Press Release, U.S Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) held a virtual press conference to demand that the Trump administration release funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) ahead of the cold winter months.

“New Yorkers are already feeling the pain of President Trump’s economy at the grocery store, the gas pump, and the pharmacy. Now, as temperatures begin to drop, they’re getting hit again: this time at the thermostat,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Fuel prices are soaring because of President Trump’s war with Iran, and New Yorkers need help heating their homes as temperatures drop. I’m calling on the Trump administration to immediately release LIHEAP funding to help low-income New Yorkers afford their energy bills.”

Last week, the price of crude oil rose to $100 per barrel for the first time since July—a direct result of President Trump’s war with Iran. That has driven up the average cost of heating oil in New York up to $6.14 per gallon, which is a 66% increase from this time last year.

At the same time, President Trump’s administration has yet to release the LIHEAP funding that helps New Yorkers heat their homes in the fall and winter, which was appropriated by Congress in the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027 earlier this month. Under this bill, New York is slated to receive an estimated $360 million in LIHEAP funds.

With temperatures beginning to drop and fuel prices continuing to rise, Senator Gillibrand sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. demanding that the administration immediately release this funding.

The full text of the letter can be found by clicking here.

Rendering by Red Green Design: The three-story GO Barn! building would have the look of a barn, with the silo having an elevator and stairs to access the three floors. GO Art! said the facility would boost arts programs, agricultural education and entrepreneurial initiatives. Go Art! has secured nearly $8 million in funding for the project and is seeking $15 million more from other foundations.

Press Release, Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council

BATAVIA – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!) invites the community to participate in a special two-week silent auction beginning Saturday, September 19, and concluding with a closing reception on Saturday, October 3, from 5 to 8 p.m.

This fundraiser emerged from an unexpected change in GO Art!’s September exhibition schedule, which opened two gallery spaces and created a wonderful opportunity to showcase a curated collection of fine arts and crafts specifically donated by local artists and collectors for our GO BARN! auction fundraiser.

All proceeds will support the GO Barn! project—GO ART!’s transformational initiative to expand arts access, programming, and community space in Genesee and Orleans counties.

To date, GO ART! has secured approximately $7,859,493 in grant funding toward the GO Barn! project at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. While this represents significant progress, additional fundraising is essential. The silent auction offers community members a chance to enjoy original artwork while helping us move one step closer to making GO BARN! a reality, for which we are incredibly grateful.

GO Art! is proposing the new building at the fairgrounds to serve as a dynamic hub for arts, culture and community engagement in Orleans County, including: a multipurpose arts and cultural center inspired by the historic Wells Barn design; a dedicated space for fiber arts, workshops and artisan programming; and a greenhouse, designed to grow plants for fabric dyeing and art creation.

The closing reception on Oct. 3 will feature the final bidding window from 5 to 7:30 p.m. There is no cost for artists or guests to attend. To participate in the silent auction, register by obtaining a bidding number at the GO ART! gallery, located at 201 E. Main Street, Batavia, NY.

GO ART! warmly encourages residents, supporters, and art lovers to visit the galleries, place bids, and help bring the GO Barn! project closer to reality. To learn more about the GO Barn! project, visit: https://goart.org/support-us/go-barn/

For event information, email info@goart.org or call 585 343 9313.

Photos courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

LOCKPORT – The Orleans/Niagara BOCES recently named its Employees of the Year for the 2025-2026 school year.

Employees are nominated by their peers and a committee selects an awardee in each of these categories: Administrator, Clerical, Continuing Education, Custodial/Maintenance, Staff Specialist, Substitute, Teacher Aide and Teacher.  The winners were announced at Opening Day for Orleans/Niagara BOCES at the Palace Theater in Lockport.

Dan Connolly is the Administrator of the Year. Connolly has worked at Orleans/Niagara BOCES for almost ten years. He says his favorite part of the job is that every day is something new.  “There is no way I could do what I do without the outstanding staff that I work with.  I was shocked, grateful and humbled when I heard my name called on opening day.”

