By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 July 2026 at 11:55 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – LCM Contracting, owned by Lucas Silversmith in Medina, works on a new concessions stand at Bullard Park in Albion. These photos are from Wednesday, the second day LCM was on the job.
The new concessions stand will be 15 by 20 feet and 16 feet tall with a second floor press box. The building will have tan-colored walls and a brown roof.
The Albion Youth Sports Athletic Program has been doing fundraisers and collecting donations for the project, which will cost about $25,000 to $30,000.
The concessions stand will be available for other organizations, not just the youth football program, village officials said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 July 2026 at 9:26 pm
Local runners, walkers welcome to join Brett Sobieraski at local high school tracks
Photos by Tom Rivers: Brett Sobieraski is shown this morning at the Albion High School track where he plans to run 55 miles or 220 laps on Saturday. He is joined by Renee Hungerford, left, and Jackie Dunham, two leaders of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee. Sobieraski will conclude an 8-day fundraiser the following Saturday with 15 more miles around the Albion track.
ALBION – Brett Sobieraski has swum across Lake Ontario, completed 50 marathons every day for 50 days, and run 175 miles along the Erie Canal.
The Carlton resident has a new endurance challenge: running 400 miles over eight days – 55 miles each of the first seven days with a final 15 miles on day 8.
That new challenge starts on Saturday morning at the Albion High School track. Sobieraski will be running at local high school tracks over the eight days. His goal is to raise $20,000 for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, and to hopefully unite local residents during what he said is a time of divisiveness.
“I wanted to do an event to bring the community together,” Sobieraski said this morning at the Albion track. “Instead of condemnation, let’s celebrate.”
He welcomes people to join him on the track, even if it’s one lap – walking or jogging.
Sobieraski expects he will be running 220 laps for about 12 hours each of the first seven days, while the final day of 15 miles should be about 3 hours of running.
Each day he will start at 7 a.m., except the final day on July 25 that begins at 8 a.m.
The schedule includes:
Saturday, July 18 – Albion High School for 55 miles
Sunday, July 19 – Lyndonville HS for 55 miles
Monday, July 20 – Batavia HS for 55 miles (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Tuesday, July 21 – East Rochester HS for 55 miles (Special Remembrance Day for Fallen Officers)
Wednesday, July 22 – Kendall HS for 55 miles
Thursday, July 23 – Medina HS for 55 miles
Friday, July 24 – Holley HS for 55 miles
Saturday, July 25 – Albion HS (8 a.m. to 11 a.m.) for the grand finale of 15 miles
Community Action representatives will be there each day to share about the agency’s mission, and also to collect donations. Sobieraski has raised $3,366 online so far from 51 donors. Click here for more on donating online, or to register to join on the track. People don’t need to register to walk or run with him at the track. They can simply show up.
Renee Hungerford, the Community Action chief executive officer, said she appreciates Sobieraski willingness to highlight the work of the agency, and to raise money at a time when Community Action faces funding cuts.
“Our agency has helped individuals and families build stronger futures,” Hungerford said. “Every day, our dedicated team provides services that touch lives across our region – from Head Start and early childhood education programs to food assistance, transportation services, weatherization and energy programs, housing support, workforce development, youth services, and much more.”
Brett Sobieraski has been training for months for the 400-mile run over eight days from July 18 to July 25.
Sobieraski said Community Action offers a “hand up” and not a handout in assisting people in overcoming some barriers and hardships.
“They stand out for all the great things they do,” he said about the agency.
Jackie Dunham, the director of operations for Community Action, has helped coordinate the Community Action 400 event with Sobieraski. The two have been friends for several years.
The agency will have copies of the two books by Sobieraski for sale, and well as T-shirts about the Community Action 400. There also will be items up for raffle, including a cleat from new Buffalo Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb.
Sobrieski, a retired Rochester Police sergeant, currently works as an investigator for the Orleans County Major Felony Crimes Task Force. He also is a member of this year’s Leadership Orleans class.
He has completed endurance challenges before. In 2015, he swam 32 miles across Lake Ontario for a charity that helps support the surviving spouses and children of fallen soldiers. In 2018, he ran over 175 miles for 50 hours nonstop to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics.
In 2023, Sobieraski announced he would be running a marathon every day for 48 days, traveling on foot from Florida and Rochester, going 26.2 miles a day. He would run the marathons to honor the memory of Rochester police officer Anthony “Maz” Mazurkiewicz who was killed in the line of duty on July 21, 2022. Sobieraski also sought to raise $100,000 for Mazurkiewicz’s family.
