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Wreaths Across America grew to 60 veterans’ graves over holidays

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 January 2016 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Wreaths were set by veterans’ gravesites at Boxwood Cemetery.

MEDINA – Two years ago, Boxwood Cemetery took part in Wreaths Across America, a nationwide effort to recognize deceased veterans during the holidays.

There were seven veterans’ graves with wreaths and colorful red ribbons in late 2013, the debut of the program at Boxwood. It grew to about 20 graves in 2014 and last month it reached 60.

“They really look nice out there,” said Kathy Blackburn, volunteer coordinator of the program at Boxwood. She also is a member of the Boxwood Cemetery Commission.
She would like to see 100 graves have wreaths next year and eventually all of the veterans’ sites in the cemetery.

The wreaths cost $15 each and are ordered online throught the Wreaths Across America website (click here). Local vetetrans’ organizations participated in a service at Boxwood on Dec. 12.

“This was our third year and it just keeps growing,” Blackburn said. “We hope to cover more of the cemetery next year.”

For more information, give Blackburn a call at 585-734-5801.

Fire at Medina apartment house sends 2 to hospital

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 January 2016 at 9:25 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – A fire this morning in a third-floor apartment in Medina injured at least one person with another sent to Medina Memorial Hospital for evaluation. One of the residents had burn injuries and was taken by Mercy Flight to a hospital.

Firefighters were dispatched to 510 West Ave. at 7:46 a.m. There was heavy smoke coming from the third floor. The fire was contained to the one apartment, said Jonathan Higgins, captain with the Medina Fire Department.

Higgins said the fire is under investigation.

Medina Firefighter Ashton Lang climbs the ladder to the top floor of the apartment house, which is owned by Ryan Macdonald of Batavia.

There are about a dozen residents in the building, and most of them relocated next door to the First Baptist Church while the fire was being put out and the building ventilated from smoke.

Marty Busch, Medina code enforcement officer, said he would call the Red Cross for assistance for residents today while the site was ventilated and cleaned up.

Busch said Macdonald has improved the property.

“It’s in the best condition it’s been in in 20 years,” Busch said.

Medina firefighters were assisted at the scene by Lyndonville, Shelby, Ridgeway, and East Shelby firefighters, with Albion and Middleport firefighters and Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance all on standby.

Fire in Medina causes $20K in damage

Staff Reports Posted 5 January 2016 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Firefighters are pictured outside a large apartment house in Medina at about 8:30 this morning.

MEDINA – The fire this morning at a 12-unit apartment house in Medina caused about $20,000 in damage, with $10,000 in damage to contents of the apartment and $10,000 to the rest of the structure, Medina Fire Department officials said.

Firefighters were called to the fire at about 7:45 a.m. Smoke was coming out of a third floor apartment. A second alarm was requested due to the building size as well as the high occupancy of the building.

Bystanders on scene advised fire crews of the location of the fire and advised that there was a person trapped, said Steve Cooley, a firefighter/paramedic and public information officer for Medina Fire Department.

Crews quickly located and extinguished the fire while simultaneously removing the resident from the burning apartment. That resident was transported by the Medina ambulance to the Mercy Flight landing zone and then flown to the Emergency Department at ECMC. That resident was admitted to the Burn Unit at ECMC for smoke inhalation and possible airway burns, Cooley said. As of this afternoon, the resident is in stable condition.

Medina firefighters were assisted on scene by several local fire departments. The fire investigation is being handled by fire investigators with the Medina Fire Department along with assistance from the Medina Police Department.

Gaines may have first elected municipal board ever in Orleans County with women in majority

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 January 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Mary Neilans takes the oath of office from Town Justice Bruce Schmidt on Tuesday at Gaines Town Hall. Town Supervisor Carol Culhane, back left, and Town Councilwoman Sue Smith watch the proceedings.

GAINES – The Gaines Town Board may have made history this evening. The board held its first meeting of the year and newly elected members from the November election were sworn in.

Mary Neilans and Richard DeCarlo are new members of the board, joining incumbents Carol Culhane as town supervisor and board members Sue Smith and Jim Kirby.

