Photo courtesy of Marsha Rivers: The sun rises over a snow-covered Gaines Basin Road on Friday in a field across from Walmart.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Orleans, Niagara, Genesee and northern Erie counties from 1 p.m. Sunday until 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Those counties can expect 10 to 20 inches of snow, with winds gusting as high as 50 miles per hour. That will create blowing and drifting snow with whiteout conditions at times.

“Significant snow accumulation will occur Sunday night through Monday, and again Tuesday into Tuesday night,” the Weather Service said. “Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening.”

The snowbands will oscillate with varying  intensities and snowfall amounts over the area, the Weather Service said. There will also be wind chill values zero to 10 below zero Monday night through Tuesday night.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Breakout Band performed on Friday night to about 125 people at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina.

The band plays many classic rock songs. From left include Gary Withey, Timothy Stoll and Alan Biano. John Lynch, not pictured, plays the drums.

Lee-Whedon has offered the “Finally Fridays!” concert series during the winter since 2002.

The season usually goes to early March but this year will only be during January due to the library’s expansion project that is under construction.

The Breakout Band kept the crowd entertained on a wintry Friday night.

The Creek Bend Band opened the series on Jan. 2, followed by Tom Keefer & Celtic Cross on Jan. 9.

There are two more concerts that begin at 7 p.m. with the Hennan Brothers on Jan. 23 and Doc’s Pocket Change on Jan. 30.

There is no charge for admission. The concerts received funding from the New York State Council on the Arts. Go Art! administers that funding for the state.

This group worked together on a puzzle while listening to the music. From left include Georgia Thomas and Barb Hancock with Fred Cavers at right. Thomas said sometimes “The Puzzle Group” can put together a 1,000-piece puzzle in an hour. This trip put together a 300-piece puzzle on Friday evening.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Ian and Claudia perform on aerial silks at the Clifford Wise Intermediate School. Billy Martin’s Cole All Star Circus did two shows on Friday at Clifford Wise with some of the proceeds going to the Orleans Community Health Foundation.

Ian and Claudia showcased strength, flexibility and balance in their performance on the aerial silks.

The circus is led by Billy Martin, who is now in his 49^th season of leading the circus. He and his group of a dozen perform go to about 150 schools each year. Their 2026 season started on Jan. 9 in Coudersport, Pa.

They have three more shows in Orleans County:

• Albion Elementary School on Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m.
• Holley Elementary School on Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m.
• Kendall High School Gym on Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m.

Children 12 years and younger are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.  Adults at the door are $20 each. Each school offers a special $5 discount on advance adult tickets, which reduces the cost to $15 per adult.

Sophia performs a juggling routine.

These kids are delighted watching a performer in the show ring.

Jake McPherson of Medina and his son Connor, age 9, get their photo taken with one of the circus’s stars, Slinko. This year marks Slinko’s 25^th season.

Tatyana Johnson, 9, gets her face painted as the Lady Bug character during intermission at the circus.

The Fudi sisters juggled hats, pins and hoops as part of their routine.

Photo courtesy of Marsha Rivers: A truck heads south on Main Street in Albion while it was snowing. More snow, possibly 7 inches or more, could hit Orleans by Wednesday.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a winter weather watch for Orleans and several Western New York counties from Sunday evening to Wednesday afternoon.

Heavy lake effect snow is possible, with potentially 7 or more inches in the most persistent lake snows, the Weather Service said.

“Winds could gust as high as 45 miles per hour creating blowing and drifting snow with very poor visibility,” the Weather Service said.

The advisory also includes Niagara, Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.

“Lake effect snowbands are expected to oscillate throughout this event with the greatest duration of lake snows likely from the Buffalo Metro area to Batavia southward,” the Weather Service said.

