As a NYS Real Estate Salesperson, I would like to share a note as an opinion regarding commercial wind power plants and your duty, as a seller, to disclose. This is an opinion, only, and is not to be construed as legal advice. I always encourage sellers and buyers to seek legal advice from their attorney.
There are wind power plants and potential wind power plants scattered throughout NYS. Most homeowners looking to sell their home know that NYS Real Property Law §462 requires residential sellers to disclose (in writing) any known material or latent (hidden) defects about their home (i.e. mold, structural, or water issues, etc.) to a buyer.
However, some homeowners in potential or developing wind power plant areas may be wondering, “Do I have to disclose that there are (or may be) wind turbines being constructed here?”
A wind power plant (wind farm) is generally not considered to be a legally binding “hidden defect” as pertains to a residence itself. It is, however, according to the attorneys at the New York State Association of Realtors, a material fact that should be disclosed once the project is approved and construction has begun.
A seller might have reservations about disclosing such a fact, because they may believe that to do so will deter some potential buyers from looking at their home and from making an offer to purchase. However, it is imperative for the seller to safeguard against possible lawsuits that could happen due to being negligent in their duties to disclose such an important material fact.
To be fair, there will be a few potential buyers who have strong negative feelings about wind power plants and are less likely to purchase a home located in such an area. But there will also be a few potential buyers that would purchase that same home, nonetheless.
Be aware, though, that if they do purchase, without being told, and later see or hear construction happening in their new backyard, an outraged buyer could take a trip to an attorney and further into court with the seller in tow. Therefore, even though making this type of disclosure may seem like a daunting task for a seller, it cannot be stressed enough…it is prudent to disclose.
What should a seller do? Your skilled salesperson will know exactly how to help with such a situation and will make it easier to navigate. Remember, a commercial industry, such as a wind power plant, is not considered a “latent” defect on a home, itself, but it certainly could be considered a “midden material fact” if not disclosed.
Therefore, “Disclose, Disclose, Disclose…in writing.” Be honest and upfront. It could save you, as a residential home seller, a gigantic headache later, should a wind “farm” actually take “root”. And, remember, always consult your attorney for advice.
Sincerely,
Cindy Burnside
Office Administrative Manager with Peter Snell Realtors in Albion
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 February 2026 at 10:31 am
MEDINA – Mary Lewis, owner of Creekside Floral and Gift Shop in Medina, knows the winter months are difficult, especially this year with so many bitterly cold days and very limited sunshine.
She said winter days are especially hard for senior citizens in nursing homes and assisted care facilities.
She posted on the Creekside Floral Facebook page about “Plants with Purpose.” She wanted to give a blooming plant to senior citizens at Orchard Manor, the North Wing of Medina Memorial Hospital and The Willows. She asked for $10 sponsors for each plant, a Kalanchoe.
The community responded, sponsoring 198 plants to cover all of the residents at the three sites. They also went over the limit by 35 and counting. Lewis has added The Villages of Orleans in Albion for “Plants with Purpose.”
She will deliver them by mid-week next week, in time for Valentine’s Day.
“I just wanted to brighten their day,” she said. “The winter months are some of the dreariest. We need more kindness in the world.”
Lewis thanked the sponsors for their quick and generous response. If she runs out of the Kalanchoe plants for everyone at The Villages, she said she would find other valentine-themed gifts for them. For more information about being a sponsor, call 585-798-1200.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) today will be holding his 5th Annual National Pizza Day Police Appreciation Program.
Hawley will be providing pizza to law enforcement officers across the 139th Assembly District. This gesture complements his ongoing efforts in Albany to advocate for policies that support and equip our law enforcement officers.
