Photos and information courtesy of John Dieter, Scoutmaster of Troop 35: Scouts and friends from Troop 35 picked up litter at the Canal Culvert on Sunday.  The photo at right shows Cole Herman next to some of the trash he picked up.

MEDINA – Scouts from Troop 35 in Medina held a campout Saturday evening and performed garbage pickup on Sunday morning as part of the Clean Sweep Canal Cleanup Program that is held each spring.

The scouts picked up garbage and debris in and around the culvert under the canal and also removed garbage on both sides of the towpath to the Beals Road bridge.

Press Release, Albion Police Chief David Mogle

Allan Bieber

ALBION – The Albion Police Department on Monday received a report of an incident that occurred inside a Village Park on Friday at around 9 p.m.

A 15-year-old girl reported that she was forcibly raped by a male at the park.

Through an investigation of the incident and an interview of the suspect, the Albion Police Department subsequently arrested 21-year-old Allan Bieber of Albion for his involvement in the incident.

Bieber was charged with Rape 1st Degree (Class B Felony), Sex Abuse 1st Degree (Class D Felony), Rape 3rd Degree (Class E Felony), Sexual Misconduct (Class A Misdemeanor), and Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class A Misdemeanor).

Bieber was processed at the Albion Police Department and remanded to the Orleans County Jail for arraignment at CAP Court.

If you have any further information regarding this incident or any other similar incidents involving the suspect, please contact the Albion Police Department at (585) 589-5627.

Board pared some expenses at last moment to get tax rate under $16

ALBION – Village taxpayers may have expected a drop in their village taxes with the 2025-26 budget because the fire department no longer is part of the village budget.

The fire department now is in the Albion Joint Fire District which is its own taxing entity with its own tax bills.

But the village taxes will be up in 2025-26 – by 11 percent. The Village Board is putting more money in reserves and faces other inflationary increases, with less fund balance to help offset taxes, board members said on Tuesday when the budget was adopted.

The spending in the General Fund increased less than 1 percent or by $62,106 from $4,701,848 to $4,763,955.

But the tax levy, what the village collects in property taxes, is up 11.1 percent or by $345,650 – from $3,117,813 to $3,463,463.

The tax rate will drop more than 20 percent or by $4.41 per $1,000 of assessed property – from $20.40 to $15.99. A big increase in the village’s tax base following town-wide reassessments last year pushed down the tax rate. The village’s taxable valuation is up 41.6 percent or by $63,666,806 – from $152,867,932 to $216,534,738.

The village is using about $200,000 less in its fund balance and that accounts for more than half of the tax increase. Village Clerk-Treasurer Tracy Van Skiver said the village’s fund balance currently stands at only $300,000. She said the state comptroller’s office has recommended the village get the fund balance between $800,000 and $1.1 million. Those funds can help the village with unexpected expenses outside of what is budgeted.

The village only is using $64,000 in its fund balance to help offset property taxes in 2025-26, compared to $261,150 in 2024-25.

“My concern is the fund balance,” Van Skiver told the board on Tuesday. “We’re trying to protect it.”

The budget was adopted by the board on Tuesday after about a 90-minute discussion from board members. The board started the meeting with the budget with the tax rate at $16.34. The board wanted to get that below $16 and needed to cut about $60,000.

The tentative budget had five new reserve accounts at $105,000 for the Department of Public Works and Police Department. Those reserves would have money set aside for equipment, vehicles and infrastructure, and lessen the need for financing and borrowing in the future. The reserve funds should lessen the need to whittle down the fund balance.

The board decided to keep the reserve accounts, but to reduce the amounts by 36 percent or by $37,800 – from $105,000 to $67,200.

“Having some reserves is in the best interests of the village,” said Trustee Greg Bennett.

But he didn’t want to see steep cuts to departments for what they need now just so the village could set aside more funds for the future.

