Photo courtesy of Chris Busch

MEDINA – St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Medina drapes gold and white bunting over the church doors to celebrate the naming of a new pope today.

An American for the first time will serve as pope. Robert Prevost will lead the Catholic Church as Pope Leo XIV.

The Most Reverend Michael W. Fisher, Bishop of the Buffalo Diocese, issued this statement:

“Today, the Church throughout the world, the United States, Western New York, and the Diocese of Buffalo, rejoices at the historic election of the first pope from the United States, Pope Leo XIV.  I invite all to join me in prayer for our new pope as he begins his ministry as the successor of St. Peter. May Pope Leo XIV be guided by the Holy Spirit as he leads the Church and is a source of unity for believers.

“He has served the Gospel faithfully as a missionary and leader of the Catholic Church in Peru and devoted his ministry to the larger interests of our Church. It is a source of tremendous pride that in this complex and difficult age that the Holy Spirit has guided the Cardinal Electors to choose not only this fellow countryman, but a person of profound faith, broad perspective and hopeful vision.

“May the Lord in his infinite wisdom, abiding grace, and unconditional love, guide our new Holy Father as he assumes the enormous responsibilities that he has been chosen to bear. May he unite and inspire us to build bridges and always to see the good in one another, to serve the most vulnerable among us, and to proclaim boldly the Good News we have received as children of God.  As we all continue in this Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope and in our commission as disciples of the Risen Lord, may the Lord bless our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV.”

Press Release and photo from Orleans County Sheriff’s Office

ALBION – K9 Odin in the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

K9 Odin’s vest was sponsored by Karla Kimmey of Charlotte, FL and embroidered with the sentiment, “In memory of Zayla.”

Vested Interest in K9s was established in 2009 and is a 501(c)(3) charity with a mission to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.

This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and National Institute of Justice certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, has provided over 6,030 vests valued at $6.9 million to K9s in all 50 states made possible by both private and corporate donations.

The program is open to U.S. dogs at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

Vested Interest in K9s accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $1,050 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1,800, weighs an average of 4-5 lbs., and comes with a five-year warranty.

For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call (508) 824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Donna Vanderlaan, a member of the board of PAWS Animal Shelter, and Mike Fuller, president of East Shelby Fire Company, look at all the cats in cages waiting to be spayed.

EAST SHELBY – A spaying/neutering clinic originating in Cowlesville brought its services to East Shelby Fire Hall on Wednesday, where cats and dogs were spayed and neutered at reduced costs to the pet owners.

The clinic was the idea of Alycia Baran-Falbo of Cowlesville, founder of All-Star Animal Rescue.

A life-long animal lover, Baran-Falbo has been a vet assistant and has done animal rescue work for 20 years, during which time she became very aware of the problems with animals, namely, over-population and unwanted animals – problems she very much wanted to get to the root of.

Baran-Falbo collaborated with PAWS Animal Shelter in Albion and Friends of the Orleans County Animal Shelter to bring the mobile veterinary service to Orleans County.

Assisting were Donna Vanderlaan, vice president of PAWS, and All-Star Animal Rescue’s vice president Emilee Diebold of Tonawanda.

(Left) A vet’s assistant carries an unconscious dog from the mobile hospital van into East Shelby Fire Hall, where it will be monitored until awake. (Right) Alycia Baran-Falbo of Cowlesville, founder of All-Star Animal Rescue, comforts a dog which has just been neutered at a clinic Wednesday at East Shelby Fire Hall.

Vanderlaan knows Allen Turner, a member of East Shelby Fire Company, and asked him if they might allow use of the fire hall for such an event. He brought it to a meeting and they approved it, even offering to donate the use.

Vanderlaan said there were a lot of laws for dogs, but none for cats. The Orleans County animal control officer is currently working on some new directions to govern stray cats, Vanderlaan said.

“We have sections in Albion which are infested with stray cats,” she said. “They are everywhere.”

She said the ideal solution is “TNR,” trap, neuter and release.

Any cats who are able to be socialized, All-Star Animal Rescue will try to get them adopted. Those who are truly feral have to be returned where they were caught, Baran-Falbo said.

Mike Fuller stands next to the mobile animal hospital parked outside the East Shelby Fire Hall’s truck bay, where a spaying/neutering clinic was taking place Wednesday by All-Star Animal Rescue of Cowlesville, in collaboration with Paws Animal Shelter of Albion.

In order to control the cat population, All-Star Animal Rescue seeks donations from businesses and the public.

