Photo courtesy of Albion Elks Lodge: Pictured from left: Niccole Moore (Albion Elementary Social Worker), Angela Conway (Elementary Principal), Marv Christ (Elks member), Joan Christ (Elks member), April Flesch (Elks member), Lynda Standish (Elks member), and Mickey Edwards (Albion Superintendent of Schools).

Press Release, Albion Elks Lodge

ALBION – The Albion Elks Lodge #1006 recently organized a donation of $4,000 worth of essential items to Albion’s Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School to help support families in need this school year.

The donation included $2,000 worth of various hygiene items, shoes and basic clothing items; and $2,000 worth of winter coats.

Albion Elks members worked with school social worker Niccole Moore to understand what would be most useful for families. The Elks delivered the first donation of supplies earlier this school year, and the final donation of coats this past week.

“This contribution is incredibly meaningful to our district, as it allows us to help meet the needs of students and families within our community,” Moore said. “With the cold weather quickly approaching, these coats will be especially beneficial in ensuring our students stay warm and comfortable throughout the season.”

Families in need can connect with Moore, the school’s main office or their teacher for more information.

“Our mission is to help build stronger communities and improve the quality of life for our neighbors through grants obtained by our Elks National Foundation,” said Mike Jenks, Albion Elks Exalted Ruler.

Jenks also encourages Orleans County high school seniors to apply for the many scholarships the Elks has available. More information can be obtained at their schools.

Soldier from Albion only one from Orleans County killed in combat in war in Afghanistan

Photos by Tom Rivers: The state Department of Transportation installed signs on Route 31A near Powerline Road and the Route 98 intersection naming that section of 31A in honor of Specialist Jason Johnston, who was killed in Afghanistan on Dec. 26, 2009.

Jason Johnston was a specialist and paratrooper with the Army.

ALBION – Two signs on Route 31A were unveiled today naming the section of 31A in Albion in honor of Specialist Jason Johnston, who is the only solider from Orleans County killed in combat during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Johnston was 24 when he was killed by a roadside bomb in Arghandab, Afghanistan. Johnston was a specialist and paratrooper in the Army.

He was on his second tour in Afghanistan. He completed a 13-month-deployment in 2008 and left again for the war-torn country in October 2009.

His parents, Brad and Jenny Johnston, said they appreciated the community’s ongoing support for their son.

“It’s every parent’s worry that their children will be forgotten,” Jenny Johnston said.

The signs, declaring “Highway Dedicated To Specialist Jason Johnston,” ensure that her son will stay prominently recognized in the community.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, left, and State Sen. Rob Ortt speak to a group from the Johnson family, the American Legion in Albion and friends of the family before unveiling the sign on Route 31A in Albion, just east of Route 98. Ortt served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan from March 2008 until December 2008.

Brad Johnston said he has been trying for more than 14 years to have the a highway named in honor of his son, who would turn 40 years old on Dec. 10.

Brad is retired from a career with the State Department of Corrections. He was speaking about a year ago with John Fitzak, a retired corrections officer and current county legislator, about naming a road in honor of Jason.

Fitzak led the effort to get local government support for naming the highway, including a resolution of support from the County Legislature last January. It was sent to the local state legislators. State Assemblyman Steve Hawley and State Sen. Rob Ortt were able to get the legislation passed by the Assembly and Senate, with Gov. Kathy Hochul signing off on the bill.

County Legislator John Fitzak presents a citation from the County Legislature in support of naming the highway for Jason Johnston. Jason’s parents, Brad and Jenny, and his sister Heather are at right. Jason has two other sisters, Carrie and Holly, and many nieces and nephews.

There also are memorials for Johnston at the Elks Lodge, American Legion in Albion and Albion Town Hall, and a $1,000 scholarship is given each year to a graduating senior pursuing a helping profession.

Mr. Johnston said he is grateful the community continues to remember and honor his son.

