By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 July 2024 at 12:02 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Georgia Baxter, 14, of Churchville shows a big Holstein during Tuesday’s dairy show.
Georgia won the master showman title for dairy and qualified for Friday’s grand master showman competition featuring the top showman from the livestock events.
Lena Grillo, 12, of Albion won the junior showmanship title and then finished as the master dairy reserve showman.
Kyler Bennett, 11, of Barre leads a dairy animal in the livestock arena. He competed in the junior showmanship event with eight other 4-Hers.
Duncan Bailey, the judge, checked the 4-Hers on their ability to set up the animals, show off their dairy characteristics and also answer questions, including how the animal could be improved.
Mckenna Richardson, 9, of Barre kept an upbeat attitude leading a Guernsey animal in the competition. She competed in the novice showmanship division.
Sylvia Bruning, 10, of Barre kept her cool during the junior showmanship event.
Catholic Charities of Buffalo has received a $20,000 grant from the Rochester Area Community Foundation to support its emergency financial assistance program in Genesee and Orleans counties.
Emergency assistance is provided to neighbors in need on a case-by-case basis and can include emergency food, Neighbor for Neighbor enrollment, rental/housing, personal care toiletries, clothing, household items, prescription medication, and information.
“Emergency assistance is often the first contact that an individual or family has with Catholic Charities,” said Katelyn DiSalvo, tri-county district director, Catholic Charities. “There’s no one-size-fits all approach when it comes to supporting our neighbors in need and often additional services may be needed beyond that initial emergency assistance, which is why our team works to establish a plan of action to best assist that client moving forward.”
Rochester Area Community Foundation engages philanthropists and community partners to improve its eight-county region by promoting philanthropy that helps to create an equitable community and strengthen the region’s vitality. Since 1972, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $590 million in grants and scholarships. For more information, visit racf.org.
For more information about Catholic Charities’ emergency financial assistance program or if you know of someone in need in Genesee or Orleans counties, visit ccwny.org or call 585-343-0614.
About Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities has helped individuals and families in need since its founding in 1923. That need is varied and widespread – from emergency assistance to mental health counseling and treatment, and from specialized services for older adults to help with job training and education. Catholic Charities empowers children, families and seniors to achieve meaningful, healthy and productive lives.
MEDINA – WNY rock legends, The Thurman Brothers, will be performing their famed tribute gig, featuring the timeless music of The Allman Brothers on Thursday at Blue Thursdays.
Widely renowned, the Thurman Brothers Band has been a staple on the WNY music scene for over 35 years. The band is well known for their meticulous re-creation of the legendary Allman Brothers music featuring all the hits including, Statesboro Blues, One Way Out, Whipping Post, & Ramblin Man.
“There’s a lot of buzz around this much-anticipated gig,” said Chris Busch, one of the Blue Thursdays organizers. “Fans of the Allman Brothers come from miles around to see this tribute with full instrumentation, and many of those fans say, ‘You’re truly experiencing The Allman Brothers when you see this gig.’ You won’t want to miss it.”
The performance will start at 6 p.m. at State Street Park. Up-to-the-minute updates can be found on Facebook at “Blue Thursdays Medina.” The performance is free and open to the public with food and beverage vendors on site.
Photos by Tom Rivers: The midway opened on Tuesday and continues the rest of the week through Saturday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 July 2024 at 8:41 am
Daily Exhibit: Pretty Bird Paradise. Interact with beautiful, chirping friends!
Trolley Building: Painting of the 1st Orleans County 2025 Bicentennial Oxen.
Seniors, enjoy a free cup of coffee at the 4-H Senior Council Stand!
