Medina holds first alumni field hockey game
Contributed Photo – The first annual Medina Alumni Field Hockey game held this past weekend at Vets Park matched alumni from Medina and Newfane. Proceeds from the game are going to the American Diabetes Association. The Medina alumni included Amy Fuller, Tanya Callard (Boyd), Cori Matuszak, Audrey Tuohey (Gunther), Justine Kratz (Parada), Katie Crossett, Jessica Demmer (Matuszak), Anna Foster, Katie Misiti (Hartway), Lindsey Frawley (Basford), Sarah Bateman (Hallifax), Nicole Guild (Cree), Jessica Breed (Boyd), Ryin Moriarity), Kaley Santoro, Chasity Chinn, Taylor Chinn, Kelsey Tran (Evoy), Courtney Joy (Albone), Alaina Boyce, Alissa Blount, Sarah Cochrane, Guinevere Dilloff (Schalck), Abigail Blount, Hannah Kenward, Arianna Bloom and Adeline Castricone. The Newfane alumni included Kristi Young (Liddell), Audrey Schalck (Gunio), Katie Hockenberry (Jordan), Kelly Sidell (Jordan), Rachel Maziarz (Mellott), Morgan Bedford, Leah Burdick (Good), Nicole Leverentz, Linzie Michel and Madison Lawton.
VFW in Medina holds Stop 22 Walk for awareness of veterans’ suicide
Provided photos: The group is shown at the American Legion Butts-Clark Post 204 at 305 North Main St.
Information courtesy of Deborah Berry, VFW Auxiliary Treasurer
MEDINA – The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and Auxiliary members from the VFW Lincoln Post 1483 in Medina as well as members from the community held a Stop 22 Walk to increase the public awareness of veteran suicide.
The members walked 22 minutes along Medina Business District in the village of Medina. An average of 22 veterans die by suicide every day.
A veteran in any type of need or service is encouraged to reach out to our VFW Post 1483 at 216 East Center Street in Medina. Help is also available at the National Veteran Crisis Hotline 1-800-273-8255.
Participants in the walk include VFW 1483 Post members Patrick Little, Louis Chraston, Steve Earle, and Gregg Smith. VFW Aux members Dave and Debbie Berry, Donna Little, Tammy Pogel, Evon Parker, Becky Persons, and Joe Meyer. Community members Jenn Arnold, Kevin Dennis and Joe Fearby.
The walkers are pictured in front of the VFW Post 1483 at 216 East Center St.
Mother and daughter donate bags of food to Community Action pantry
Press Release, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee
Sherrie Carter and Louise Mana donated several bags of food to a pantry at Community Action.
ALBION – The Emergency Services Pantry at Community Action of Orleans and Genesee recently received a generous donation from Sherrie Carter and her mother Louise Mana.
The donation included a variety of non-perishable food items that will greatly assist the agency in its ongoing mission to combat food insecurity throughout the community.
As the organization works diligently to ensure pantry shelves remain stocked, this contribution comes at a critical time. With a potential reduction in food stamp benefits anticipated on Nov. 1, the need for community support has never been greater.
Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, Inc. extends heartfelt thanks to Sherri Carter and Louise Mana for their generosity and community spirit.
The agency encourages additional donations to help meet the growing needs of local families facing food insecurity. Every contribution—large or small—makes a difference.
For more information or to make a donation, please contact: Community Action of Orleans and Genesee at 585-589-5605 x101 or email kettinger@caoginc.org.
To donate online visit: caoginc.org/donations.
Community Action says agency short on resources to meet rising needs
Press Release, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee
ALBION – In the interest of concern and transparency, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee is making the community aware that due to ongoing funding uncertainty and the recent government shutdown, the agency is experiencing difficulty providing assistance at a level that matches the increased needs of our community.
Food insecurity in the region is skyrocketing, and the agency is exploring all avenues to ensure that food distributions and pantry services remain available to those who need it most.
However, upcoming challenges such as the loss of SNAP, HEAP heating assistance, rising healthcare costs, and unmanageable housing rental expenses are creating a crisis for families. Resources to assist with rent and utilities are running dry. Some funding streams have been suspended while others have been terminated altogether.