That goal was expanded to 50 marathons in 50 days, and Sobieraski would raise $110,000 for the family. In the last 5K of the final marathon, 850 people joined him in Rochester.
Sobieraski turned 60 yesterday. He said the distance will take a toll on his body. If people join him on the track, it will help him to keep moving.
“Having anyone, even strangers, come out will be a giant pick-me-up,” he said.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Connor Jurs, 13, of Kent holds one of the fish he caught last year during the Danny Spierdowis Memorial Kids’ Fishing Derby. There were 67 participants last year. Prizes go to kids who catch the most fish by cumulative weight and also for the longest fish. There are different age divisions.
Press Release, Albion Sportsmen’s Association
ALBION – Free fishing. Free food and drinks. Lots of prizes.
What better way to spend a Saturday.
The 30th Annual Danny Spierdowis Memorial Kids’ Fishing Derby will be from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 1 at Albion Sportsmen’s Association on Keitel Road. Pre-registration begins at 8:30.
The derby is open to Orleans County residents only, ages 16 and under, with prizes given to all entrants and special prizes awarded to the winners in all age groups and categories. Last year, 18 children won fishing poles and all entrants received gift bags of tackle and candy.
The not-for-profit club provides drinks and lunch to all the children and parents.
The derby is named in honor of Danny Spierdowis, who died at age 19 in a car crash Jan. 20, 1990.
Anyone wishing to participate in the derby must register by July 28 by calling or texting Scott DeSmit at 585-815-5150. You can also email him at desmitmail@yahoo.com. Please provide the names and ages of the children and the number of adults attending.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 July 2026 at 9:00 am
Photo by Natalie Baron: Kids have fun at the bounce houses last year on July 16 during a countywide rec day at Bullard Park. The event returns tomorrow and kids can use the bounce houses and play other games for free.
ALBION – A big group of kids is expected on Wednesday for the annual County Wide Recreation Day at Bullard Park in Albion.
The park will have food, bounce houses, splash pad, games and other activities available for free from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be appearances by Hamburglar and Grimace, the McDonald’s mascots, and Patrick the Magician will perform at 11 a.m.
The Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern, Knights of Columbus and Salvation Army all covering the cost of the food for the children. The bounce houses, pony rides, face painting and magic show are all covered by the Village of Albion Parks and Recreation.
Last year 500 kids attended the Countywide Rec Day.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 July 2026 at 10:38 am
Communities welcome riders in annual trek along canal towpath
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A group of cyclists are reflected in the Erie Canal in Albion this morning. About 600 cyclists left Medina this morning and are headed east, going 62 miles to Fairport.
Today is day 2 of an 8-day journey from Buffalo to Albany.
This is the 28th annual Cycle the Erie Canal bike tour. There are riders ages 8 to 86, and they hail from 37 states and Canada. The ride is organized by Parks & Trails New York.
The cyclists met Santa, portrayed by Joe Martillotta, a member of the Albion Betterment Committee. The committee is working to open a Santa School museum on Main Street to highlight Albion’s home to the Charles W. Howard Santa School from 1937 to 1966.
This rider wanted a photo with Santa. Many of the cyclists make frequent stops to get photos of local landmarks.
Kay Ecker was up early to welcome the cyclists. Ecker, Anita Finley and Natasha Wasuck were up early and had orange slices, bananas, granola bars and water for the riders. Albion isn’t an official rest stop for the waters, but the Albion trio wants to welcome the cyclists. Holley is an official rest stop with snacks 10 miles farther in the journey today.
“It’s fun,” Ecker said about greeting the cyclists. “You meet a lot of nice people.”
Natsha Wasuck, second from right, and Anita Finley, right, chat with some of the cyclists. Wasuck owns Tinsel next door while Finley owns Oak Orchard Canoe and Kayak.
“We want to introduce them to Albion and Santa,” Wasuck said.
Finley said the cyclists appreciate the unofficial rest stop in Albion.
Wasuck’s daughter Ephy served complimentary ice cream from Tinsel for the cyclists.
A rider checks traffic on the Main Street lift bridge before crossing Route 98/Main Street.
These cyclists approach the tugboat tied up in Albion.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 July 2026 at 2:56 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Kurt Hobart of Medina sprays water from a fire hose with assistance from Barre firefighter Jerry Bentley this afternoon at Hoag Library.
Today was Fire Truck Day at the library and there was apparatus from the Albion Fire Department, Barre Volunteer Fire Company, Carlton Volunteer Fire Company and Murray Joint Fire District, as well as an ambulance from Mercy Flight EMS.
