By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 January 2026 at 8:34 am
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the per-acre payment rates in the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance Program.
The money comes at a time for a reeling agricultural sector that is seeing higher costs from tariffs and inflation, and shrinking markets for their crops, especially from a trade war with China.
“These one-time payments give farmers the bridge to continue to feed and clothe America and the world while the Trump Administration continues opening new markets and strengthening the farm safety net,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins said on Dec. 31. “USDA is making this process as simple and seamless as possible so producers can focus on what they do best – feeding and fueling our nation.”
The funding includes $11 billion in one-time payments.
These are payment rates per acre for the FBA eligible commodities:
Barley: $20.51
Canola: $23.57
Chickpeas (Large): $26.46
Chickpeas (Small): $33.36
Corn: $44.36
Cotton: $117.35
Flax: $8.05
Lentils: $23.98
Mustard: $23.21
Oats: $81.75
Peanuts: $55.65
Peas: $19.60
Rice: $132.89
Safflower: $24.86
Sesame: $13.68
Sorghum: $48.11
Soybeans: $30.88
Sunflower: $17.32
Wheat: $39.35
The remaining $1 billion of the $12 billion in assistance is reserved for specialty crops and sugar. Timelines for payments to producers of these crops are still under development and require additional understanding of market impacts and economic needs, the USDA said.
In Orleans County, the top crops in acres include 39,354 in corn for grain, 24,739 in soybeans for beans, 14,208 for vegetables, 11,590 in forage (hay/haylage), and 6,953 acres of apples, according to the county’s 20122 census of agriculture.
That census reported there are 444 farms in Orleans County that generated a market value of $223.6 in farm products in 2022. The $233.6 million in Orleans ranked 15th highest out of the 62 counties in the state.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 January 2026 at 9:34 am
Geno Allport’s family have been season ticket holders since 1974, a year after stadium opened
Photos courtesy of Allport family: Geno Allport holds daughter Hensley at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
ALBION – It’s not just a football stadium to Geno Allport. The Buffalo Bills are in his family’s DNA, he proudly says, and today’s final regular season home game at Highmark Stadium will be an emotional farewell.
Geno’s family have been season ticket holders since 1974, a year after the opening of what was Rich Stadium. The home of the Buffalo Bills has been called Ralph Wilson Stadium “The Ralph”, New Era Field and Highmark.
The Bills will move to a new $2.1 billion stadium next season. The current facility will be demolished.
Geno, 51, said going to the games has been a strong bonding experience for him with his father and grandfather, and also his son and other family and friends.
“I was born and raised there,” he said on Saturday before today’s finale. “I have all the memories with my mom, dad and grampa there. Hopefully I can create new memories with my kids in the new stadium.”
The Allports will continue to be season ticket holders at the new stadium, but Allport said people who have been in the seats close to them will have spots elsewhere in the stadium. Other long-time fans close to them opted against buying season tickets at the new stadium.
Geno was hoping the current stadium would stay. It has been significantly upgraded over the years. It is the fifth oldest stadium in the NFL.
Geno has been to every home game since 1981, including in Covid when fans weren’t allowed. Allport was able to get a job in security to be at the games in 2020.
When Geno was a kid, the family parked near the players’ lot. Geno would get their autographs and his mother would get photos of him with the Bills players. Now, they aren’t nearly as accessible.
The only game he missed was in October 2006. A freak snowstorm on Oct. 12-13, moved back the playoff game for Albion’s youth football team coached by Allport. He coached that championship game for the Albion team on a Sunday. (He tried to push the game back but the league set it for the same time as the Bills game.)
Tre Allport, 31, has been a regular with his father at the Bills games. In bottom right photo he is shown with retired quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, a Buffalo Bills legend.
Allport said the Bills have provided many incredible victories over the wins. He counts the 51-3 win over the Raiders on Jan. 20, 1991. That demolition of the Raider sent the Bills to their first Super Bowl. The Bills used their no-huddle offense led by Jim Kelly to torch the Raiders that day, running up 41 points by halftime.
“They could do no wrong,” Allport said. “Everything went right.”
He remembers another game from a dark time in the Bills era. They were 0-11 when the mighty Dallas Cowboys came to town on Nov. 18, 1984. The Bills beat them 14-3 with running back Greg Bell gaining 206 yards, including an 85-yard touchdown on the first play. The Bills finished 2-14 that season, and also in 1985.
