By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 February 2026 at 12:58 pm
MEDINA – The library will be off limits to the public after March 21 for about six weeks to allow contractors to work on the construction project that will not only put an addition o the library, but revamp the interior furnishings.
The $5.2 million construction project is behind schedule. Initially, the library building was expected to be closed for a few weeks.
Being closed for about six weeks will keep the project on schedule, Lee-Whedon officials posted today on the library’s social media.
The library will close at 5 p.m. on March 21, a Saturday, and then reopen at 10 a.m. on May 4, a Monday. The project is expected to be complete in July.
“This gives our construction crews unlimited access to the library and will expedite the process!!” Lee-Whedon stated on its Facebook page. “We appreciate your understanding and patience. We will all be rewarded with a beautiful, modern, spacious library in the end!!”
Lee-Whedon broke ground last Aug. 22 for a 4,785-square-foot addition on the back of the current library, which is 11,100 square feet.
The addition will create space for two meeting rooms, two tutoring rooms, a programming room with makerspace, Friends of the Library book sale room, a quiet research room, an art gallery, a teen room and 14 parking spots.
There will also be additional restrooms, a new circulation desk, a new entry portico with automatic sliding doors, about a 10 percent increase in the collection and upgraded technology.
The state is contributing nearly $1.7 million in New York State Public Library Construction Aid grants to the $5.2 million project. The community also has donated more than $500,000 to the expansion.
Backyard chickens, loom weaving, alternative home construction, woodworking and sourdough making among topics
Photos courtesy of Orleans County Master Gardeners: Master Gardener Eileen Sorochty talks about straw bale gardening at last year’s Homestead sampler event. Sorochty will be one of the panelists for the “Sustainability for the Home” class offered on Sept. 19.
Contributed by Lydia Fernandez, Master Gardener
KNOWLESVILLE – This month, the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners are launching the Homestead Educational Series, a set of monthly classes dedicated to self-sufficiency and sustainability. The series is open to adults interested in learning a variety of practical skills and approaches for the home. No experience is necessary.
Many of the classes provide hands-on learning opportunities. Topics include backyard chickens, loom weaving, alternative home construction, woodworking and sourdough making.
The first class in the series will be on Saturday, February 21st on “Rain Barrels and Water Storage.” Participants will be able to make their own rain barrels to take home. The full list of dates and topics is available by clicking here.
“This Homesteading series is for people to learn money-saving skills and build community,” says Kathy Contrino, co-chair of the Homesteading Educational Series committee.
Last year, the Master Gardeners hosted a day-long sampler on homesteading skills that drew a huge response.
“We now know the public interest is strong, and it was clear we needed a larger series to better serve our community,” Contrino said.
Fees for the classes vary and cover the cost of supplies for each project. Spots are limited, and advance registration is required in order to ensure enough materials for each participant.
“Today is the right time to re-introduce these skills,” says Eileen Sorochty, co-chair of the Homesteading Educational Series. “Hopefully through our series, we will pique more interest in such topics and offer future workshops that will be helpful to our community.”
The Homestead Educational classes take place at 10 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month in the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension Education Center, 12690 State Route 31, Albion. To register, call (585) 798-4265 ext 125 or email klo54@cornell.edu.
Master Gardener and avid quilter Brenda Radzinski will be leading the class on “Naturally Made Fabric Dyes” on July 18.
ALBANY – Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday signed legislation that will allow medical aid in dying to be available to terminally ill New Yorkers with less than six months to live.
This historic bill signing comes after careful reflection and deliberation with the sponsors of the bill, advocacy organizations, and everyday New Yorkers brave enough to share their personal experiences in order to get this legislation across the finish line.
“Our state will always stand firm in safeguarding New Yorkers’ freedoms and right to bodily autonomy, which includes the right for the terminally ill to peacefully and comfortably end their lives with dignity and compassion,” Governor Hochul said.
The bill, as passed by the Legislature originally included a number of protections in order to ensure that no patient was coerced into choosing medical aid in dying and that no health care professional or religiously affiliated health facility would be forced to offer medical aid in dying.
“This journey was deeply personal for me,” Hochul said. “Witnessing my mother’s suffering from ALS was an excruciating experience, knowing there was nothing I could do to alleviate the pain of someone I loved. It took years of intimate discussions with our bill sponsors, health experts, advocates, and most importantly, families who have similar firsthand experiences. New Yorkers deserve the choice to endure less suffering, not by shortening their lives, but by shortening their deaths — I firmly believe we made the right decision.”
The Governor worked with the Legislature to include additional guardrails that will make sure people won’t be taken advantage of, while still ensuring terminally ill New Yorkers have the choice to die comfortably and on their own terms, including:
A mandatory waiting period of 5 days between when a prescription is written and filled.
An oral request by the patient for medical aid in dying must be recorded by video or audio.