Kara Bentley, a Barre firefighter, lets her daughter Adalynn, 3, sit in an Albion fire truck.
To see a schedule for the summer reading program at Hoag, click here.
ALBION – The Albion school district is pleased to introduce a new addition to its athletics program. Dylan Jay will assume the role of Athletic Trainer ahead of the fall 2026 season. He was appointed by the Albion Board of Education at the July 7 meeting.
Jay is a certified athletic trainer and certified strength and conditioning specialist with UBMD Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. He joins Albion with plenty of high school level experience, previously serving as an athletic trainer for five years at Medina Central School and four years at Cheektowaga.
Jay grew up in East Aurora and earned his undergraduate degree from SUNY Brockport. Growing up, he played soccer, ran track at the collegiate level, and trained for the Winter Olympic sport of Skeleton post college.
He looks forward to familiarizing himself with the Albion community, building strong relationships and serving as a trusted confidant for athletes, parents and coaches. He is excited to support athletes in pursuit of their goals and hopes to help teams challenge league, section or state titles in the coming seasons.
“We are beyond excited to welcome Dylan aboard,” said Lauren Kinard, Albion athletic director. “He will be a great asset to our program and we are confident our athletes and coaches will benefit greatly from his expertise, presence and guidance.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 July 2026 at 4:35 pm
Linda Weller re-elected to continue as board president
Photos by Tom Rivers: Jaime Allport signs the oath of office this morning at the beginning of the annual Albion Board of Education reorganizational meeting. Cindy Ishmael, the district clerk, administers the oath. Allport works as a court clerk for the Town of Albion.
ALBION – Three new members of the Board of Education were sworn in and took their spots this morning on Albion’s nine-member board.
Jaime Allport, Kaitlyn Panek and Michelle Waters are all the new board members. They replace Trellis Pore, Kurt Schmitt and David Sidari, who all didn’t seek re-election in May to the volunteer positions.
The board this morning also re-elected Linda Weller as its president, with John Kast continuing as vice president.
Kaitlyn Panek signs the oath of office. She works as a farm office manager at the family farm, Panek Farms.
Michelle Waters signs the oath of office. She is the owner of the Tree House School of Play in Albion
Weller just finished her first year as the board president. She is the president of Info Advantage in Rochester. She was recognized as a 2025 Women of Excellence Honoree by the Rochester Business Journal. Weller was praised by the RBJ her leadership, community impact, and commitment to excellence in IT and cybersecurity.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 July 2026 at 9:45 am
Union seeks mediator to help reach new labor agreement
Photo by Tom Rivers: Some members of the Albion Teachers Association are pictured this morning at the elementary school after the Board of Education went into executive session. The ATA has been working without a contract the past year.
ALBION – The Albion Teachers Association has declared an impasse with the school district after a year has gone by without a new contract in place for the ATA and its 172 members.
The union on Nov. 26, by a 2-to-1 vote, rejected a tentative agreement that was reached between the ATA and district’s negotiating teams, said Mickey Edwards, the district superintendent.
The ATA and the district have been unable to reach an agreement on a new five-year contract, said Roxanne Bieler, the ATA president and a high school English teacher.
The union last month declared an impasse, and will seek an outside mediator to help resolve the issues. Bieler said the ATA and district have been negotiating for the past 18 months.
Edwards said the district hasn’t received written notice of an impasse. He declined to comment publicly until receiving a formal notice.
The Board of Education meet this morning for its annual reorganizational meeting, when it picks the board leadership, swears in new members, appoints officials and makes other designations.
About a dozen ATA members were at the meeting, wearing black T-shirts that said: “ATA – It’s a beautiful day to demand fair pay” and “ATA – Union Strong.”
Bieler said the main issues are how to fairly compensate teachers for an additional school days and more time in the classroom.
Teachers currently work 185 days. Bieler said the district would like to add more to the schedule.
The ATA also wants to see more of school resources spent on educating children, from new textbooks in the elementary school to better compensation for teacher aides.
One ATA member, Chris Keller, noted the district has been cited by the state comptroller’s office to whittle down its reserves. A comptroller’s audit from 2022 said Albion’s fund balances were far in excess – by $17 million – of the statutory limit for a school district.
Keller said the fund balances have grown partly because the district is not properly funding the education for the children in the district.
The Board of Education sets a budget and underspends by several millions of dollars, depriving children of much-needed resources, he said.
The district’s budget for 2026-27 totals $45,615,036. Albion for the 18th time in the past 20 years did not increase property taxes. The tax levy stayed at $8,449,039, which is $359,906 under the district’s tax cap.