The team became a powerhouse in the late 1980s and first half of the 1990s with Jim Kelly, Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed among the star players. They remain the only team to ever make it to four straight super bowls.
The fans would endure a 17-year playoff drought from 2000 until the 2017 season. Led by Josh Allen, the team has now made the playoffs seven straight years.
Allport loves the team, but he loves the people next to him in the stands even more.
The past 25 years, the Allports have had six seats at section 135, row 12, seats 1 through 6.
Before his family heads to today’s game, Allport will go to the Bates Road Cemetery in Medina to stop by gravesites for his parents, Gene “Lou” Allport and Pam Allport.
Geno considered ending his season tickets after this season. But his daughter Hensley, age 7, loves the team, too.
“We will keep going next year,” he said. “I don’t want my youngest one to miss out.”
He is grateful for the many friendships he’s made in the stands. They have watched his son, Tre, grow from a boy to a man. Tre is 31 and endured the 17-year drought before experiencing a team that has made the playoffs eight of the past nine years.
“I wish it wasn’t happening,” Allport said about the finale at the stadium. “I was born and raised there. It will be a sad day. I’ve been dreading it since they announced it.”
Allport said the new stadium won’t be the same mainly because many of the long-time fans who are his friends won’t be right next to him.
“You get used to the people around you,” he said. “We are all yelling to support the team. Next year we’ll be making new friends.”
File photo by Tom Rivers: Geno Allport proudly displays his love for the Buffalo Bills at his Albion home. He was the Buffalo Bills Fan of the Year in 2021. The Allports have been season ticket holders since 1974, and Geno was also recognized for his leadership with Albion youth football.
RIDGEWAY – Ridgeway firefighters & EMTs responded to 378 emergency incidents in 2025, making this a record high year for us!
Broken down:
214 EMS
9 Structure Fires, including a chicken coop fire, 3 barn fires, and multiple house fires
5 Vehicle Fires, including a lawn mower, a farm sprayer and a combine
8 Brush Fires
1 Misc. Fire – a power substation
23 Motor Vehicle Accidents, including 1 requiring extrication
10 Automatic Alarms
59 Hazardous Conditions
2 Fire Police Requests
8 Good Intent Calls
1 Water Rescue – multiple stranded kayakers on Oak Orchard Creek
19 Mutual Aid including 1 ice water rescue in Medina, 12 fill-ins to other agencies, and 9 working structure fires.
We averaged 8 personnel in attendance at each incident.
Outside of calls, volunteers hosted our normal fundraisers including 2 sportsman raffles, Fathers’ Day Chicken BBQ, 2 vendor shows, money raffle, toy show and our new trailer raffle!
Volunteers have worked multiple birthday parties, retirement parties, weddings, funerals and other rentals.
Crews attended multiple parades in Lyndonville, Albion, Medina, Middleport and Wildwood KOA!
Members even started some new traditions to work in our community even more. Firefighters & EMTs met with a Home School group to have a Fire Safety day!
Firefighters attended multiple classes. In 2025 Ridgeway gained: 7 Exterior Certified FFs, 2 went onto Interior Certified FFs, and 4 EMTs.
We are excited to see what the year 2026 brings with new members, trainings and ways we can engage our community! We’re always looking for more membership. Firefighters, EMTs, Drivers, Fire Police or even social membership are needed to help with events! We’re at our Ridge Road Fire House every Tuesday Evening at 7 p.m.
We thank all of you for your continued support to our Fire Company! Without you, there would not be an us.
The 2026 Ridgeway Fire Operational Line Officers are as follows:
Fire Chief – Tyler Luckman
Deputy Fire Chief – Kristin McAdoo
Assistant Fire Chief – Gerald Lewis
Fire Captain – Jason Bessel
Fire Lieutenant – Austin Mosher
Fire Lieutenant – Buford McAdoo
Safety Officer – Donald Marchner
Fire Police Captain – Paul Wengrzycki
Fire Police Lieutenant – (Not yet announced)
EMS Captain – Morgan Austin
EMS Lieutenant – Page Smith
The 2026 Ridgeway Fire Executive Line Officers are as follows:
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 January 2026 at 7:50 pm
Congressional representatives for Orleans County are reacting to the U.S. military action in Venezuela, where President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken from Caracas, the capital, and brought to New York City to face indictments charging them with narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine.