“Since Vietnam, he is Orleans County’s only solider killed in battle,” Brad Johnston said. “I think it’s phenomenal. It still shows the support he has when they brought him home. It was people lined up in a snowstorm. This means an awful lot to all of us.”

Sheriff Chris Bourke attended the sign unveiling. Jenny Johnson hugs a friend after the sign was unveiled.

Legion Commander Brad Rouse leads the group in a prayer after the sign covering was removed.

Everett Jubenville, up high, and Mike Blue from the DOT’s sign crew installed the two signs on Route 31A in Albion for Jason Johnston.

Press Release, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee

ALBION – Main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts and More, a program of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee (CAOG), is proud to announce the return of its annual Wishing Tree, a community-driven initiative created to help local families receive essential winter items and small gifts.

Launched 2 years ago, the Wishing Tree was designed with a simple purpose: to give the community an easy and meaningful way to help each other.

The Wishing Tree, located inside the store at 131 South Main Street in Albion, is decorated with prepaid coupons purchased by generous customers. Each coupon represents a specific item or level of support that someone in need can redeem at the register, including:

• 1 winter coat
• 2 pairs of socks
• $10 toward clothing
• $5 gift item

These coupons are available for purchase starting in November, allowing anyone to directly support neighbors, families, and individuals who may be struggling.

This year, Main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts and More has expanded the program by launching an online ordering option, making it easier than ever for members of the community—near or far—to participate. Coupons purchased through the website will go directly to the store, where they will be added to the Wishing Tree for use by those who need them most.

“We’ve always believed that a small act of kindness can make a big difference,” said Cassie Healy, store manager. “The Wishing Tree has grown into something that truly reflects the heart of our community, and we are excited to make giving even more accessible through our website.”

In addition to serving walk-in customers, this year all unused or extra coupons will be donated to the local school district, ensuring students have access to warm clothing and needed items throughout the winter season.

“While we are all finding ways to cope with the government shutdown, rising costs, and all of the fear and uncertainty that comes with that, this program offers a low cost opportunity for us to help our neighbors in need,” said Renee Hungerford, CEO of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee.

Community members who wish to participate can visit the store in person or purchase coupons online. Every contribution—big or small—makes a direct impact on someone’s life.

The link to purchase these coupons can be found by clicking here.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Albion residents were given a chance to have their blood pressure checked today after they cast their votes at Hoag Library.

The Albion Fire Department was on site form 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., checking blood pressure and sharing information about hypertension.

This photo shows Robert Toman and Dawn Marciszewski of the Albion FD at an informational display.

Marciszewski said the department will be at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex in Albion on Dec. 6 as part of a Christmas event. Firefighters will be sharing fire prevention tips.

The Albion FD is stepping up its community outreach, she said.

The Fire Department had displays about hypertension and a list of the dangers of high blood pressure including stroke, loss of vision, kidney disease, bone loss, depression and anxiety and sexual problems.

File photos by Tom Rivers: The Elks Lodge in Albion dedicated this memorial for Jason Johnston on Aug. 17, 2019. The Albion Elks Riders have supported a memorial scholarship for Johnston that is given each year for an Albion senior who is pursuing a helping profession.

Editor’s Note: This article was corrected from an earlier version that said Route 98 in Albion would be dedicated in honor of Jason Johnston. 

ALBION – A part of Route 31A in Albion, from Route 98 to Powerline Road, will be dedicated on Wednesday for Spc. Jason Johnston, who was 24 was killed by a roadside bomb in the war in Afghanistan on Dec. 26, 2009.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley said there will be a dedication event at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the intersection of Route 98 and Route 31A.

Hawley said State Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt and other elected officials will be there for the highway dedication for Army Specialist Jason Johnston, who was born and raised in Albion.

Johnston enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2006. His family always said Johnston had an eagerness to serve in the military and then attend Syracuse University after his term in the Army was completed, Hawley said.

Johnston was killed in action on Dec. 26, 2009, when his unit was bombed in Arghandab, Afghanistan.