Pizza will be delivered to the following 11 departments:
Albion Police Department
Batavia Police Department
Brockport Police Department
Genesee County Sheriff’s Office
Holley Police Department
Le Roy Police Department
Medina Police Department
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office – Zone B Substation
New York State Police – Troop A, Albion Barracks
New York State Police – Troop A Headquarters (Batavia)
Orleans County Sheriff’s Office
Hawley will personally deliver pizza to the Batavia Police Department, New York State Police – Troop A Headquarters in Batavia, and Genesee County Sheriff’s Office in Batavia.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 February 2026 at 8:30 am
Extreme cold advisory also in effect tonight through Sunday morning
Photo by Marsha Rivers: A motorist drives on Ashwood Road in Carlton last week during frigid temperatures.
The National Weather Service has issued an extreme cold advisory and also a winter weather advisory for Orleans County.
The winter weather advisory started at 7 a.m. today and continues until 7 p.m. on Saturday. Orleans County is expected to get 3 to 6 inches of snow during that time period.
The advisory also includes Niagara, Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.
Winds gusting as high as 40 mph will create areas of blowing and drifting snow, the National Weather Service said.
A cold weather advisory is in effect from 1 a.m. tonight until 10 a.m. on Sunday with bitterly cold wind chills between 15 and 24 below zero expected.
“This is a potentially hazardous situation to be outdoors,” the Weather Service said. “If you must be outside, be sure to cover all exposed skin. Frostbite can occur in 30 minutes or less with apparent temperatures of 15 below zero or colder.”
The high temperature today in Orleans County is forecast to reach 27 but will drop to around 0 overnight.
Saturday is forecast for a high of 6 degrees and overnight low around 0, with Sunday’s high at 11.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 5 February 2026 at 9:18 pm
Roy-Hart nipped visiting Akron 51-49 this evening to regain the .500 mark at 5-5 in Niagara-Orleans League girl basketball competition.
Baskets by Brooke Corser and Millie Owens put Roy-Hart ahead for good at 49-48. Two clutch free throws by Peyton May then provided the margin of victory for the Lady Rams.
Owens and Adella Dukes both finished with 17 points, as May and Kylie McOmber both had 6 and Corser 5.
Abby Gerstung took game high honors for Akron with 19.
Newfane 44, Barker 33
Elise Monaco scored 11 and Hailey Dodge 9 for Barker in the 44-33 N-O loss to Newfane.
Ava Buczek scored 13, Brea Smith 12 and Lydia Ross 11 to lead Elba to a 69-43 win over Lyndonville in a Genesee Region League game.
Alexa Robinson and Isabella Groves both scored 12 for Lyndonville.
Byron-Bergen 34, Holley 28
Brynn Thomas had 8 points and 7 rebounds, Hanna Ostrom 7 points and 7 rebounds and Ali VanAmeron 6 points and 7 rebounds for Holley in the 34-28 G-R loss to Byron-Bergen.
Attica 50, Kendall 48
Attica nipped Kendall 50-48 in a G-R contest on a last second basket by Alyssa Elmore.
Elmore and Alannah Gibbs both finished with 11 for Attica as Meg Gertz and Corrin Orlowski both had 10.
Teagan Shaw and Izzy D’Agostino both scored 13 and Mia Price 12 for Kendall.
Rather wade into the battles about who is ignorant about what, today I write about the math of our current economic problems and the upcoming Fed Chairman. Gold was soaring but fell dramatically as soon as Trump announced next the Fed Chair, Kevin Warsh, whose term starts in May.
Meanwhile we all know that other countries are entering into trade deals to circumvent doing business with the United States. They want to avoid the drag on their exports tariffs cause and the inherent instability tariffs introduce to their economies.
Households can balance their budgets at zero income versus bills. Governments deal with layoffs, firings, firings, building, emergencies, currency fluctuations, sales fluctuations, internal debt, external debt, borrowing, interest rates, exports, imports, trade balance and resultant adjustments. A fundamental accounting identity is that the sum of the Current Account, the Capital Account, and the Financial Account must be equal similarly be zero.
When the United States runs a Current Account Deficit (importing more than we export) in order to balance our accounts globally at zero (the Capital Account is negligible) the excess dollars we spend abroad must come back in the form of investment.