‘The idea that Trump plans to now run Venezuela should strike fear in the hearts of all Americans.’ – Chuck Schumer
Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic Leader, released a statement after the military action against Venezuela was launched without congressional authorization and Trump’s announcement that the U.S. would “run” Venezuela.
“Let me be clear: Nicolás Maduro is an illegitimate dictator. But launching military action without congressional authorization and without a credible plan for what comes next is reckless.
“The administration has assured me three separate times that it was not pursuing regime change or taking military action in Venezuela. Clearly, they are not being straight with Americans.
“The idea that Trump plans to now run Venezuela should strike fear in the hearts of all Americans. The American people have seen this before and paid the devastating price.
“The administration must brief Congress immediately on its objectives, and its plan to prevent a humanitarian and geopolitical disaster that plunges us into another endless war or one that trades one corrupt dictator for another.
“To district from skyrocketing costs Americans face and the historic cover up of the Epstein files, Donald Trump is attempting to throw Americans into more international chaos and uncertainty.”
‘This operation sends a clear message that the United States will stand firmly against tyranny and corruption that threaten US security in our hemisphere.’ – Claudia Tenney
U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney, NY-24, praised President Trump for leading the action against “tyranny.”
“Last night, under the leadership of President Trump, Secretary Marco Rubio and Secretary Pete Hegseth, the U.S. conducted a decisive and successful action against Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and his illegitimate regime,” Tenney said. “This operation sends a clear message that the United States will stand firmly against tyranny and corruption that threaten US security in our hemisphere.
“I also want to recognize the brave men and women of the United States Military for carrying out a flawless operation with professionalism, precision, and strength. Their service continues to protect freedom and uphold American leadership on the world stage.
“Nicolás Maduro was not only a brutal dictator, but an indicted drug trafficker. The people in Venezuela now have the opportunity to pursue freedom and prosperity.”
‘The Constitution and international law are not optional.’ – Kirsten Gillibrand
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement”
“Nicolás Maduro was a thuggish dictator who abused his power, his people, and refused to accept the results of elections. No one disputes that he should be held accountable for his crimes.
“But the Constitution and international law are not optional. The administration must justify these actions to my fellow members on the Senate Armed Services Committee and explain to the American people how this was a justified act of war against a foreign country.
“After repeatedly telling me and my colleagues that it was not seeking to do so, the administration must also explain why they would carry out this military operation to perform regime change without authorization by Congress and how the United States is going to ‘run’ Venezuela indefinitely without putting our service members in harm’s way.
“Beyond this flagrant breach of trust, I remain concerned that the administration’s actions are not the end of something, but the beginning of chaos and instability in the region that threatens our service members, our allies, and American security.
“The administration must lay out a concrete plan to ensure peace and stability in Venezuela and the Western Hemisphere, with transparency and in consultation with Congress.”
More 200 social media posts, TikTok videos and many appearances
Photo by Brenda Tremblay: In one of his boldest outings, Orly the Ox went kayaking on Glenwood Lake and made it close to the Medina Waterfalls on Aug. 18. He met up with the Buffalo Paddle People, a kayaking group that goes to sites all over WNY. Orleans County is popular with kayakers, especially the Oak Orchard Creek and Glenwood Lake in Ridgeway.
Photo by Isabella Zasa: Orly the Ox made it to the top of the Mount Albion Tower in one of his journeys in Orleans County in 2025. Orly had more than 200 social media posts on Facebook and Instagram about local historical sites, notable residents of the past and local attractions. Orly also went kayaking, hydro-biking, skateboarding and tackled many adventures in Orleans County during all four seasons. Orly also is featured on about 200 TikTok videos.
By Natalie Baron, Orleans Hub contributor
ALBION – Orly the Ox has completed a busy year promoting Orleans County, highlighting interesting people, places and things in the community.
Isabella Zasa and Tom Rivers were the driving force behind Orly’s adventures in 2025. Zasa works as a tourism assistant and digital content creator for the Orleans County Tourism Department. Rivers is the Orleans Hub editor. Both are members of the Orleans County Bicentennial Committee.
The committee picked an ox as a mascot for the county to celebrate the 200th anniversary in 2025. Oxen were critical in transporting early settlers across rough terrain. The oxen helped clear land and plow fields. They are somewhat underappreciated for their important role with the early settlers.
The committee wanted to recognize the oxen and acknowledge their link to the pioneers. The group also decided to have an ox in costume as a fun way to promote the bicentennial.