Neilans and DeCarlo replace Doug Syck and Dave Kast, who didn’t seek re-election.
The addition of Neilans gives the Gaines Town Board three women on a five-member board. I think this is the first time in Orleans County history that a town, village or county elected board has had a women-majority.

It didn’t occur to me until soon before the meeting at 6:45 p.m. that Gaines might be making history today. I shared my hunch with Culhane.

“Interesting,” she said.

I can’t say for certain if history was made. I’m not sure anyone has been keeping track or given it much thought.

Carol Culhane is sworn in as town supervisor by Town Justice Bruce Schmidt.

Culhane is starting her third two-year term as town supervisor. She just completed four years as leader of the town government. She is the first woman to serve in the role for Gaines. Sue Smith is starting her seventh year as a Town Board member.

Most of the local town, village and county boards are dominated by men. The seven-member County Legislature only has had two women ever elected to that board: the late Marcia Tuohey and Lynne Johnson, who is a current legislator.

Culhane, a professional artist, said she hasn’t necessarily been pushing for more women on the board. She said she has sought diversity of backgrounds and expertise. Neilans is a veterinarian and small business owner who lives in a house on the National Register of Historic Places. DeCarlo is a retired teacher, a former town supervisor and owner of Heritage Estates.

Kirby is a farmer and Smith has worked in education. Her husband Guy also is an onion grower.

Culhane appointed Smith as deputy supervisor during Tuesday’s meeting and that too may have been historic in Orleans County. It may perhaps be the first ever a municipality had two women at the top of a local board.

Gaines Town Board members include, from left: Jim Kirby, Mary Neilans, Carol Culhane, Sue Smith and Richard DeCarlo.

Callard backed for another term as Legislature chairman

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 January 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – David Callard of Medina and Lynne Johnson of Lyndonville were both backed by the seven-member Orleans County Legislature to continue as the group’s leaders. Callard will serve as chairman with Johnson in the role of vice chairwoman.

ALBION David Callard received unanimous support this morning for a fourth term as chairman of the Orleans County Legislature.

Callard, a retired banking executive, has served 22 years on the Legislature, including the past six years as chairman.

The seven-member Legislature also supported Lynne Johnson for another term as vice chairwoman.

Callard said the Legislature would be “aggressive” this year pursuing state funding for broadband Internet, road and bridge infrastructure, job training programs and economic development. Callard said he would present a more detailed blueprint in April during a “state of the county” address.

David Callard has been a member of the Orleans County Legislature for more than 20 years.

Callard was praised by the other legislators for his commitment to the job.

“He is quite organized and he’s on top of everything,” said Fred Miller of Albion, the lone Democrat on the Legislature. “He’s a good manager and he takes it on as a full-time job.”

Bill Eick, the Republican majority leader, said Callard is an effective leader.

“He is the head of the ship,” Eick said after the organizational meeting this morning. “We all have a good working relationship and we keep each other all informed.”

The Legislature chairman will be paid $17,087 in 2016, with the vice chairwoman at $12,920 and the other five legislators each at $11,390. That represents 2 percent raises from 2015.

Bill Eick and the other legislators take the oath of office which was administered by County Clerk Karen Lake-Maynard.

Collins says President’s gun plan infringes on 2nd Amendment

Posted 5 January 2016 at 12:00 am

Press Release, Congressman Chris Collins

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chris Collins (R-Clarence) today released the following statement after President Obama issued executive actions, which Collins said circumvents the Constitution and denies Western New Yorkers their Second Amendment rights.

“A new year and the same dictatorial actions from President Obama,” said Congressman Collins. “President Obama has made it clear that he will not let legal documents like the Constitution stand in his way. Only this president would circumvent the Constitution to punish tens of thousands of law-abiding gun owners across Western New York and millions more throughout the country.

“The president needs to be reminded that it is Congress’s job to write laws. His proposed executive actions will significantly increase burdensome government regulations and infringe on the Second Amendment rights Americans have fought to protect. I have strongly signaled my opposition to these measures and have signed onto legislation to stop these actions in their tracks.”