“Despite these setbacks, our team is doing everything possible to distribute the scarce resources we have,” said Renee Hungerford, Executive Director/CEO of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee. “We are deeply concerned about the impact this will have on our neighbors as winter approaches.”
Community Action of Orleans and Genesee is a Medicaid 1115 participant. Medicaid recipients are encouraged to contact the agency for an 1115 screening, which may open alternative avenues of assistance for critical needs such as rent, utility assistance, and other health-related social supports.
How You Can Help
Donations of any size and volunteers are needed. Support at any level can make a real difference during this critical time. The number of families assisted at food distributions is growing at an unprecedented rate, volunteers for these and special holiday distributions are sincerely appreciated.
In addition to donations and volunteering, you can make a powerful impact by reaching out to your elected officials. Urge them to take immediate action to support reopening our government as well as support funding for programs like the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Weatherization Assistance, and Head Start. These programs are lifelines for families in need, and your voice can help ensure they remain funded and accessible.
To donate online visit: caoginc.org/donations
To volunteer, email: info@caoginc.org
To donate to our food pantries, contact Kristina Ettinger at:
Phone: 585-589-5605 x101
Email: kettinger@caoginc.org
Website: caoginc.org
The Community Action Promise:
Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.
Top seeded Eagles win Class C2 semifinal
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s Pablo Rosario-Reyes heads the ball away from Gananda’s Idan Fridman during the Eagles sectional semifinal win this evening at Brockport.
Pulling away in the second half, top seeded Kendall downed No. 4 Gananda 6-1 in the semifinals of the Section V Class C2 boys soccer tournament this evening at Brockport.
Defending champion Kendall held a slender 1-0 lead at the half on a goal by Jonathan Esposito on a rebound off a scramble in front of the Gananda net with 13 minutes to go in the opening half.
The Eagles then broke the game open with five goals in the second half including three by Brandon Barrett and two by Pablo Rosario-Reyes.
Esposito also had two assists as Rosario-Reyes, Tyler McCue and Mikey Colucci each had one.
Jonny Conte made 8 saves in goal for the Eagles as Jonas Rhodes had a strong game defensively.
Improving to 18-0, Kendall will now face No. 2 Naples in the Class C2 championship game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Honeoye Falls- Lima. Naples blanked No. 3 Geneseo 4-0 in the other semifinal.
Kendall’s Brandon Barrett drives between Gananda defenders Malakai Thomas and Walter Sawyer.
Kendall’s Jonathan Esposito sends a crossing pass toward the goal as Brody Oleksyn moves in for Gananda.
Big fourth quarter earns Medina field hockey sectional quarterfinal win; Barker wins 1-0
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Savannah Jo Thompson celebrates scoring what proved to be the winning goal in the Mustangs sectional victory over Wilson at Vets Park this evening.
Putting together a big fourth quarter scoring burst, No. 3 seed Medina rallied to defeat No. 6 Wilson 4-2 in the quarterfinal round of the Section VI Class C field hockey playoffs this evening at Vets Park.
Trailing 2-1, Medina tied the game on a goal by Penelope Schalck with 8 minutes to go in the decisive final quarter.
The Mustangs then took the lead for good at 3-2 on a goal by Savannah Jo Thompson with 2:34 remaining.
Emi Batista then capped off the big quarter for the Mustangs by scoring an insurance goal with only 21 seconds remaining.
Breaking away from a scoreless halftime deadlock, Wilson took the lead twice in the third quarter first at 1-0 on a goal by Ruby Narhood and then at 2-1 on a tally by Brynn Lepsch.
In between Medina briefly tied the game at 1-1 on a goal by Schalck.
Medina next visits No. 2 seed Barker in the semifinals on Monday.
Barker nipped No. 7 Newfane 1-0 on a goal by Sophia Pavlovk with two minutes remaining.
In the other quarterfinal, Eden blanked Roy-Hart 3-0 in the first game of the doubleheader at Vets Park.
Eden will visit top seeded Akron in the other semifinal on Monday.
Medina’s Tatianna Maxon battles for control of the ball with Wilson’s Mackenzie Hardy.
Lady Tigers win volleyball sectional opener
No. 7 seed Lyndonville outlasted No. 10 Andover-Whitesville in five sets 25-18, 15-25, 25-17, 15-25, 15-8 this evening in the opening round of the Section V Class D2 volleyball tournament at Pavilion.
