By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 March 2026 at 2:15 pm
ALBION – Crosby’s will unveil the grand reopening of its store in Albion on Friday morning at 204 South Main St.
The company has remodeled the convenience store and will have a grand opening celebration at 10 a.m. This follows the remodeling of Crosby’s other store in Albion on North Main Street in May 2024.
Crosby’s, owned by the Reid Group in Lockport, has revamped the store at the intersection of routes 98 and 31. The company operates 86 throughout Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania.
The 10 a.m. celebration also will serve as the kickoff to Crosby’s yearly partnership with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, in which various donation efforts will begin across all Crosby’s stores in service of CF and finding a cure for cystic fibrosis.
In addition, Crosby’s will be donating $300 to Albion Central School District and $500 to Albion Fire Department.
“We’re proud to continue serving the Albion community,” said Lenny Smith, Vice President of Crosby’s and Reid Petroleum. “This was a major remodel and a significant reinvestment in the store. Our focus is simple — exceed customers’ expectations every day, every time.”
The remodeled store will have 16 employees. The store will offer Crosby’s food items including their freshly made pizza, made-to-order subs and specialty drinks such as hot chocolate, 100% Columbian Coffee and slushies.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 March 2026 at 6:22 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Ann More of Buffalo is in the last stretch of the Wayne Burlison Colon Cancer Awareness 5K in Albion on Saturday. She finished in 34:13.
There were 90 participants in the race which included a 10K option for the first time.
There were 25 finishers in the new 10K. Jacob Walsh of Buffalo won the 10K for the males in a time of 42:23, while Madison Vekich of Niagara Falls was the first female in a time of 48:25.
In the 5K, 65 finished the course with Harrison Flanagan of Holley the first male to cross the finish line in time of 20:02, while Julia Rohde of Lockport was the first female with a time of 22:05.
The runners are lined up on Clarendon Road near the driveway for the Albion Town Hall. The course then turned right on East Avenue (Route 31) and went to Mount Albion Cemetery and then back on Route 31 for a finish in the parking lot. For then 10K, the runners basically did a repeat of the course.
The race is named in honor of the late Wayne Burlison, an Albion music teacher who passed away from colon cancer on March 26, 2014. His wife, Lisa, addressed the runners at the starting line.
The annual Wayne A. Burlison Colon Cancer Awareness Run/Walk is a slightly longer 5K. A 5K is 3.1 miles. The Burlison race is 3.17 miles. That distance symbolizes the 3 months and 17 days Burlison lived from when he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer until his death at age 36 on March 26, 2014.
Some of the proceeds from the race go to Orleans Community Health to help with colorectal screenings and awareness.
Brian Cousins of Corfu crosses the finish line in 35:24. Runners passed through a large inflatable of a colon as they hit the finish line.
Wayne Burlison’s wife Lisa addresses the runners at the start of the race. Lisa is recently married to Tom Wink, who is holding a printout of her remarks. Lisa and Wayne’s son Adam is at right. He completed the 5K.
Lisa and Wayne were married for nearly 15 years. Wayne was a genetic carrier of Lynch syndrome, which most commonly leads to colon cancer but also increases the risk for several other cancers. About 1 in 297 people carry Lynch syndrome, yet around 95% don’t know they have it, Lisa said in her pre-race remarks.
She urged people to get checked for colorectal cancer, and to not ignore any symptoms.
“Wayne lived with deep integrity, strong faith, and quiet perseverance,” his wife said. “He loved Jesus wholeheartedly, as well as his family, music and running. Some of my favorite memories are of him running with worship music in his ears, finding freedom and joy in both faith and movement.”
Tom Hawkins of Williamson completes the race in 37:17
Wolfpack Multisports organized the race and also will be directing the Albion Strawberry Festival 5K/8K on June 13. Click here for more information on that race.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 March 2026 at 5:26 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Albion Fire Chief Jeremy Graham, right, is shown during last week’s Albion Joint Fire District meeting at the Albion fire hall. From left include district treasurer Victoria Tabor, district chairman Al Cheverie, vice chairman Dave Buczek, and commissioner Derek Howes.
ALBION – The calls for the Albion Joint Fire District were at 140 the first two months of the year, putting the district on pace for about 840 calls. That is up from the 692 calls for 2025, Albion Fire Chief Jeremy Graham told the district’s board of commissioners last week.