Clarendon Town Board makes appointments for 2016

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 5 January 2016 at 12:00 am

Photo by Kristina Gabalski – Clarendon Town Board members vote on annual designations and appointments Monday during the board’s organizational meeting. The group includes, from left: Councilman Marc Major, Councilman Paul Nicosia, Town Clerk Susan Colby, Town Supervisor Richard Moy, Attorney Karl Essler, Councilman Allen Robinson, and Councilman William Campbell.

CLARENDON – Members of the Clarendon Town Board met Monday evening for the organizational meeting to make annual designations and appointments.

As in 2015, the Town Board will meet regularly on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall, 16385 Church St., with the exception of August when the meeting will be held at the Historical Society Barn, 16426 Fourth Section Rd.

Allen Robinson was re-appointed Deputy Supervisor and committee appointments include: Highway Committee: Marc Major and Allen Robinson; Building Committee: Marc Major and Paul Nicosia; and Budget Committee: Supervisor Richard Moy and Allen Robinson.

Moy was appointed Town Marriage Officer with a term to expire Dec. 31, 2017.

“Anyone who wants to get married, I can do it,” Moy said following the appointment.

Additionally, council members decided not to hire a part-time laborer to assist the Water Department. Moy explained that there is a problem with people not paying water bills and he proposed that a part-time person could help Highway/Water Superintendent Larry Swanger with reading water meters, re-sets, repairs and turning water the water supply on and off.

“There are people out there not paying,” Moy said. “It’s got to be taken care of in a timely manner. It shouldn’t get to the point of being put on taxes.”

Swanger told the board he would handle the job. “I’ll get on it more often,” Swanger said.

Orleans Hub saw big jump in traffic in 2015

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 January 2016 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Fireworks go off in Lyndonville on July 4 in the biggest fireworks show ever at Lyndonville. This photo was taken looking through a row of trees by the soccer field near the school. Orleans Hub covered numerous community events in 2015.

Orleans Hub saw a big jump in traffic in 2015 with total pageviews reaching 7,811,345.

That is up 48.3 percent or by 2,543,847 from the 5,267,498 pageviews in 2014.

Orleans Hub went live on April 1, 2013. We had 1,697,887 pageviews for nine months in 2013.

Our monthly average of pageviews has increased from 141,490 in 2013, to 438,958 in 2014 and to 650,945 in 2015.

Another industry statistic is average daily users.

We were at 6,739 for 2015, and topped a 6,000 daily average for each of all 12 months.

The 6,739 average for each day is up from the 4,700 in 2014 and 2,100 for nine months in 2013.

September was our biggest month with the contentious primary season drawing a surge of traffic to the site.

That month we had an average of 7,671 daily users and the total pageviews reached 765,677.

The Hub operates out of The Lake Country Pennysaver in Albion.

We have an office at the Pennysaver building, 170 North Main St.

Photo by Cherl Wertman – Kendall’s Taylor Rutland, right, goes high for the ball against Emily Lavarnway of South Seneca on Oct. 30 when the Lady Eagles won their second straight Sectional title, defeating South Seneca 4-1. Orleans Hub has a daily sports report of local high school athletes.

3 are sentenced in County Court, including man to 5 years in state prison

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 January 2016 at 12:00 am

ALBION – A Bergen man was sentenced to 5 years in state prison today following his July arrest on numerous drug charges.

Delmus R. Tanner, 35, of Lake Road in Bergen faced multiple drug possession and sale charges. He is a second felony offender who was previously sentenced for third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance in Orleans County on Dec. 5, 2008.

He was charged with nine counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, as well as other drug charges in July.

Tanner apologized for the crimes today during sentencing in County Court.

“I admit I was wrong,” Tanner told Judge James Punch. “I will use my time in incarceration to better myself.”

Tanner said his father died from drugs. Tanner doesn’t want to leave that example to his children.

His attorney Larry Koss said Tanner had been off drugs for 20 months and had held a job for 13 months before reconnecting with a friend and started using drugs one time. That was “the beginning of the slope” in the latest drug problems for Tanner, Koss said.

Punch said Tanner was involved in multiple drug sales and has had numerous opportunities to stay away from crime.

“I have no choice logically but to sentence you to state prison,” Punch said in sentencing Tanner to five years in state prison, plus three years of post-release supervision.

