridge, turning around and often coming back with salt to ensure traffic was safe to travel at early hours. And then, back they would come again during the day, if needed!

We WNYers have had decades of dealing with Mother Nature and have the equipment and the extraordinary staff at all village, town and county levels to maintain the equipment, the repairs, the levels of salt needed for this winter.

It’s been a tough one on all our critters too!  The geese are now heading back from the south and we can see some deer, raccoons and skunks beginning to rummage for leftovers in the fields from last year.

Ah, the delights of living in Albion and in WNY as other parts of this entire country still grapple with destroyed powerlines, roads, roofs and entire homes which were never prepared.  Thank you!

Karen Watt

Albion

Medina Planning Board working on ordinance for short-term rentals

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 March 2026 at 8:45 am

Photos by Tom Rivers: Village of Medina Planning Board Chairman John Dieter, center, looks over a draft of an ordinance for regulating short-term rentals in the village. Planning Board members Chris Goyette, left, and Kathy Blackburn also review the document. Other members at the meeting included Dick Moss, Mary Lewis and David Flynn.

MEDINA – The Village of Medina is working on an ordinance for regulating short-term rentals – the Airbnbs, Vrbos and others locations where people stay up to 30 days.

The Planning Board has been tasked with coming up with a draft ordinance that will go to the Village Board.

“We want to get ahead of this,” code enforcement officer Dan Gardner said about the short-term rentals. “But I know it’s already happening. Currently we have nothing to regulate short-term rentals.”

The STR operators will likely need a special use permit and could be subject to inspections, perhaps every year to three years.

The village currently charges $150 for a special use permit which includes $100 to the village and $50 for the public hearing. That is a one-time fee.

Some communities charge an annual licensing fee. In Kendall, it’s $250. Medina isn’t considering an annual fee to have a short-term rental so far in the discussions by the Planning Board.

One issue is whether Medina will require the operators to have insurance. Kendall requires a $1 million liability insurance for STR owners.

John Dieter, Planning Board chairman, said the board still has a lot of research and homework to do in the draft ordinance for STRs.

John Dieter, the Planning Board chairman, said the board is in discussion stage with the draft ordinance.

A big talking point during the board meeting on Tuesday was whether the STRs should be allowed in the downtown business district. There already is at least one.

Gardner, the code enforcement officer, doesn’t think STRs should be in the downtown, where there are already options for hotel rooms. He said “flooding” the downtown with STRs would hurt the hotel operators.

But board member Mary Lewis said STRs are “a great use” of the upper levels in the central business district. Board member Kathy Blackburn favors allowing them in the downtown with regulations.

The STRs could provide a much-needed source of revenue for the building owners, Blackburn said.

“There might be some cases where we’d want some Airbnbs in the general business district,” Dieter said.

The board will continue to discuss the issue, and could decide to limit the short-term rentals to certain zoning districts.

In some communities there are STRs in garages and secondary buildings on a lot. But in Medina, only one habitable building is allowed on a lot so having STRs in a garage wouldn’t be an option.

Planning Board members and the code enforcement officer said they don’t know how many short-term rentals are currently in the village. Medina started collected a “bed tax” last June and that would provide a list of many of the STRs. In addition to the 8 percent sales tax, there is a 4 percent occupancy tax that goes to Orleans County and the new 2 percent tax to Medina.

Gardner wants all STRs to be registered in the village. Airbnb lists about 20 sites in Medina, and that includes a boat in the canal basin and a tent for “glamping.”

Dieter said the Planning Board will work to finalize recommendations on the STR ordinance that will then be referred to the Village Board, which would need to have a public hearing before it’s adopted.

Olmsted downs Medina in B1 title contest

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 4 March 2026 at 10:02 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Christian Moss tries to put up a shot against a pair of Olmsted defenders including Jacari Patterson (15) )during the Mustangs Class B1 title loss to the Owls this evening at SUNY Fredonia.

Combining a stingy, aggressive defense with some timely long range shooting, No. 2 seed Olmsted romped to a 68-33 victory over No. 5 Medina in the Section VI Class B1 championship game this evening at SUNY Fredonia.

Up by six, 14-8, at the end of the first quarter and by 12, 33-21, at the half, Olmsted broke the game wide open in the decisive third period by outscoring Medina 21-8 to race away to a commanding 54-29 lead. Tacari McCray scored 12, including a pair of threes, to lead that decisive uprising by the Owls.

McCray finished with a game high 28 and Jaden Wood added 20 to spearhead the Olmsted attack. Both players had three threes.

Jerrell Nealy led Medina with 13 as Christian Moss added 9, Preston Woodworth 5 and Kolton Fletcher, Kendrick Russaw and Avion Johnson 2 each.