“Orly” was initially intended to just appear in Medina’s Parade of Lights in 2024, walking in front of the Bicentennial Committee’s float that included an ox statue. But Orly was popular along the parade route. (Lucy Rivers, the daughter of Tom Rivers, wore the costume in that parade with her sister Cordelia following up at Albion’s lighted parade in December 2024.)
Orly’s look was created by Robyn Watts of Medina, who makes many of the costumes for the Medina musical products and also for Lake Plains Players. She gave Orly a vest with all 10 towns, four villages and some of the hamlets. She also embroidered some of the early names – Newport for Albion and Saltport for Holley.
Zasa noticed how Oswego County uses a character, Ozzy the Elf, to highlight sites in that county. She suggested an ox be used to showcase places in Orleans County. Orly was activated last January for the task, and he kept up a busy pace, with at least five social media posts a week.
Zasa and Tom Rivers worked as team on the social media posts. They would share the duties of wearing the costume, taking the photos and writing the blurbs.
Zasa put together an active social media presence for Orly on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. Tourism’s Facebook followers have nearly doubled in the past year from 2,300 to 4,500 and many of the Orly posts get hundreds of likes.
Catherine Cooper, Orleans County’s historian, loves Orly and said he has helped the community better understand local history.
“Orly’s delight in exploring the treasures of Orleans County is infectious,” Cooper said.
Zasa said the Orly posts connected with many in the public, who enjoyed the authentic storytelling over AI-generated content.
“We covered the bigger attractions and hit the smaller niche things,” she said. “It was to promote the county in a fun way.”
Photos by Marsha Rivers: (Left) Isabella Zasa, a tourism assistant and digital content creator for the Orleans County Tourism Department, takes a picture of Orly on West State Street in Albion by the historical marker for Grace Bedell, an Albion native who wrote a letter to Abraham Lincoln, urging him to grow a beard during the presidential campaign in 1860. Lincoln took her advice. Bedell, 11 at the time, was living in Westfield at the time when she sent the letter. (Right) Tom Rivers, Orleans Hub editor, takes a photo of Orly holding a cake with “200” with the Orleans County Courthouse in the background. This was right before the April 15 anniversary of when Orleans County was officially recognized by the State legislature as its own county, after splitting off from Genesee County. Rivers and Zasa took most of the Orly photos and wrote the features about him in 2025. They also took turns wearing the Orly costume throughout the year.
Orly picked up fans outside of the county, too. The NYS Canal Corp. often would like and share his social media posts and invited Orly to the bicentennial celebration to kick off the 200th anniversary of the canal season, a ceremony that was cancelled due to flooding on the eastern end of the canal.
Zasa said Orly helped people learn about the county, with people from other towns seeing assets that didn’t realize. The post about Orly climbing Mount Albion Tower included comments from people in Medina who didn’t realize there was a 68-foot-high tower in the back of the cemetery.
Rivers has worked as a local reporter for nearly 30 years now. He has done features about many of the local sites over the years. He saw the Orly features as a challenge to see how well he knew the community. He was also able to draw on historical columns from Catherine Cooper and past county historians, Matt Ballard and Bill Lattin.
Another way the community got to connect with Orly was via the Flat Orly challenge, where people could color printouts and take him on an adventure, snapping a commemorative photo. Flat Orly was featured in New York City, Iowa and other states. These photos were featured on Orly’s social media pages.
Orly was named the Grand Marshall of Albion’s Strawberry Festival. He also attended the Lyndonville parade, Barre tractor parade, and the Albion Christmas parade.
Orly was intended to be a 2025 phenomenon, and then head to retirement. But Rivers and Zasa said Orly is much loved by many people who would be sad if he went away.
They concocted a storyline were Orly meets up with a long-lost brother, Scout, and the two will work together in 2026, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the USA.
Zasa and Rivers also want to make a book of Orly’s 2025 adventures, an effort that will be a fundraiser for the Cobblestone Museum.
Click here to see Tourism’s Facebook page to see more of Orly’s adventures.
Photo by Isabella Zara: Orly the Ox ended his active year of 2025 by being reunited with his brother Scout at Welker Farms on Sanderson Road in Shelby. Scout was added to the storyline for Orly, giving him a brother as a partner in 2026 to help celebrate the 250th anniversary of the country. Robyn Watts made both of these ox costumes. Orly has a vest with the names of towns, villages and some of the hamlets in Orleans County. Scout has a more patriotic themed vest.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 3 January 2026 at 8:14 am
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced it has been awarded a grant from the Garman Family Foundation, administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, to expand pediatric services, live-saving education and family support programs for children in Orleans County.
