Improving to 2-1, Barker shutout defending champion Albion 5-0 in a Niagara-Orleans League tennis match this afternoon.
Daniel Goodwin and Matthew Jordan scored singles wins for Barker which also got victories from the doubles teams of Oscar Dergel – Lucas Nestoros, Aurora Wass – Nick Heideman and Luke Fay – Aaden Munn.
In another N-O match Wilson defeated Roy-Hart 4-1.
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Kaitlin Bennett puts the tag on Wilson’s Lucy Madan at second base during this afternoon’s N-O League game at Albion.
Wilson exploded for a total of 18 runs over the first two innings to key a 25-4 win over host Albion in a Niagara-Orleans League softball game this afternoon.
A two-run single by Lauren Vanderlinden highlighted a 7 run first inning for Wilson which quickly tacked on 11 more in the second.
Albion scored twice in the first sparked by a lead of a triple by Aaliyah Jones.
Akron 15, Medina 1
Leading 3-1, Akron erupted for 12 runs in the fourth inning on 7 walks, 5 singles and an error to lock up the 15-1 N-O win over visiting Medina.
Shannon Esmond had 3 hits and Addison Massaro 2 for Akron as Kenadee Jonathan hurled a 1 hitter with 9 strikeouts in the circle.
Roy-Hart 15, Newfane 5
Roy-Hart improved to 2-1 with a 15-5 N-O win over Newfane which slips to 0-4.
Brooke Corser had a two-run home run and an RBI triple and Grace Pearl a two-run homer to highlight the Roy-Hart attack which also included 3 hits by Peyton May and 2 each by Guiliana Russo and winning pitcher Abby Fox who also had 7 strikeouts in the circle.
Lyndonville rallied to down visiting Attica 7-3 and Kendall bested Alexander 11-2 in Genesee Region League softball this afternoon.
Trailing 3-1, Lyndonville battled back to claim the win by scoring 3 times in both the fifth and sixth innings.
RBI singles by Hannah Fox and Rylan Townsend along with an error plated the three runs in the fifth. Winning pitcher Arnie Sturtevant then had an RBI triple in the sixth inning which also included RBI doubles by Brooke Robinson and Isabella Groves.
Sturtevant, who registered 7 strikeouts in the circle, finished with 3 hits and Groves and Townsend both had 2.
The Lady Tigers improve to 3-0.
Kendall 11, Alexander 2
Teagan Shaw had 3 hits and Izzy D’Agostino and Brooke Rodas 2 each to lead Kendall past Alexander 11-2.
Kendall scored 2 quick runs in the first inning on a double by Shaw and a single by Rodas.
Rodas then had a two-run triple and Shaw a two-run double to highlight a 5 run second inning.
D’Agostino later had a two-run single to key a 3 run fifth inning.
Kendall is now 5-2 overall.
Albion and Roy-Hart both rolled to 10-0 victories in Niagara-Orleans League baseball action this afternoon.
Albion shutout host Barker 10-0 and Roy-Hart downed visiting Newfane 10-0.
Nate Gibson hurled a 2 hit shutout with 13 strikeouts for Albion which scored in each of the five innings of the run rule contest.
Drew Pritchard belted a two-run home run and Kaiden Froman followed up with a two-run single in the second inning to put Albion up 5-0.
Gibson finished with 3 hits as Froman and Pritchard both had 2.
Albion is now 1-2 and Barker 2-3 in N-O action.
Roy-Hart 10, Newfane 0
Evan Poeller pitched a 1 hitter with 10 strikeouts over six innings for Roy-Hart in the run rule contest.
Leading 1-0, Roy-Hart opened up a little breathing room by scoring 3 times in the fifth inning on a hit batter, a bases loaded walk and an RBI single by Hank Snyder. A single by Jared Hy, who had 3 hits on the day, and a pair of walks loaded the bases to set up the threat.
The Rams then locked up the win by scoring 6 runs in the sixth inning highlighted by a two-run single by Isaac Smith and an RBI double by Hy.
Roy-Hart is now 4-0 and Newfane 1-2 in N-O contests.
Akron 7, Wilson 1
Akron scored 4 quick runs in the first inning on a three-run homer by Collin Miller and an RBI double by Jackson Nice to key a 7-1 win over Wilson.
Collin Luck, who banged out 3 hits for the Tigers, also picked up the win on the mound striking out 9.