“I’m honored to take part in this dedication honoring Army Specialist Jason Johnston, a hometown hero who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation,” Hawley said. “His courage, commitment and love for his community and country embody the very best of Albion and Western New York. May this highway stand as a lasting reminder of his service and the gratitude we all owe to those who defend our freedom.”

The American Legion Sheret Post in Albion also unveiled a memorial bench in Johnston’s honor on Aug. 14, 2021. Johnston is the only Orleans County resident killed in combat during the War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from Aug. 17 was taken from the Ingersoll Street lift bridge looking west towards the Main Street bridge. The Main Street bridge reopened on Sept. 19 following a nearly three-year construction project.

ALBION – The Main Street lift bridge in Albion is closing for 4 hours tonight to replace gate arms, the state Department of Transportation said today.

The DOT is advising motorists that the lift bridge will be closed to traffic from 2 a.m. until  6 a.m. on Tuesday, November 4.

Motorists should anticipate travel delays during this time and are advised to seek alternate routes. Construction activities are weather dependent and subject to change based on conditions, the DOT said.

Photo and information courtesy of Albion Central School

ALBION – The Albion High School National Honor Society inducted 21 new members into its ranks this school year. The ceremony was held in the middle school auditorium on the evening of Oct. 30.

The Albion NHS 2025-26 inductees (listed alphabetically): Olivia Andrews, Lily Brigham, Adam Burgio, Maddison Button, Dejeanna Conner, Shayla Cruz, Brooke Doty, Yaritza Fernandez Perez, Heidi Franco-Lopez, Loralei Gailie, Anna Grillo, Logan Kast, Jillian LeBaron, Nicholas Luft, Jaxon Lynch, Madison Muckle, Bradley Pierce, Carley Smith, Jackson Snook, Mason Snook and Ava Woolston.

Current members (listed alphabetically): Neveya Barnes, Nisi Beltran Roblero, Kaitlin Bennett, Elliot Beyrle, Julia Button, Lindsay Crawford, Kaiden Froman, Aubrey Gannon, Xzavier Gerow, Justin Kania, Hanna Kumalac, Nathaniel Miesner, Gideon Pask, William Plummer, Alondra Santana Gonzalez and Joshua Zayac.

NHS is built upon four pillars; scholarship, service, leadership and character. In order to be eligible, inductees must exhibit all four qualities, be recommended by a faculty member and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 90% or higher.

Current members led the ceremony and guided inductees through the NHS Pledge. After the inductees took the oath, they each accepted their membership pin and signed their names within the book that holds the names of all Albion members before them.

The ceremony included recognition of outstanding high school staff members, decided on by current NHS members. Four faculty members were chosen for exemplifying the four NHS pillars. Caton Conde received recognition for embodying scholarship, Mike Jones for service, Bridgette Varin for leadership and Kyle Syck for character.

Richard Gannon was honored with the Albion NHS Excellence in Teaching Award for his profound influence on his students. Gannon, who has taught history at Albion High School for 29 years, served as the guest speaker at the ceremony.

In his remarks, he congratulated inductees and encouraged members to try new things, even if it might make them a little afraid or uncomfortable. “Be willing to deviate from your original plan,” he said. “You never know how rewarding or educational it can be.”

Photo courtesy of Tim Archer, Albion Central School

ROCHESTER – Members of the Albion High School Interact Club spent Wednesday morning at the Foodlink warehouse in Rochester sorting food supplies for eventual distribution to programs and “food-insecure” families throughout Western New York.

The students sorted through six pallets of canned goods – over 5,400 pounds of food that will provide 4,500 individual meals. Pictured from left are Hannah Olles, Aubrey Bruning, Adele Mathes, Nisi Beltran, Hanna Kumalac, Heidi Franco, Julia Graham, Brooke Doty and Lillian Fisher.

ALBION – The Albion Merchants Association has announced the winners of its scarecrow contest.