The funding will help OCH deliver a holistic and equitable approach to pediatric wellness, addressing critical needs in a rural community where child poverty, limited transportation, high infant mortality rates and a shortage of medical providers continue to impact families. More than 1,500 children and families are expected to benefit within the first year of the initiative, according to information provided by Scott Robinson, director of Marketing for OCH.
“Families in our community deserve access to care and education that protect children’s health and empower parents,” said Megan Johnson, executive director of Orleans Community Health Foundation. “This generous grant allows us to expand resources beyond the clinic walls – bringing safety education, mental health support and essential pediatric equipment directly to the families who need it most.”
The project supported by the Garman Family Foundation will include:
Free Infant CPR and Newborn Care Classes for parents and caregivers, eliminating the need for families to travel long distances for live-saving training.
A Pediatric Wellness Fair, offering education and health resources for local families.
Mental Health and Behavioral Support Tools, including the certification of a pediatric nurse practitioner in the evidence-based COPE (Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment) program and the use of anxiety-reducing tools during visits.
Preventative Child Safety Resources, including helmets, first aid kits and coping tools to reduce emergencies and injuries.
Important Clinical Upgrades, including pediatric exam tables and an infant warmer for safe and effective care.
A New Children’s Reading nook and Books Distributed at Well Visits to promote early literacy and development growth.
Leah Brunner, pediatric nurse practitioner who serves children in both OCH’s Medina and Albion offices, shared how the funding will enhance care from the moment the families walk in the door.
“Parents want to feel confident caring for their children, and kids deserve a safe, supportive place to grow,” Brenner said. “With this grant, we can offer families more education, more tools and a more welcoming pediatric environment. It strengthens care for every child who comes through our doors.
Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Robert Ortt
ALBANY – Following disturbing reports of widespread fraud involving taxpayer dollars in Minnesota, members of the Senate Republican Conference have penned a letter to the Governor’s Office urging her to immediately hire a private professional services firm to conduct a truly independent audit of programs administered by state agencies to ensure that public funds are only being distributed to authorized organizations and individuals, and utilized for authorized activities.
Further, Senate Republican Leader Ortt will be introducing a bill to require an independent audit of New York State government programs by a professional third party and to mandate that all findings of fraud or abuse will be promptly referred to appropriate law enforcement authorities.
These actions follow recent revelations of rampant fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars uncovered by investigative reporting in Minnesota, including schemes that reportedly involved sham daycare centers.
“If Governor Hochul isn’t alarmed by what’s happening in Minnesota, New Yorkers will lose even more trust in how their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt. “The Governor must do her job and guarantee this isn’t happening here. If nothing is amiss, there is no excuse for refusing a comprehensive, independent audit. Failing to act would be an extreme disservice to taxpayers.”
An independent audit is necessary to root out all similar schemes currently underway here in New York, Ortt said. For example:
$68 million in Medicaid fraud committed by a Brooklyn adult daycare operator uncovered by the Department of Justice in August.
The State improperly paid over $2.6 billion in Medicaid premiums for people who do not live in New York.
$13 million in Medicaid fraud for transporting patients to medical appointments.
$7 million in Medicaid fraud for fraudulent billing.
“This issue is especially urgent given that dozens of counties across New York have already exhausted their allotted state funding for the Child Care Assistance Program,” the Republican senators state in the letter. “At a time when resources are strained, it is essential that available funds are protected and directed exclusively to those who truly need assistance. Moreover, with reports that your administration may advance a proposal for universal pre-kindergarten in the upcoming legislative session, ensuring these programs are efficient, transparent, and free from fraud should be a shared priority for all New Yorkers.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 January 2026 at 5:55 pm
MEDINA – The Village of Medina will be hosting a major arts initiative this year, with 50,000 people expected to visit Medina to see works by 35 different artists showcased at 12 sites in the community.
The Medina Triennial is the first initiative of its kind in the region. It will feature artists from around the world from June 6 to Sept. 7 to see the exhibits and public programs.
The Triennial welcomes the community to see how they can volunteer and be a part of the event. There will be a complimentary brunch and information session at the Triennial’s headquarters on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. The Triennial “Hub” is located at 345 N Main St. (the former NAPA Auto Parts building).