Graham said a core of 10 to 12 firefighters respond to most of the calls. Most of them are officers.
The department has 98 members are the roster and needs more participation or the core group could get worn out. Graham said it’s not a sustainable situation.
He wants to see the district step up its recruitment and retention efforts.
He noted a new program will soon be offered by the Orleans/Niagara BOCES that could boost the ranks in the future.
The Orleans/Niagara BOCES center in Medina next school year will offer EMS and a fire science class. Incoming high school juniors are encouraged to sign up. It’s available for students in Albion, Barker, Lockport, Lyndonville, Medina, Newfane and Roy-Hart districts.
The program offers a rigorous and hands-on introduction to emergency services, which BOCES officials say could lead to a career or volunteer in emergency services.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 March 2026 at 10:03 am
Mayoral, trustee races are not huge drivers to get people to the polls
Photos by Tom Rivers: A sign in the parking of the Senior Center on West Avenue highlights the site as Medina’s polling place for Wednesday’s village elections. Nearly 900 people voted over nine hours.
ALBION/MEDINA – Albion and Medina both held their village elections on Wednesday and the they both had contested races for mayor and trustees.
In terms of turnout, Medina doubled the percentage of voters who cast ballots.
Medina had 894 people vote out of 3,655 eligible voters for a turnout of 24.5 percent.
In Albion, 411 people voted out of 3,313 eligible for a turnout of 12.4 percent.
Local elections for town and county positions also tend to have lower turn-outs in off election years in November, when there isn’t a gubernatorial or presidential race.
This year at the village level, the election was held on a Wednesday and not the usual third Tuesday due to St. Patrick’s Day.
The election in Medina featured well-known candidates for mayor – Debbie Padoleski (retired village clerk/treasurer) and incumbent Marguerite Sherman (retired Median teacher) – as well as long-established residents for trustee in Jeff Wagner (former Apple Grove owner), Mark Prawel (retired police officer and auto repair shop owner), Dean Bellack (long-time community volunteer) and Courtney Henderson (who had the endorsement of the firefighters’ union).
The turnout for this election was more than two years ago in another contested race for mayor and village trustees. And that election, 488 people voted with Sherman defeating Mike Maak for mayor, 330 to 158.
Medina’s biggest local turnout remains a referendum on dissolution. That vote on Jan. 20, 2015 brought out nearly 1,500 people. The proposal to discontinue Medina’s government and services was rejected, 949 to 527.
The Village Office on East Bank Street in Albion had just over 400 people stop by on Wednesday to cast votes for mayor and village trustee candidates.
Albion elected Tim McMurray mayor on Wednesday, 209-202, over Joyce Riley. Three candidates ran for two trustee positions with Jami Allport, 275 votes, and Kevin Sheehan, 215, edging Issac Robinson who had 202.
The turnout was down from four years ago, the last village election with a race for mayor.
On March 15, 2022, the village had 710 voters in a three-way race for mayor. Angel Javier Jr. was elected with 378 votes to 195 for Vickie Elsenheimer and 137 for Kevin Graham.
Both Albion and Medina have discussed moving the village election to the third Tuesday in June when there would be better weather, making it easier to campaign and get petitions signed. There would also be more people in the community with many currently spending the winters in warmer weather. (Both villages do allow absentee ballots for residents.)
Medina decided not to put the issue out as a public referendum this election. Jess Marciano, the deputy mayor, sees many benefits of moving it back three months, including giving new board members more time to get acclimated to the position instead of having to complete the village’s budget their first month in office.
Albion candidates discussed the issue during a forum on March 5 with four out of the five supporting a June election due to the cold weather in January, February and March when they try to get petitions signed and build supporter their campaigns. Jami Allport didn’t say one way or the other. She is open to what the community wants to do with a change in the election.
In Orleans County, Holley moved its village election from March to June about a decade ago.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 March 2026 at 9:29 pm
Jami Allport, Kevin Sheehan elected village trustees
Photo by Tom Rivers: Tim McMurray, shown during a candidate forum on March 5, was elected Albion mayor today.
ALBION – In a very close race for Albion mayor, Tim McMurray emerged the victor this evening, defeating Joyce Riley by 7 votes – 209 to 202.
