Empire State Wrestling is promoting the May 4 event in Knowlesville.

KNOWLESVILLE – The professional wrestlers are returning to the fairgrounds on May 4.

Empire State Wrestling had its first event at the fairgrounds last April 28, and 350 people attended the debut. That impressed ESW, and also pleased the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company, which partnered with ESW to bring the wrestlers to Orleans County.

“We’re expecting this year’s event to be even bigger than last year and interest is high,” said Ryan McPherson, a member of the fire company and the local contact for ESW.

The May 4 will include 8 to 10 matches, including one with ESW star Kate Carney and another woman wrestler.

This year’s event is titled, “Fairground Fallout: Return of The Empire.” Doors will open at 5 p.m. with the first bell at 6 p.m. with the finale around 9 p.m. Tickets are now on sale at the Empire State Wrestling website (click here).

Tickets will also be available soon from any East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company member.

This year will once again feature ESW stars, including Medina native Gavin Glass. The event will be highlighted by former WWE, WCW and TNA star Shannon Moore, former CZW heavyweight champion Joe Gacy, independent wrestling standout Sean Carr, and Andy Williams, a WNY native and guitarist of the internationally acclaimed band, Every Time I Die.

McPherson said the event will have an intergalactic feel with the the theme, “May the Fourth Be With You.”

The wrestlers wowed the crowd last year. It looked very much like the body slamming shown on TV. In fact, one of those stars, Gangrel, flew in from Florida to be in the main event at Knowlesville. Gangrel is a former WWF wrestler. He defeated Gregory Iron in the finale.

The action took place in the Lartz Building, which was transformed with a ring, concessions stand, merchandise booth, and some intense lighting and sound.

Empire State Wrestling features independent pro wrestlers from the Buffalo-Niagara region and usually has its events in North Tonawanda at the St. Johnsburg Fire Hall. They will be in Fairport on Saturday for an event at Village Sports.

Brett Stymus, the promoter, was pleased with the crowd, and their energy. He told the Orleans Hub after the matches last year he wanted to make Knowlesville a mainstay in the ESW schedule.

Jeffrey Farrell

ALBION – An Albion man has been charged today following an investigation into the sale and distribution of fentanyl and cocaine from Rochester to Orleans County.

The Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force along with the Albion Police Department arrested Jeffrey J. Farrell of Albion on sale and possession charges. The State Police also assisted with the arrest.

Farrell, 31, of 217 South Main St., room 14, was charged with one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (Class B felonies).

He also faces one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, which is a Class A misdemeanor.

Farrell was arraigned in Albion Town Court by Town Justice Joseph Fuller, who committed Farrell to the Orleans County Jail on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond. He is to return to Albion Town Court at 9 a.m. on Feb. 26.

Further arrests and charges are pending in this investigation, the Task Force said.

Evan Valentine is pictured at St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Franklin Street in Buffalo with his parents, Diane and Neil Valentine.

HOLLEY – Evan Valentine was honored on Saturday as altar server of the year for the St. Mary’s & St. Mark’s Parish.

Evan, 16, has been an altar server since he was 8. He is a role model for the youth and the adults in the parish, said Emily Kwiatkowski, pastoral associate for the parish.

“Evan is such a good kid,” she said today. “He is always smiling, even during his recent challenges.”

Evan was diagnosed with leukemia on Oct. 20. He has completed three rounds of chemotherapy, and soon starts a fourth and final round.

He hasn’t complained about the chemo and has stayed strong in his faith, Kwiatkowski said.

She nominated him for the altar server award last year, before he was diagnosed with leukemia.

He was recognized by the Buffalo Catholic Diocese during an awards program on Saturday at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.

Evan helps train younger altar servers. He also shows up early and stays late getting the vessels and candles ready for Mass and then picking up after the service. He is looking forward to resuming the role once his chemotherapy is over.

“He is always willing to help serve wherever needed,” Kwiatkowski said.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) doesn’t want the state to close any prisons.

Hawley released a statement today after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Friday the state would close three prisons due to a declining inmate population and crime rate.

The prisons that will close haven’t been identified. The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision will select the prisons, transition staff and incarcerated individuals, and cease facility operations by no later than Sept. 1, 2019, Cuomo said.

“Closing any state prisons would have dire consequences for public safety and the brave correctional officers who work with our incarcerated population,” Hawley said. “By consolidating the prison population, we run the risk of double bunking inmates and exacerbate the high number of violent attacks against corrections officers we have seen in recent years. This is not about a declining prison population, this is about the governor scrambling to save money to cover up his $2.3 billion budget shortfall – a terrible solution for an even worse self-inflicted problem.”