Lyndonville will next face No. 2 Fillmore in the quarterfinals on Friday.
Hannah Fox had 9 aces and 3 kills, Leah Kenyon 2 kills and 1 block, Bella Bresett 1 ace and 1 kill, Sarah Corser 3 aces, Elena Barry 3 aces and 3 kills, Ainsley Vann 4 aces, 1 kill and 1 block and Emily Dill 4 kills and 1 block for the Lady Tigers.
Chick-fil-A celebrates grand opening in Brockport
Photos and information courtesy of Christopher Martin
BROCKPORT – As the sun rose over the Chick-fil-A in Brockport on Tuesday morning, the newly hired staff made final preparations for the ribbon cutting ceremony at 9 a.m.
Owner-Operator Aaron Reynolds busily greeted his family, friends and local officials as Brockport firefighters readied the large American flag for posting.
Aaron Reynolds, left, greets the crowd for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Brockport firefighters raised the American flag at the ceremony. A lone trumpet played while firefighters raised the new flag for the first time.
Folks from Chick-fil-A joined the event to thank the Brockport community for welcoming them here. Sweden Supervisor Patricia Hayles took the microphone to thank Reynolds and his family for returning to the area to bring us this new, beautiful structure to this corner.
She also mentioned the 135 jobs he has brought to the community and the increased sales tax revenue that will come back to the town.
The owners and team leaders provided behind the scenes tours of the entire facility. It was a long-awaited event, but the day has come. The store opened today, and the staff has been anxious to greet you and share their chicken specialties with us all.
Oak Orchard Bowl recognized for 65th anniversary by County Legislature
Hanks family has led the bowling center to several upgrades past 20 years
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Randy Hanks, owner of Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, received a citation from the Orleans County Legislature on Tuesday in honor of his 20 years of owning the bowling alley in Albion, which is also celebrating its 65th anniversary this year.
County Legislator Ed Morgan, right, presented the certificate to Hanks who was joined during the presentation by Corey Winters, the county’s planning director and also an avid bowler.
Legislators commended Hanks for several improvements to the bowling alley in the past 20 years and also a commitment to host events that raise money for PAWS Animal Shelter, a scholarship and other youth sports programs.
Randy Hanks said he enjoys being at the bowling alley with the bowlers and hosting the many special events including birthday parties. He is glad to support the community fundraisers, too.
The Hanks family owns the 18-lane bowling center on Route 98 at 3291 Oak Orchard Rd. The family has tackled numerous improvements to the bowling center during their two decades at the helm, including a new oil machine, synthetic lanes, flooring, carpeting and remodeled bathrooms.
Hanks was named “Proprietor of the Year” in New York state in 2014 by the United States Bowling Congress.
Section V soccer championship games are next for Holley and Kendall girls on Friday
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Holley’s Kyla Burne, left, and Kendall’s Izzy D’Agostino and their Lady Hawks and Lady Eagles teammates will be competing in Section V championship games on Friday.
Holley and Kendall will both be competing in Section V girls soccer tournament championship games on Friday.
No. 5 seed Holley will face No. 3 Canisteo-Greenwood in the Class C1 title game at 5:15 p.m. at Dansville.
Top seeded Kendall will take on Genesee Region League foe No. 2 Byron-Bergen in the Class C2 championship contest at 5:45 p.m. at Brockport.
The title game appearance will be the third in four years for Holley which brings a 12-6-1 record into the contest after the Lady Hawks upended top seeded Geneseo 1-0 in the semifinals on Tuesday. Holley defeated Williamson 2-1 in the 2023 final but lost to Gananda 3-1 in 2022.
Canisteo-Greenwood brings a 15-3 record into the finals after downing No. 2 Campbell-Savona/Hammondsport 3-0 in the semifinals on Tuesday.
The contest will be a rematch of a regular season non league game which saw Canisteo-Greenwood nip Holley 1-0 at Holley.
Offensively Holley, which has only two seniors on its 18 player squad, is led by Ava Mosier (15 goals, 5 assists), Hanna Ostrom (8 goals, 5 assists), Jayna Burris (6 goals and 9 assists) and Kyla Burne (5 goals and 4 assists).