The big problem, according to Baran-Falbo and Vanderlaan, is that neutering and spaying are so expensive, and most people can’t afford it. The cost to have a dog spayed at a veterinarian’s office is between $500 and $1,500, while the cost to spay a cat is between $300 and $600.

Donations allowed All-Star Animal Rescue to spay 26 cats and neuter six dogs on Wednesday at a reduced cost, with mobile veterinary services provided by Dr. Jennifer Graf from Whiskers to Tail Affordable Veterinary Services in Cowlesville.

Vanderlaan said they collected cans and bottles, in addition to seeking donations, to be able to afford Wednesday’s Clinic.

“We have dates available and if enough donations come in, we would like to have another clinic here in the future,” Baran-Falbo said.

Services they perform always include spaying or neutering, rabies shot and distemper vaccine when needed.

Vanderlaan also shared information about Shannon Blount’s efforts in Medina to control the over-population of cats. Blount is head of the Medina Team of Cat by Cat Inc. that strives to help control the feral cat population with targeted TNVR (trap, neuter, vaccinate, return) of community cats. For more information on Cat by Cat, click here.

Donations to support All-Star Animal Rescue and help fund a second clinic in Orleans County may be sent to them at 323 Kern Rd., Cowlesville, 14037; or by calling Baran-Falbo at (716) 208-8333 for instructions how pay online.

150 dresses and counting have been given out last 3 years

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Ayesha Way, a senior at Albion High School, checks out a dress which caught her eye at the Main Street store on Wednesday evening. (Right) Melody Snook from Holley High School models the gown she chose for her prom.

ALBION – Dozens of seniors in area schools will attend their proms this spring, decked out with beautiful gowns, stunning accessories and flattering makeup, thanks to Community Action’s Main Street Thrifts, Gifts and More store.

This is the third year store manager Cassie Healy has promoted a prom giveaway, in which donated prom dresses, accessories, makeup and hair products are given free to high school seniors in Orleans County and Batavia.

Kristalyn Taylor, a 16-year-old senior at Albion High School, picks out hair accessories and makeup for her prom.

Healy and her volunteers have already taken dresses to Niagara-Orleans BOCES, the New York State School for the Blind in Batavia, Lyndonville High School and Holley High School. Upcoming events are scheduled Friday in Albion High School and Tuesday at Medina High School.

Last year Healy said they provided free prom attire for 52 girls. This year they have already given out 68 gowns, and that doesn’t count the number of gowns chosen Wednesday evening at the Main Street store or the giveaways scheduled  Friday at Albion High School and Tuesday at Medina High Schools.

Healy said the community has been very generous with their donations, and prom dresses are being donated all year. A section at the back of the store has been curtained off with tables full of makeup, jewelry and accessories, a backdrop for taking pictures and a changing room.

Also on site Wednesday night was Valerie Webb of Le Roy, a teacher at Holley, who volunteered to do on-the-spot alterations when needed.

Senior Ayesha Way from Albion High School was delighted with the opportunity to get a prom dress.

“Some prom dresses go for $400 or more, and not everybody can afford that,” she said.

Melody Snook, 16, a senior at Holley, shopped with her mom, who approved the dress she chose.

“I thought this was a wonderful opportunity for the girls,” said her mother Colleen Wiest. “I’ve seen nothing but happy faces coming and going. We had been shopping in the stores for a dress but couldn’t find her size.”

Healy said the dresses on her racks ranged from size 0 to 24, in all colors and styles.

Many of the girls also found shoes in their size to match their dress.

Store associate Anna Geldard helped girls to choose makeup, fake eyelashes and jewelry to complement their gowns.

“We have a very wide array of things to choose from, and girls are obviously very appreciative,” Geldard said. “I still have the pictures from my prom five or six years ago and I remember what a special day it was. Being able to be part of helping someone else get ready for their prom is very special.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The blossoms are out in Orleans County, one of the top fruit-producing counties in the state. These blossoms are at peach trees at Watt Farms on Route 98 in Albion.

Most of the fruit trees in the county are apple trees, which have white blossoms.

Farmers say the rainy weather has made it more difficult for pollination and to spray trees so far this spring.

‘We stand firmly with family farms impacted by recent events, as they have long-standing records of responsible, community-focused, and employee-first practices.’ – Grow NY Farms

An agricultural advocacy group says farmers and their workers are being mischaracterized after 14 farmworkers were detained on Friday in Albion.

