Ciara Gregoire, left, and Ashley Rush work as dental hygienists at Albion Family Dental, which is located in the Arnold Gregory Office Complex at 243 South Main St., Suite 121.

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ALBION – Albion Family Dental will be expanding, adding more space with renovations this fall to better serve patients. The dental practice has already added another full-time hygienist.

Ashley Rush recently joined Albion Family Dental as a hygienist. She started her career 14 years ago at Albion Family Dental with Dr. Mark Rumble. He retired about three years ago. Today, the practice is led by Dr. Jeremy Brandwein.

Albion Family Dental offers preventive services including regular dental exams and cleanings, fluoride treatment, X-rays, sealants, and general education and tips for the whole family concerning at-home dental care.

The cosmetic services include teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, composite fillings, crowns and bridges. For more information, click here to be directed to Albion Family Dental’s website.

Ashley Rush recently rejoined Albion Family Dental as a hygienist. She started her career there 14 years ago. Ashley stated the following:

“I have been a dental hygienist in Albion for more than 14 years. After graduating from the Dental Hygiene program at Lake Land College in Mattoon, Illinois, in 2012, I made the move to Western New York. Originally from East Central Illinois, I was drawn to the area by my husband, who is from Waterport.

I began my career at Dr. Rumble’s office, where I worked for 9 1/2 years before returning to Albion Family Dental. Reconnecting with longtime patients has been incredibly rewarding, and seeing their excitement about my return has truly touched my heart. What I enjoy most about being a dental hygienist is building meaningful relationships with my patients and getting to know them on a personal level.

Albion is a wonderful community, and I feel fortunate to work here and see familiar faces both in and outside the office.

Many of my patients know me best as the mom of triplets. They followed my journey through pregnancy, and now my children are preparing to enter fourth grade! Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and children. We love backyard camping, fishing, and making memories at our cabin in the Adirondacks.”

Kim Novak

Kim Novak has more than four decades of working as a local dental hygienist. She stated the following:

“I have been a dental hygienist for over 42 years. I began my dental career as a dental assistant working for Dr. Karl Heuer. His advice and mentoring inspired me to pursue my career as a dental hygienist, and I was fortunate to work alongside him for more than 36 years until his retirement.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of forming lasting relationships with my patients and their families. Getting to know them, taking a genuine interest in their lives, and sharing in their milestones is what I love most about my career.

Now, as part of the Albion Family Dental team, I have had the wonderful opportunity to reconnect with some of those familiar faces. It has been so much fun catching up, hearing their family news, and continuing the relationships that mean so much to me.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, whether we’re simply getting together or heading to our cottage in Three Mile Bay. I am also the proud grandmother of three, who affectionately call me ‘Pippi.’ I enjoy cheering them on and attending their activities, from dance recitals and horse shows to baseball games.

In my spare time, I enjoy sewing, especially creating costumes and making quilts for special people in my life.

I strive to master the craft as my mom did, although she certainly set the bar high!”

Ciara Gregoire enjoys working a small town like Albion where she can get to know the patients.

“Hello my name is Ciara and I’ve been a dental hygienist for 3 years, with experience working in pediatrics and a passion for helping patients of all ages feel comfortable and confident in my dental chair. I grew up in Barker, so I’ve always appreciated the close-knit feeling of a small town. I’m so happy to now be working in another wonderful small town like Albion and becoming part of the community.

One of my favorite parts of being a hygienist is building genuine connections and lasting relationships with my patients. I love getting to know each person, creating a comfortable environment, and providing gentle, thorough care while educating them on how to maintain a healthy smile for years to come.

Outside of work, I love traveling, hiking, and spending as much time outdoors as possible. I’m always looking for my next adventure, so I’d love to hear about your favorite travel stories, must-visit destinations, or any great hiking trails you’d recommend!”

The above is a paid advertorial. Businesses and/or agencies interested in advertising can contact Brad London by email or by calling the office at (585) 589-5641.

Carmella Rowe has been reported missing.

ALBION – State troopers are asking for the public’s helping in locating a missing teen from Orleans County.

State troopers out of Albion say Carmella Rowe, 16, is missing. She is 5’4” and 160 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.

If you have any information, contact NYSP at 585-344-6200.

Alexandria Ledger was last seen by her family on July 27 on Lydun Drive Extension.

ALBION – The Albion Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing teen who was last seen on Monday at approximately 6 p.m. in the Lydun Drive Extension area of Albion.

Alexandria M. Ledger is 17 years old, and is 5’5″ and 120 pounds. She has brown hair and green eyes. She was last wearing a light purple hoodie and black short shorts.

On Monday around 6 p.m. Alexandria left to go for a walk with a friend and did not return later that evening. The next day her Snapchat location indicated she was in the area of Lockport-Olcott Road in Newfane. Family has been unable to get a hold of Alexandria since Monday. She was reported missing on Saturday to the Albion Police Department.

If you have seen Alexandria or have any information regarding her whereabouts, please contact the Albion Police Department immediately at (585) 589-5527 or call 911 if the situation is an emergency.

