By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 October 2026 at 10:27 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A disc golf course at Bullard that opened about three years ago recently added some finishing touches. There are now concrete tee boxes for players to launch their frisbees on first throws of each of the nine holes.
There are also colorful signs that note the hole, distance and a layout. The baskets in the distance are mounted in small concrete foundations – 8 inches wide by 20 inches deep.
The course is known as the Albion Purple Drift DGC (Disc Golf Course). It opened in 2023 and was funded through a grant by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation. The Orleans County YMCA secured the grant which also funded a disc golf course in Medina at Gulf Street Park.
The Albion course is a par 28 and totals 2,423 feet. It has a 3.6 rating among 68 respondents on udisc.com.
The most recent reviewer on Oct. 10 was complimentary of the course, which is on the west side of the park, including one very close to Sandy Creek.
“Really nice 9 hole course. Low ceilings on a few holes are tough, but fair enough. Recommend trying this one out,” the reviewer wrote on Oct. 10.
The holes range in distance from 201 feet as the shortest to the 412-foot hole 9, the longest and the only par 4.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 October 2026 at 9:28 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion Teachers Association handed put lots of candy this evening during Beggar’s Nite. Many businesses and organizations were set up in the downtown business district given out treats to hundreds of kids in costume.
Kyle Holz, pastor of Community of Hope, formerly known as the Albion Free Methodist Church, dressed up as a hamburger. The church had eight different stations with glow sticks, treats, Bibles and crosses. There were also inflatable games, popcorn and hot chocolate.
Canalside Community Church also passed out goodies and materials.
Ava Waters passes out candy The Tree House, which is owned by her mother, Michelle Waters. That preschool is at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex and was part of Beggar’s Nite for the first time. Businesses and organizations that aren’t in the downtown are welcome to give out candy for Beggar’s Nite.
Stephanie Stinson, left, and Stephanie Ward greeted children and gave them candy when they stopped by Albion Agencies.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office had bags of candy ready for the kids. Sheriff Chris Bourke was there, and so was Chief Deputy Torry Tooley, Amy Sherman (Sheriff’s Account manager) and Sherman’s daughter, Savannah who passed out most of the candy.
Albion mayor Tim McMurray dressed up as a scary inflatable character outside the Village Office, which was one of the stops for candy.
Lions Club members Marie Snyder and Kevin Howard were happy to disburse treats.
Tara Thom and Brenda Radzinski had a big pot of candy outside the Town and Country Quilt Shop on East Bank Street.
Rose Friedl and other staff at the Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern kept pace with lines of children.
The Dancing Fireside Witches performed some broom dances on Main Street.
Lori Laine, one of the Dancing Fireside Witches, gets a video of the broom-dance troupe.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2026 at 12:44 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Sgt. Dillon Black of the Albion Police Department presents a proposal to the Albion Village Board on Wednesday for the Albion PD to offer firearm safety courses. Mayor Tim McMurray hears the proposal with Village Trustee William Gabalski at left.
ALBION – The Albion Police Department wants to offer an 18-hour class for people seeking to get a Concealed Carry Pistol Permit from New York State.
Sergeant Dillon Black presented the proposal to the Village Board on Wednesday and board members said they support the plan, but first want to hear for village attorney John Sansone and the village’s insurance carrier.
The APD would charge $300 for the class, with village residents getting a discount, according to the proposal.
Two Albion police officers are already certified to lead the class as firearms instructors and a third officer may become certified, Black told the board. His father, Corey Black, was a long-time instructor of a pistol permit class in Orleans County.
Sgt. Black of the APD proposed a class with 16 hours of classroom learning and 2 hours of live-fire range training.
The Village Board said it would make a decision during its Nov. 18 meeting and expects an approval.
Black would like to start with a smaller class of about 8 students and expand to a maximum of 30 in the future.
He told the board it would cost the village about $100 per student with staff time to run the class, plus ammunition and printing of coursework and certificates.
The police department would like any revenue generated to stay in the police budget and go into the APD reserve funds, Sgt. Black said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2026 at 8:53 am
Henry Smith recognized for 25 years of service to club
Provided photos
ALBION – The Albion Lions Club welcomed two new members this week. The photo shows, from left: Lions Club member June Persia with new members John Bigley and Pam Jenks. They are joined by Melanie Adams, a member of the Clarendon Lions Club and a past district governor. Persia sponsored the new members.