Harris Lieberman is the Adult Education Employee of the Year.  “I have worked for Orleans/Niagara BOCES since the Summer of 2015. I was hired as a part-time ESL teacher and worked in Waterport at the satellite facility, World Life Institute. I worked for five years and then took a leave of absence to live in China for almost three years. I returned in 2024 and retained full-time employment with Orleans/Niagara BOCES and now work primarily at 50 Main Street, Lockport.”

He says his favorite part of his job is getting to meet and teach students from all over the world. “Sometimes I feel like my students teach me more than I teach them. Their incredible life stories, struggles and resilience help motivate me to keep coming back to work year after year. I was completely surprised and deeply honored to win this award. Among all of the excellent individuals I work with, it is very humbling that I was chosen out of so many talented, passionate workers.”

Elaine Sheehan is the Clerical Person of the Year. She started working at BOCES in 2015 as a teacher’s aide for the LPN program. “My job responsibilities were greeting staff and young adults and helping them find where they needed to go. I also helped teachers if they ever needed anything.  I was very excited that my fellow employees like and appreciate me and everything I do. I feel very honored by them and to receive this award.”

Theresa Salmeri is the Maintenance Person of the Year. She has worked at BOCES for six years and retired this year. “My favorite part of the job were the people I work with and the freedom to work independently.”

She says she was shocked when she won. “People were texting me and letting me know I won. What great news to get!”

Lisa Bielmeier is the Staff Specialist of the Year. She has worked at Orleans/Niagara BOCES for 28 years.

“My favorite part of the job is working with our BOCES staff and our component districts highlighting all the important things they do to enrich the lives of children and adults,” she said. “What I really enjoy about my job is being creative, interacting with people and telling their stories.  I love that every day is different and I am always meeting and working with such dedicated educators.

“The ONBOCES Public Relations team that I am a part of are the best. My coworkers are talented, smart, passionate about their work and a lot of fun to be around. It makes coming to work so enjoyable.”

She says she was shocked when her name was called opening day during the awards. “It meant so much to me that the people I work with thought enough of me to nominate me for this award. I feel very humbled and honored.”

Tajwanna Jackson is the Teacher Aide of the Year.  “I have been with BOCES since March of 2023.  My favorite part of the job is being able to make a difference in a student(s) life. Being named Employee of the Year is truly an honor and a blessing. It makes me feel grateful and appreciated for the hard work and dedication I put into my job every day. I don’t come to work just to do a job I come with a purpose, knowing that the students, my coworkers, and the school community all matter.

“This recognition reminds me that the little things I do each day make a difference,” Jackson said. “Whether it is encouraging a student, helping someone through a difficult moment, supporting my coworkers, or simply being someone others can depend on, I am grateful that my efforts are noticed. Being Employee of the Year motivates me to continue growing, learning, and giving my very best. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve, and I look forward to continuing to make a positive difference at the Niagara Academy.”

Sarah Koithan is the Teacher of the Year. “I started working the ESY (Extended School Year) program in 2008 as an aide and subbed during the school years. I spent two and a half years being a long-term substitute teacher before being officially hired in 2014. My favorite parts of my job are building relationships with my students and getting to see the small steps of progress that they make. I love reflecting back at their transformation throughout the year, how much they’ve grown, and when parents share the progress they notice as well. I also have some awesome colleagues. We make a great team together!”

Koithan says she was shocked when she heard her name opening day. “It means so much to me knowing that it comes from my peers and all of my hard work is noticed and appreciated by others. I put my heart and soul into a lot of projects to try to make our school a better place to work and do what’s best for the students. I was truly touched and work with such a special team of people.”

Jason Royce was named the Substitute of the Year.

Provided photos

BATAVIA – Assemblyman Steve Hawley greets veterans this morning in the parking lot at Batavia Downs before the group left for the annual Patriot Trip to Washington, DC.

The trip includes stops at the Vietnam War Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Eisenhower Towers, Iwo Jima Memorial, Air Force Memorial, Arlington Cemetery and World War II Memorial.

The group of 95 people will be gone from today through Sunday.