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind watch for Sunday morning through Monday morning for Orleans, Niagara, Monroe, Erie, Genesee, Chautauqua and Jefferson counties.

The winds will be westerly 35 to 45 miles per hour, with gusts up to 75 mph.

“Strong wind gusts will bring down trees and power lines and result in scattered power outages,” the Weather Service said today. “Shallow rooted pines will be particularly vulnerable. Minor property damage is also possible, especially to roofs and siding. Travel in high profile vehicles will be very difficult at times.”

Provided photo from Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force: These THC vape cartridges, marijuana, cash, scales and other drug paraphernalia were seized by law enforcement in Medina on Wednesday.

MEDINA – Four people were arrested on multiple drug charges on Wednesday after a residence and a vehicle were searched in Medina, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force is reporting today.

The Task Force and Medina Police Department executed search warrant at 541 East Center St. and on a vehicle that was stopped on Maple Ridge Road. Those search warrants followed an investigation into the sale and distribution of THC (Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol) vaping cartridges, the Task Force said.

Police seized 50 THC vape cartridges with a street value of $2,800, more than 10 ounces of high-grade marijuana with a street value of $2,500, more than an ounce of marijuana wax (concentrated cannabis) with a street value of $2,800, and more than $1,000 in cash, scales, packaging and other drug paraphernalia.

Vaping THC is becoming popular among teenagers and young adults, said Joe Sacco, supervising investigator for the Task Force.

THC (Delta-9-Tetrahydrcannabinol) or concentrated cannabis is a controlled substance. THC affects a person’s memory, pleasure, movements, thinking, coordination, concentration, sensory and time perception.

Vaping THC does not replicate the unmistakable odor of marijuana that is associated with traditional smoking. A variety of flavoring often is added to mask the smell of THC. Vaping THC results in a higher concentration of THC being absorbed into the body, resulting in greater exposure to marijuana’s mind altering ingredient, the Task Force said.

The following were arrested:

Kaitlyn Albone

• Kaitlyn Albone, 22, of 1610 North Lyndonville Rd., Lyndonville. She was charged with 5 counts each of criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree (Class D felonies).

She was arraigned in Ridgeway Town Court by Town Justice Joseph Kujawa. She was committed to the Orleans County Jail on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond. She is to return to Ridgeway Town Court at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 25.

Joshua Cuadrado

• Joshua Cuadrado, 22, of 425 Viking Way, Brockport. He was charged with 1 count of criminal sale and 2 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, all in the fifth degree.

Cuadrado was arraigned in Shelby Town Court by Town Justice Dawn Keppler. He was committed to the Orleans County Jail on $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond. Cuadrado is to return to Shelby Town Court at 6 p.m. on March 7.

Bennie L. Coger

• Bennie L. Coger, 24, of 541 East Center St., Medina. He was charged with 2 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.

Coger was arraigned in Shelby Town Court by Town Justice Dawn Keppler. He was committed to the Orleans County Jail on $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond. Coger is to return to Shelby Town Court at 6 p.m. on March 7.

• Doreene M. Casselman, 58, of 541 East Center St., Medina. She was charged with 1 count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree (Class A misdemeanor) and 1 count of unlawful possession of marijuana.

She was issued an appearance ticket for Ridgeway Town Court at 9 a.m. on March 4.

Further arrests and charges are pending in this investigation, the Task Force said.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Orleans Hub’s “Outstanding Citizens” for 2018 were recognized during an awards program on Wednesday evening at Hoag Library. Pictured, front row, Pete Sidari (accepting for Tony and Laura Sidari), Penny Cole, Melissa Ostrom and Tami Ashton. Back row: Leonel Rosario, Deborah and Samuel Wilson (accepting for the late Chris Wilson), Michael Hungerford, Jak Kohmann and Brett Sobieraski.

ALBION – Orleans Hub held its annual awards program on Wednesday evening at Hoag Library and recognized our choices for “Outstanding Citizens” for 2018.

Each year since the Hub started, we’ve highlighted people who made a big impact in the community.

The following were recognized:

Leonel Rosario has worked with his family to create a popular Mexican restaurant on Maple Ridge Road in Medina. Mariachi de Oro Restaurant of Medina draws people from all over Western New York, and has received many glowing reviews in The Buffalo News and other publications.