Trustee Joyce Riley suggested eliminating the village’s animal control department which costs $17,000 and having the county take over the responsibility. But Bennett and Trustee Tim McMurray didn’t want to eliminate positions and services to the community. They both said the current animal control officer, Harry Papponetti, responds promptly to calls and concerns in the village. They didn’t want the department axed at the last second without input from Papponetti.

Riley said the village, in order to rein in expenses, ultimately will need to look at eliminating positions.

“Cutting people is where the real savings is, but it’s difficult,” she said. “We need to do it in a way where we’re conserving the village.”

(The Village Board is holding a public hearing at 6 p.m. on June 11 at the Village Hall to hear from the community about possible elimination of the village government and consolidation with the towns of Albion and Gaines.)

Besides reducing the reserve funds, the board made the following budget adjustments on Tuesday to get the tax rate below $16:

General Fund

• Schools and conferences for clerk’s department, down $2,000 to $3,500
• Auditor for clerk’s department, down $850 to $17,850
• Attorney, down $5,000 to $25,000
• Janitor in DOW, down $5,720 to $10,400
• Parts & Repairs in DPW, down $5,000 to $70,000
• Highway overtime in DPW, down $8,000 to $12,000
• Tree replacement in DPW, down $500 to $1,000

Water Fund

• Auditor, down $825 to $17,325

Sewer Fund

• Auditor, down $825 to $17,325

The total budget is at $8,904,229 with General Fund at $4,763,955, Water Fund at $2,640,689 and Sewer Fund at $1,499,585.

Press Release, NY State Police

LOCKPORT – The State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation out of Lockport on April 22 arrested Michael E. Tomaka, 39 of Buffalo for Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd degree, Burglary 3rd degree (D Felony), Criminal Mischief 2nd degree (D Felony) and Grand Larceny 3rd degree (D Felony)

On April 23, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested Cody M. Canterbury, 27 of Derby for Burglary 3rd degree (D Felony), Criminal Mischief 2nd degree (D Felony), Grand Larceny 3rd degree (D Felony) and Conspiracy 5th degree (A Misdemeanor).

On February 12, the State Police’s Lockport Bureau of Criminal Investigation received a report of a burglary at Magic Mist Car Wash on S. Transit Rd in the town of Lockport. The investigation led to the identification of two suspects, Tomaka and Canterbury.

Investigation determined through the approximate two-month State Police investigation, both suspects were subsequently linked to the following incidents of burglary throughout the Western New York area.

• Jan. 2 – Chaffee Car Wash and Mini in Sardinia (Erie County Sheriff’s Office) – Burglary, Criminal Mischief
• Jan. 30 – Magic Mist Car Wash in Grand Island (Erie County Sheriff’s Office) – Attempted Burg, Criminal Mischief
• Feb. 12 – Magic Mist Car Wash in Lockport (State Police) – Burglary, Grand Larceny, Criminal Mischief
• Feb. 17 – Middle E-Z Car Wash – Middleport (Niagara County Sheriff’s Office) – Burglary, Criminal Mischief and Petit Larceny
• Feb, 22 – Advantage Self Storage in Depew (Depew Police Department) – Burglary, Attempted Grand Larceny of MV and Criminal Mischief
• March 3 – J and N Car Wash in Silver Creek (Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office) – Burglary, Grand Larceny and Criminal Mischief
• March 16 – Magic Mist Car Wash in Newfane (Niagara County Sheriff’s Office) – Attempted Burglary and Criminal Mischief
• March 16 – Pippard Automotive in Newfane (Niagara County Sheriff’s Office) – Burglary and Petit Larceny
• March 18 – Stop N’ Wash – Sanborn (Lewiston Police Department) – Attempted Burglary and Criminal Mischief
• March 24 – Outlet Car Wash in Niagara Falls (Niagara County Sheriff’s Office) – Burglary and Criminal Mischief
• March 26 – Magic Mist Car Wash in Medina (Medina Police Department) – Attempted Burglary and Criminal Mischief
• March 27 – Sardinia Covenant Community Church (Erie County Sheriff’s Office) – Burglary and Criminal Mischief
• April 6 – Tonawanda Self Storage in Tonawanda (Town of Tonawanda Police Department) – Burglary, Grand Larceny and Criminal Mischief
• April 16 – Angola Self Storage in Angola (Evans Police Department) – Burglary, Grand Larceny and Criminal Mischief
• April 18 – Eden United Methodist Church in Eden (Eden Police Department) – Burglary, Grand Larceny and Criminal Mischief