The group received a sendoff from the Batavia High School Band, which played patriotic music.

Some of the group pose for a picture before taking off on the trip.

Hawley has been leading the Patriot Trip since 2008. He created the trip after seeing how meaningful it was for veterans to see the memorials and landmarks in Washington, D.C. Hawley joined his father, a World War II veteran, on a visit to DC to see the war memorials.

“I am very excited to get this year’s Patriot Trip underway and to once again have the opportunity to bring local veterans to our nation’s capital,” Hawley said. “There is no better way to honor those who have served our country than to bring them to these sacred places and allow them to see firsthand the memorials built in honor of their service and sacrifice.”

Among the attendees on this trip is former Assemblyman Charlie Nesbitt, a decorated helicopter pilot from the Vietnam War.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Some of the leaves at Mount Albion Cemetery are changing from green. This photo was taken on Saturday on the eastern side near the Church family monument.

The fall foliage season is in the early stages with some leaves changing from green.

I Love NY tourism on Wednesday posted its first fall foliage report from around the state. In Western New York and the Finger Lakes the leaves haven’t changed much.

The most significant changes are in the Adirondacks and Catskills. There are about 100 volunteer leaf observers around the state who send in weekly updates on fall foliage to the I LOVE NY program.

Locations with the most significant foliage change this weekend will include Tupper Lake, Long Lake, Wilmington, Benson, Lake Pleasant and Old Forge (Adirondacks); Delhi (Catskills); and Utica (Central New York), according to the report.

This map from I Love NY shows most of the leaves are still green in Western New York and the Finger Lakes.

Dan Crofts works with students through the IGNITE program at GCC

Provided photo: Dan Crofts holds a copy of his autobiography about being on the Autism Spectrum.

BATAVIA — For over 15 years, Dan Crofts has worked as a direct support professional for Arc GLOW.

Today, he can be found within the IGNITE (Inspiring Growth and Nurturing Independence Through Education) program at Genesee Community College (GCC). In this role, he supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) as they participate in an inclusive higher education experience, helping students in developing vocational, social, communication, and independent living skills while participating in IGNITE classes, community outings, job site tours, internships, and audited college courses.

It is for his consistent support and dedication Crofts will be honored as one of the four awardees across the state of the 2026 Thomas A. Maul Direct Support Professional Excellence Award. This annual award recognizes a DSP who consistently demonstrates excellence, creativity and commitment to providing supports to people who have IDD.

“I would like to commend Dan Crofts on the work that he has done with my daughter. We first met Dan about four years ago (give or take) when my daughter first started services through Arc GLOW,” said Elizabeth Newman in a letter of support. “A couple of years ago, my daughter started the IGNITE program at GCC, and was overjoyed to hear that Dan had accepted the position with the IGNITE program and that she would be continuing to work with him!”

“Now two years later, he has continued to have such a positive impact on her learning and growth, and even though she has graduated from that program, we have been honored to hire Dan on as her self-hired community habilitation staff,” she continued. “He has been such a positive influence, mentor and roll model for my daughter and all those who he is around.”

Newman isn’t the only one who sings high praises of Crofts; Cathy Barcomb also wrote a letter of support saying he is patient, caring and compassionate.

“An example of this is the day my son was struggling emotionally, and I needed to pick him up from the program. Dan and Daniel were in the classroom when I arrived,” she said. “I proceeded to encourage my son to pack his backpack and to head home with me. After a little bit, he complied.

“During this time, Dan remained quietly working on his computer, only speaking to say goodbye to us. A few minutes later Dan texted me to let me know that he wasn’t ignoring us but was giving Daniel the space and time to collect himself and be able to leave without getting upset further. Dan understood what Daniel needed at that moment. That is one of Dan’s strengths; his ability to assess a situation and handle it admirably.”

In addition to his work as a DSP, Crofts is also an accomplished, published author whose work has appeared in various publications. He has written and published an autobiography detailing his own personal experiences as a person on the Autism Spectrum.