Rosario is busy as the chef and co-owner of the business. He finds time for many community events, welcoming the chance to share food and dances about the Mexican culture.

This year on Nov. 1 he helped organize a Day of the Dead celebration, which for the first time was in downtown Medina. Rosario previously hosted a scaled-down version of the Day of the Dead at Mariachi. Moving it to the downtown was a way to include Main Street businesses and have more room to share food and the festive dances.

Rosario also is active in the very popular Farm-To-Table dinner in downtown Medina. Rosario has worked with Michael Zambito of Zambistros the past two years with the fine dining experience. This year it was expanded to include Mile 303, Sourced Market & Eatery and The Shirt Factory Cafe. Rosario is generous with his time and can be counted on to enthusiastically join with others for community events.

Brett Sobieraski, a Kent resident and sergeant with the Rochester Police Department, ran over 175 miles for 50 hours nonstop to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics.

Sobieraski started his journey in Buffalo on July 13 and ran along the Erie Canal to just outside Syracuse. He ran through Orleans County the first night of the challenge. He called it the 50 for 50 running campaign to signify 50 hours of running for the 50th anniversary of the Special Olympics.

Sobieraski set a $10,000 fundraising goal and topped that with $13,000. He was joined by many first responders for parts of the run, and finished the last leg carrying a torch alongside people with disabilities.

Tony and Laura Sidari, Albion natives, suffered the tragic loss of their son Leon, 4 1/2, on Christmas Day in 2017. Leon died two days after getting the flu. He was a very healthy and happy boy.

The Sidaris are both medical doctors. They have become very outspoken in urging people to get flu vaccinations. Leon hadn’t been vaccinated from the flu last year. At an Oct. 8 flu shot clinic in Albion, 59 children were vaccinated at Orleans Community Health. That clinic was made possible through Leon’s Fund, a non-profit organization the Sidaris helped form that promotes flu shots. Leon’s Fund also has money to be given to help children with medical problems at Christmas time.

Orleans Community Health also has educated about 2,500 parents in Orleans County, encouraging them to have their children vaccinated from the flu.

The Sidaris were living in San Antonio for six years before moving recently to Dayton, Ohio. Tony’s uncle Pete Sidari accepted the award on their behalf on Wednesday.

Mark Bennett Sr., 60, of Waterport was driving by the Gaines Valley Aviation Airport on Route 279 when he saw a small experimental helicopter in the sky. It was about 2 p.m. on April 24.

Bennett pulled over to watch the aircraft. Something went horribly wrong with the Mosquito XE and it crashed. Bennett reacted quickly. He climbed through an electric fence and ran to the crash site. The aircraft had burst into flames. The pilot was on fire. Bennett cut Heard’s shirt off, rolled him over to put out the flames and pulled him from the wreck, saving his life.

Bennett declined the award, saying anyone would have sprung into action.

Michael Hungerford led a major art installation project last year at the former Medina High School. The former school on Catherine Street was sitting empty most of the year. The school will be renovated into apartments.

While the building was idle, Hungerford pushed for it to be used for a major immersive art project. For one weekend in October about 1,000 people went through the building to see 29 different art projects in what was called “PLAY/GROUND.”

Artists were given free rein to create in old classrooms, stairwells, hallways and other space in the school. The project received gushing reviews in Rochester and Buffalo.

Photo courtesy of Melissa Ierlan: Orleans Hub editor Tom Rivers presents an “Outstanding Citizen” award to Jak Kohmann, a Boy Scout leader in Clarendon.

Jak Kohmann has set a standard of excellence for Troop 59 in Clarendon. In the past 16 years, 32 of the Boy Scouts in the troop have earned their Eagle rank, the highest level in Scouting. On Aug. 1 last year, six Scouts were presented with the rank during a Court of Honor celebration. They include Xander Apicella, Matt DeSimone, Dalton Thurley, William Harrington, Jake DeSimone and Ben Downey.

Kohmann was praised by the Scouts and parents for his commitment and guidance to the Scouts, especially since his son aged out of the program about a decade ago. His son Derek Kohmann, 27, was the third of the 32 scouts to earn his Eagle.

Penny Cole is a dynamic presence at Holley’s Junior-Senior High School. She works as a secretary in the guidance department. She also is a dedicated cheerleading coach in Holley. She inspires her cheerleaders to perform their intricate and athletic routines. They have won several Genesee-Region League titles. The cheerleaders also do many community service projects, including visits to local nursing homes.