Akron is now 1-2 and Wilson 1-4 in the league.
Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today questioned United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on the Administration’s 2026 Trade Policy Agenda, highlighting Canada’s refusal to substantively engage on longstanding trade barriers harming Upstate New York producers.
During the hearing, Congresswoman Tenney highlighted Canadian actions that are devastating NY-24 producers, including Canadian restrictions and prohibitions on the export of dairy, wine and bulk produce.
These issues are all highlighted in the National Trade Estimate Report as foreign trade barriers harming the U.S.-Canada relationship. These policies, Tenney emphasized, are placing Upstate New York farmers and producers at a competitive disadvantage despite repeated U.S. efforts to resolve these issues through negotiation.
As Ambassador Greer stated “I think we’re kind of at the end of our rope… there are two countries that have retaliated economically against the United States in the past year: The People’s Republic of China and Canada. So that’s kind of the company they’re running in.”
“Upstate New York farmers and producers are some of the best in the world, but they are not getting a fair shot,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “Canada continues to block our dairy, our wine, and our produce while expecting free and open access to our markets. That is not how a fair trade relationship works. I hear from these producers every day, and they are frustrated because of Canada’s discriminatory treatment and refusal to engage on these issues meaningfully and substantively. We need to hold Canada accountable, strengthen USMCA, and make sure our farmers and businesses can compete and win in the international marketplace.”
Press Release, Orleans County Planning & Development Department
MEDINA – Orleans County celebrated Earth Day today by opening registration for its Annual Paint Collection Event, which will be held on Saturday, May 30th at the GCC Campus in Medina.
This event is done in partnership with Niagara County and is open to residents of both Orleans and Niagara counties. Registration is required.
“Earth Day reminds us that protecting our planet starts with everyday choices like reusing what we can and recycling what we can’t, and that is what this paint collection event is all about,” said Corey Winters, Orleans County Director of Planning and Development, which organizes the event. “Last year, hundreds of people participated, helping us keep paint cans out of our landfills. We hope for an even better turnout this year.”
Orleans County works in collaboration with paint-recycling company GreenSheen to collect the paint. Resident and businesses are welcome to bring oil-based, acrylic and latex paint, urethanes, varnishes, shellacs, lacquers, primers and clear coatings to be recycled at no cost.
“As I say every year, as everyone begins spring cleaning, this is a great opportunity to get those old paint cans out of your basement, garage and shed, and ensure they are properly recycled,” said Winters.
WHAT: Free Community Paint Collection Event
WHEN: Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 9am to 1pm.
WHERE: GCC Medina Campus Center, 11470 Maple Ridge Rd. Medina, NY 14103.
Registration for this event can be done at https://circular.eco/event/medina26. Staff will be on hand to unload vehicles so drivers can stay in their vehicles. Those with any questions about the event should call the Orleans County Planning and Development Department at 585.589.3198.
ALBION – A former Lyndonville man was sentenced to 1 ½ years in state prison today by Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church.
Carl Ostrander, 42, on Jan. 21 pleaded guilty to first degree attempted sexual abuse that occurred in the town of Yates.
The female victim, who was under 13 when Ostrander touched her in her private parts, spoke during the sentencing and said Ostrander has ruined her mental health and self esteem.
“You are more dangerous than you appear on paper,” she said. “I want everyone in the court to know that.”
She asked Judge Church to impose the maximum sentence. Ostrander was charged for sexual misdemeanor crimes against two other underage girls but those charges were dismissed after he was declared mentally incompetent. However, he was later deemed fit to stand trial and he faced the felony charge.
His attorney, Jeffrey Mallaber, said Ostrander suffered a traumatic brain injury in his youth that is a contributing factor in the case.
Judge Church said a TBI shouldn’t be blamed for Ostrander’s actions, which the judge said were intentional acts.
Ostrander, who recently moved to Lockport, did not speak during his sentencing today.
The judge gave him the maximum sentence as part of a plea agreement. Ostrander also will be on post-release supervision for 10 years and will be on the sex offender registry. The judge also issued an order of protection for the victim who spoke in court today.
In other cases in County Court today,
• A Medina man was sentenced to 1 ½ to 3 years of additional time in state prison for attempted assault, an E felony, to two jail corrections officers.