8 a.m. – 4-H English Dressage Horse Show at Carlos Marcello Arena
9 a.m to 11 a.m. – 4-H Senior Council Stand Breakfast Hours at 4-H Senior Council Stand
9 a.m. – 4-H Poultry Showmanship and Knowledge Contest at Wachob Pavilion
10 a.m. – 4-H Beef Cattle Show at Livestock Show Arena
10 a.m. – 4-H Dog Show Obedience and Rally Classes at Knights Building
11 a.m. – Senior Council 4-H Food Booth Hamburgers, Hots, and Cold Drinks. Proceeds support teen award trips and programs, 4-H Senior Council Stand
Caleb Knoll, 7, of Lyndonville leads “Rose” around the show ring during Tuesday’s Clover Bud showmanship competition in the Dairy Show. It was Caleb’s first time showing an animal at the fair.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Nutrifare Senior Luncheon with the sing-along music of Craig Wilkins (Food will be served at 12 p.m. with ticket) made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor and NYS Legislature and administered by GO ART!, Curtis Pavilion
12 p.m. – Paid public admission begins, Buildings open to the public, Wood and Taylor Hill Road Parking Lots
12 p.m. – 4-H Poultry Breed Classes at Wachob Pavilion
1:30 to 3 p.m. – Bread & Butter Making Demo and Tasting at Trolley Building
2 p.m. – Fair Official Meeting at Fair Office
3 to 10 p.m. – Main Event Amusements $30 Unlimited Rides Wristband at Midway
3 p.m. – AI or not AI roving game show by Orleans Digital Literacy Initiative, Strolling through the grounds
The Down Home Country Cloggers perform to “Cotton Eye Joe” on Tuesday.
4 p.m. – 4-H Leaders’ Pie Stand Opens at Pie Stand
5 p.m. – 4-H Meat and Pack Goat Show at Livestock Show Arena
5:30 p.m. – Free Entertainment: The Bubble Couple, Strolling through grounds
6 p.m. – Registration Ends for the Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull at Fair Office
6 p.m. – Rooster Crowing Contest at Wachob Pavilion
6 p.m. – Free Entertainment: Circus Incredible at Knight’s Green Space
Lyric Wallenda of Circus Incredible is more than 30 feet upon high in an aerial act on Tuesday at the fair. Her husband Simon Arestov performs acrobatics and balancing acts.
6:30 p.m. – Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull, JCH of Buffalo Tent
7 p.m. – Llama Meet and Greet (on conclusion of goat show) at Livestock Show Arena
8 p.m. – Free Entertainment: The Bubble Couple, Strolling through grounds
8:30 p.m. – Free Entertainment: Circus Incredible at Knight’s Green Space
8 to 10 p.m. – Orleans County 4-H Fair $1,000 Karaoke Challenge at Orleans Hub Stage
10 p.m. – Hay Bale Rolling Contest – Teams of 1-2 ages 16 and up. Register at the Fair Office by 9:50 p.m. at Hay Bale Rolling Course
10 p.m. – Buildings Close – Goodnight Fair
Alex and Elena Arestov are “The Bubble Couple.” They appear around the grounds with bubbles. Their son, Simon, performs with Circus Incredible.
Leylah Hochstine, 32, of Medina sings “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)” by John Michael Montgomery during karaoke on Tuesday evening. The finals are Thursday.
MEDINA – The Orleans/Niagara BOCES recently named its Employees of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year.
Employees are nominated by their peers and a committee selects an awardee in each of these categories: Administrator, Clerical, Continuing Education, Custodial/Maintenance, Staff Specialist, Substitute, Teacher Aide and Teacher.
Melanie Conley is the Administrator of the Year. Conley is the Director of Business Services and has worked at O/N BOCES for seven and a half years.
When asked what her favorite part of her job she answered, “As I thoroughly love what I do, it is difficult to narrow it down to one particular aspect. My favorite part is leading the business office, facilities, technology and print shop operations and knowing that all of these functions play a critical role in our students’ obtaining a first-rate education. Another favorite part of my job includes being a resource for our component school districts when they may have a need or question in which they may be looking for direction. I also love the good people and the relationships that I have been able to establish with our Orleans/Niagara BOCES and component district staff! We have great people working hard every day to give our area students the best educational opportunities possible.”
Conley adds that she is humbled and honored by the recognition.
Kristen Strassburg is the Clerical Person of the Year. A school nurse at the Niagara Academy, she has worked at that site for the past 20 years.
“I love working with the kids and the staff,” Strassburg said. “I have made some fantastic connections with many of them and have made lifelong friends at the school. There is something so special and magical about the Niagara Academy and I love how we work together as a team to help these students achieve their goals.”
She said she is honored at being named an employee of the year. “I believe I am the first school nurse to win in this category. I work with such an amazing group of school nurses, so I hope I am the first of many to win. They are truly the best and I look forward to our staff development day once a year. It is really the best day of the school year for me.”
Katie Carlisle-Diemert is the Continuing Education Employee of the Year. She has worked as an Adult Literacy teacher in the incarceration program at Niagara County Jail since 2013. “I worked in the business world for a long time before I came to work for BOCES,” she said. “The satisfaction of going home each day having helped another person change their life for the better is very powerful. It is like nothing you can get from corporate America. Watching people and helping people to make positive life change is my favorite part of my job.”