It is his experiences as both a professional and person with lived experience on the Autism spectrum which brings unique insight and perspective to his role. He willingly learns about new topics, technologies, and educational methods that can enhance participant experiences in both classroom and community settings.

Crofts often states that he may wish to remain a lifelong DSP because of his passion for the field and the individuals he serves.

The award will be presented to Crofts Friday, Sept. 25 during The Arc New York’s Annual Awards Luncheon at the Warren-Washington-Albany chapter of The Arc New York.

Press Release, Hoag Library

ALBION – Hoag Library is pleased to welcome internationally acclaimed guitarist Muriel Anderson and renowned guitarist Kinloch Nelson for a free concert this Saturday at noon.

The concert will feature two exceptional guitarists whose performances showcase the versatility, beauty and artistry of the guitar. Audience members can expect an entertaining afternoon of music featuring the distinctive styles and talents of Anderson and Nelson.

Muriel Anderson is an award-winning guitarist, harp guitarist, composer, and performer known for her innovative musicianship and engaging live performances. She has performed around the world and is recognized for her ability to blend a variety of musical styles.

Kinloch Nelson, a longtime favorite among guitar enthusiasts, is an accomplished guitarist and performer whose work spans a wide range of musical traditions and styles.

The performance is open to the public, and no registration is required. Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The library is located at 134 South Main St.

This concert is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO Art!

Senator seeks more funds for research, care for women experiencing menopause

Press Release, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Rick Scott (R-FL), ranking member and chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, held the first ever congressional hearing on menopause. At the hearing, expert witnesses testified about the urgent need to improve menopause research, training, and care.

Additionally, Gillibrand and Scott made a bipartisan request to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate how the federal government currently coordinates and funds menopause research and care.

“Menopause impacts over half of our population, and the fact that Congress has never held a hearing on it is absolutely disgraceful,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Today’s hearing was a critical step toward getting this issue front and center so that we can find the best ways to improve research, training, and care for women experiencing menopause. I am committed to working with all of my colleagues—men and women, Democrats and Republicans—to meet the moment on menopause.”

Menopause is one of the most under-researched, undertreated, and underdiagnosed fields of medicine. Women in midlife make up about a third of the U.S. population. However, less than 1% of federal women’s health research funding is allocated to menopause. Additionally, 80% of OB-GYN residents admit to being ill-prepared to discuss menopause—meaning that women who seek medical care for symptoms of menopause are often left untreated.

The lack of treatment for menopause also has massive economic implications. A study by the Mayo Clinic found that menopause costs the U.S. economy $26.6 billion per year, including $1.8 billion in lost work time alone. One in ten women leave the workforce because of menopause, taking decades of knowledge and experience with them.

Gillibrand and Scott’s bipartisan letter to GAO requests a report on the federal government’s role in menopause care and research. This report will help us better understand remaining gaps in menopause-related research, education, and treatment, and what the federal government can do to address these gaps. The text of the letter can be found by clicking here.

Photo from Medina Fire Department

MEDINA – Medina Fire Chief Steve Cooley accepts a donation of four EKO digital stethoscopes from Jeff Lyons and Kim Patterson. They gave the stethoscopes in honor of their parents, Ancel and Patricia Lyons.

These stethoscopes will be placed on fire department’s four ambulances after in-service training which will greatly increase our diagnostic capabilities, Cooley said.

Ancel Lyons, the long-time owner of Lyons Collision, died at age 84 on July 26, 2026. His wife, Patricia Lyons, passed away at age 82 on May 16, 2025.

Together, they opened Lyons Collision in 1978.

KENDALL – The Kendall Fire Department has been awarded a $114,000 grant from the state, part of $25 million for 65 volunteer fire departments and districts across New York to improve facilities, response capabilities and emergency preparedness.

These investments build on the $25 million previously awarded to 88 volunteer fire departments in October 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul’s Office announced.

With nearly half of New Yorkers relying on volunteer firefighters for fire protection and emergency response, this grant program helps offset the financial pressures of rising equipment and construction costs, ensuring local taxpayers do not bear the full cost of these essential safety upgrades, Hochul said in a news release.