Other countries have been buying our debt which lets us afford our deficits. The raw numbers are that our federal budget deficit of $1.8 trillion is mechanically financed by a current account deficit of $1.1 trillion. Our trade deficit provides the foreign savings to bridge our deficit gap.
When other countries trade elsewhere we face a serious issue! Will they continue to finance our debt and keep our balance close to zero or will we, the country which is losing their trade, spin off into a crash. And if we are forced to raise interest rates to attract foreign investment to avoid that crash how many jobs will it cost if the job market is down and in need of lower rates?
Keep in mind that to the extent Congress does not fund job growth or pay government debt the rates the Fed sets fulfill three functions. It always pays our debt, can lower them to create a stimulus for job growth, and can raise them to put a damper on inflation.
If debt service means high rates to attract investors the Fed’s flexibility on the latter two suffer. Right now rates are being kept up as we are in an era which has a glut of national debt and the speed at which dollar inflows will drop due to reconfiguration of international trade is uncertain.
Importantly as trade shifts other counties still have to balance their accounts. As unlikely as it seems if rates are not high enough to service our debts the result would be temporary insolvency and mayhem to cover it.
(The alternatives are we could have a tax raise on the top 5% to let government invest in job production, sales of goods and services abroad to keep things in balance – supply side tax cuts have always made our account balance worse – or the raise in interest rates.)
Now for the strange part! Two Fed Governors just voted to lower rates and follow the Presidents urgings. One is the new nominee, Kevin Warsh.
On the one hand Trump thinks, and Warsh voted for, lower rates and a weaker dollar on the premise that sufficient inflows will continue as long as the dollar is used for trade. But on the other hand in 2008 Warsh (who holds to Chicago School theories of money) voted to increase rates and bail banks out to the detriment of consumers with TARP which he helped design. He believes in printing less money, keeping the dollar high, by letting interest rates rise. Looking at his history investors immediately dropped Gold thinking he will raise rates.
The thinking before his appointment was that gold was a solid way to protect each investor’s saving inasmuch as this government will not reverse its huge tax cuts and wildly increased deficits. The gold spurt was a hedge on a recession, depression, or even temporary insolvency as foreign support fled.
So Trump thinks the new Chairman will do what he wants. But investors think the new Chairman will follow the math and adhere to immutable relationships of what it takes to balance our accounts.
(Perhaps Trump and Walsh are thinking there is time to slip in a temporary rate cut for a pick up around the midterms. But already even enemies like China are shifting out of Treasuries. That risks a larger recession.)
What I can say with some certainty is that if our pocket books do not feel a lot better soon, in a year or so they will feel much worse no matter which way rates go. Our debts and deficit need to be financed. Now even our enemies, like China, are shifting out of Treasuries. Warsh was a strange pick in stranger times.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 5 February 2026 at 8:28 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Samantha Heschke fires up the game winning three point shot in the final seconds of the Mustangs come-from-behind 51-50 home court win over rival Albion this evening. Melia Prince defends for Albion.
Coming from behind with a big fourth quarter scoring surge, Medina rallied to nip rival Albion 51-50 in a Niagara-Orleans League girls basketball game this evening at Medina.
Trailing by seven, 40-33. Medina rallied for the narrow win by out scoring Albion 18-10 in the decisive final stanza.
The Mustangs opened the period with a key 13-2 run on two threes by Harmoni Wilson, a three and a two by Caliyah St. Louis and a basket by Roswyn Oakes to rally into the lead at 46-42.
The Purple Eagles though answered right back with a clutch 8-0 run on a three by Leah Pawlak, two baskets by Aaliyah Jones and a free throw by Melia Prince to regain the lead for what proved to be the last time at 50-46 with less than a minute to go.
That set the stage for the Mustangs big finish as St. Louis hit a basket with 22 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to 50-48 and Samantha Heschke followed up with a huge three for what proved to be the game winning basket with 14 seconds to go for a 51-50 victory.
Albion’s Jocelyn Friedl (4) and Melia Prince (23) and Medina’s Roswyn Oakes battle for a rebound.