In other sentencings today:

A Batavia woman was given four months of weekends in jail plus 5 years of probation. Brooke M. Wenner, 30, of Summit Street was arrested in July and faced multiple criminal sale and criminal possession charges.

Wenner does not have prior felony charges. Punch said it was “a close call” in deciding not to send her to state prison. He allowed her to keep her driver’s license so she could continue to drive in her job so she could support her family.

A Holley resident who violated his probation was sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison.

Joseph Koneski, 49, was previously sentenced for driving while intoxicated in Ontario County. He violated his probation by drinking alcohol, using drugs and leaving the jurisdiction without notification.

Judge Punch said Koneski has six prior arrests for DWI or driving while impaired.

“It’s almost unbelievable you got the sentence you got in Ontario County,” Punch said about the probation sentence, given Koneski’s history.

Punch revoked Koneski’s probation and sent him to prison.

“You are a danger to the people on the highways,” the judge said.

Albion town officials take oaths of office

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 January 2016 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Matt Passarell, the Albion town supervisor, takes the oath of office during tonight’s organizational meeting for the Town Board. Town Justice Gary Moore administers the oath at Town Hall.

Passarell is beginning his third year as town supervisor. He just completed his first two-year term and was unopposed for a new term for the last election in November.

Michael Neidert takes the oath with his mother, Nancy Neidert, administering the oath. Neidert was elected highway superintendent in November, defeating incumbent Jed Standish.

Darlene Benton takes the oath administered by Town Justice Gary Moore. Benton won a close election to the Town Board in November.

Passarell appointed her to a new committee for economic development this evening during the Town Board’s organizational meeting. She will be on that committee with Councilman Jake Olles. Benton said she will reach out to village officials and others in the community for ideas to retain and attract businesses.

She would also like to target companies in solar energy. “I’d like Albion to get on that bandwagon because really it’s just exploding,” she said.

Passarell also assigned two Town Board members to be liaisons to Village Board members. Benton and Olles will also serve as town representatives to the village. Passarell said he would like to see the town and village work together for joint municipal agreements and projects.

The Town Board approved many appointments and set salaries during the organizational meeting, including the following:

Ian Mowatt as town historian, $450 annual salary;
Richard Remley as deputy town supervisor;
Michael Neidert as water superintendent at a salary of $20,908. (The highway superintendent pay is also $54,815;
Sarah Basinait’s salary for town clerk was set at $36,330. She also will be paid $7,679 as water/sewer clerk and $3,060 as registrar of vital statistics;
Town Board members (4) will be paid $3,704 each for the year;
Passarell will be paid $5,750 as town supervisor and another $1,000 as budget officer;
Town Justices Gary Moore and Joe Fuller will each be paid $17,146;
Planning Board chairman will be paid $1,000 for year and other members $600 each
Zoning Board chairman will be paid $350 for the year and other members will each be paid $250;
Board of Assessment Review chairman will be paid $300 and other members will be paid $175 for the year;
First Niagara Bank will serve as official depository for town funds;
Phil McKenna will be town constable at a salary of $100 for the year;
Sara Stirk will serve as deputy town clerk at a salary of $14.78 per hour;
Election inspectors will be paid $9.30 per hour;
The Daily News of Batavia will be the official newspaper with The Lake Country Pennysaver and Orleans Hub to be used for supplemental public hearing notices and other notices as the Town Board deems appropriate;
James Bell will serve as attorney for the town for routine matters with Hodgson Russ in Buffalo appointed for special services, including bond issues;
Chatfield Engineers will serve as engineer for the town.

Masons in Medina looking for new home with imminent sale of building

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 January 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – The Masonic Temple on West Center Street will be sold to the World Life Institute which will turn it into a headquarters with educational and humanitarian programming, including the possibility of a college.

MEDINA – Alan Kozody has visited many Masonic temples in Orleans and Niagara counties, and Kozody doesn’t think any are more beautiful than the lodge for the Medina Masons on West Center Street.

The site is a former church, used by the Mormons before the Masons bought the building about a dozen years ago.

Kozody said the building was ideal for giving a sense of reverence and respect as a meeting place for the rituals for the Masons. However, the building’s steep stairs and limited parking are a challenge for the Masons’ older members.