Brett Soberiaski runs 8 miles this morning with man on epic adventure to celebrate country’s 250^th anniversary

Photo courtesy of Brett Sobieraski: Brett Soberiaski of Carlton is shown this morning with Noah Coughlan. The two left Batavia and ran to Pembroke. Sobieraski, an ultra marathoner and endurance athlete, praised Coughlan who is on day 91 of a 260-day journey, running 5,500 miles across the United States.

BATAVIA – Brett Sobieraski is proud of New York State for showing such a big response to a man running across the country in an effort to stir a love for the flag and the United States.

Noah Coughlan is on day 91 of a 260-day journey, with plans to cover 20 states and conclude on July 4 in Hawaii. The trek is 5,500 miles on foot. Coughlan is a California native who most recently has been living in Nashville.

Coughlan made his way from Avon to Batavia on Thursday, and this morning left the Best Western Inn in Batavia and headed to Pembroke along Route 5. He is trying to get to near the Buffalo airport later today.

Coughlan usually runs by himself, and sometimes has a police escort like he did in Genesee County.

Sobieraski reached out to Coughlan about having a partner for part of today’s run. Sobieraski, a retired Rochester police sergeant, asked if he could join Coughlan for part of the journey today. Coughlan agreed.

Sobieraski in 2023 ran 50 marathons for 50 days, covering 1,300 miles from Florida to Rochester, NY. He did it as a tribute to Rochester police officer Anthony “Maz” Mazurkiewicz, who was killed in the line of duty on July 21, 2022. Sobieraski sought to raise $100,000 for Mazurkiewicz’s family, and passed that goal by reaching $110,000.

Today, cars honked their horns and people rolled down their windows to cheer on Coughlan, who turned 42 on Thursday.

When Coughlan reached the Pembroke Intermediate School, students were standing outside and cheering him on.

“He was really overwhelmed,” Sobieraski said about the Coughlan. “He said he’s never had a response like this. He can’t get over the reception from New York State.”

Coughlan started the journey on Oct. 18. He has been going about 18 miles a day, pushing a jogger stroller with an American flag mounted on the stroller. He has covered more than 1,700 miles so far.

Coughlan isn’t raising money for a charity, just trying to spur patriotism on the 250^th anniversary of the country.

“It’s non political,” Sobieraski said. “He isn’t running for any cause just the flag.”

Coughlan has done four previous ocean-to-ocean runs across the country. His “Run for America” started in the Midwest and covered about 950 miles in Kansas, South Carolina and North Carolina, states where had not run before.

Then, the journey goes 3,600 miles from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho and Oregon.

It’s not over yet. Coughlan plans to cross 900 miles across Alaska and then conclude in Hawaii on July 4.

For information on Run for America, click here.

This is a photo of a print out of a rendering of the proposed Dollar General store in Albion on East Avenue across from the high school.

ALBION – The Village of Albion Planning Board has set a public hearing for 5 p.m. on Feb. 12 for the site plan for the new Dollar General store at 327 East Ave. The meeting will be at the Village Office on East Bank Street.

The new 10,640-square-foot store would be across from the high school.

Tye Albion Zoning Board of Appeals on Sept. 9 approved a variance for the project, allowing Dollar General to have 35 parking spaces instead of the 53 required for a store that size. Albion’s zoning calls for one parking space for every 200 square feet of a retail store.

The Broadway Group is the developer of the new store. The company said having 35 parking spaces will allow for more green space on the site.

During a public hearing on Sept. 9 about the variance, several speakers said they didn’t think a Dollar General across from the school was a good fit. They also questioned if there was enough room on the lot for tractor trailers to make deliveries and then turnaround without backing out onto Route 31. The store is expected to have two deliveries a week, Broadway Group representatives said at the hearing.

The Planning Board will discuss traffic flow issues and truck turnaround as part of the site plan.

The store is proposed to be next to the Cone Zone ice cream business. The Broadway Group from Huntsville, Ala. proposes to demolish an existing building to the east of Cone Zone and put up the new store.

Press Release, Congresswomen Claudia Tenney

OSWEGO – Congresswomen Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today announced that her office is now accepting applications for 2026 United States Military Service Academy nominations.