The workers are employees with Lynn-Ette & Sons, based in Kent. The workers were on a bus and stopped at about 7 a.m. Friday on Route 98 in Albion, just north of the Erie Canal near Crosby’s. They are year-round employees and not in the federal H2A program for seasonal workers.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued this statement: “During a targeted enforcement operation on May 2, in Albion, New York, ICE Buffalo arrested 14 aliens from Mexico and Guatemala who are all in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act, three of which are immigration fugitives who have been ordered removed from the United States. All 14 aliens are detained in ICE custody pending their removal proceedings.”

Grow NY Farms, a coalition of agricultural businesses, represents family farms, farmworkers and New Yorkers, seeking to build a viable and vibrant ag industry for future generations, while ensuring fair labor practices and support for the agricultural workforce.

Grow NY Farms issued this statement today:

“New York’s agriculture community stands in solidarity with the farmworkers and families impacted by recent immigration enforcement actions in Orleans County and other areas across New York State.

“These individuals are more than employees – they are neighbors, parents, and long-standing members of our communities, many of whom have been living and working here for years, and in some cases, decades.

“Their children attend local schools, they are passionate about agriculture, and their talent and contributions to our local food system, economy, and community cannot be overstated. Family farms strive every day to a provide a safe, stable, and rewarding working environment while complying with all local, state and federal regulations. That commitment includes protecting workers’ rights and supporting pathways for their voices to be heard.

“We stand firmly with family farms impacted by recent events, as they have long-standing records of responsible, community-focused, and employee-first practices. Any baseless accusations made about farms, or their employees, are irresponsible attempts to deteriorate progress that’s been made to ensure fairness for farmworkers. We are extremely disappointed in the actions and words by some to sow division at a time when unity and compassion are needed most.

“We call for a full and fair review of recent events, and for swift action to support the affected families. At the same time, we renew our commitment to protecting the voice, rights and dignity of all farmworkers, and building a stronger future for New York’s agriculture community.”

Budget will be down slightly in 2025 for Albion’s public library

ALBION – Voters in the Hoag Library service area of central Orleans County elected two trustees to the library’s board on Monday.

Kevin Doherty was elected to a four-year term with Dawn Squicciarini winning a two-term as a write-in.

Library leaders also held Hoag’s annual meeting and went over the budget for 2025. Expenditures total $687,350 with $657,560 to come from property taxes collected as part of the vote on May 20 from noon to 8 p.m. at Albion Central School.

Overall spending is down from the $693,150 in 2024, and the amount to be collected from property taxes is also down from $664,510. The taxes are down considerably from the $754,350 in 2021, the last year Hoag was still paying on the mortgage for a new library that opened in 2012.

Other funding in the 2025 budget includes $2,790 from Orleans County, $14,000 in contributions, $11,500 for services and fees (Fax, copier and book fines) and $4,000 in state library aid.

Some of the main expenses include: Payroll and benefits at $434,500 (63 percent of budget); Books and materials at $45,500 (Books, $27,000; Hoopla and online services, $11,000; and serials and audio visual, $7,500); operation and maintenance at $132,800 (utilities, insurance, maintenance and equipment); programs and services at $14,500 (adult and juvenile programming, publicity); and other expenses at $60,050 (professional services, contractual expenses, ALMS fee and contingency).

Other funding in the 2025 budget includes $2,790 from Orleans County, $14,000 in contributions, $11,500 for services and fees (Fax, copier and book fines) and $4,000 in state library aid.

Some of the main expenses include: Payroll and benefits at $434,500 (63 percent of budget); Books and materials at $45,500 (Books, $27,000; Hoopla and online services, $11,000; and serials and audio visual, $7,500); operation and maintenance at $132,800 (utilities, insurance, maintenance and equipment); programs and services at $14,500 (adult and juvenile programming, publicity); and other expenses at $60,050 (professional services, contractual expenses, ALMS fee and contingency).

Circulation for 2024 included 32,352 books, 9,792 non-books as physical items, 5,208 digital items through Hoopla, and 4,635 digital items through Libby.

Hoag also provided 69 homebound deliveries, 486 motorized documents, 155 ESL sessions, 178 GED sessions, 1,088 outside sessions, 4,394 items loaned through Inter-Library Loan and 6,495 items borrowed through Inter-Library Loan.

ALBION – The New York State Association of Counties on Monday highlighted Kim DeFrank as part of NYSAC’s weekly “Member Monday” feature.