The Albion Lions meet at the Masonic Lodge on Platt Street. The club celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024 and continues to do many community service projects in Albion.
The club honored Henry Smith Jr. for his 25 years of service to the Albion Lions. He received a certificate from Club President Ron Albertson, right. Ben Lennox, a member, is shown at left.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2026 at 8:22 am
Provided photos
ALBION – Mike Donahue was presented a Quilt of Valor on Oct. 17 during a ceremony at the Vets Club. Donahue, a Navy veteran, has been active for many years in the Honor Guard for veterans, and also with the American Legion and VFW.
The Quilts of Valor Foundation was started in 2003 and has presented more than 450,000 quilts to veterans to honor their service.
The quilt for Donahue was presented by Barbara Frost and it was pieced, quilted and bound by Lisa Feor. For more information on Quilts of Valor, click here.
Mike Donahue is shown as the bugler while Taps was played as part of the Honor Guard on Dec. 15, 2024 during a ceremony at Mount Albion Cemetery for Wreaths Across America.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 October 2026 at 12:07 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Sidewalks run along the south side of East Avenue but stop across the road from St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.
Albion town officials would like to see a joint project with the town and village to extend sidewalks to the Butts Road intersection and then going north on Butts past a healthcare site and then to a UConnectCare residence.
The Albion Town Board discussed the issue during its board meeting on Monday evening. The board said it will reach out to the village about a joint effort, and also see if there is any state funding to help with the sidewalk.
Mike Neidert, the Albion town highway superintendent, said he the sidewalks would be safer for pedestrians and people using scooters and wheelchairs to go to the healthcare facility and UConnectCare.
“This would be a great project,” he said. “There are a lot of pluses.”
Orleans Community Health in 2012 opened the healthcare center at the northeast corner of Butts Road and Route 31.
UConnectCare last November opened a residence that can serve up to 25 women including 5 bedrooms for women with young children.
Neidert said both UConnectCare and Orleans Community Health would like an extended sidewalk down Route 31 and on the section of Butts Road, as well as a crosswalk at the intersection.
The highway superintendent said the town and village could discuss having mucnipal employees install the sidewalks. He estimated there would be about 600 feet of sidewalks that the town would be responsible for, while the village would have about 1,500 feet.
He would like to see the town and village leaders reach out to Assemblyman Steve Hawley and State Sen. Rob Ortt to see if they could secure funding for materials for the sidewalks. He estimated the materials for 600 feet of sidewalks for the town’s portion would be about $10,000.
Mike Neidert, the Albion highway superintendent, would also like a cross walk at the intersection.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 October 2026 at 10:50 am
Holley welcomes trick-or-treaters for Hallow Fest on Saturday
Photos by Tom Rivers: During Beggar’s Night last year on Oct. 25, the Fringe not only passed out candy but dressed up as characters from Hocus Pocus. In front, Khloe Mank, 9, is Emily Binx. In back from left are Leah Printup as Thackery Binx (the iconic cat), Jennifer Printup as Winifred Sanderson, Amanda Mank as Mary Sanderson, and Vanessa Lhommedieu as Sarah Sanderson. Lhommedieu is owner of The Fringe.
It will be candy galore and many kids in costume during Beggar’s Night on Friday in the Albion and Medina downtown business districts, and then on Saturday in Holley for the Hallow Fest.
Hundreds of children are expected in the downtowns of all three villages for the events.
The Albion Merchants Association is organizing Beggar’s Night in Albion from 5 to 7 p.m. Many businesses and organizations will be giving out treats to children. There will be a bonus of 20 gold bars filled with candy and goodies to some of the kids in the best costumes.
There isn’t a specific starting spot. The trick or treating line goes in a loop. People can park behind the fire department, next to Courthouse Square or the small municipal lot on Platt Street.
Medina businesses will have Beggar’s Night from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The starting point is the Print Shop on East Center Street and attendees often line up through the parking lot behind the buildings.
During Holley’s Hallow Fest in 2023, Bill Moroz hands out candy to Teagan, who dressed as Scooby Doo while joined by her grandparents, Tolanda and Dan Kronfield.