Olmsted will now face B2 champion Tapestry on Sunday for the overall Section VI Class B title and a berth in the state playoffs.

Medina finishes the season at 16-7.

Medina’s Preston Woodworth looks to drive on Olmsted’s Jaden Wood.

Class B2
Tapestry 42, Akron 41
Top seeded Tapestry nipped No. 2 Akron for the Class B2 championship this evening at SUNY Fredonia.

Akron tied the game up twice late, first at 35-35 on a late up by Brodie Hill and again at 40-40 on a three-point play by Ben Gerstung but the Tigers could not gain the lead.

A basket by Daron Williams with 20 seconds to go, which put Tapestry up 42-40 provided the margin of victory.

Derren Brooks finished with 18 to lead Akron as Blake Gerstung added 8 and Ben Gerstung 7.

Medina’s Jimmy Dieter puts up a shot as Olmsted’s Tacari McCray tries for the block.

Albion mayoral candidate sees strength in community volunteers, historic downtown

Posted 4 March 2026 at 6:42 pm

Editor:

I am running for Mayor of the Village of Albion because I believe in the power of community service — and I believe our village is ready to put that power to work.

When I walk through our historic downtown district, I see something that many communities would envy: a backbone of beautiful, character-rich buildings that tell the story of Albion’s past. But I also see what our 5,600 residents and visitors see every day — facades that need attention, storefronts that have sat vacant too long, and public spaces that are crying out for a little tender loving care. The good news is that the answer to this challenge is already living right here among us.

Community service, when organized and purposeful, is one of the most powerful tools a municipality has. As mayor, I would work to launch a structured Village Revitalization Volunteer Initiative — a program that connects willing hands from our schools, civic organizations, faith communities, and local businesses with the buildings and green spaces that need them most. From beautification days in the downtown historic district to coordinated cleanup efforts along our historic Erie Canal, we can accomplish together what no budget line item alone can achieve.

Preserving our historic downtown is not just about aesthetics — it is about economic vitality, community pride, and honoring what those who built this village left behind for us. A well-maintained historic district attracts visitors, supports local businesses, and gives residents a place to feel proud of. After all we are the county seat of Orleans County! That is a return on investment that every resident should be able to see and feel.

I also intend to work closely with state and federal historic preservation programs and our very own Historian, Susan Starkweather-Miller, to identify grant funding that can support property owners who want to restore their buildings but need a financial lift to get started. The Village also has at its disposal a grant writer, G&G Municipal Consulting and Grants Writing, who provide additional help in finding and completing grants on behalf of the Village. Community service and smart resource stewardship go hand in hand.

Albion has the people, the history, and the heart to turn this vision into reality. All we need is the leadership and the will to get started. I am asking for your vote — your ideas and your participation.

 Sincerely,

Joyce A. Riley

Candidate for Mayor, Village of Albion

County urges families to file state tax return for Empire State Child Credit

Posted 4 March 2026 at 5:53 pm

Press Release, Orleans County government

ALBION – The Orleans County Department of Social Services (DSS) is reminding families, even those without earned income, to file a New York State income tax return so they can take full advantage of the Empire State Child Credit.

New this year (for Tax Year 2025), households with the lowest income, or even no income, can receive the maximum for this credit.

Families can receive up to $1,000 per child under age 4 and up to $330 per child ages 4 to 16. They may also be eligible for other federal and state tax credits. These funds can be used to pay taxes owed, if any, and provide additional cash back to families.

“This program is specifically targeted to families with children, regardless of income, but in order to receive the benefit, you have to file a tax return,” said Orleans County DSS Commissioner Holli Nenni. “It is important that families understand they can receive this cash back even if they don’t normally file taxes or haven’t filed taxes in a while.”

Nenni stressed that filing a tax return for the Empire State Child Credit and receiving cash back will not impact Medicaid, SNAP, Cash Assistance, SSI, or Housing Assistance benefits.

For more information on the program, including how to get assistance in preparing a tax return, visit www.otda.ny.gov/childcredit.

East Bank Street reopens to traffic after fencing removed

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 March 2026 at 3:38 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – East Bank Street reopened to traffic today around noon after the fencing was removed that was put up 15 days ago on Feb. 17.

The fencing was added after a roof collapsed at 20 East Bank Street. Those debris have been removed from the third floor of that building, and the site has been deemed structurally sound, said Chris Kinter, the Village of Albion code enforcement officer.

The owner of the building, Frank Corso, is determining whether to put a temporary roof on the building or a permanent one. Once a roof is back on that will stop water from coming into the building, the second-floor apartments should soon after be available again to tenants, Kinter said.

The building at the end of street at 28 East Bank has reopened its apartments and the first floor storefront also can be used again, Kinter said.

The sidewalk near 20 East Bank St. remains off limits to pedestrians.