On April 18, assisted by Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, Town of Tonawanda Police Department, Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, State Police Troop A Community Stabilization Unit, and State Police Troop A Violent Felony Warrants and State Police Lockport BCI executed search warrants at multiple locations recovering more than 60 items of stolen property associated with the incidents.  Additionally, Tomaka was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun.

Both suspects were processed then transported to Niagara County Jail for Centralized Arraignment.

Provided photos

MEDINA – Medina firefighters spent part of Tuesday morning at Tim Hortons in Medina decorating Smile Cookies in a fundraiser for the Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester. From left include firefighter Dustin Pahura, Fire Chief Matt Jackson and Lt. Steve Cooley.

Screenshot

(Left) Silas Filippelli, son of Tim Hortons co-owner Joey Filippelli, taste tested some of the cookies. The Filippelli family owns the two Tim Hortons in Orleans County and three in the Rochester area. All five of those stores are directing their Smile Cookie proceeds to Golisano Children’s Hospital.

(Right) Brandon Clouser, a Medina police officer, assists at the window. Firefighters and other volunteers helped decorate cookies and assist with sales from 7 to 1o a.m.

The cookies are available until May 4 at $2 each with all of the proceeds going to Children’s Hospital.

 The “Smile Cookie Bakery” Team included many Tim Hortons staff and volunteers from the community.

Mayor Marguerite Sherman, center, joined the cookie brigade. She is joined by Riezel Carino, Mary Jo Polick (Medina Tim Hortons manager) and Jeni Simpson (Albion Tim Hortons manager).

This group includes Medina Police Chef Todd Draper, Orleans County Undersheriff Don Draper, Sheriff’s Investigator Devon Pahuta, Sheriff Chris Bourke, and Medina officers Miles Erickson and Brandon Clouser.

Lyla Wasilewski

Press Release, Lake Plains Players

Lake Plains Players is honored to announce the 2025 recipient of the Lance Anderson Memorial Scholarship, Lyla Wasilewski.

Lyla is a Starpoint High School senior who plans to attend University at Buffalo in the fall for a Bachelor’s of Theater Arts combined with Master’s of Arts Administration.

Lyla has served as a student director at Starpoint for the past two years and found it to be not only impactful, but has also learned a tremendous amount of leadership skills, among countless other things. Lyla hopes to help others by giving them access to the theater arts in the future.

The scholarship is a $1,000 award established in honor of the late Lance Anderson. Lance was the President of Lake Plains Players for over 10 years, and had a passion for education as well as theatre.

He was always a vocal supporter of students and a leader in the group’s Summer Theatre Program. He affected the lives and futures of countless young people who are now making their own contributions in the arts fields.  Through this scholarship, the Lake Plains Players hope to continue to honor his legacy.

Find more information about the Lake Plains Players, check the LPP website or the Facebook page.

MEDINA – Dr. Mark Kruzynski, Medina’s school district superintendent, issued a statement today saying the district remains committed to a school resource officer presence at the district.

The Medina Village Board on Monday approved the village budget for 2025-26 which takes two Medina officers out of the district as school resource officers and the end of June.

The board said the $82,500 for each officer didn’t fully cover the officer’s expense to the village, which village officials put at $125,000 to $130,000 for the whole calendar year.

Medina will have the SROs, Dustin Meredith and Brandon Clouser, return to work out of the Police Department full-time. That will help the department which is currently down two officers in the regular rotation, with another in the academy and another doing the field training.