Anchoring the Lady Hawks defense goalie Zoey Warner has made 55 saves and has a 1.28 goals against average.
For Canisteo-Greenwood Adrianna Beers has 14 goals and 2 assists and Kadyn Piliero 9 goals and 3 assists.
For Kendall the C2 final will be a rematch of last year’s title game which saw Byron-Bergen nip the Lady Eagles 1-0.
Kendall brings a 17-1 into the finals, which includes a 2-1 regular season G-R win over Byron-Bergen. The Lady Eagles downed No. 4 Keshequa 3-0 in the semifinals.
The Lady Bees are 16-2 on the season after blanking No. 3 Bloomfield 3-0 in the semifinals.
The Byron-Bergen offense is led by Mia Gray (42 goals and 23 assists) as Grace DiQuattro has 28 goals and 24 assists, Anastasia Kuszlyk (14 goals and 6 assists) and Elizabeth Starowitz (13 goals and 22 assists).
Kendall’s attack is sparked by Ryleigh Denning (28 goals, 5 assists), Sophia Picardo (16 goals, 23 assists), Jersie Drake (10 goals, 8 assists). Alea Barrett (6 goals, 6 assists) and Stella Kwiatek (6 goals, 8 assists).
The Lady Eagles defense is anchored by goalie Brooke Rodas who has made 94 saves and has a goals against average of 0.33.
The Class C1 and Class C2 winners on Friday will then face each other early next week in the Section V Class C state qualifier contest.
Judge orders another mental competency exam for Medina man accused of arson
ALBION – The case in Orleans County Court against a Medina man accused of arson is currently on hold.
Zachary Natale, 32, allegedly set an apartment on fire on Dec. 17, 2024 at 207 Bates Rd. The fire forced the evacuation of two other residents in a duplex.
Natale has been charged with second-degree arson, second-degree burglary and two counts of reckless endangerment in the first degree.
Natale was deemed incompetent to trial through one examination, and then was deemed fit in another exam.
But Natale’s attorney, assistant public defender Courtney Spiotta, at court this morning convinced Judge Sanford Church to seek a third competency evaluation.
Natale currently is being held in the Orleans County Jail.
In another case, a North Carolina man who was involved in a high-speed chase in Albion pleaded guilty criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree and reckless endangerment in the second degree, both Class A misdemeanors.
Ceu Uk, 22, needed to be extradited from his Charlotte North Carolina. He admitted in court today to driving a vehicle that wasn’t his and doing it without the owner’s consent on May 29, 2023. Uk also admitted to driving in excess of 100 miles per hour in a 30 mph zone, and passing other cars, creating a substantial risk for other people. The car was a 2021 Chrysler 300.
Uk and two of the occupants also fled the vehicle just south of Route 104 on Crandall Road. It then took several hours for police to locate and detain them.
Uk was a given a conditional discharge to obey all laws and seek lawful employment for the next year. If he has any violations, he could spend up to 364 days in the county jail for each charge and also be on probation for up to three years.
Uk is currently working as a Door Dash driver. He has to pay a $175 court surcharge, $50 DNA database fee, and $25 crime victims’ fee.
Mustangs face challenging sectional opener at undefeated Southwestern on Thursday
Postseason games are usually very challenging and Medina’s opening round task is no exception as the Mustangs will visit undefeated Southwestern at 7 p.m. Thursday in a Section VI Class C quarterfinal contest.
Southwestern is the C South Division’s No. 1 seed after capturing the title with a 7-0 record (8-0 overall).
Medina is the C North Division’s No. 4 seed having posted a 4-2 division, 6-2 overall record during the regular season.
The Trojans offense is sparked by quarterback Trent Lewis (681 yards passing and 11 touchdowns), running back Bradyn Fuller (1,227 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns) along with receivers Roger Markham (15 catches for 377 yards and 6 touchdowns) and Joe Sirianni (9 for 143 and 4 touchdowns).
The Mustangs attack is led by quarterback Preston Woodworth (1,295 yards passing and 16 touchdowns). However, the Mustangs will be without their leading rusher Christian Moss (1,138 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns) who is ineligible for the game after being ejected in the fourth quarter of last Friday’s win over Batavia.