“We’ll be answering frequently asked questions and announcing volunteer/employment opportunities in a very casual sit-down style conversation,” said Federico Rosario, Community Engagement & Programs Coordinator for the Triennial. “This event is an opportunity to hear about the Triennial’s goals and upcoming volunteer and work opportunities.”
The Triennial is an initiative of the New York Power Authority with funding from other sponsors, too.
Photos courtesy of Lyndonville Lions Club: Carla and Terry Woodworth were recognized for Overall Best Holiday Display Award. They received a commemorative plaque and a bottle of champagne.
Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club
LYNDONVILLE – The Lions from Lyn“Who”ville were busy at their Hall.
They were readying awards for those who honored the call.
Those who hung lights, wreaths and Holiday balls.
Those who strung lights from trees and from walls.
The awards went to some but could have been given to all.
Some displays were massive and some were small.
The Lions traveled the roads to view them all.
Some displays had lights, some had bows and some had nothing, nothing at all.
The Lions recognize them come one and come all.
The winners of awards held them high and they held them tall.
So, the Lions would like to say thank you and Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas to all.
The Lyndonville Lions continued a much-anticipated recognition of the Holiday Spirit shown by the Village of Lyndonville and Town of Yates residents. Three categories were awarded in the village and town as the best holiday decorations were singled out.
Winners received a plaque that recognizes the hard work undertaken by those decorating their homes for the Christmas season. They were supplied with a bottle of bubbly to help them celebrate their achievement and the New Year. There were several displays in and around town noted to be worthy of honorable mention.
Best Single-Color Lighting Display
Best Holiday Inflatables Display
Currier & Ives Award – Most Traditional Display
Best Holiday Display in the Town of Yates
Best Holiday Display in the Village
The Lions would like to thank all for participating in the holiday illumination project in and around Lyndonville during the Christmas Season. We would encourage all to take a moment to view the holiday decorations and enjoy the season.
May God continue to shed his many blessings on our residents and we wish everyone a Happy New Year!
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 January 2026 at 2:27 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Clarendon Town Board met this morning for the 2026 organizational meeting. From left up front include Town Councilman Fred Seeman, Councilman Chris Caufield, Town Clerk Susan Colby, Town Supervisor Marc Major, Councilman Allen Robinson and Councilman Bruce Hovey.
CLARENDON – The Clarendon Town Board met this morning for its annual organizational meeting where appointments are made and salaries set for different positions in the town government.
The board held off on making appointments to three positions that have been held by Melissa Ierlan. She was charged on Tuesday by State Police with two felonies – falsifying business records in the first degree and second-degree grand larceny with property value exceeding $50,000.
Ierlan has been serving as Clarendon’s code enforcement officer and building inspector, the administrator of Hillside Cemetery and also the town historian. She also is president of the Clarendon Historical Society, which is separate from the town government.
Town Supervisor Marc Major said he has no comment at this time about the allegations against Ierlan. The State Police also hasn’t provided any information except listing the charges on the daily blotter report.
Fred Seeman, Ierlan’s husband and a town councilman, said State Police have provided little information to him and Ierlan except to say the allegations involve the Historical Society.
The board during the organizational meeting tabled filling the code officer/zoning inspector at a salary of $44,440; the cemetery caretaker/administrator at an annual salary of $7,293; and the town historian at a salary of $1,950.
Some of the other appointments include:
Cemetery maintenance for $7,150, Tracy Chalker
Dog enumerator at $2,280, Susan Colby
Planning Board Chairman – David Griggs, with Patrick White as deputy chairman
Deputy Town Supervisor at $1,298, Allen Robinson
Cleaning Service at $65 a week, Michelle Chalker of Save Time Cleaning
Water Superintendent at $10,402, Tracy Chalker
Water District billing clerk at $20 an hour, Donna Moore
Water District collection clerk at $5,244 annual salary, Linda Barrett
The board also set the following pay rates and salaries:
Highway superintendent, $66,977; foreman in highway department, $31.32 per hour; full-time motor equipment operator, $30.73 an hour (top rate) and $30.59 an hour for other MEO; part-time MEO, $22.73 an hour; part-time cemetery laborer, $17.14 an hour.
Assessor, $27,281; assessor clerk/bookkeeper to the supervisor, $27,891; town clerk/tax collector, $47,114; primary deputy town clerk, $21 an hour; secondary part-time deputy, $16.20 an hour; part-time records deputy, $16.20 an hour.