Kruzynski said Chad Kenward, the retired Medina police chief and a former school resource officer, will continue as a school security officer next school year as a Medina district employee. Kruzynski said the district will reach out to other law enforcement agencies about other officers as SROs at Medina.

Here is Kruzynski’s statement:

The Medina Central School District remains unwavering in its commitment to maintaining a safe and secure learning environment for all students.

Recently, the Village of Medina Board adopted a budget that discontinues the provision of Medina Police Department staff for the School Resource Officer (SRO) program. While this decision means that the District will not have Medina police officers serving as SROs next school year, we want to reassure families and the broader community that student safety continues to be our highest priority.

We are pleased to share that our School Security Officer, Chad Kenward, will remain in place for the 2025-26 school year. Officer Kenward plays a vital role in maintaining a safe school environment and supporting the needs of our students and staff.

In light of the Village’s decision, the District is actively exploring a range of options of fill the gap left by the absence of SROs.

We value our past partnership with the Medina Police Department and are grateful for the work their officers have done in our schools. The District is committed to transparency and will continue to keep our families informed as we move forward with safety planning for the upcoming school year.

Thank you for your continued trust and support.

Sincerely,

Mark B. Kruzynski, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools Medina Central School District

CHILDS – The Cobblestone Museum will open its 2025 with its first tour, entitled “Privies: From Primitive to Pretentious – An Outhouse and In-House Tour.”

Former Cobblestone Museum director for 40 years, C.W. “Bill” Lattin, will lead this unique tour on May 17.

The Museum has a number of outhouses associated with the buildings in its complex, each with a different interesting, and sometimes humorous, feature.

“This fun and entertaining trip around the Cobblestone National Historic Landmark District will include eight often overlooked buildings,” said director Doug Farley. “The ‘potty tour’ includes each of the Cobblestone Museum historic outhouses, indoor commodes and much more.”

Farley explained the oldest building on the Cobblestone Museum property is actually an outhouse, built in the Federal style in 1830. It was originally used at the first bank built in Orleans County, located at the corner of New York state routes 279 and 104.

Another historic outhouse was once situated on the property of Governor Rufus Bullock, governor of Georgia following the Civil War. The Bullock family had strong local ties, according to Farley, and Gov. Bullock lived in Albion after his retirement. When he died, he was buried in Mount Albion in 1907.

(Left) This water closet in the c.1834 Universalist Church lobby was for men only. (Center) This Eastlake style outhouse has decorative siding and a bench, perhaps to sit and wait one’s turn. (Right) The interior of the Eastlake outhouse, situated at the Museum’s Print Shop, has interior paneling.

The Cobblestone Museum’s Farmers’ Hall has a Greek Revival outhouse that seats five.

“It’s really remarkable, with plastered walls and wallpaper,” Farley said.

Also featured on the tour will be the outhouse at the Museum’s Print Shop, in an Eastlake style with interior paneling. A water closet in the 1834 Universalist Church lobby was for men only. The adjacent cobblestone parsonage has an assortment of chamber pots. At the Cobblestone School, separate outhouses were available for boys and girls.

The “Potty Tour” will also include a short slide show of Victorian novelties which depict the era’s “naughty” sense of “bathroom humor.”

The tour is scheduled for 2 p.m., rain or shine. Farley reminds participants to wear comfortable shoes and clothing, and “Be sure to bring your sense of humor,” he said.

Reservations for this unusual tour are strongly suggested. A sliding scale “pay what you wish” donation will be gladly received. Reservations may be made online at cobblestonemuseum.org or by calling (585) 589-9013.

ALBION – The Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern has announced the launch of a new program to provide food and personal hygiene products in multiple schools across Genesee and Orleans counties.

GOMOC’s executive director Jami Allport said the project is made possible through a $20,000 grant from Fidelis Care.