St. Louis finished with a game high 25 points as Wilson had 9, Heschke and Alexa Demmer 5 each, Roswyn Oakes 4, Emberlyn Oakes 2 and Tatianna Maxon 1.
Jones finished with 20, Prince 16, Pawlak 10, Jocelyn Friedl and Madison Muckle 2 each for the Purple Eagles.
Medina held a narrow 9-8 lead at the end of the opening period as St. Louis had all 9 points and Jones had 6 for Albion.
Albion surged to as much as a 10 point, 24-14, lead late in the second quarter as Prince scored 10, including a pair of three-point plays, and Jones 6, including a three.
Medina though rallied to cut the deficit to 24-20 at the half capped off by a three by Wilson.
Albion’s Aaliyah Jones puts up a shot as Alexa Demmer (22) and Madison Zeiner defend for Medina.
Baskets by Heschke and St. Louis pulled the Mustangs to within two, 26-24, early in the third period but the Purple Eagles answered with a 12-3 run to open up an 11 point, 38-27, advantage. Pawlak spearheaded that uprising with 7 points, including a three.
The Mustangs did cut the deficit a bit to seven, 40-33, at the end of the third period on a late three by St. Louis.
That set the stage for the Mustangs big fourth quarter 18-10 rally highlighted by two threes by Wilson and one each by St. Louis and the game winner by Heschke.
The first meeting between the two teams this season was equally close as Albion emerged with a narrow 55-53 home court win.
Albion is now 7-4 and Medina 4-5 in N-O competition.
Medina’s Caliyah St. Louis puts up a shot as Albion’s Leah Pawlak looks for a possible rebound.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 February 2026 at 8:16 pm
HAMLIN – The Town of Hamlin is the euchre champ for 2026 against its card-playing rival, the Town of Kendall.
The towns have been playing euchre in a tournament since 1954. They for three Wednesdays, usually with 60 to 80 players.
Hamlin had the most points the first night, and then Kendall stormed back to claim the most points last week.
This week was the tie-breaker and Hamlin squeaked out a win, besting Kendall by 198 points. Both towns tallied more than 4,000 points over the three days.
Hamlin gets bragging rights for a year and also was treated to a fish fry by the losing team.
“In the words of Bills fans everywhere, ‘Wait ’til next year,’” said John Becker, chairman of the tournament for Kendall.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Anglers try to catch salmon and trout in the Oak Orchard River in Carlton on Oct. 20, 2023.
Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation today announced the 2026 dates for Free Fishing Days in New York.
The requirement for a freshwater fishing license is waived during the following six days in 2026: February 14–15, June 27–28, September 26 (National Hunting and Fishing Day) and November 11 (Veterans Day).
“Free Fishing Days provide the perfect opportunity for residents and visitors to affordably explore, unplug, and get outside,” Governor Hochul said. “New York State’s waters offer some of the best fishing opportunities in the nation, hosting memorable fishing experiences that increase tourism and benefit the economy. In addition to the many health benefits associated with recreating outdoors, fishing can provide more opportunities to connect with family and friends, something that seems harder and harder to do with increasing demands on time in today’s world.”
DEC’s Free Fishing Days program began in 1991 to give New Yorkers who might not fish a chance to try the rewarding sport of freshwater fishing at no cost, introduce people to a new hobby, and encourage people to support conservation by purchasing a New York State Fishing License.
Free Fishing Day participants are reminded that although the requirement for a freshwater fishing license is waived during free fishing days, all other fishing regulations remain in effect. Outside of free fishing days, anglers over the age of 16 must have a valid fishing license. For more information on purchasing a license visit DEC’s website.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 5 February 2026 at 3:37 pm
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has issued a reminder to the community that Friday is Wear Red Day.
“We encourage the community to show their support for heart health by wearing red on Wear Red Day this Friday,” said Scott Robinson, director of marketing at OCH.
This national day of awareness shines a spotlight on heart disease – the leading cause of death for men and women – and encourages everyone to take simple steps toward a healthier heart.