A mandatory mental health evaluation of the patient seeking medical aid in dying by a psychologist or psychiatrist.
A prohibition against anyone who may benefit financially from the death of a patient from being eligible to serve as a witness to the oral request or an interpreter for the patient.
Limiting the availability of medical aid in dying to New York residents.
Requiring that the initial evaluation of a patient by a physician be in person.
Allowing religiously-oriented home hospice providers to opt out of offering medical aid in dying.
Ensuring that a violation of the law is defined as professional misconduct under the Education Law.
Extending the effective date of the bill to six months after signing to allow the Department of Health to put into place regulations required to implement the law while also ensuring that health care facilities can properly prepare and train staff for compliance.
In December, the Governor joined the bill’s sponsors, supportive advocates and New Yorkers with lived experience at a press conference announcing the agreement reached with the Legislature to make medical aid in dying available to terminally ill New Yorkers with less than six months to live.
Compassion & Choices Senior Campaign Director Corinne Carey said, “We are deeply grateful to Governor Hochul for listening to families navigating the realities of terminal illness, to our legislative champions for their steadfast leadership, and to the advocates — many of whom did not live to see this day — whose courage made this moment possible. This law is the result of more than a decade of steady, persistent advocacy by thousands of New Yorkers who shared deeply personal stories and helped move this conversation forward across our state. The Medical Aid in Dying Act affirms a simple but profound principle: that everyone deserves compassion and the freedom to make deeply personal decisions about their own body and their own care at the end of life.”
Photos and information courtesy of Medina Mustang Boosters: The varsity winter guard unit from Medina is shown during Saturday’s performance in Batavia.
BATAVIA – Medina’s winter guard units competed Saturday in Batavia, the fourth competition so far this season for Medina.
A total of 23 guards competed in various classifications. In the Cadet class, which included four guards in total, Medina’s JV guard took 2nd place with a score of 52.42.
Medina’s varsity guard competed in the A1 class and earned 2nd place with a score of 58.62.
Their next competitions are Feb. 28 in Lancaster, March 7 in Greece and Medina’s home show on March 14.
The junior varsity winter guard competed in the cadet class at Batavia.
Photos courtesy of Orleans County Music Educators Association: The Junior High All-County Band, led by guest conductor Brendon Bardo, performed four selections in the Holley Middle-High School Auditorium on Saturday afternoon.
Press Release, Orleans County Music Educators Association
HOLLEY – This past Friday and Saturday, Holley Middle-High School hosted the first of two All-County Festivals that the Orleans County Music Educators Association will sponsor this winter.
This month’s festival featured the Elementary All-County Chorus, Jr. High All-County Band, and the Sr. High All-County Chorus. To participate, students from the five school districts in Orleans County are recommended by their music teachers, who then set up a meeting to select the ensembles who perform at the two All-County Festivals.
The students spend nearly 8 hours rehearsing on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning before giving a concert on Saturday afternoon. This festival featured three guest conductors, one for each of the performing ensembles.
Ms. Jean-Marie Carroll, 6th grade Choir and General Music Teacher from Bay Trail Middle School in the Penfield School District, was the guest conductor for the Elementary All-County Choir.
Ms. Carroll led students in a diverse selection of works including: I’m Seein’ Things at Night – Gilpin, I Will Dream of You, Doraji – Donnelly & Strid, The Dream Keeper – Dilworth, and We Will – Papoulis. The choir was made up of 91 fifth- and sixth-grade students from Orleans County.
Mr. Brendon Bardo, 7-12 Band Director at the Akron School District, served as the guest conductor for the Jr. High All-County Band. Mr. Bardo and the band worked up four selections: Spania – Shaffer, A Kind and Gentle Soul – Swearingen, High Intensity – Wilson, The Great Locomotive Chase – Smith. The band featured 78 students from grades 7 to 9 from Orleans County.
Mr. James DesJardins, Choral Teacher from Frontier Central Schools and published music composer with Carl Fischer Music and Boosey & Hawkes, was the guest conductor for the Sr. High All-County Chorus.
Mr. DesJardins programmed four selections, including his own work: The Word Was Good – Powell, Eve Novum – Gjielo, The Heavens Are Telling – Haydn, Sawubona – DesJardins. The choir assembled 67 students in grades 10 to 12 from all over Orleans County.
The next OCMEA All-County Festival will be hosted in Medina on March 6th and 7th, featuring the Elementary All-County Band, Jr. High All-County Chorus, and the Sr. High All-County Band.
OCMEA will also be hosting a brand new “Night of Jazz” at Lyndonville Central Schools on Friday, April 24th. The evening will feature performances by Jazz Ensembles from all five Orleans County Schools, a Junior-Senior “All Star” Jazz Band, and an OCMEA Staff Jazz Ensemble. Admission will be free, although a suggested donation for the OCMEA Scholarship Fund will gladly be accepted, and refreshments will be provided in conjunction with Music and Band Boosters from across the County.