“This initiative is aimed at addressing the growing needs of students who face food insecurity and lack access to basic hygiene products,” Allport said.

By establishing these on-site closets, the Ministry of Concern hopes to reduce barriers to learning and promote well-being among students in need.

“Students can’t focus on learning when they’re hungry or struggling with basic personal care,” Allport said. “Thanks to Fidelis Care’s support, we’re able to meet these critical needs directly within the schools, ensuring children have the essentials to thrive.”

The closets will be stocked with non-perishable food items, toiletries, feminine hygiene products and other personal care supplies. School staff will help discreetly distribute items to students who need them, maintaining dignity and confidentiality, Allport added.

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to equity, education and the health of the next generation, Allport said. Some of the food and hygiene closets are already fully operational in participating schools.

For more information on the closets or to support the Ministry of Concern’s efforts, visit www.ministryofconcern.org or call (585) 589-9210.

Village officials were determined to try to bring down tax increase; Hike dropped from 23.5% to 0.2%

Photos by Tom Rivers: Medina firefighter Steve Miller, president of a union representing Medina’s firefighters who also run the ambulance, shares his concerns about the village’s budget for 2025-26 that won’t fill many vacancies in departments, which could lead to a drop in services for the community, including slower response times. Miller did commend the Village Board for their work with the budget. He said the cash-strapped village needs more outside revenue through the local sales tax as well as higher Medicaid reimbursement rates.

MEDINA – The Village Board approved a $7.7 million budget for the general fund on Monday that will cut the two school resource officers at the Medina school district and also end the K9 program at the police department.

The board also won’t be filling any vacant positions in the 2025-26 budget year.

Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman said the board heard from residents that taxes have become unbearable, and another increase could be tipping point, where many are forced the leave.

“We don’t want to cut any necessities,” Sherman said at the meeting, which was attended by about 50 people. “It is a very tight budget. It will be very difficult to work within.”

Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman, second from left, said the board was forced to make difficult choices to prevent a steep take increase. She speaks during Monday’s board meeting at the Senior Center. She is joined by Village Trustees Jess Marciano, left, and Mark Prawel, right.

The budget keeps the taxes nearly the same – a 0.2 percent increase or up by $7,144 from $3,903,200 to $3,910,344. During a public hearing two weeks earlier, the tax increase was at 23.5 percent.

Overall spending in the finalized budget is up 0.5 percent or by $37,040, from $7,678,256 to $7,715,296.

The village’s tax rate is up 3 cents from $13.965 to $13.995 per $1,000 of assessed property.

A year ago, Medina’s tax base increased by $100.5 million, going from $178,984,667 to $279,494,874. That was a 56.2 percent increase following town-wide reassessments in both Shelby and Ridgeway. That huge boost in the tax base allowed the tax rate to plunge by more than $7 – from $21.16 to $13.97 per $1,000 of assessed properties in 2024-25.

But this time the tax base is showing a slight decline of $87,963 – from $279,494,874 to $279,406,911.

Village Trustee James “Scott” Bieliski said the Medina school district contribution of $82,500 towards each school resource officer doesn’t cover the full costs of each officer, which Bieliski said is about $125,000 to $130,000.

Debbie Tompkins urged the board to keep the Medina officers as SROs because they already have relationships with many of the students and staff. New SROs if the school district hires them from the Sheriff’s Office would have to start all over with connecting with students and Medina employees.

“They provide a valuable service,” Tompkins said about the SROs from the Medina Police Department. “They know the kids. They have diffused many situations in the community.”

Village Trustee Scott Bieliski said the village has been offering a “premium service” from village employees, including the SRO and K9. He said more outside revenue is needed so the village taxpayers aren’t unfairly burdened with so many costs.

Bieliski said he wished the $82,500 from the school district towards each school resource officer was closer to covering the full cost to the village of about $125,000 to $130,000 for each one.

“I wish it was $82,500,” he said. “The we would could hire five more.”