Cole has become a passionate fund-raiser for the Ronald McDonald House. She engages the entire school community in her fund-raising efforts, whether it be a charity basketball game with numerous gift baskets, or a the chance to buy a shingle on a doll house.

The basketball game last year raised $4,444, by far the most in the 12 years Holley has been raising money for the Ronald McDonald House.

The Ronald McDonald House provides a place for families to stay while their children are hospitalized. Cole said several Holley students have battled cancer in recent years, including a student this year who is fighting leukemia.

Melissa Ostrom of Holley wrote a book published by Macmillan in 2018 that honors the courage and resourcefulness of pioneer settlers in Orleans County and Western New York. In The Beloved Wild, Ostrom brings life to pioneer characters. The pioneers were typically just teen-agers when they set out from New England to brave a hard journey by wagon, through dense forests, to get to Orleans County and Western New York.

There wasn’t a map. The pioneers followed markings on trees as they made their way west. The pioneer settlers were incredibly resourceful in taming the land, building homes and farms in the frontier. The obstacles were many – sickness, uninvited strangers, alcoholism, abuse.

Ostrom, a former Kendall high school English teacher, writes about those challenges and the indomitable spirit of pioneer settlers.

Tami Ashton of Medina knows the pain of losing a loved one to addiction. Her daughter, Christina Ashton, died from a drug overdose on June 27, 2016, at age 34.

Ashton has shared her story publicly, trying to break the stigma of addiction. She also has been an important leader of Orleans – Recovery Hope Begins Here, a new organization that connects people struggling with drug addiction to local resources and mentors. Ashton is vice president of the organization.

The group has also led community forums about addiction and helped families in crisis connect to professionals.Orleans – Recovery Hope Begins Here also has 12 trained mentors and counting to serve as recovery coaches for people with addictions.

Ashton is a trained to be an addiction recovery coach for the Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. She encourages people to be honest about the drug crisis in their own lives, their families and communities – and to then seek help in fighting the addictions.

Chris Wilson was dedicated to peace and serving children from war-torn countries. He passed away on May 28 after a brief battle with a rare form of cancer.

Wilson traveled to Afghanistan many times, and worked with the U.S. and Afghanistan embassies so children who were made orphans by war could come to Orleans County for a summer of respite and fun.

Wilson served as international director of Project Life, which over 20 years brought about 130 children to Orleans County for a summer of recuperation. The children stayed with local host families, including with Wilson and his wife Deborah and their son Samuel. The kids learned English, visited many tourism sites, and mostly had care-free summer days. Three of the children had medical issues and needed to stay longer. Wilson worked out medical plans for each of them, arranging for their care and donations.

Wilson was a high-energy and compassionate person, who wouldn’t be discouraged even when the task seemed insurmountable. He was diagnosed with a rare cancer in April. From his hospital bed he sent emails from his laptop, advocating for children.

His wife and son accepted the award on his behalf on Wednesday.

File photo by Tom Rivers: This picture from September 2013 shows Darin Kenney of Brockport standing in a hangar at Pine Hill Airport with several vintage military airplanes, including an air ambulance from 1944 at right.

BARRE – Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced $23.6 million in funding for 31 airports in upstate on Wednesday, including $204,000 for the Pine Hill Airport in Barre.

The Pine Hill grant will go towards construction of an aircraft fuel storage and dispensing system. Pine Hill is the only airport with a hard-surface runway in Orleans County.

The state funding for airports was awarded to support safety enhancements, modernization of facilities, operational improvements and local business development, Cuomo said. These projects are funded through the Governor’s State Aviation Capital Grant Program initiative and complement the Governor’s Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition, which has provided $200 million to modernize airports across Upstate.

“New York’s airports represent the front door to our local communities and are critical to facilitating tourism and business development,” Cuomo said. “A world-class airport is crucial to regional economic growth, and by investing in the modernization of our local airports we are creating vibrant communities where people want to live, work and play.”

Other airports to receive funding in the Finger Lakes Region include:

• $656,000 to construct a new aircraft hangar at the Genesee County Airport

• $559,000 to construct a deicing containment system and emergency equipment at the Penn Yan-Yates County Airport

• $499,000 to deploy a new start-of-the-art garage parking guidance system at the Greater Rochester International Airport

• $369,000 to renovate an aircraft hangar at the Dansville Municipal Airport in Livingston County

• $336,000 for the installation of a new Jet-A fuel tank and associated equipment at the Williamson-Sodus Airport in Wayne County

Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Photo by Tom Rivers: A fisherman walks on west side pier at the Oak Orchard Harbor in this photo from May 3, 2015.