Patrick Casanova, 32, is currently serving a 2- to 4-year sentence in state prison at Five Points Correctional facility in Romulus, Seneca County. His earliest release date is listed as May 27, 2027.
The judge issued orders of protections for the two corrections officers who were injured.
Casanova disputed in court that he harmed the officers. He said he doesn’t plan on returning to Orleans County in the future because local law enforcement seems determined to put him in jail or prison.
Casanova is currently in prison after pleading guilty in 2023 to second-degree assault. He admitted to punching a woman in the face, which fractured her orbital bone and damaged her sinus.
• Richard Neal, 36, of Medina pleaded guilty to felony driving while intoxicated. He was charged by State Police on Aug. 25 after allegedly driving a motorcycle on Route 31 in Ridgeway while intoxicated and without a license. He registered a BAC of 0.10 percent, just above the legal limit of 0.08 percent. He has a previous DWI conviction on may 29, 2025 in the City of Batavia.
Neal faces a possible split sentence of a maximum of six months in the county jail plus five years of probation when he is sentenced on July 1.
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Aidan Neumann
A total of seven Niagara-Orleans League players have earned spots on the All State boys basketball squad which was released this week.
Wilson senior Aidan Neumann, who was the N-O Player of the Year, has been named to the Class C first team. He scored 518 points and grabbed off 120 rebounds.
His teammate, Lakemen senior Ryan Hough, has earned Honorable Mention on the Class C squad as has Barker junior Anthony Taliaferro.
Akron has placed three players on the Class B squad.
Tigers junior Derren Brooks, who scored 451 points and pulled down 303 rebounds, has been named to the second team. Senior Ben Gerstung has been named to the 9th team and senior Blake Gerstung to the 10th team.
In addition, Medina senior Jerrell Nealy has earned Honorable Mention on the Class B squad.
Kendall defeated Wheatland-Chili 5-0 in a Genesee Region League tennis match Tuesday.
Match Summary:
1st singles – Jonny Esposito (K) def Ryan Baird (WC): 6-1, 6-0,
2nd singles – Joe Fagan (K) def Torrence Bansbach (WC): 6-0, 5-7, (10-7),
3rd singles – Mitch Buzard (K) def Elizabeth Fugle (WC): 6-2, 6-1,
1st Doubles – Aidan Kwiatkowski/Lucas Barrett (K) def Paige Vandevoort: 6-0, 6-1, and
2nd Doubles – Devin Derosia/Anthony Seymour (K) def Derek Phillips/Mariah Colquitt: 6-4, 6-4
Photo by Tom Rivers: Fire trucks with the Albion Joint Fire District drive in the Strawberry Festival Parade on June 14, 2025.
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced New York’s Volunteer Firefighter Training Stipend program is expanding to offset costs for five additional training courses available to volunteer firefighters.
New York State created the program to strengthen the volunteer fire service and address recruitment and retention challenges by offsetting the costs of required training that individuals need to become a firefighter. This expansion will help reduce obstacles preventing volunteer firefighters from advancing their careers. Since 2023, more than 4,000 volunteer firefighters have successfully completed training through the program.
“Since taking office, I’ve been laser-focused on making New York safer and more affordable. By expanding the Volunteer Firefighter Training Stipend program, we’re doing both – cutting costs for those who serve while enhancing their lifesaving skills,” Governor Hochul said. “This program makes critical training more accessible, allowing our volunteers to grow in their careers without sacrificing their ability to provide for their families. I’m proud to invest in our volunteer firefighters who put their lives on the line to keep New Yorkers safe.”
The new stipend-eligible courses and course equivalencies are:
These five courses build on the catalog of trainings that are already stipend-eligible: Basic Wildland Fire Suppression ($250) Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations ($750), Fire Officer 1 ($1,000) and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus/Interior Firefighting Operations ($1,250). Since the inception of the stipend program, completion of the Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations, and Interior Firefighting Operations courses have increased by 20 percent and completion of the Fire Officer I course has risen 35 percent.
New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services Acting Commissioner Terry O’Leary said, “New York’s volunteer firefighters are critical parts of the fabric of communities statewide and they put their lives on the line every time they answer a call to protect those communities. As New York continues to face challenges with volunteer recruitment, the stipend program has resulted in marked increases in class completions, which has brought additional firefighters to departments across the state. Thanks to the leadership and support of Governor Hochul, this stipend program expansion will continue to help volunteer departments recruit and retain members, keeping themselves and their communities safe.”