DeFrank is also president of the NYS Treasurers’ and Finance Officers’ Association. NYSAC noted she became treasurer in 2018 after 25 years in the treasurer’s office.

“During her tenure she has led the county to receive four consecutive three+one advisors 90+ awards for exemplary leadership in public finance liquidity management,” NYSAC stated. “Congratulations Kimberly and thank you for the work that you and your colleagues do to safeguard taxpayer dollars and strengthen our counties!”

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) is accepting registrations for this year’s Patriot Trip to Washington, D.C. The trip will run from September 18 to 21 and is open to local veterans and their families and friends.

Participants will get a tour of the nation’s capital and its numerous monuments and landmarks that honor those who served. This year’s trip will feature stops at several notable locations in the D.C. area, including the WWII, Korean and Vietnam War memorials and Arlington National Cemetery.

There will also be the potential for a White House visit on the trip. Those who are interested in the potential tour will need to register no later than June 10 to secure a background check.

“This trip is an excellent opportunity to honor not only our local veterans but also those who served before them,” said Hawley. “I am incredibly excited to host this event for another year. We owe our veterans a deep level of gratitude for all they have sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy in this country, so being able to take them to our nation’s capital to see these historic landmarks is truly an honor.”

Due to the many generous donations from the community, local businesses and organizations, we are expecting the cost to be $450-$500 per person with everything included. A noncommittal registration is required by June 10 for those interested in a potential White House tour for the purpose of a background check.

To register, contact Hawley’s office at 585-589-5780 or email hawleys@nyassembly.gov for more details.

For those who wish to donate to support this event, please make your donation out to Patriot Trip and send it to PO Box 171, Albion, NY 14411.

Travel powers the economy, connects America

File photo by Tom Rivers: A kid is excited to see a big barge moving part of a bridge on the Erie Canal in Holley last July 15. The barge was headed west with the Bennetts Corners Road bridge in the background. The Erie Canal and Orleans County are both celebrating their 200th anniversaries this year.

Press Release, Orleans County Tourism

ALBION – Orleans County Tourism is proud to take part in National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), which runs from May 4-11. The goal is to shine a spotlight on the U.S. travel industry’s essential role in driving economic growth, creating jobs and enhancing the nation’s global competitiveness.

“Travel is one of our nation’s most powerful economic engines—supporting millions of jobs, fueling businesses and propelling industries forward,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “National Travel and Tourism Week reinforces the pivotal role travel plays in building a stronger, more prosperous America.”

Since 1983, National Travel and Tourism Week has highlighted the travel industry’s contribution to U.S. economic strength, community vitality and quality of life. In 2024, the travel industry generated $2.9 trillion in economic output, supported more than 15 million jobs and produced $190 billion in tax revenue, equivalent to $1,490 per household.

Locally, Orleans County continues to see strong results from tourism. The county’s bed tax revenues topped $100,000 for the third consecutive year in 2024, reaching $116,712. That total is just shy of the all-time high of $119,003 in 2023. Orleans County first surpassed the $100,000 mark in 2022, collecting $111,548 in bed tax revenue.

Tourism in Orleans County is driven by unique regional assets, including world-class sportfishing on Lake Ontario, the historic Erie Canal Trail and destinations like the Medina Railroad Museum, Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum and the Cobblestone Museum.

Sportfishing alone generates an estimated $28 million annually in the county, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s 2017 Angler Survey. Out-of-state anglers account for 70 percent of the fishing economic output in Orleans County, $19,620,488 of the $27,989,393. County residents who fish accounted for $1,767,334 in economic activity while other New York state residents outside Orleans represented another $6,601,571.

This year also marks a major milestone: the bicentennials of both Orleans County and the Erie Canal. With a full slate of summer events planned to celebrate 200 years of local and state history, the Orleans County Tourism Office aims to attract even more visitors in 2025.

“Travel drives economic opportunity and strengthens our community,” said Dawn Borchert, director of Orleans County Tourism. “This National Travel and Tourism Week, we celebrate travel’s undeniable impact and reaffirm its importance in shaping our local economy and quality of life. We’re especially excited to welcome visitors as we celebrate these significant bicentennial anniversaries.”

Visit ustravel.org/NTTW to learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week.

About Orleans County Tourism

Orleans County Tourism is the tourism promotion agency for Orleans County, New York, dedicated to promoting the county’s unique attractions, events and experiences to visitors from near and far.