Students from New York’s 24th Congressional District interested in attending one of these distinguished academies are invited to apply for a Congressional nomination through Tenney’s office.

As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Tenney has the honor of nominating a select number of candidates to four of the five United States service academies. Appointment to a service academy provides a world-class education and carries a minimum five-year commitment to serve as a commissioned officer in the United States Armed Forces.

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to the following service academies:

• United States Military Academy, West Point, NY
• United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
• United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO
• United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY

If you, or a student you know, are interested in applying for a nomination to one of the United States Military Service Academies, please visit our website here to find application instructions, required forms, and additional details. All application materials must be received by Thursday, October 1, 2026.

“As the mother of a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, I understand the commitment, discipline, and sense of purpose required to attend a service academy,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “I am always encouraged by the exceptional young men and women across NY-24 who step forward to pursue this path of service. These academies offer an extraordinary education while preparing future leaders for our Armed Forces, and it’s a privilege to support students who are willing to serve our nation with integrity, dedication, and courage.”

For more information, contact Congresswoman Tenney’s Oswego District Office at (315) 236-7088 or visit her website by clicking here.

Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from November shows downtown Albion from East Bank Street. The downtown area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

ALBION – The Historic Preservation Commission in Albion has struggled to reach a quorum in recent years and the inability to hold meetings has delayed some building owners from moving forward with projects, Village Board members said.

The HPC needs to give its approval for a certificate of appropriateness for signs and exterior work on a building in the historic downtown district.

The seven-member board currently only has four members.

The Village Board will have a public hearing at 6 p.m. on Feb. 25 about disbanding the Historic Preservation Commission and having its functions handled by either the code enforcement officer or the Village Planning Board.

In Medina, the Planning Board decides whether to grant certificates of appropriateness for signs and exterior building work.

In October 2022, Mary Anne Braunbach, the Albion HPC chairwoman at the time, said the commission was struggling to have a quorum. She didn’t want to hold up projects in the historic district because the board lacked enough participants for an official meeting.

With seven members, the commission needs at least four for a quorum. She suggested reducing the members to five members, and then the minimum would be three for a quorum.

Braunbach said then the commission tries to be a resource to building owners looking to upgrade their facades or do other projects. The commission doesn’t want to be an obstacle, she said, but will push for property owners to meet the standard for the historic district.

“We want to let people know we’re working with them,” she told the Village Board then. “We want to help people make the buildings look better and look historic.”

MEDINA – Clementine Gold Group, which is fielding a survey on the Western New York Digital Coalition’s behalf, will be at the Canal Village Farmer’s Market on Saturday.

With the support of a grant from the New York State ConnectAll Office, the WNY Digital Equity Coalition is conducting the regional survey of digital literacy across all of Western New York’s eight counties.

This survey will give them community-level information about digital skill levels which is not available from any other source, and will guide digital literacy programs, support grant applications and provide information which advocates can use to ensure everyone in Western New York has the ability to make full use of computers and the internet.

Mark Glasgow, director of Engagement and Strategic Insights for the Clementine Gold Group, requested permission to have a presence at the market this week, said Chris Busch, chair of Orleans Renaissance Group, which sponsors the market.

Glasglow explained the brief survey helps measure digital skills across WNY, especially among groups most impacted by digital exclusion.

“Your event is a strong opportunity to reach residents whose experiences should be represented,” Glasglow said in an e-mail to market manager Gail Miller.

Along with the brief survey, Glasglow said they will have raffle tickets and candy to offer visitors.

The Canal Village Farmers’ Market supports local nonprofit organizations by providing them with free space at the market, Miller said.

“We recognize it can be challenging for nonprofits to reach the community members who most need their services,” Miller explained. “By offering a no-cost space at the market on Saturdays to share information, we hope to strengthen community connections and ensure valuable resources are more accessible to those who need them.”