By wearing red, community members help raise awareness, spark conversations and demonstrate a shared commitment to preventing heart disease and stroke. Orleans Community Health is proud to stand with residents, patients and partners in promoting heart-healthy habits that can make a lasting difference, according to Robinson.
Following are simple tips for a healthy heart:
Stay active by aiming for at least 30 minutes of movement most days of the week.
Choose heart healthy food, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.
Manage stress through relaxation, mindfulness or enjoyable activities.
Know your numbers. Keep an eye on your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.
Don’t smoke and limit alcohol consumption.
“Small lifestyle changes can have a bit impact on heart health,” Robinson said. “Wear Red Day is a great reminder to take care of your heart and encourage loved ones to do the same.”
Everyone is urged on Friday to “Go Red for Heart Health” and help build a healthier community for all.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 February 2026 at 9:48 am
Residents, businesses worry about costs of taxes, health insurance, utilities
Photos by Tom Rivers: Kelli Nicholas Owens gave some of the highlights of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive budget during the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Luncheon last Friday at the Fair Haven Inn in Gaines. Owens is executive director of the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. Behind her are Lynne Johnson, the Orleans County Legislature chairwoman, and State Sen. Rob Ortt.
GAINES – Speakers at the annual legislative luncheon for the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce said costs of living and doing business in the state – from utilities, health insurance, taxes, child care – are all straining peoples’ wallets making in difficult to get ahead.
Gov. Kathy Hochul presented a $260 billion executive budget that includes $4.5 billion for childcare and also eliminates taxes on tipped wages up to $25,000. The governor’s budget does not include a tax increase and makes “unprecedented funding” in law enforcement, said Kelli Nicholas Owens, executive director of the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley said bringing down the costs to live and do business in the state should be a top priority for elected officials, especially for the governor and State Legislature. He said the state’s Medicaid program is a budget buster and some of the benefits should be reined in to reduce the costs. Medicaid provides health coverage to more than 7.5 million people in the state and costs about what Florida and Texas spend on the program combined, despite those states each having more people than New York, Hawley noted.
She provided some highlights of Hochul’s budget, including an additional $1.7 billion for prekindergarten and childcare, during the legislative luncheon last Friday that was attended by about 50 people.
“I think we can all agree that something needs to be done about childcare, especially in the rural areas,” Owens said.
Universal childcare is also an economic development issue, helping more parents to be able to work at a time when there are shortages of employees around the state, Owens said.
Hochul also is targeting fraud to lower vehicle insurance rates for New Yorkers, and aims to reduce rising home insurance costs by increasing accountability and transparency for insurers. She wants expanded discounts for homeowners and housing providers who invest in damage mitigation measures for their homes or multifamily properties.
The governor also is demanding strict fiscal discipline from utilities for lower bills.
“The governor is really trying to get to those pocketbook issues that affect everyday Americans,” Owens said.
Some attendees of the luncheon said the high costs in the state are causing people to go elsewhere.
State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt said the governor and State Legislature need to bring down the costs of living in the state, and resist bailing out Buffalo, New York City and other municipalities that get themselves into financial woes.
“The problem is everything is more damn expensive – cars, food, energy, insurance,” Ortt said.
State Sen. Rob Ortt, second from right, said Gov. Hochul and the State Legislature need to get serious about the affordability crisis in the state that is forcing many residents and businesses to flee to other states. Other speakers at the luncheon up front included, from left, Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, and Allison Barkowski, representing Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley said the state needs to cut back.
“We cannot continue to be all things to all people,” he said.
He said the election of Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, as New York City mayor has concerned many in the state’s largest city and some have said they will move out of NYC. Hawley said he hopes those people will find their new homes in upstate New York, rather than another state.
Ortt would like the governor to do more to bring down costs, but he acknowledged it is a difficult state to govern and build consensus. However, Ortt said Hochul knows the small towns like Holley and Kendall and needs to be thinking more of those places when she pushes policies statewide.