Even the smallest piece of information could help, the Albion PD said. Please share this post to help bring Alexandria home safely.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia), a veteran and one of the longest-serving members of the Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee, is calling for improvements to New York’s access to Home for Heroes and other veterans programs after a recent audit by Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli found significant administrative delays, inadequate oversight and poor outreach that prevented funding from reaching disabled veterans.

The audit found that only 36% of the program’s $3.3 million in contract funding was spent during the audit period, while many counties with large populations of disabled veterans were either unaware of the program or did not apply for available funding. Since the program’s creation in 2015, only about 31% of the $19.6 million allocated to the program has been spent.

“Our disabled veterans answered the call to serve our country, and they deserve a government that keeps its promises to them,” said Hawley. “After serving on the Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee since I first took office, I know these programs can make a real difference in veterans’ lives. When funding sits unused because of poor oversight and inadequate outreach, the people who pay the price are the men and women who sacrificed for our freedom.”

The audit also found repeated failures to meet project deadlines, inadequate monitoring of local administrators and insufficient marketing efforts that left many eligible veterans unaware assistance was available.

“We owe our veterans more than our gratitude. We owe them action,” Hawley said. “The state should implement the comptroller’s recommendations, strengthen oversight and ensure these resources reach every eligible veteran who needs them. No veteran should have to fight bureaucracy to receive the support they have earned.”

Hailey Elmer

ALBION – The Albion Police Department is seeking information on 15-year-old girl who was last seen by her family at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Hailey Elmer was last seen at the Albion Free Methodist Church and told her family she was going to a friend’s house.

She is white, 5 foot, 6 inches and 110 pounds. Albion police said her family has attempted to call her multiple times with no response.

Anyone with information about Hailey’s location should call dispatch at 585-589-5527 or email contact@albionpolice.com.

Provided photos: (Left) Chris Kozody, who leads the cocktail programs at Shirt Factory and Newell Lounge, recently competed in in the prestigious Meletti Cocktail Competition in New York City, where he placed fourth for a cocktail he named “At the Hart of It.” (Right) This is the cocktail “At the Hart of It,” which earned Chris Kozody a fourth-place finish in a cocktail competition in New York City.

MEDINA – Chris Kozody, who heads the cocktail program at the Shirt Factory and Newell Lounge at Hart in Medina, recently entered the prestigious Meletti Cocktail Competition in New York City, where he placed fourth.

The event featured 18 bartenders from across the state, with the majority coming from high-profile New York City bars, said his sister Alexandra Gilman.

“It’s not every day Medina is represented in such a high level competition in the state,” Gilman said.

Kozody created the cocktail “At the Hart of It,” a blend of Meletti Amaro, peach/sage syrup, citric acid concentrate, Meletti Lemoncello and egg white. Patrons at Shirt Factory will have an opportunity to try the cocktail for themselves, as it debuts on the new fall menu, which launches today, Gilman said.

“We’re proud of Chris for this accomplishment and for putting his hat into the ring,” said Richard Sarrero, co-owner of the Shirt Factory. “Competitions like this don’t just showcase individual talent, but they help to further showcase all Medina has to offer. It’s exciting to see our community represented among some of the best bartenders in the state.”

This achievement reflects the caliber and varied talents of Medina’s food and beverage scene, according to Gilman.

“Being part of this community means everything,” Kozody shared. “Participating in events like this can certainly be intimidating, but also gives us a chance to highlight Medina and the creativity of the hospitality scene.”

The Shirt Factory and Newell Lounge operate under the Hart umbrella, along with Hart House Hotel and Factory Espresso.

Shirt Factory hours of operation are 3 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, while Newell Lounge is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday.

ALBION – Mary L. Stephens, age 79, passed away May 23, 2025 at the Aurora House in Spencerport following a brief illness.  She was born August 29, 1945 in Albion to Robert and Norine (Kingdollar) Newbould and was a life-long resident of this area.

Mary was a past member of the Albion Rod & Gun Club and enjoyed going to BINGO, and the Casino plus going to brunch with the girls. She also had a special love for hummingbirds.

Mrs. Stephens was predeceased by her husband Victor, a brother Wayne Newbould and a sister Carol Burch.

She is survived by her children: Kevin (Tricia Carroll) Stephens of Albion, Doug (Kelly Jubenville) Stephens of Barre, Dan Stephens of Albion, Melinda (Steven) Peet of Holley, Jody (Steve) Brown of Texas; her brothers: Billy (Marcy) Newbould of FL, Wyatt (Mary) Newbould of Fla.; her sisters: Donna Causyn of Fla. and Patricia (Larry) Putman of Fla.; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at the Christopher Mitchell Funeral Home, 21 West Avenue-Albion, Wednesday May 28th from 4 to 7 p.m. only. Family and friends are invited to attend her graveside service in Mount Albion Cemetery on Thursday May 29th beginning at 11 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: The Aurora House, 2495 S. Union Street, Spencerport, NY, 14559.

To share a special memory of Mary, please visit: www.mitchellfamlyfuneralhomes.com.