Some examples of non-profit groups which have taken advantage of free space at the market are Orleans Community Health, Hospice of Orleans, PAWS, Friends of Iroquois Wildlife Refuge and many more. Space may be reserved by contacting canalvillagemarket@gmail.com.

Market hours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the basement of the former NAPA building at 345 North Main St. Ample parking is available in the canal basin and on Main Street.

Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from Saturday evening shows traffic and cars parking on Main Street in Albion.

ALBION – The Village Board will take comments from the public on raising the fines for people with parking infractions.

Police Chief David Mogle suggested the fines be doubled from their current levels of $25 if paid within seven days of the violation, $30 if paid after seven days but within 30 days, and $35 if paid after 30 days.

Village Trustee Joyce Riley believes doubling the fines is too much. She suggested a $40 fine if paid with seven days, $50 if paid after seven days and wthin 30 days, and $65 if paid after 30 days.

The other board members agreed with Riley’s reasoning. The board will have a public hearing on the higher fines at 6 p.m. on Feb. 11.

The Albion Police Department is almost out of parking tickets and will soon be ordering more. Mogle advised the board the fine amounts had not been changed in many years.

The Police Department can issue parking tickets for parking in the street overnight from Nov. 15 to April 15, parking in a no parking zone, blocking a fire lane, parking closer than 10 feet of a fire hydrant, double parking, parking in handicapped parking spot without a permit, parking on curb or sidewalk, and overtime parking.

2 towns together have been billed about $60,000 by Medina last 2 years for ad valorem charges

Photos by Tom Rivers: This photo from Aug. 8, 2016 shows a worker from DN Tanks putting a second coat of paint on Medina’s 3-million-gallon water tank. DN Tank also made several repairs to the water tank that was initially built in 1959 on Route 31A. The tank holds water from the Niagara County Water District. The Village of Medina’s water system also feeds water districts in Shelby and Ridgeway.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board isn’t backing off collecting money from the towns of Shelby and Ridgeway with their shares of an ad valorem charge from the Niagara County Water District.

The NCWD supplies Medina, Shelby and most of Ridgeway with its water. The NCWD bills Medina about $136,000 annually in an ad valorem charge as an out-of-district user. That charge helps pay for infrastructure and operations of the Water District.

Village Attorney Matt Brooks told the Village Board on Monday it is obligated to collect the ad valorem charges from Shelby and Ridgeway, and may need to take legal action if the towns continue to not pay the bill.

Medina has been bearing the full bill itself, even though a study from 2013 called for Ridgeway to pay 5.02 percent of the bill and Shelby to contribute 17.98 percent. That is their share of the bill based on their water usage back in 2013. (Medina officials expect the towns are using a higher percentage now after adding water districts since 2013.)

Medina, however, didn’t seek to collect the ad valorem charge from the two towns until September 2024.

Shelby was billed $23,554.81 and Ridgeway was billed $6,576.48. Neither has paid.

They were billed again in September 2025, with Shelby’s amount at $23,193.84 and Ridgeway’s at $6,475.70.

The Medina Village Board is determined to get those funds, and will be assessing 10 percent late fees as it does with all of its water customers who don’t pay on time.

Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman said she has reached out to the town supervisors at both towns to tell them the money is owed, per their contract with Medina. The village sells water to the two towns that comes from the Niagara County Water District.

Sherman said Brian Napoli, the Ridgeway town supervisor, doesn’t think Ridgeway needs to pay. Jim Heminway, the Shelby town supervisor, has asked the town attorney to review the issue, Sherman said.

Village Attorney Matt Brooks advised the board on Monday that the village may need to take legal action if the two towns continue to refuse payment.

“This is an issue of a contractual breach,” he said. “It’s in violation of a contract.”

The Medina mayor said she is trying to reach an amicable agreement with the two municipalities.

“It’s not out of spite,” Sherman said about the bills from the village to the towns. “We want to be good neighbors but we are obligated to collect this amount based on the contract.”