Additionally, a local fire training stipend may be authorized for the completion of any state Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) training course or equivalent, as determined by OFPC, up to $500. Courses must have been completed on or after August 31, 2023, and applicants must be a member in good standing as determined by their department. Stipend applications must be submitted to OFPC-Stipend@dhses.ny.gov.
Additional information on the stipend program can be found on the DHSES website.
Press Release, Orleans County Emergency Management Office
KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County Emergency Management has teamed up with the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Citizens to host a Citizens Preparedness Training Event from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on May 23 at Cornell Cooperative Extension, 12690 NY 31 in Albion.
The purpose of the training is to teach people how to prepare for disaster or emergency situations. The course includes information about the types of risks and hazards people face. It teaches how to develop individual and household plans.
The training also encourages all to think about and save needed emergency supplies. Learning how to help yourself and others in advance will help you react faster when facing a crisis. Each family that attends will be given a free preparedness kit.
To register for the training, click here.
In a sea-saw battle Roy-Hart trimmed Barker 6-5 in a Niagara-Orleans League make-up baseball game which ended after 10:30 at Barker tonight.
Trailing 5-4, Roy-Hart rallied for the win by scoring twice in the bottom of the sixth inning on a fielders choice play off a bunt by RJ Townsend.
Earlier, the Rams had built up a 4-0 lead by scoring once in the first on a bases loaded walk, once in the fourth on a ground out and twice in fifth on a ground out and an RBI single by Jared Hy.
Barker rallied into what proved to be a brief 5-4 lead by scoring five times in the top of the sixth on a bases loaded walk, a three run double by Dom Cimato and an RBI single by Peyton Hirschman.
The Bulldogs did get two runners aboard in the top of the seventh on a walk and a single by Logan Flint but could not score.
Roy-Hart is now 3-0 and Barker 2-2 in N-O action.
Roy-Hart downed Medina 5-0 in a Niagara-Orleans League tennis match this afternoon.
Max Hickman and Colin Cousins scored singles wins for the Rams which also got victories from the doubles teams of Kaylie Churchill – Raegan Kern, Maria Trombley – Maya Moobe and Cora Lennon – Kennedy Boyle.
In another N-O match, Wilson bested Barker 4-1.
Daniel Goodwin won at first singles for Barker and Shelby Robinson took the second singles match for Wilson.
Golf
Byron-Bergen downed Holley 185-243 in a Genesee Region League golf match this afternoon.
Bergen’s Cody Carlson was medalist with a 43.
Aidan Kelley shot 54 and Dacodah Ireland 59 for Holley.
Lacrosse
East Aurora downed Medina 23-0 in a D Division lacrosse game this evening at Vets Park.
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Aurora Owczarczak won the 100 and Bryson Ford the 110 Hurdles during today’s home meet against Roy-Hart.
Both schools came away with a victory as Medina and Roy-Hart split in a Niagara-Orleans League track meet at Medina this afternoon.
Medina won the boys’ meet 81-60 and Roy-Hart took the girls competition 73-56.
The Medina boys had seven individual event winners including Cole Hughes (1600 and 3200), Timothy Zeiner (Shotput), Jerrell Nealy (High Jump), Aleks Seefeldt (800), Jonathan Dix (Pole Vault), Nathanael Rutledge (Discus) and Bryson Ford (110 Hurdles).
Tysen McCaa was a triple winner for the Roy-Hart boys in the Long Jump, Triple Jump and 400 as Jase Waters won the 100 and Chris McOmber the 400 Hurdles.
The Roy-Hart girls had a trio of individual event double winners including Julia Rohde (1500, 3000), Kylie McOmber (Long Jump, Triple Jump) and Lily Isabel Pabon-Rosa the Shotput and Discus. The Lady Rams also had Jillian Ossont win the 400 Hurdles, Addy Carr the 400 and Taylor Alvord the 800.
For Medina, Aurora Owczarczak won both the 100 and 200 as Cayla Seever took the 100 Hurdles and Payton Denniston the High Jump.
Medina’s Cayla Seever bested Roy-Hart’s Kylie McOmber in the 100 Hurdles.
Roy-Hart’s Jase Waters, right, won the 100. Roy-Hart’s Anthony Adinolfe, left, placed third.
Medina’s Briley Allen in action in the High Jump.