She said she is surprised and thankful about the honor. “I never expected to win this. I am appreciative that my colleagues have noticed the effort I put into my work and that they believe I make a difference.”
Colleen Bronschidle is the Custodian/Maintenance Person of the Year. She has been a custodian worker at the Niagara Academy since 2005. Before that she ran the school’s kitchen for five years and was eventually hired by BOCES in 2010.
“I started out as a teacher aide and substitute cleaner,” she said. “I then went on to a full-time cleaner than custodian at the Niagara Academy. My favorite part of the job is the people I work with every day. They are like extended family to me. I was shocked to receive Employee of the Year. I am very proud of my job and I love the atmosphere at Niagara Academy. I would like to thank everyone for the opportunity and let them know I appreciate it very much.”
Sheldon Somas is the Staff Specialist of the Year. Sheldon has worked at BOCES for ten years. He was shocked and surprised that he won Employee of the Year. “The best part of my job is working with my co-workers in the Tech Department.”
Mary Kuhn is the Teacher of the Year. She is a music educator with the special education students and has taught at BOCES since October 1996.
“The most enjoyable aspect of my job is connecting with my students through different elements of music,” Kuhn said. “They are amazing, and teaching them something I am passionate about if truly awarding. I must acknowledge the incredible support from the staff who work alongside me in guiding our students. Without the dedicated aides and personal care aides, this wouldn’t be possible.”
Antonia Newell is the Teacher Aide of the Year. She has worked at BOCES for 17 years. “I absolutely love my job, coworkers and students! I am so humbled to be chosen for this and so excited. I am very thankful!”
Deborah MacIver was named the Substitute of the Year. MacIver worked as a teacher aide with O/N BOCES since 2016. When she retired in 2023, she started substituting for the organization.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 July 2024 at 3:23 pm
Kendall boy, 16, needed blood transfusions when he was a baby
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Kristen Ostrander, center, is shown giving blood today at the Elks Lodge in Albion with Connie from the Red Cross and Kristen’s son Jared.
Ostrander helped rally blood donors for today’s drive and the result has been 58 appointments, the most in several years. There is room for more walk-ins before the drive ends at 7 p.m.
The blood drive at the Elk’s Lodge usually attracts about 40 blood donors. Today there are 14 first-time donors and many who haven’t given in a while are back, said Wendy Evenden, accounts manager for the American Red Cross.
Jared was born nearly 17 years ago on July 25, 2007. He was born three weeks early and was diagnosed with Patent Ductus Arteriosus and persistent pulmonary hypertension of a newborn. One of his ducts didn’t close properly and his blood was flowing backwards, his mother said.
Jared needed two blood transfusions, and he was able to rebound at the NICU at Strong Memorial Hospital and went home after 17 days. He has not be affected by the issues since then. Jared is going into his senior year at Kendall. He is on the wrestling and track teams at Kendall.
Ostrander said she was looking for a way to give back to the community and knew summer tends to be a time when the Red Cross needs blood. The is currently a critical need for the blood supply.
The current donor base is the lowest since Sept. 11, 2001, Evenden said.
The Red Cross welcomes more drives in honor of people who have received transfusions. Evenden said some drives can be in memory of someone, and the Red Cross welcomes challenge drives pitting organizations, fire departments and other groups. For more information, contact here at wendy.evenden@redcross.org or call (716) 260-6899.
There are other upcoming drive sin Orleans County:
Monday, July 29:
Orleans County YMCA
306 Pearl St.
Medina, NY 14103
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 9:
Orleans County Administration Building
14016 Route 31
Albion, NY 14411
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 13:
Sacred Heart Club
189 N Gravel Rd.
Medina, NY 14103
1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 24:
Hoag Library
134 South Main St.
Albion, NY 14411
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information on Red Cross blood drives, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 July 2024 at 11:23 am
Lynne Johnson has been named vice chair of the Law Enforcement Subcommittee for the National Association of Counties.
ALBION – Lynne Johnson, the Orleans County Legislature chairwoman, has been named vice chair of the Law Enforcement Subcommittee for the National Association of Counties.
Johnson was appointed to the post during the NACo annual convention at the Tampa Convention Center in Hillsborough County, Florida. The convention from July 12-15 includes leaders from many of the 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs in the country.