The Southwestern – Medina winner will advance to the semifinals against the winner of Thursday’s Portville (4-3, 5-3) at Eden (5-1, 7-1)quarterfinal.
The other two Class C quarterfinals on Friday will have Salamanca (4-3, 5-3) at Barker/Roy-Hart (6-0, 7-1) and Akron (5-1, 6-2) at Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton (6-1, 7-1) both at 7 p.m.
Online tickets for Thursday’s game at Southwestern can be obtained at the following link: https://gofan.co/event/5176396?schoolId=NYSHSAAVI
County’s Special Response Team has upgraded drones, tactical equipment
‘This is a game-changer for us’ – SWAT commander Torry Tooley
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orleans County’s Special Response Team did a demonstration on Tuesday evening at the Tavern on the Ridge, showcasing some of its tools and equipment including this drone.
The team includes nine members from the Sheriff’s Office and seven from the Albion Police Department. The team has several drones, including this one that is used to fly inside a house or other structure. The drone can be used to locate people and provide officers with a layout of the building.
The drone takes off inside the Tavern on the Ridge, looking for a suspect as part of the demonstration for the Orleans County Association of Municipalities, which includes officials from local village, town and the county governments.
Investigator Brian Marsceill of the Sheriff’s Office served as the pilot of the drone, guiding it through the hallway and around the restaurant to locate the suspect.
The Special Response Team moves in to locate the person. It was all part of a demonstration for local officials.
The Special Response Team is run through the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. The team operates on a $300,000 budget which goes to training, equipment and overtime costs.
Investigator Kevin Colonna, left, and Sgt. Torry Tooley show the screen that law enforcement see from one of the drones. Colonna is a certified pilot for the drones. Tooley is the commander of the Special Response Team.
They noted how the drones helped locate someone who stole items and fled from Walmart last week, first on a bike and then by foot.
That person was detected lying down north of Walmart along Gaines Basin Road. Officers were able to quickly find him with the drones.
The team has drones that can spot people at night through the heat detection and spotlights on the drone. Officers can give commands through the drones to people on the ground or in a house, telling them to surrender, stay put or give other commands.
One of the team’s drones can travel as far as 6 miles, and go up to 50 miles an hour.
Officers can get a live feed from the drones through their phones or the computers in their patrol cars.
The drones are very useful in locating suspects, but Tooley said they also can be used for missing people, including vulnerable elderly people or people with autism and disabilities.
Lt. Adam Hazel of the Sheriff’s Office and Sgt. Torry Tooley show the local officials some of the tools for the Special Response Team including body armor, helmets with night lights, vision monoculars to see in the dark, a 40 mm gun that fires non-lethal bullets, door breaching tools (ram and Halogen tool), as well as several of the different drones.
Tooley said the new drones and night vision on the helmets are “a game-changer for us.”
The team is awaiting a Bearcat armored vehicle to be used on scene for some of the calls. That armored vehicle will be able to transport 10-12 people to high-risk situations requiring advanced tactics and coordination.
Caufield wants to continue to serve on Clarendon Town Board
Editor:
I am seeking re-election as Town Council member and humbly ask for your vote once again. My first term has been a great experience; I am blessed to serve on a Town Board that cares deeply about our town. The board does not always agree, but we are always respectful of each other’s ideas and opinions.
For those residents who may not know me, I am 47 and have lived in Clarendon for over 36 years of my life. I grew up here, got my first job in town, and my wife and I are currently raising our two children here.
I am currently employed as the Jail Superintendent for Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and at one time, served as Union President of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Employees Association.
In these positions I’ve been tasked to create, examine and implement policies. I train, counsel and manage employees, while also being charged with the care, custody and control of the incarcerated population.
I have taken part in contract negotiations, mutual agreements and grievances. These experiences have allowed me to develop the skills, knowledge and awareness to serve in the role of town councilman.
I will continue to be a dedicated servant, represent our town with pride and will be available to hear the concerns of Clarendon residents. I have an appreciation for this community and most importantly, I care.
I would be honored to earn your support when you fill out your ballot this election cycle. You can find me on the Republican line.
Respectfully,
Chris Caufield
Clarendon