Owens, the state official representing Hochul, urged the rural areas to build a strong coalition to bring a louder voice to Albany. Owens used to work for New York Farm Bureau and she saw how that organization reached legislators in Albany through its Taste of NY Reception and Lobby Day. This year it will be Feb. 9-10.
Owens suggested the chambers of commerce in rural areas band together and be part of the Farm Bureau outreach effort.
Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer, said Orleans has been able to consistently stay under the state-imposed tax cap that generally allows about a 2 percent tax increase. But Welch said the county budget continues to be dominated by state mandated expenses that are more than 100 percent of the tax levy.
The county has seen more than a million-dollar increase in one of those programs: Mental Health Law Expense 730.30, where people deemed unfit to stand trial are committed to a facility. That can cost $30,000 to $50,000 a month per person.
The “730” expense went from $57,000 in 2023 to $367,000 in 2024 (with $50,000 budgeted). This year the budget was increased to $550,000 but the county was at $1,267,000 in 2025 with December’s bill yet to arrive. The budgeted amount for 2026 is $1.5 million. The cost used to be a 50-50 split with the state, but the state made it a 100 percent county expense.
The county has expanded its work week from 35 to 40 hours a week for county employees to help make up for a worker shortage and also to lessen the need to buy more health insurance policies, which has been another big cost on the county budget, Welch said.
“We’re trying to get as much efficiency as we can with what we have,” he said.
Tony Cammarata, Kendall town supervisor, said there has been a gradual residential push from the Town of Greece going west into Hilton and Hamlin. He expects Kendall to see residential and business growth, especially with the expansion of public water and sewer in the town.
“We’re next in line,” he said about the western migration from Monroe County.
County Historian Catherine Cooper highlighted how the county this year will be observing the 250thanniversary of the United States declaring its independence. This follows a very busy 2025 when the county celebrated its own bicentennial and also the 200th anniversary of the completion of the Erie Canal.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 February 2026 at 8:01 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: A road is plowed in Mount Albion on Wednesday, where the historic cemetery remains popular for walkers despite the bitter cold temperatures.
It is going to be brutally cold this weekend. The National Weather Service has issued an extreme cold watch for Orleans County and Western New York from late Friday night (1 a.m. Saturday) until 10 a.m. on Sunday.
There will be dangerously cold wind chills as low as 25 below zero with the coldest wind chills late Friday night through Saturday, the Weather Service said. Those wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 15 minutes.
Today is forecast for a high of 22 with an overnight low of 13, followed by a high of 27 on Friday. The temperature then drops to 0 on Friday night with a high near 8 on Saturday with the overnight low of 1 on Saturday night.
The highs will then be 13 on Sunday, 24 on Monday and 28 on Tuesday.
The graves at the companion veterans’ section are covered in snow at Mount Albion Cemetery on Wednesday.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 4 February 2026 at 9:59 pm
Pulling away in the second half, Lyndonville downed Wheatland-Chili 65-48 in a Genesee Region League boys basketball game this evening.
Colton Smith scored 22, Atticus Mank 16, Quincy McClinsey 10, Lane Woodworth 9, Devon Babcock 5 and Lyric Raduns 3 for the Tigers which held a narrow 29-28 lead at halftime.
In other G-R action, Attica edged Holley 52-47 and Alexander bested Kendall 50-43.
Josh Silpoch scored 17, Avante Walker 15 and Cam Mosier 6 for Holley.
For Kendall, CJ D’Agostino had 14, Vinnie D’Agostino 11 and Noah Morehouse 10.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 4 February 2026 at 9:18 pm
Contributed Photos – Albion and Medina both had individual event winners at the annual Niagara-Orleans All League girls swim meet held at Newfane on Tuesday. Albion’s Keira Sidari, left was a double winner capturing both the 200 Individual Medley in a time of 2:22.53 and the 100 Freestyle in :57.98. Medina’s Madeline Mark won the 200 Freestyle in a time of 2:15.46. The girls swim season will conclude on Friday with the annual Niagara-Orleans League vs. Genesee Region League meet at Gates-Chili at 6 p.m.