Situated between Rochester and Niagara Falls, the county offers a blend of rural charm, scenic waterfronts and rich heritage. The office also supports local festivals, agritourism and community initiatives that strengthen the area’s appeal as a year-round destination. With a focus on economic growth through travel, Orleans County Tourism works to boost visitor spending, support small businesses and share the stories that make the region special.

Photo by Jessica Stewart Photography: Nicholas Reese, posing here in his Mustang Marching Band uniform, loves writing music and plans to study music composition at Fredonia State College’s School of Music.

MEDINA – A Medina High School senior with a passion for writing music is being commended for his contributions to Medina’s annual Arbor Day celebration.

Several months ago, Oak Orchard Elementary School music teacher Andrea Busch contacted Nicholas Reese and asked if he could write a song about trees which Oak Orchard’s second grade Glee Club could sing on Arbor Day. The Glee Club has been singing at Arbor Day for three years.

Nicholas sat down and started thinking about trees.

“It was very general, so I had to be creative,” Nicholas said. “I spent a week writing the lyrics, and finished the entire thing in a month.”

He titled his composition “Oscillating Futures.”

Chris Busch, Andrea’s father-in-law and Medina Forestry coordinator, said to have a song written by a Medina student specifically for Arbor Day and performed by the Oak Orchard Glee club is an incredibly special honor.

“Truly, it made the occasion all the more special,” Chris said.

The teacher added her praise for the composition and what it meant to her students.

“I am honored that Nick was willing to share his talents and compose a piece of music specifically for the Oak Orchard Glee Club,” Andrea said. “Out of all the songs we learned this year, ‘Oscillating Futures’ was a clear favorite amongst the second graders. They affectionally called it ‘Nick’s Song’ and begged to practice it every day. These kinds of collaborations are what make our district special, and the Medina Music Department could not be more proud of Nick. He has a bright future ahead of him and we can’t wait to see all the amazing things he will accomplish.”

Nicholas said he has been writing songs since he was 11 and in fifth grade.

“I have since written about 100 songs,” he said. “A lot of times I write pieces in perspective to things that are happening in my life. I try to write emotionally.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Nick Reese watches the Glee Club perform his song during an Arbor Day celebration on April 25.

Nicholas plays percussion in the Mustang Marching Band and Jazz Band.

“I became very inspired by the Marching Band in seventh grade, and knew then I should consider it seriously,” Nicholas said.

“But I really just want to sit in a room and write songs all day,” he said.

Writing notes is easy, but putting words to them is a bigger challenge, he said.

Most everything he writes is instrumental, he added.

When Nicholas graduates this summer, he plans to attend Fredonia State College’s School of Music to study music composition. That is also Andrea’s Alma Mater.

Provided photo: State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt speaks during a news conference on Tuesday in the state capital.

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

ALBANY – State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt on Tuesday was joined by Senator Jack Martins, Senator Mark Walczyk and members of the Senate Republican Conference to rail against New York State’s budget process – with the budget now over a month late and a lack of transparency over where exactly New Yorkers’ tax dollars are going.

In addition, Senate Republicans called on Governor Kathy Hochul and the Legislative Majorities not to use so-called “messages of necessity” to bypass the constitutionally required three-day aging process once budget bills get introduced. This critically important “aging” provision of the State Constitution helps to ensure that the public, the press, and all interested parties have the opportunity to actually review the budget bills prior to them being enacted into law.

Currently, Senator Mark Walczyk carries bill S48 which is expected to be taken up for committee discussion in the Senate Judiciary Committee. If passed, S48 will prohibit the Governor from issuing a message of necessity for budget related bills.

“This budget is going to spend more than a quarter of a trillion dollars in taxpayer dollars. Up to this point, there has been no sense of urgency to get the budget done – now that we are nearing the end, it should not be rushed through without time for proper review,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.

The Governor has paraded around the state as if her job is done, even though the Legislature has yet to vote on a single budget bill. Further mystifying what exactly has happened behind the closed doors of budget negotiations. New Yorkers deserve transparency from their elected officials.

“Government by ‘message of necessity’ is no way to run a government for the communities and taxpayers of this state. It’s time to bring this process out of the dark,” said Senator Tom O’Mara, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee. “Governor Hochul and the Legislature’s Democrat majorities go on working behind closed doors to allocate billions of state taxpayer dollars and set in motion far-reaching public policies impacting our local citizens, communities, and economies in consequential ways. The state budget demands a full public airing and the appropriate time for review and debate, but that’s never what we get.  It’s a broken process that blindfolds the public and keeps producing bloated state budgets that taxpayers will never be able to afford.”