The public will have the opportunity to learn about the State of Lake Ontario fisheries at public meetings to be held in Niagara, Monroe, Oswego and Schenectady counties in March.

“Lake Ontario and its tributaries provide world-class angling opportunities that are generating substantial recreational and economic benefits to towns and cities along the lake,” said Basil Seggos , DEC commissioner. “The State of Lake Ontario meetings provide an excellent opportunity for everyone interested in the lake to interact with the scientists who study and manage its fisheries.”

New York’s Lake Ontario waters comprise more than 2.7 million acres. The open lake, embayments and tributaries support thriving populations of sportfish, including trout, salmon, bass, walleye, yellow perch and panfish. A recent statewide angler survey estimated more than 2.6 million angler days were spent on Lake Ontario and major tributaries, resulting in an estimated economic value of $112 million annually to local communities.

The meeting dates and locations are:

Monday, March 4: 6:30 – 9 p.m. at the Rochester Institute of Technology campus (Chester F Carlson Center for Imaging Science), Rochester, Monroe County. The meeting is co-hosted by RIT and the Monroe County Fishery Advisory Board.

Thursday, March 7: 6:30 – 9 p.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Building, 4487 Lake Ave., Lockport, Niagara County. The meeting is co-hosted by Niagara County Cooperative Extension and the Niagara County Sportfishery Development Board.

Thursday, March 14: 6:30 – 9 p.m. at SUNY Schenectady County Community College, Stockade Building, Room 101, 78 Washington Ave., Schenectady, Schenectady County.

Tuesday, March 19: 6:30 – 9 p.m. at the Pulaski High School auditorium, 4624 Salina St., Pulaski, Oswego County. The meeting is co-hosted by the Eastern Lake Ontario Salmon and Trout Association.

Staff from DEC and the United States Geological Survey will make a number of presentations, including updates on the status of trout and salmon fisheries in the lake and its tributaries, forage fish, and stocking programs.

The meetings will provide ample time at the end of the scheduled program for the audience to ask questions and interact with the presenters. Information about DEC’s Lake Ontario fisheries assessment programs can be found on the DEC’s website.

For further information contact Christopher Legard, NYSDEC Lake Ontario Unit Leader at the Cape Vincent Fisheries Research Station, (315) 654-2147.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A contractor this afternoon removes tree stumps and packs in dirt on the embankment alogn the Erie Canal Towpath. This spot is in Albion on the west side on the Brown Street bridge.

The NYS Canal Corporation will hold informational meetings next week about next steps for the Erie Canal embankment restoration project.

A landscape architect will be on hand to talk about potential options available to residents and land owners for aesthetic improvements and privacy screening following the removal of tree stumps and other safety upgrades.

The meetings are scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

• Monday, Feb. 25 – Hoag Library, 134 South Main St., Albion

• Tuesday, Feb . 26 – A.D. Oliver Middle School, 40 Allen St., Brockport

Tree stumps are piled near a pathway by the Brown Street bridge in Albion.

The Canal Corp. is working on phase 2 of the project, removing tree stumps and packing and grading of the embankments where trees were cut down about a year ago.

The state Canal Corp. has hired Hohl Industrial of Tonawanda and Tioga Construction of Herkimer for phase 2, which started in December near Marshall Road in Medina, and has headed east.

Phase 1 work including cutting down and removing trees and mowing brush off the canal embankments in Orleans and part of Monroe counties. The embankment maintenance program will enhance the canal’s safety and security, the Canal Corp. said.

The Canal Corp. said that trees shouldn’t be on embankments because their root systems can cause seepage and potentially lead to erosion and potential embankment failure that can cause catastrophic damage.

State makes temporary change due to election calendar moving up

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed two pieces of legislation to increase ballot access for candidates running for public office following the recent change in New York’s primary election date.

The first bill (A.2570/S.2862) temporarily reduces the number of signatures required on designating petitions by 25 percent for candidates running for public offices to be filed in 2019. The second bill (A.2693/S.2699) reduces the petition signature requirement for ward, town, city, or county party committees to 3 percent of enrolled voters of the party.

“New York has made significant progress in modernizing our voting laws and ensuring fairness in our electoral system with the passage of key legislation this year,” Governor Cuomo said. “These changes further our progress by easing the burden for potential candidates who may not have had the chance to adjust to earlier petition dates this election, helping to ensure that candidates who want to run for office have the chance to do so.”