Holley will have its Fall Hallow Fest on Saturday with a costume parade at 10 a.m., with the lineup starting at 9:45 a.m. at the pharmacy.
There will be vendors from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the American Legion and bounce houses at the old Holley High School. Trick or treating will be later throughout the village.
The Holley Police Department and Holley Volunteer Fire Department will be doing trunk or treat from 3 to 6 p.m. on Thomas Street between the police department and fire hall.
Community organizations and residents can set up a “trunk” beginning at 2 p.m. Contact Shannon at Smcmillion702@yahoo.com to reserve a spot. Trick or treaters are welcome in costume.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 October 2026 at 10:37 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: This slide was presented during the Board of Education meeting on Oct. 5 and shows the concept of turning the art foyer at the high school int a fitness center.
ALBION – The Board of Education voted this evening to send a $39.9 million project to the community for a public referendum on Dec. 17.
The board considered three different options for the capital project, with the options at33.4 million, $39.9 million and $47.3 million.
The district’s Finance Committee recommended the second option at $39.9 million, said John Kast, the board’s vice president and chairman of the Finance Committee.
The project will address many needs in the district, and Albion already has the local share set aside so no new local taxes will be needed.
Kast said the project will be 90.6 percent reimbursable in state aid.
Voting on the project will be from noon to 8 p.m. on Dec. 17. If voters back the project, it will go to a design phase that will need the State Department of Education’s approval before the project goes to bid. Construction could take place over three years.
The proposed project also includes work at all three school buildings as well as the bus garage. The price in the three options varied depending on the scope of work in the elementary school.
The new project includes some elements that were considered for the previous project, but were removed, Hunsinger said.
The project could include the following:
High School
Renovate Ag, IT and wood shop – $6.1 million
Greenhouse addition – $1 million
Renovate LGI – $3 million
Renovate counseling suite – $1.2 million
Renovate art foyer into fitness center – $1.6 million
Digital athletics/arts wall of fame – $200,000
Replace areas of damaged roofing – $100,000
Remediate sewer odor in athletics vestibule – $100,000
Middle School
The auditorium in the middle school would be renovated while preserving its Art Deco character.
Renovate auditorium, including seating, lighting, rigging and sound – $7.5 million
Replace areas of damaged roofing – $600,000
Replace exterior window sills – $300,000
Provide security film on at-grade windows – $200,000
Elementary School
The scope of work for new ventilation systems, cabinets and windows ranged from $6.2 million to $20.1 million depending on the three options. The Board wants to address A, B, J and I for full replacement at a cost of $12.1 million with the other sections to be considered in future capital projects.
Replace east playground at $2 million
Replace west playground surfacing at $800,000
Renovate main entrance courtyard at $300,000, with $200,000 to add snow melt
Provide security film on at-grade windows at $200,000
Replace classroom ventilation system, adjacent cabinets and windows; replace classroom flooring, ceilings, caseworks, lighting and upgrade classroom toilet rooms wings A, B, J and I at a cost of $12.1 million. Doing all sections would have added about $8 million to the total.
Transportation building
Replace trench drain in storage and service bays at $200,000
Replace areas of damaged roofing, $30,000
The district worked with the Campus Construction firm to identify the scope of the project.
The cost estimates represent about a 21 percent increase from the current construction prices. Campus Construction is estimating a 7 percent price increase in construction each year. If the work is done in two to three years, the company is estimating a 21 percent escalation in construction costs
If the project is approved by the voters on Dec. 17, the district will shift $15 million into a capital reserve fund to pay the local share of the project. The district would take that as part of $30 million in undesignated funds, said Rick Recckio, the district’s assistant superintendent for finance.
He expects Albion would only need about $8 million of that $15 million to pay towards the local share of the capital project with Albion paying on the project over 10 years.
The project addresses top priorities identified through a building conditions survey that included input from building leaders in the district, said Mickey Edwards, the district superintendent.
The survey established a list of priorities ranked from 1 to 4. The final list includes the “priority 1’s,” he said.
“You never exhaust the list,” he said.
Albion is on a cycle of doing a capital project about every five years. Other issues identified in the building conditions survey but not in the final project could be considered again in about five years if the new project is approved by voters, Edwards said.