Both have been village trustees and are finishing four-year terms. McMurray will succeed Angel Javier Jr. who didn’t seek re-election.
McMurray, 43, is a Marine Corps veteran who has been heavily involved in the community through the Albion youth football program, Strawberry Festival and other events.
He wants to lead a community of Albion stakeholders, from volunteers, business owners, families and others committed to seeing the village prosper.
He ran on the Republican line while Riley was backed by the Democratic Party and the independent “Vote for Albion.” She nearly became the first African-American to be elected Albion’s mayor.
Village residents also elected two trustees to four-year terms. Jami Allport was the top vote-getter with 275, followed by Kevin Sheehan with 215. Issac Robinson was a close third at 202. Robinson ran under the independent “Vote for Albion” line while Allport and Sheehan were backed by the Republicans.
The new terms start on April 1. Allport and Sheehan will take the trustee positions currently filled by McMurray and Riley.
McMurray posted this statement on his Facebook page:
“Thank you to everyone who came out to vote today, no matter how you voted. I appreciate the trust you’ve placed in me as well as the new Trustees and it is truly an honor to be elected as your next Mayor.”
Riley issued this statement congratulating McMurray on his victory:
“Tonight, Tim McMurray won this election, and I want to congratulate him sincerely. Albion deserves a mayor who will give everything to this village, and I trust that Tim will serve with that same commitment.
“I have lived in Albion since 1960. This village is not just where I live — it is who I am. That will never change, win or lose. Over the past four years as your trustee, I fought hard for this community — securing grants, pursuing accountability for PFAS contamination, strengthening our partnerships with neighboring towns, and watching over every dollar in our budget. I am proud of that work. And that work doesn’t disappear tonight.
“To everyone who voted for me on the Democratic line and on the Vote for Albion line — thank you for believing that experience and dedication matter. They do. And I will continue to show up for this village in whatever way I can.
“Albion is bigger than any one election. I wish Mayor-elect McMurray every success — because his success is Albion’s success.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 March 2026 at 8:17 am
ALBION – Village residents today will elect a mayor and two village trustees. Voting is from noon to 9 p.m. at Village Office at 35-37 East Bank St. The terms of the positions are for four years.
Two current trustees want to be mayor. Joyce Riley is running under the Democratic Party and independent “Vote for Albion” lines, while Tim McMurray has the backing of the Republican Party.
Jami Allport, Issac Robinson and Kevin Sheehan are running for trustee. There are two positions open. Robinson is running under the independent “Vote for Albion” while Allport and Sheehan both are backed by the Republican Party.
Click here to see coverage from a candidate forum on March 5.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 March 2026 at 7:25 pm
ALBION – Dubby’s Tailgate in Albion will be hosting a cornhole tournament with $5,000 in prizes to benefit the food pantries at Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, said Ryan Lasal, director of Community Programming/Chief Programming Officer for Community Action.
The event on Saturday begins at 11 a.m. with registration starting at 9:30 a.m. The registration fee is $90 per team with room for 90 teams.
The teams will be divided into three brackets with four qualifying rounds in each bracket followed by a double elimination tournament for the prize money. Payouts will be made for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in each bracket. A – $1300, $750, $500; B – $750, $500, $250; and C – $500, $300, $150.
All players must have an active account on Scoreholio with at least 50 matches for the top tier brackets. The venue has a full menu and food and drinks will be available. A 50/50 raffle and Airmail contest will be held between rounders and the double elimination tournament.
There will be a pre-tournament warm-up on Friday night so people can practice at the facility. That tournament is posted on Scoreholio as well.
Click here for more information about registering.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 March 2026 at 1:24 pm
Albion Middle School performed the musical March 13-14
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Bailey Elliott is the soloist for “Sufferin’ Until Suffrage” during the Albion Middle School musical, School House Rock!
The Middle School Drama Department performed the show on Friday and Saturday. There were 25 songs that offered lessons in mathematics, grammar and citizenship.
The musical is based on the Saturday morning TV show from 1973 to 1985, where lessons were offered in 3-minute songs in jazz and animation.
“It was catchy, clever and somehow made grammar, math and the Preamble stick in our heads rent-free for life,” Albion musical director Carrie Kozody wrote in the show’s program.