Johnson of Lyndonville is in her fourth two-year term for the County Legislature chairwoman.
Johnson also is on the Public Safety Committee for the New York State Association of Counties, an organization working for 62 counties in the state.
“Additionally, Chairwoman Johnson has been a vocal advocate for improving access to high speed broadband in rural counties, launching the Niagara-Orleans Regional Alliance to definitively map broadband coverage needs in Orleans county and attract new investment from Internet Service Providers,” NYSAC posted on social media on Monday, highlighting Johnson.
“Congratulations Chairwoman Johnson on your new appointment and thank you for your service to Orleans County and counties across the state and nation!” NYSAC stated.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 July 2024 at 9:20 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Kendyll Kidney of Medina, left, last year’s duchess of the fair, and Abby Smith, a fair staff member, ride in a parade to celebrate the opening of the Orleans County 4-H Fair on Monday evening.
The fair kicked off a six-day run of events, livestock shows and other entertainment.
Jeremy Neal rides a tractor, “Little Tex,” in the parade. Neal is the chairman of the hay bale rolling contest. The fair added the parade for the first time.
Local veterans formed an Honor Guard and raised the flag during opening ceremonies. Phil Warne, adjutant and past commander of the American Legion in Albion, rolls up the legion banner after the ceremony.
Scott Goetze, past post commander of the American Legion in Lyndonville, is at right.
Caton Conde, president of the board of directors for the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, welcomes people to this year’s fair. Conde said the fair represents lots of work from 4-H youth, and also from many volunteers and staff.
The Orleans County fair is a youth fair without alcohol and exhibits focused on 4-H kids.
Monday was the pig show and judge Brendan Knoll is shown observers 4-Hers in the senior showmanship competition for ages 14 to 19. In back from left include Gary Donofrio, Carter Kuipers, Joseph Forte and Lea Donofrio. Kuipers won the senior showmanship with Gary Donofrio in reserve.
Ruth Kuipers of Byron was the overall top showman with her brother Carter in reserve.
Jacob Forte, 17, of Hamlin tries to keep a pig under control during the swine show.
Elizabeth Dresser, 12, of Medina had to be nimble on her feet in showing a pig.
Matthew Bloom, 14, of Albion shows his pig with a large American flag in the background.
Henry Dresser, 10, of Medina competes in the junior showmanship competition.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Natalie Miller, 10, of Lyndonville shows a pig during the pig show on Monday evening. Natalie is competing in the junior showmanship competition for exhibitors ages 8 to 13.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 July 2024 at 6:53 am
Daily Exhibit: Pretty Bird Paradise. Interact with beautiful, chirping friends!
Trolley Building: Painting of the 1st Orleans County 2025 Bicentennial Oxen.
8 a.m. – 4-H English Horse Show at Carlos Marcello Arena
9 a.m. to 11 a.m. – 4-H Senior Council Stand Breakfast Hours at 4-H Senior Council Stand
10 a.m. – 4-H Dog Grooming and Handling and Knowledge Contests at Knights Building
10 a.m. – 4-H Dairy Goat Show at Livestock Show Arena
Emma McGrath, 7, of Medina shows her fairy garden to judge Peggy Jo Gabalski. Emma is a Cloverbud. She entered her fairy garden as a horticulture exhibit. The Cloverbud and 4-H horticulture projects are on display in the Trolley Building.
10 a.m. – Horticulture I.D. Contest at Center Stage
11 a.m. – Senior Council 4-H Food Booth Hamburgers, Hots, and Cold Drinks. Proceeds support teen award trips and programs., 4-H Senior Council Stand
11a.m. to 3 p.m. – 4-H Rabbit and Cavy Showmanship at Wachob Pavilion
12 p.m. – Paid public admission begins, Buildings open to the public, Wood and Taylor Hill Road Parking Lots
1-3 p.m. – 4-H Rabbit and Cavy Knowledge Contest at Wachob Pavilion
3 p.m. – AI or not AI roving game show by Orleans Digital Literacy Initiative, strolling through the grounds
4 p.m. – 4-H Leaders’ Pie Stand Opens at Pie Stand
5-10 p.m. – Main Event Amusements $30 Unlimited Ride Wristbands during this session at Midway
Veterans participate in a flag raising during opening ceremonies of the Orleans County 4-H Fair on Monday. Pat Little, left, and Mark Traxler unfold the flag to be raised. Paul Fulcomer is directly behind them.