Planning Board chairman, $126 per meeting; members, $31 per meeting; Board of Assessment Review, $150 per hearing day; secretary to Board of Assessment Review, $250 annual salary; four town council members, $4,202 annually; town supervisor, $12,988; budget officer, $806; town justice, $16,200; court clerk, $20 an hour; registrar of vital statistics, $408 annually.
The board also named the Suburban News/Westside News as the official newspaper to carry legal notices; Five Star Bank as the official town bank; the mileage reimbursement rate at 70 cents per mile; and meal reimbursement for meetings/conferences not to exceed $68 per day.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 January 2026 at 12:28 pm
State-wide the cases decline but hospitalizations are up
The flu continues its rampant spread locally and state-wide. A week ago it was big news in New York when the number of confirmed flu cases was the most since 2004, when the state began to weekly track flu cases.
The number of new flu cases is down a week later, from 72,133 to 49,153. That is a 32 percent drop.
However, the number of people hospitalized by the flu has increased 24 percent from 3,666 a week earlier to 4,546, according to the state Department of Health.
The DOH also is reporting a pediatric death from the flu this week. There have now been two pediatric deaths from the flu thus season, according to the state DOH.
While the new cases were down statewide, in Genesee and Orleans counties the new cases increased from 217 for the week ending Dec. 20 to 224 in the week ending Dec. 27, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.
In Genesee and Orleans, both counties show the number of younger people getting the flu is declining, but still high. In Orleans the flu cases for people 0-19 dropped from 571.3 per 100,000 to 440.4, while the cases for people 60 and older went from 76.5 per 100,000 people to 181.7 per 100,000. In Orleans, the overall rate of new flu cases per 100,000 people is 196.5, the same as the previous week.
In Genesee, the cases for 0-19 year olds dropped from 553.9 per 100,000 people for the week ending Dec. 20, to 446.2 for the week ending Dec. 27. The cases for people 60 and older increased from 249.3 to 324.1 during that time period. Genesee’s overall flu rate is at 252 per 100,000 people, up from 239.9 the previous week.
State health officials said flu typically peaks in January so the cases may continue to rise.
The Department of Health encourages people to get the flu shot, and take antivirals if it’s been less than 48 hours since symptoms began.
People are also urged to wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
People are advised to stay home when sick, and avoid close contact with people who are ill.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 January 2026 at 10:57 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: The former Medina Savings and Loan, which has been a Generations Bank site since 2018, is now ESL Federal Credit Union, effective Jan. 1. The bank is located on Maple Ridge Road.
MEDINA – ESL Federal Credit Union is now officially open in Medina after acquiring the assets of Generations Bank.
The two organizations announced an acquisition deal in September 2024. Generations merged with the former Medina Savings & Loan in 2018.
Completion of the deal allows ESL to significantly grow its presence throughout Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region, adding eight new locations.
ESL now has 33 full-service branches throughout the Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes region including a new branch presence in Cayuga, Orleans and Seneca counties while expanding its footprint in Ontario County. ESL now holds more than $9.8 billion in assets and has more than 1,000 employees.
“We’re excited to complete the acquisition of Generations Bank, marking a significant milestone for ESL and for the communities we serve,” said ESL President & CEO, Faheem Masood. “We look forward to building new relationships with employees, customers, local businesses and partners that are now part of our shared home. We also commit to investing in the people and places across Cayuga, Ontario, Orleans, and Seneca counties.”
Conversion of Generations accounts is expected to take place on Feb. 1. Post closing, the credit union membership grows to approximately 459,000 total members, and nearly 18,200 businesses.
The deal required regulatory approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Company (FDIC), National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), with all regulators providing approval in 2025.
Before ending its presence in Medina, Generations Bank officials on oct. 21 presented $50,000 in donations to nine organizations in the community. The grant recipients included Community Action of Orleans and Genesee (Albion), East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company (Medina), Knights Kaderli Memorial Fund (Medina), The Lee Whedon Memorial Library (Medina), Medina Emergency Food Pantry (St. Peters Lutheran Church), Operation Honor (Medina), Orleans Community Health Foundation Inc. (Medina), Orleans County YMCA (Medina), and People for Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) of Orleans County (Albion).
The flu continues its rampant spread locally and state-wide. A week ago it was big news in New York when the number of confirmed flu cases was the most since 2004, when the state began to weekly track flu cases.
Completion of the deal allows ESL to significantly grow its presence throughout Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region, adding eight new locations.