Nadalee Ryan sings “I’m Just A Bill” about how legislation turns from an idea into a law.
Kinzie Rickner sings “Rufus Xavier Sasparilla” which is a song about pronouns.
Wyatt Ernst sings “Conjunction Junction,” a song about how some words connect other words, phrases and clauses.
Annabella Dusharm is the soloist in “Figure Eight,” which highlights the multiplication tables.
Albion library will observe 126th birthday of organization on March 17
Press Release, Hoag Library
ALBION – Hoag Library of the Swan Library Association is celebrating an important milestone this month. The library commemorates its founding on March 17, 1900, and in 2026 marks 126 years of service to the Albion community.
During the March 17 celebration, patrons are welcome to stop by for a cookie provided by the Friends of the Library.
As the library celebrates its long history of community support, it is also inviting residents to help shape its future. Three four-year term positions on the Hoag Library Board of Trustees will be on the ballot this year. Those positions are currently filled by Mary Witkop, Rachel Hicks and Linda Weller.
Community members interested in serving on the board may stop by Hoag Library and pick up a nominating petition at the Circulation Desk. Completed petitions must be returned by Monday, April 6 at 7 p.m.
To be eligible to run, candidates must reside within the Hoag Library service area, which shares the same boundaries as the Albion Central School District.
Voting will take place Monday, May 4 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Hoag Library. The library’s annual meeting will follow at 7 p.m., at which time the election results will be announced.
The Hoag Library Board of Trustees plays an important role in guiding the library’s mission, policies, and long-term planning so that Hoag Library can continue to serve the educational, informational, and cultural needs of the community.
Anyone interested in learning more about board service is encouraged to visit the library.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 March 2026 at 8:42 am
Charlie Monacelli, who was convicted of felony in 2000, says district violating his civil rights
Photo by Tom Rivers: Charlie Monacelli, who was elected to a five-year term as fire commissioner on Dec. 9, hasn’t been able to take office. He attended Thursday’s district meeting, and said the district is violating his civil rights.
ALBION – Voters in the Albion Joint Fire District on Dec. 9 made their voices heard: they wanted Charlie Monacelli to serve a five-year term as a fire commissioner.
Monacelli received 77 votes to the 58 for Derek Howes. However, the joint fire district isn’t allowing him to take office.
The district’s board of commissioners says Monacelli can’t take office due to a prior felony conviction. Monacelli in Dec. 18, 2000 pleaded guilty to attempted burglary in the third degree. He would spend 4 ½ years in state prison. Monacelli then was on parole until 2009.
Kevin Mahoney, an attorney for the fire district, advised the district that the conviction and sentence in state prison “forfeits all the public offices” and Monacelli’s seat should be vacant.
Monacelli has retained an attorney who said the district’s position is a violation of Monacelli’s civil rights. Monacelli handed the fire commissioners Section 79 of the NY Civil Rights Law which states a person convicted of a crime and sentenced to state prison forfeits a public office only “during the term of the sentence.”
Al Cheverie, the chairman of the commissioners, said he would present the documents presented by Monacelli to the district’s lawyer. Cheverie said he shouldn’t comment on the issue publicly.
“Our attorney is dealing with this whole situation,” said Dave Buczek, one of the fire commissioners.
Richard DeCarlo Jr., a local resident and former town justice, attended the meeting and reviewed the paper handed out by Monacelli. DeCarlo urged the fire commissioners to get a second opinion from another lawyer or else the district could face significant liability if it continues to keep Monacelli from taking office.
Monacelli said arson is the only disqualifying crime to serve as a fire commissioner. The district when it posted a legal notice for the election on Dec. 9 stated all candidates for the district need to be residents of the joint fire district (which includes towns of Albion and Gaines) and also can not have any arson convictions.
Monacelli has been an active Albion firefighter for more than 30 years. He has been critical of the district’s budget, including its commitment for a new ladder truck at nearly $2.5 million. He thinks the fire district is spending too much money. He said he stance on spending may be factor in keeping him off the board of commissioners.
He said he could file an Article 78 lawsuit against the district but doesn’t want to spend an estimated $12,000 to continue a legal challenge.
Howes, who came in second in the election on Dec. 9, started as a commissioner in January after Craig Lane stepped down from the unpaid position. Howes was appointed to a one-year term with that spot up for election in December.