5:30 p.m. – Free Entertainment: The Bubble Couple, strolling through grounds
6 p.m. – 4-H Dairy Cattle Show at Livestock Show Arena
6 p.m. – Registration Ends for Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull at Fair Office
6 p.m. – 4-H Rabbit and Cavy Show Costume, Pet and Cloverbud Classes at Wachob Pavilion
6 p.m. – Free Entertainment: Circus Incredible at Knight’s Green Space
6:30 p.m. – Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull, JCH of Buffalo Tent
These three compete in the Dairy Decathlon where they had to drink three cartons of milk, eat three ice cream sandwiches, and then milk green water from a calf feeding bottle. From left include David Welker, 6, of Medina; Ian Kingdollar, 14, of Lyndonville, and Mckenna Richardson, 9, of Barre. They were challenging Zack Welker, one of the dairy and beef superintendents. The elder Welker won the event.
7 p.m. – 4-H Rabbit and Cavy Show, Breed Classes at Wachob Pavilion
7 p.m. – Down Home Country Cloggers Dance Group at Orleans Hub Stage
8 p.m. – Free Entertainment: The Bubble Couple, strolling through grounds
8-10 p.m. – Orleans County 4-H Fair $1,000 Karaoke Challenge at Orleans Hub Stage
8:30 p.m. – Free Entertainment: Circus Incredible at Knight’s Green Space
10 p.m. – Buildings Close – Goodnight Fair
Mike Bartz, 19, of Batavia sings, “I Will Survive” during karaoke on Monday at the fair. Karaoke continues each evening until the championship on Thursday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 July 2024 at 4:35 pm
State officials announced last week that two prisons will be closing. The Great Meadow Correctional facility in Washington County and Sullivan Correctional Facility in Sullivan County are both maximum-security prisons.
They will close on Nov. 6 and about 1,000 inmates at the two sites will be transferred to the other 13 maximum-security prisons in New York, the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said.
The announcement spares the two prisons in Albion – a medium-security prison (Orleans Correctional) and a women’s prison (Albion Correctional).
State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt said Republicans in the State Senat oppose the two prison closures, and are critical of the state for giving just over 90 days notice to the communities and employees where the prisons are located.
“Prison closures have a ripple effect — they have a negative economic impact on their host communities, a negative impact on staff who must be moved around, and can lead to overcrowding that will further endanger the brave men and women who work in the prisons,” Ortt said.
Gov. Hochul and state legislators during the budget passed in May said up to five prisons could be closed this year. That is in response to a declining population of people incarcerated.
The state also closed six prisons in 2022. The inmate population has dropped from a peak of 72,649 in 1999 to 32,465, according to The Journal News of the Lower Hudson Valley.
The union for corrections officers, New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, issued this statement:
“We express frustration and continued disappointment that the State believes closing prisons will remedy significant staffing deficits and reduce historic levels of violence and that it waited a year to make their announcement further subjecting our members and their families with additional hardships,” stated union President Chris Summers.
“In the past year, staffing levels amongst officers and sergeants has decreased by over 1,600, while the prison population has increased by over 2,000 inmates. It is a formula that has led to increased attacks on staff and created unsafe working conditions.
“For years, we have demanded that DOCCS and the State of New York take decisive action to increase staffing in our prison system. The goal was always straightforward: recruit more qualified candidates and retain officers to stabilize staffing. For the past decade we have seen round after round of prison closures that have failed to fix the long-term problem,” Summers continued.
“Our members work tirelessly to provide an increasingly program-focused prison environment for incarcerated individuals as a result of the disastrous HALT Act. Additional programs require more staff, but recruitment of new officers has lagged significantly and officers eligible to retire are walking out the door in droves as a result of dangerous working conditions and mandated overtime. As a result of staffing shortages and mandatory overtime, members spend more time working in the prison then they do with their families and their quality of life suffers as a result.
“Redistributing staff through prison closures will accomplish the same thing it has always accomplished: a short-term staffing boost to a handful of facilities with little to no long-term relief. Furthermore, the State waited too long to make this announcement at a time during the middle of summer when staffing relief is needed most.
“The State of New York needs to take bold and creative action to fix the staffing issue that is creating low morale and pushing members to their limits. Closing prisons and expecting different results certainly is not bold and creative, it is shortsighted.