The total cost includes salaries, overtime, health insurance and other benefits and training expenses. The two SROs will return to the Medina PD in road patrol, bringing the department to near full strength. One other officer is currently in the academy and another is doing field training.

Bieliski said he has deep appreciation for the village employees, and didn’t want them to feel the budget was a sign they weren’t valued and respected by the board and community.

“This community does appreciate you,” he said.

Resident Tim Zeiner said taxes have climbed in the Medina community over the past decade. He worries about paying for all of the needs in the village, including infrastructure, sidewalks, police, fire protection and other services. He said putting more of the costs on village taxpayers isn’t the answer.

The budget was approved by the board in a  5-0 vote. Trustee Jess Marciano said the budget was the most difficult of the five she has been part of on the board.

“We understand what we have to do,” she said. “The taxes are high but the services are important, too. Some of these cuts are close to the bone.”

Mayor Sherman said the board was able to avoid layoffs in the budget. She said the board spent 45 hours in meetings working on the spending plan – “hammering out this budget.”

She acknowledged there were “heated discussions” to work out a plan that would keep services without taxes taking a big increase.

“We’re doing this for the taxpayers,” Sherman said.

Trustee Deborah Padoleski said she values the village services, but ultimately Medina needs more outside funds to make the budget work for village taxpayers. She said Medina’s “hands are tied” by union contracts.

Village resident David Berry praises the Village Board for a budget with a very small tax increase. Berry said rising taxes in the community are putting pressure on residents, especially seniors on fixed incomes. “This board deserves a big round of applause for what they did for us,” Berry said.

Steve Miller, a Medina firefighter and president of the union, said a higher Medicaid reimbursement rate would make a big difference for the village. The fire department bills out about $4 million for ambulance calls, but only receives about $1.3 to $1.4 million. Miller said very low Medicaid reimbursement rates is the biggest culprit.

He urged Village Board members to press state officials to raise those rates.

Miller also said the village receives far too little in the local sales tax. The state gets 4 cents on the dollar while the county gets the other 4 cents. The local share added up to $23.4 million in 2024.

The County Legislature shares $1,366,671 with the 10 towns and four villages – the same amount they have received since 2001. Since then the total sales tax has more than doubled.

“Right now we get a small amount (of the sales tax),” Miller said during the village meeting. “Even a fraction more would make a big difference for the Village of Medina. I think it’s imperative that you continue to push.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Three people were safely able to flee from a house filling with smoke at 257 East State St. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 11:57 a.m.

Albion police were first to arrive and tried to contain a fire with extinguishers. But the fire had moved upstairs and was crackling inside, said Police Chief David Mogle.

Albion, Barre and Medina firefighters are currently on the scene. No other information is available.

Provided photo:  Timothy Winters (President and CEO of WNY Energy) is shown with students Carson Schwab (Barker) and Tyler Rothwell (Royalton-Hartland).

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – The Orleans Career and Technical Education Center’s (OCTEC) Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering program wants to issue a huge thank you to Timothy Winters, President and CEO of Western New York Energy.

Mr. Winters reached out to teacher Bill Rakonczay to create some awesome custom fire pits for some of his company’s upcoming events.

The company is located in Medina and is locally owned. It was founded in 2004 to develop the full potential of Western New York’s energy resources while utilizing best practices and the highest ethanol standards to work with our community and business partners.

Two of the fire pits will be donated to two of their employees at the plant’s summer picnic. The other two fire pits will be donated to the Renewable Fuel Association for a raffle later this year.

Students Carson Schwab (Barker) and Tyler Rothwell (Royalton-Hartland) did a great job designing the fire pits on AutoCad and cutting them out on the program’s CNC plasma cutter.

“I would like to say a special thanks to teachers Shannon Rutty and Verenice Bragg in our Welding program for the help bending these on the brake,” said Mr. Rakonczay. “Also thank you Tim for being a great supporter of our class fundraiser!”