Scariest:  “Jack Skellington” by Carly & Cassidy Dix

Cutest:  “Jem” by Jesika Cramer

Funniest:  “Bobby” by Hazel Bringenberg

Wackiest:  “Funky Party Princess Pickle Toes” by Amber Stinson

“Thank you to all of you who came out for the Albion Fall Fest ’25 and built scarecrows,” the Merchants Association stated. “The Scarecrow Contest ’25 winners will receive gift certificate cards. Also, a hearty thank you to the Albion Lion’s Club for supplying this year’s judges for the Scarecrow Contest.”

Business offers wide selection of firearms, ammunition, apparel and accessories

Photos by Tom Rivers: Shawn Malark, owner of North Star Ammo & Defense, is shown inside the business with two of the employees, Corey Black and Eric Harling, who are both recently retired after careers as investigators with the Orleans County Major Crime Felony Task Force.

ALBION – A new business celebrated its opening today, and many of the customers and local officials marveled at the transformation of an old sandstone warehouse into the new North Star Ammo & Defense.

Shawn Malark worked for three years to create North Star, which offers firearms, ammunition, apparel and other accessories at 227 West Ave. To get to the store enter from the side of the building along Hamilton Street.

Malark is a Kendall graduate who has been running Orleans Pallet at the Medina sandstone warehouse in Albion since 2006. Part of the 1901 warehouse burned in a  dramatic fire on Oct. 17, 2013. Malark was able to keep the pallet business going despite the devastating fire.

Malark has been wanting to branch out in a business to help people with self protection, to help them feel safer.

“We are committed to upholding the highest standards of safety, compliance and customer service,” he said. “Our team is dedicated to promoting safety, education and responsible gun ownership. We believe our business will be a positive addition to the area by serving the needs of local hunters, sporting club members, outdoorsmen and responsible citizens.”

Shawn Malark, his wife Kelly and their daughter Montana cut the ribbon outside North Star Ammo & Defense this morning during a ribbon-cutting celebration.

Several local officials attended the ribbon-cutting. Malark received commendations from the Orleans County Legislature, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, and the offices of State Sen. Rob Ortt and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.

The grand opening celebration continues on Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with giveaways and raffles, and a meet-and-greet with the team of experts.

The transformation of the warehouse for North Star shocked many of the local officials who attended the ribbon-cutting today. The warehouse was being used for storage but Malark has turned it into a retail store that also has computers for people to shop online at other vendors and distributors, giving them access to more than 144,000 items. Click here to see the North Star website.

North Star has three employees who are well known in the community for their long careers in law enforcement. Corey Black and Eric Harling are both recently retired from the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force. Black also worked for the Sheriff’s Office as a deputy and investigator. Harling worked 20 years with the Medina Police Department before joining the Task Force the past 11 years.

Dave Meyer also joined North Star after 31 years as a state parole officer.

David Meyer works with a customer today at North Star.

Black, Harling and Meyer worked together for many years, and they are happy to be together again on the job. North Star is far less stressful with only positive interactions, they said.

“This is a breath of fresh air coming from the career I was in,” Harling said. “Every engagement here is a positive one.”

Harling has been hunting since he was a kid. He and Black both bring extensive knowledge of firearms. Black for many years was the firearms instructor for the local law enforcement and taught the pistol permit class.

Black said he is eager to share his knowledge about firearms. He said there are many different types of guns that have different purposes.

He is grateful for the opportunity to work at North Star.

“This is a team environment,” he said. “The people that come in here are happy and they’re excited.”

He is impressed by Malark and his attention to detail and vision for the new business.

“Shawn is an amazing guy,” Black said. “He is go, go, go.”

Kelly Malark aims this 12-gauge Weatherby rifle that she won at a raffle at the St. Paul Boulevard Exempts Association in Rochester. The rifle had just been delivered to North Star, which has a Federal Firearms License. Eric Harling, left, and Shawn Malark are at the counter.

North Star would like to work with many fire departments and non-profits on gun raffles. If someone wins a gun and can’t pick it up at North Star in Albion, the gun can be shipped to another FFL closer to that person’s residence.