“NYSCOPBA will insure that proper reduction in force protocols are followed and assist members in getting the needed information to potentially make life-changing decisions for members of those two facilities. This is a lengthy process, but it happens quickly, and our members have lives and families that come before the job.
“Their lives are now further complicated by this late announcement because they will have to consider moving closer to their new prison, which requires uprooting their families on the eve of a new school year in September. It would serve the State of New York well to remember that our members have families, and they pay the price for these poor decisions.”
Press Release, Orleans County Local Development Corporation
ALBION – The Orleans County Local Development Corporation is pleased to announce registration has begun for the Microenterprise Assistance Program (MAP).
Beginning Sept. 19 and running through Nov. 21, MAP classes will be held on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension in Albion. This comprehensive business education initiative is funded in part by a Federal Community Development Block Grant and the OCLDC to foster small business growth and entrepreneurship within Orleans County.
Prospective entrepreneurs aged 18 and older, who maintain a permanent residence in Orleans County, are encouraged to apply. The course fee is $300. However, financial aid is available for qualifying applicants based on financial need.
Participants will benefit from a new curriculum designed to provide essential business education, training, technical assistance, and access to potential capital resources.
Led by industry professionals, the course spans a 10-week period and covers topics such as: legal requirements for starting a business, forms of ownership, business plan development, taxation for sole proprietors, marketing and advertising strategies, bookkeeping and record keeping, banking essentials, pricing goods and services, and cost analysis.
“The Orleans Microenterprise Assistance Program is a resource for individuals looking to establish or expand their small businesses,” said Matt Holland, MAP manager. “We are committed to providing participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to thrive in today’s competitive business environment.”
Since 2002, there have been 544 MAP participants. Over 200 of them started a variety of businesses in Orleans County, while more than 120 were already in business.
About the Orleans County Local Development Corporation:
A division of the OEDA, Orleans County Local Development Corporation (OCLDC) is committed to fostering sustainable economic growth in Orleans County, New York. Dedicated to building a supportive ecosystem that nurtures entrepreneurship, OCLDC improves access to small business development opportunities, education, and training, while ensuring greater equity for our rural communities to thrive in the global marketplace.
12-pound, 6-ounce largemouth bass caught in Cayuga Lake
Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Photo from DEC: James Britenbaugh of Pennsylvania holds a record-breaking 12-pound, 6-ounce largemouth bass he caught in Cayuga Lake.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced a new state record for largemouth bass was set on July 11.
James Britenbaugh of Pennsylvania reeled in the record-breaking 12-pound, 6-ounce largemouth bass from Cayuga Lake, Cayuga County while fishing in preparation for an upcoming bass tournament. The record-breaking catch surpasses the previous 37-year-old State record largemouth bass, caught from Buckhorn Lake, Otsego County, in 1987 by one pound and two ounces.
“It’s no secret that New York has the best bass fishing opportunities in the country and Mr. Britenbaugh’s incredible fish certainly confirms that,” Mahar said. “DEC encourages all anglers fishing in New York to check out the Angler Achievement Awards Program before dropping a line in the water. It’s an exciting program that recognizes sizable catches and shines a light on the numerous lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams producing trophy-sized fish right here in New York.”
This year, New York State landed five lakes on Bassmaster Magazine’s Top 100 Best Bass Lakes in the country. Among the New York waters included are the St. Lawrence River (Thousand Islands), ranked as the best bass water in the nation, and Lake Erie/Upper Niagara River, ranked as the seventh-best water. Lake Champlain, Cayuga Lake, and Oneida Lake made the list as well and are in Bassmaster Magazine’s Top 25 Northeastern Best Bass Lakes of 2024. Other waters across the state also offer exceptional bass opportunities and New York continues to be a destination for world class fishing.
The largemouth bass record comes weeks after a new state record for longnose gar was set. On June 21, 2024. Chuck Zimmerman of Hilton, Monroe County, reeled in a 15-pound, 14-ounce longnose gar from Butterfield Lake in Jefferson County.
Both Mr. Britenbaugh and Mr. Zimmerman submitted details of their winning catches as part of DEC’s newly revamped Angler Achievement Awards Program, which recognizes anglers who catch any of the 40 eligible fish species that meet or exceed the minimum qualifying lengths established for that species and tracks state record fish. Through this program, anglers can enter freshwater fish that meet specific qualifying criteria and receive official recognition of their catch along with a species-specific sticker commemorating their achievement.