On Jan. 24, Governor Cuomo signed legislation reunifying state, local and federal (non-presidential) primary elections to be held on the 4th Tuesday in June, effective immediately. Because of the imminent changes in the political calendar necessary to meet the requirements for a June primary, candidates for local offices in 2019 may be unable to obtain the amount of signatures required to appear on the ballot. These bills will temporarily reduce those signature requirements, ensuring ballot access for candidates in the 2019 elections.

(Editor’s Note: Candidates can start collecting signatures on Tuesday, Feb. 26)

Mark Goheen

RIDGEWAY – Mark Goheen, the Ridgeway highway superintendent for the past 9-plus years, will be retiring on March 31.

His letter of resignation was accepted by the Town Board on Tuesday evening. The board is seeking applications for an interim highway superintendent who serve in the role for nine months, beginning April 1.

The highway superintendent will be on the November ballot for the remaining two years of Goheen’s term. Goheen has served in the job since Jan. 1, 2010, and was elected three times to four-year terms.

Goheen said he is retiring so he can spend more time with family, especially his granddaughter. He put off the retirement until after the winter, when the department is its busiest due to snow plowing.

“It has been a great job,” he said today. “I’ve learned a lot. People don’t realize what highway superintendents do and town employees do.”

Besides snow plowing and road maintenance, the Ridgeway Highway Department also oversees a water system and five cemeteries. The highway department is responsible for burials in those cemeteries, as well as maintenance.

Goheen praised the department’s four other full-time employees for their dedication.

Ridgeway is expected to soon post an ad seeking applicants for interim highway superintendent.

Dan Monacelli praised for serving in interim role at school last 3 months

Photo from Holley Central School: Dan Monacelli is shown on Friday with a cake on his last day as interim principal for the Holley Junior-Senior High School.

HOLLEY – Dan Monacelli’s interim role as principal for the Holley Junior-Senior High School ended on Friday after nearly three months.

Monacelli, a retired Albion principal, filled for Holley while Susan Cory was on a personal leave of absence. She will be back at the school on Monday.

“The kids loved him,” said Brenda Swanger, the Board of Education principal. “He did a great job. He’s a great guy who is so full of life.”

Monacelli, an Albion native, retired from Albion in June 2017. He started his teaching career in Elba, and returned to Albion as a Correction Room specialist. Then he taught health before getting into administration at Pembroke and the Niagara Academy. He was hired as high school principal at Albion in 2007 and then moved over to lead the middle school.

“We’re very thankful he was willing to fill in for us,” Swanger said.

Photos courtesy of Nick Serrata

BATAVIA – Holley cheerleaders compete Saturday in Genesee Region League competition at Genesee Community College.

Cheerleading is a sport in the GR League and teams have up to 2 ½ minutes for a routine where they are scored on tumbling, jumps, stunts, cheers, dance – “everything,” said Holley coach Penny Cole.

If the teams go over 2 ½ minutes, they are docked points in their score.

Holley finished third in the Division I with a score of 72.23. Attica was first with 72.35 followed by Alexander at 72.28.

Kendall competes in Division II and was the runner-up with 56.93 points. Wheatland-Chili won Division II with a score of 59.43.

The teams will compete at Sectionals on Saturday at RIT.

“Competitive cheer” was approved as a new interscholastic sport in New York by the Regents in April 2014. The Regents also makes “traditional cheer” available for squads that focus on spirit-raising activities and don’t do stunts, lifts or tumbling.

Nick Serrata is an official photographer for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. Click here to see more of his photos.

ALBION – Orleans Hub will have our annual awards presentation today for our choices of the “outstanding citizens” for 2018.

We’ll be presenting certificates and thanking people who stepped up in a big way last year to make the community a better place to live.

We’ll be recognizing Tami Ashton, Mark Bennett Sr., Penny Cole, Michael Hungerford, Jak Kohmann, Melissa Ostrom, Leonel Rosario, Tony and Laura Sidari, Brett Sobieraski and Chris Wilson.

This event starts at 6:30 p.m. and is at Hoag Library in Albion. The public is welcome to attend, although space is limited. We’ll likely post a video of the awards presentation on YouTube.

Every year since the Orleans Hub started in 2013 we’ve honored a group of people who made Orleans County better in the past year.

In Orleans County, we are fortunate to have many people dedicated to good works and improving the community. Sometimes they react in the spur of the moment, saving another person’s life. Sometimes it’s years of effort before they see the fruit of their labors. And, sometimes after suffering a painful personal tragedy, they will step forward to help others.