The lodge in Medina dates back to 1854. Kozody is the lodge’s master, functioning as president. He said there are about 60 to 70 members, but only eight to 14 make the regular meetings and consistently volunteer with activities. The diminishing number prompted the group to cease its week-long sausage booth during the Orleans County 4-H Fair last summer. Kozody said the Masons did that for many, many years.

The group also didn’t have its booth during the Parade of Lights in November.

“Our membership is declining,” Kozody said.

That is why the lodge is selling the Masonic Temple at 229 West Center St. to the World Life Institute, a non-profit organization that runs many humanitarian programs in the community, from educational efforts to a program during the summers for war orphans. Word Life Institute plans to make the Masonic Temple into the international headquarters for World Life Institute.

WLI also wants to use the site to host lectures and other events for the community.

The sale was scheduled to close today but was pushed back. Kozody said he expects it will close soon once all of the paperwork is in order for the lawyers. The Medina Masonic Lodge will have use of the building for three months after the sale.

That will give the group time to remove its possessions and find a temporary meeting place. Kozody said the Masons in Middleport have welcomed the Medina Masons to the lodge on Main Street in Midelport. Kozody said he expects the Medina group will meet there for six months until deciding it’s future home.

The stained-glass windows in the lodge will be removed, but Kozody said the windows will stay in Medina.

The stained-glass windows inside the lodge will find another home in Medina, Kozody said. He isn’t sure where yet. Masons toured the Bent’s Opera House recently and the windows could eventually be displayed there, he said.

“We will store them and get them back out in time,” Kozody said. “They are beautiful and we want them to stay in the village.”

One of the World Life leaders, Dr. Asaf Durakovic, is a member of the Medina Masonic Lodge. He sees the building as an opportunity for World Life to expand its humanitarian work in the community and in the world.

He approached the Masons about the sale. Kozody said he is pleased the building will be put to good use by World Life Institute. The organization is developing a college, language school and other educational programs.

“I wish them the best,” Kozody said. “I think it’s a wonderful thing. The more I hear about their mission, I think it’s a good thing.”

Kozody said the Medina Masons may look to partner with other lodges to continue the organization’s traditions, while welcoming new members.

“Our motto is we take good men and make them better,” Kozody said.

Holley school officials pleased with security efforts in recent years

Posted 4 January 2016 at 12:00 am

Press Release, Holley Central School

HOLLEY – Holley Central School District has taken several measures over the last few years to ensure the safety of students and staff while they are on campus.

This includes employing security officers in both buildings, locking the doors at the beginning of the school day, issuing swipe cards to faculty and staff for building access, using video surveillance throughout the campus and performing lockdown drills.

“Even though there have been no incidents or threats to the security of Holley Central School District, given the current state of the world we’re living in, we’re being proactive by seamlessly integrating these measures into the regular school day,” said Robert D’Angelo, district superintendent.

Several years ago, the Board of Education approved the district contracting with C.O.P. Security to employ security officers in the Elementary School and Middle School/High School buildings during the school day, as well as during evening hours and special events.

The security officers are all former police officers or sheriff’s deputies from local law enforcement agencies. The officers patrol inside and outside the buildings daily and can be seen at district concerts and sporting events. The students greet the officers daily, and they have become very comfortable with the officers’ presence in the district.

D’Angelo is appreciative of their presence.

“They are part and parcel of the culture of the district,” said D’Angelo. “Everyone knows them. The presence of C.O.P. Security helps us maintain a safe and orderly environment. We gain from their experience with law enforcement, which adds to the safety and security of Holley Schools.”

Bob Lillie, who is a security officer at the Elementary School, approves of the measures Holley has taken to keep district employees and students safe.

“From what I’ve seen, Holley security is head and shoulders above the other schools in the area,” said Lillie. “We have to be so security conscious in this age, it just makes sense. Our presence has a calming effect on people because we’re there to ensure everyone’s safety.”

Lillie also enjoys the interaction he has with students. “I enjoy the kids. They crack me up with how honest they are. We’re able to fill in the gaps for the principals and give the kids a neutral person to talk to. In addition to providing security, I see myself and the other officers as ambassadors to get the kids to do right and make good choices. The staff has been very appreciative of having us here, too, and they tell us they feel better having us here.”