“Our volunteer firefighters answer the call day and night, keeping New York communities across the state safe,” Hochul said. “By investing an additional $25 million in V-FIRE grant funding for volunteer firefighters, we are ensuring our local heroes are equipped with modern facilities, advanced gear and tools they need to respond quickly and safely when they get the call.”

The State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services administers the Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment (V-FIRE) Grant Program, which supports volunteer fire departments by upgrading and improving facilities and response capabilities through the following objectives:

• Facility Improvements: Funding the construction of new, or renovation of existing, fire stations, classrooms, meeting spaces, or training centers to ensure they are safe, structurally sound, meet current building codes, and promote safe firefighting practices.
• Equipment Purchases: Supporting firefighter health, safety, and wellness by providing up-to-date personal protective equipment (PPE), PPE washers and dryers, decontamination equipment and supplies, and effective exhaust removal systems.
• Additionally, the V-FIRE grants support the consolidation of fire service resources through regionalization efforts, allowing departments to expand their capabilities beyond traditional jurisdictional boundaries to enhance local, county, and statewide mutual aid response.

Albion Village Board considers selling park, relocating statue

Photos by Tom Rivers: The statue of Santa in honor of the late Charles W. Howard is located at Waterman Park on North Main Street in Albion, where there is also a Santa-themed mural and a sleigh. About $100,000 in community donations paid for the statue and mural.

ALBION – A group that has helped raise $100,000 for a bronze statue, large mural of Santa, and other improvements to Waterman Park wants those elements to stay put.

The Village Board is talking about putting the park up for sale with the hope of having food businesses in trailers and other entertainment at the site. Mayor Tim McMurray said it could be a big draw to downtown, helping to feed other businesses.

Selling the small park also would out it back on the tax rolls, generating funds for the village and relieve the village of caring for the site.

But the Albion Betterment Committee wants to make it clear it wants the Santa to remain in the park.

Jerome Pawlak, a director on the Albion Betterment Committee, speaks during the board’s meeting Tuesday in the Hoag Library. Behind him are downtown business owner David Snell, left, and ABC director Gary Kent.

Pawlak said keeping the park with a Santa statue, mural and sleigh creates a synergy as the Betterment Committee works to develop a museum to the Santa School. The Charles W. Howard Santa School was in Albion from 1937 until Howard’s death in 1966. The school continues in his name in Midland, Mich.

Ken Bieber speaks at last week’s Village Board meeting. From left in back include Mayor Tim McMurray and village trustees Greg Bennett and Kevin Sheehan. William Gabalski and Jami Allport also are on the board.

Bieber owns the building on the north side of the Waterman Park. He said making the park available for food trailers could be a big draw. He didn’t want to get rid of the Santa-themed elements celebrating Charles Howard and Albion’s heritage with the original Santa School. He thinks the could be better positioned in Albion with the statue in the sidewalk in front of the future museum, and the mural in a more prominent part of Albion.

“It’s not getting rid of Santa by any stretch of the imagination,” he said.

Mayor Tim McMurray and Deputy Mayor Greg Bennett said village-owned land between the Presbyterian Church and a parking lot also could be a higher-profile location for the Santa statue, mural and sleigh, especially if a Santa House were part of the layout.

“This was never anti-Charles Howard or anti-Santa,” McMurray said at last week’s Village Board meeting.

He said the Santa mural and one on the opposite side of the park featuring quarrymen “fight each other” and aren’t complimentary to each other. He sees the Santa and large Santa mural as “kind of hidden” in the pocket park about a half block south of the canal.

He favors putting the land up for sale, giving the opportunity for a more dynamic asset in the downtown while also putting the site back on the tax rolls.

An Orleans Hub article on Aug. 13 about the possible sale of the park last month drew nearly 300 comments on the Orleans Hub’s Facebook page with many opposing the sale, and urging the board to try to fill vacant storefronts instead.

“I think that the park is fine just as it is for now,” village resident Jason Dragon posted. “The expense is very low, and it provides a nice visual contrast for the downtown area. I can’t see how privatizing it will add value given that is has been a challenge to utilize many of the other downtown buildings for decades.”