A group gathers at North Star today for a ribbon-cutting celebration. They stayed under a covered area by the loading dock due to the heavy rain.

Shawn Malark said he and his family were considering other names for the business until his daughter spoke her first words. Kendall was 5 ½ and watching a Peppa Pig video with a nursery rhyme called “North Star.”

She repeated “North Star” and her family burst into tears. Kendall is autistic and those first words were very powerful for her father and gave him even more drive to see the new business become a reality.

Malark said he is very confident in the North Star team of six employees. He wants the site to be of service to the community. He believes there is strong potential to build the North Star brand and have it become a bigger business beyond Orleans County.

“We want to do something special here and bring people together who want to feel safe,” Malark said at today’s ceremony. “That’s our commitment to the community.”

North Star has developed several of its own apparel items and other merchandise. The shirt of the left recognizes many first responders and those in law enforcement and the military. Shawn and Kelly Malark wanted to highlight the role of nurses, too, as first responders and people providing critical services to the public.

A North Star shirt is at right. The business has other shirts, hats, gun mats, frisbees and other products with its brand. Some of that merchandise will be given away on Friday during the grand opening celebration.

Paul Fulcomer

ALBION – Paul Fulcomer, who was retired as Orleans County’s Veterans Service Agency director, was killed in a motorcycle accident on Wednesday afternoon.

Fulcomer was riding a motorcycle west on East County House Road when he entered the intersection at Route 98, failing to stop at the stop sign and then colliding with a northbound vehicle, according to a news release from Sheriff Chris Bourke.

Fulcomer, 78, was ejected from his motorcycle. Emergency life-saving measures were administered at the scene by Mercy Ambulance, Mercy Flight, and the Albion Fire Department, Bourke said. Fulcomer was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Orleans County Coroner’s Office.

The resulting collision caused both vehicles to leave the roadway, coming to rest on the lawn of a residence located on the northwest corner of the intersection.

The investigation is ongoing by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the New York State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit.

Fulcomer served as director of the Veterans Service Agency in Orleans County for 13 years, retiring in November 2015. He helped veterans and their families receive benefits through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

In his retirement, he continued to be active in veterans’ causes.

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.

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 65^th 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.

Provided image

ALBION – Mary Jo Whitman of Batavia has created a new welcome sign for Albion that village officials are aiming to have installed on the east side of Albion along Route 31.

The village would like to have the new sign up with a dedication celebration on Nov. 21.

The village received a grant through the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!) to fund the project.

The sign includes a Santa to highlight Albion as a home for a Santa School that was run by the late Charles W. Howard from 1937 until his death in 1966. The Santa will be mounted on top in the middle of the sign.

Whitman created Albion scenes within the large letters of “ALBION.” Those scenes include a boat on the Erie Canal with a lift bridge, the Civil War memorial tower at Mount Albion Cemetery and the Orleans County Courthouse.

8 students and bus driver checked out by EMS after incident

ALBION – An elementary student released pepper spray on the morning school bus run, which resulted in eight students and the bus driver to be examined on scene by Mercy Flight EMS.

There wasn’t a fight on the bus that led to the student using the pepper spray, said Sgt. Robert Wagner of the Albion Police Department.

A young student had a key-chained pepper spray and sprayed it on the floor of the bus, he said.

“The vapor from the spray caused some students on the bus to be affected by it,” Wagner said.

The Albion School District sent an update to parents about the situation. The school said a student on bus U (274) deployed pepper spray. EMS personnel were immediately called to the scene, parents were contacted and another bus was sent.

“All eight students and the driver on board were examined by emergency personnel, some of which were experiencing eye irritation and coughing,” the school district said. “Parents were given the option to pick up their children from the scene, and the secondary school bus was able to transport the remaining students to school.”

The district said the incident is being investigated and the next steps will be determined in accordance with our Code of Conduct.

“We thank our transportation department, local law enforcement and EMS for their quick response,” the district stated.