D’Angelo agrees. “The security officers are outstanding role models,” he said. “In the past, we’ve had them go into classrooms and talk about bike safety, perform car seat checks for the community, and educate students about their rights and responsibilities as citizens.”

The Board was also instrumental in approving locking the exterior doors to both buildings, issuing swipe cards to faculty and staff to gain entry, and equipping the campus with security cameras.

Security at the Elementary School was enhanced with the decision to contain visitors in the foyer by locking the interior doors to the main hallways. The Board also strives to make sure there are enough lights installed on campus for evening events as students travel between buildings and parking areas.

“I am so thankful that the Board of Education has been committed to taking the lead on adding security measures to the district,” said D’Angelo. “Without them, it wouldn’t happen.”

D’Angelo is part of the Superintendents and Law Enforcement Group, where the five Orleans County school superintendents meet with Orleans County law enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office to collaborate on maintaining the safety and security of all Orleans County schools. Holley recently performed a lockdown drill in both schools and all agencies came together for the debriefing on the drill.

“The cooperation from these agencies has been phenomenal,” said D’Angelo. “They were very complimentary about how well the drill went in Holley.”

150 turn out for free roller skating at YMCA event

Posted 3 January 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – Tessa Biesinger and Brianna Stewart from Medina both attended the roller skating night on Dec. 29 at the Orleans County YMCA and won i-pod shuffles.

Press Release, Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition

MEDINA – Through collaboration with Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition, the Orleans YMCA, and Medina Area Association of Churches, “Free Roller Skating” had a great turnout on Dec. 29. This event has been very successful for many years, and organizers hope for it to continue to grow.

Free Roller Skating is an event that takes place at the end of December, giving students on school break an opportunity to participate in a family friendly, fun event. This year on Dec. 29, more than 150 school-aged kids and parents laced up and showed off their skating skills. Two lucky winners received an i-pod shuffle.

Without the support from these organizations as well as the children and parents, this event would not have been nearly as successful. The Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition is very grateful for all of the assistance provided to give youth a healthy, fun and safe experience.

For more information on the Drug Free Communities Coalition, click here.

Snow, extreme cold in forecast for Orleans County

Staff Reports Posted 3 January 2016 at 12:00 am

Doug Boyer sent in this photo of a snowy owl he took on Saturday along Lakeshore Road near Petersmith Road in Kendall.

A lake-effect snow advisory is in effect from 3 p.m. today until 1 p.m. on Monday for Orleans and Ontario counties.

The National Weather Service said there could be an inch or less of snow this afternoon, 2 to 4 inches overnight and 2 to 3 inches on Monday.

Winds will be northwest from 10 to 20 miles per hour with gusts up to 30 mph, producing some blowing and drifting snow with visibility as low as a half mile at times, according to the Weather Service.

Today is forecast for a high of 35 degrees, but Monday it will only reach a high of 13 with a low of 10, according to the Weather Service.

Robert Carr sent this photo in of his family farm, H & R Farms, in West Barre, taken last month during a sunset.

The Weather Channel has issued an extreme cold alert for Monday when the wind chill will be near -2 degrees.

Albion grad landing college coaching job is most-viewed sports story in 2015

Staff Reports Posted 3 January 2016 at 12:00 am

Matt Monacelli

A story on April 21 about Matt Monacelil accepting a position as a Graduate Assistant Football Coach at the University of Findlay was the most-viewed sports story in 2015 on Orleans Hub with nearly 2,000 clicks.

Monacelli, an Albion and St. John Fisher graduate, played football for three years for the Divison III Cardinals and graduated from St. John Fisher in January 2015 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. The University of Findlay is a NCAA Division II college located in Findlay, Ohio.

Here are the five most viewed sports stories last year:

1. Albion Grad Gets Football Coaching Position

2. Pinky Loughlin Memorial Wall of Fame to Induct First Members Friday

3. Kendall High Senior Accepts Division 1 College Golf Scholarship

4. Kendall Hall of Fame to Induct Three

5. Keppler Qualifies for National Championships

The “local sports” page was the fourth most-visited page in 2015, with about 330,000 clicks. That’s behind the main page “headline news,” obituaries and police blotter.