Board of Education member Chris Kinter has a possible project for the future. He wants to see a better way for parents to pick up and drop off their kids at the elementary school. He said cars often get stacked in a line on Clarendon Road that stretches out to East Avenue. He thinks more room for cars on the school campus would keep the line from going out on Clarendon Road and onto Route 31.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 October 2026 at 4:04 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Lauren Zwifka, a Barre firefighter and 2026 Albion graduate, helps Sebastian, an Albion fourth-grader, hit a target with water from a fire hose.
A group of volunteer firefighters wrapped up a week-long fire prevention effort at the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School this week. After spending four days with classroom activities, firefighters joined students outside to learn about fire trucks and equipment, and test their fire prevention knowledge.
Barre firefighters Lauren Zwikfa and Barry Flansburg helped students aim at the targets.
Albion firefighters Victoria Tabor and Jeremy DiMatteo let these students get a close look at some of the tools and gear in a fire truck.
Ryan Woolston of the Carlton Volunteer Fire Company let students hold a 20-pound air bottle that holds oxygen if firefighters go inside to fight a fire.
Students crawl through a smoke simulator inside a fire safety training trailer was outside the school today. That trailer, owned by the Orleans County’s Emergency Management Office, has a fog machine to simulate smoky rooms. Students were urged to “Stay Low and Go.” Students went through the smoke when the door inside the trailer wasn’t hot.
If the door inside the trailer was hot, students were told to instead look for a way out of the room. The electrical door could be heated to simulate a hot door from fire. Thomas Bringenberg climbs out the window and down a ladder. Albion firefighter Cody Newsome was there if any assistance was needed.
The fake flames are knocked down with water sprayed by Barre firefighter Gary Rowley, left, with second-grader Dylan Feitshans and Barry Flansburg with second-grader Danny Klips.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 October 2026 at 8:43 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Betty Garcia Mathewson of Albion speaks during a protest today on Main Street in Albion focused on many local people being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The protest also was timed by nationwide “No Kings” rallies speaking out against executive overreach by President Donald Trump and an erosion of democratic principles and rights in the country.
Mathewson has long been an advocate for farmworkers. She said many of those workers in Orleans County recently have been detained by ICE.
“This is not the America I grew up in,” Mathewson told a crowd of about 30 people carrying signs. “All people deserve due process.”
Mathewson said the ICE arrests are disrupting families and dividing the country, falsely blaming immigrants for economic hardships.
“The people they are taking have been our neighbors for years,” she said.
Some of the protestors had signs against “No Kings” to highlight opposition to Trump’s authoritarian tendencies and expansion of executive powers.
Gary Kent holds a sign, “Democracy Dies In Silence.”
Many of the “No Kings” rallies urged people to use early voting in the upcoming midterm elections and try to empower a new Congress to rein in the president’s powers.
Trump has expanded ICE in his second term, with ICE officers more than doubling from about 10,000 when Trump’s second term started in January 2025 to over 22,000 now. The daily ICE detention population is up from about 40,000 at the start of Trump’s second term to about 70,000 people now.
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” signed in July 2025 infused tens of billions of dollars into immigration enforcement, authorizing an additional $45 billion specifically for detention through 2029.
Librada Paz of Brockport has been outspoken for many years about labor rights for farmworkers. In 2012, she received the Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Award for her work to improve the lives and working conditions of farmworkers.
Paz said ICE has stepped up raids in Albion and the surrounding communities in the past two months. She said people are being picked up by ICE at the laundromat, while waiting at farm fields, and at their housing in the community.
She said they are often held at the federal detention facility in Batavia before being transfer much farther away, where it becomes more difficult to fight their cases legally because they are away from a support system.
“The citizens of Albion may not realize that a lot of people are being taken,” Paz said.
Betty Garcia Mathewson and her daughter Sienna stand near the intersection of Main Street and East Park Street to show their support for immigrants.
Garcia Mathewson said the country has long failed to update its immigration policies putting many people in vulnerable position even if they have no criminal record and years of contributing to the community.
She said many families are mixed with one spouse having legal standing to be in the country while others were kept out of the legal system.
“We are here telling the immigrants that there are people who care and are pissed off they are doing this to you,” she said about the ICE enforcement actions.