Phil Schening said selling the park and making it available for business would be a good move.

“Clear it out and let food trucks set up there to draw people downtown, permits required with a time frame so more than one get a chance to sell,” Schening wrote.

This photo taken from a window of the Pratt theater shows Waterman Park. Besides the Santa statue and mural, there is a mural depicting quarrymen and a n interpretive panel highlighting the historic districts in the community.

Lori Laine has been active in promoting the Santa projects in Albion. She said she might try to buy the land if it is put up for sale so the statue could stay there.

McMurray said if the idea advances, with the land going for sale, he would have Bieber share his plan in detail and disclose the renderings. McMurray believes the community would rally behind Bieber’s ideas.

“Once you see a visual, I promise you you’ll say, ‘Give me a shovel and I’ll dig it up,’” McMurray said.

If the land is up for sale, McMurray said it would likely have to go to the highest bidder.

Bieber was at the Betterment Committee’s board meeting on Tuesday and heard the group’s strong opposition to relocating the Santa elements. He said he doesn’t want to push a project without community support and would be fine with the spot staying as a Santa-themed park.

Betterment Committee members said there are many unknowns about the village’s talk to sell the park. Can the village simply list it for sale and sell it, or does it need the State Legislature’s permission to sell a park? ABC members said municipalities often need the state’s OK to sell parkland.

Also, would the state Department of Transportation even allow the statue to be situated in the sidewalk? The DOT in past has allowed temporary items in the sidewalk, but not permanent things.

ALBION – An Albion man was sentenced to 4 years in state prison this morning in Orleans County Court.

Corey Wilson, 20, pleaded guilty to attempted possession of a controlled substance in the third degree. He was charged after a traffic stop on July 21, 2025 in the town of Gaines. He allegedly had two containers of cocaine, including one with 2.17 ounces of cocaine, as well as a loaded gun.

Public Defender Joanne Best asked for less time in prison for Wilson, saying he is a young man with a family. As part of a plea agreement, he faced up to five years in prison. Best asked for 1 ½ or 2 years, plus 3 years of post-release supervision.

County Court Judge Sanford Church said Wilson was already on probation when he committed the crimes. The judge sentenced Wilson to four years in prison plus 1 ½ years of post-release supervision.

Wilson also needs to pay a $300 court surcharge, a $50 DNA fee, and $25 for a crime victims fee.

In other cases in court today:

• Christopher Bescherer, 44, of Albion was sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison for attempted aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Bescherer was driving without a license when he was in a car accident.

He was twice on probation where it was revoked for not following the guidelines.

He also was fined $500 and needs to pay $438 n other court surcharges and fees.

• Glenn Quintern, 67, of Rochester pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny for his role in passing a fraudulent $5,500 certified check to Orleans Ford to buy a new pickup truck.

The truck was then delivered to Quintern’s residence when he lived in Batavia, and then taken the next day to New Jersey.

The pickup truck valued at $67,995. The scheme was orchestrated by Quintern’s ex-fiance. He admitted his role in handing off the fake check and then possessing the truck for the brief time.

He could face a 1 1/3 to 4-year sentence in state prison when he is sentenced on Nov. 18.

Quintern could have gone to trial, trying to convince a jury he didn’t realize the extent of the deception. But with second-degree grand larceny, he could have faced up to 15 years in prison if found guilty in a trial.

Quintern is being held in the county jail on $10,000 cash bail and $20,000 bond.

Photo from Orleans County Sheriff’s Office

ALBION – A black pig is on the loose in the Abion area, and sightings of this pig have frequently been posted on social media in the past week. This morning the pig was spotted close to the Keitel Road and Route 31 intersection.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is well aware of this pig and are trying to corral it.

“The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office has received multiple reports of a pig loose in the Town of Albion,” the Sheriff’s Office posted on its Facebook page. “Numerous attempts were made to contain the pig. The Sheriff’s Office and owners are aware, and are working to resolve the matter.”