The OCMEA Scholarship Fund is available to all student musicians in Orleans County who are pursuing extracurricular music opportunities such as music camps, private lessons, community theatre opportunities, and more.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 February 2026 at 12:55 pm
Cold weather advisory in effect until 10 a.m. Monday
Photo by Tom Rivers: A sign for “Hope,” a road at Mount Albion Cemetery, is shown on Wednesday during a day in the deep freeze.
The area will get a much-needed reprieve from the deep freeze on Tuesday when the high is forecast to reach 36 degrees in Orleans County.
Today is only going to reach a high of 9 degrees with a wind chill at 10 below zero, according to the national Weather Service.
There is a cold weather advisory for Orleans County and much of Western New York until 10 a.m. on Monday with dangerously cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero.
The high will get up to 20 on Monday, then 36 on Tuesday, 30 on Wednesday, 25 on Thursday and 27 on Friday.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 February 2026 at 8:51 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Cindy Robinson, owner of The English Rose Tea Shoppe, pours Lovejoy wine from Chateau Buffalo for Ralph Primerano and Sue Squires.
Patrick Weissend, who has been the official ID checker for all of the Wine About Winter events, suits up at Medina Senior Center on Saturday in preparation for several hours of standing outside in near-zero temperatures as participants arrive.
MEDINA – Medina Area Partnership’s Wine About Winter has been a hit since the first one 16 years ago, and this year’s sub-zero temperatures did nothing to deter this one Saturday.
“We had a great turnout considering today’s weather,” said Ann Fisher-Bale, organizer of the event. “It was nearly perfect attendance. People bundled up and showed up for this yearly event.”
The event’s 800 tickets sold out two weeks ago, and while only a handful stayed home because of the cold, the majority showed up, dressed in snow pants, hooded coats, scarves, heated gloves and handwarmers, ready to visit the 25 participating businesses and organizations.
Ticket holders arrived at the Senior Center, where their identification was checked and they received a goodie bag with coupons, Chapstick, hand warmers, mini bottle of water, oyster crackers, a program and pen. Chapstick and handwarmers were a late-minute addition by Fisher-Bale when she learned what the weather would be. Also new this year was a Wine About Winter tee shirt, with all of MAP’s upcoming events printed on the back.
These include the Easter Bunny and Golden Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt on March 28; a Murder Mystery and Mocktails on May 2; the Enchanted Faery Festival on June 20; annual sidewalk sales Aug, 1; Ale in Autumn on Sept. 26; Beggar’s Night Oct. 30; Moonlight Madness on Nove. 19; Olde Tyme Christmas and Parade of Lights on Nov. 28; and Holiday Open Houses Dec. 3 through Dec. 6.
The shirts were made possible thanks to the generosity of 10 of our sponsors, Fisher-Bale said.
At The English Rose Tea Shoppe one participant had ice frozen on the bottom of his glass, just walking from Tapped on Main.
The English Rose Tea Shoppe’s owner Cindy Robinson poured Lovejoy, a rose from Chateau Buffalo. She was especially excited over the selection of wine as she grew up in the Lovejoy section of Buffalo, she said.
Ralph Primerano and Sue Squires both liked the wine. Squires, who has rarely missed a Wine About Winter, said she enjoyed the cream puffs served at the Medina Theater.
Patrick Weissend, left, checks the ID for friends Ryan and Jocelyn Arnold of Medina and Ricky and Anne Missell of Gasport. The couples were the first to arrive for check-in at the Medina Senior Center on Saturday for Wine About Winter.
Carol Bellack and Robin Wehling said the cold was not bad, as long as they kept stopping in a store every few minutes where it was warm.
They were happy with the wine choices they had tried so far.
“We’ve had a lot of white wines and I like white wine,” Wehling said.
She has only missed one Wine About Winter and has all the glasses to prove it.
Bob Arnold and his wife Marie Bell of Akron have attended all the Wine About Winter events, but one, he said.
A new feature this year was two snack stops – one at Medina Theater and the other at Author’s Note.
Another feature for the first time at Wine About Winter was a photo booth at Alexandra Peracciny Photography above Blissett’s on Main Street.
It is customary at these events to stagger the start times, to eliminate too much congestion in stores at one time. The first group started at 1 p.m., with the last group starting at 4 p.m.
The committee for organizing Wine About Winter are all set up and waiting for the arrival of the 800 who bought tickets for the event. From left are Mary Lewis, Ann Fisher-Bale, Laura Gardner and Wendy Wilson. The women have been involved in all 17 of the annual events.
Kristin Haines from Marjim Manor in Appleton pours Lady of the Manor wine at the Medina Historical Society for Kat Schepis of Medina. The wine had a little cranberry and a little berry, Haines said.
Wendy Wilson, left, and Ann Fisher-Bale wait to verify tickets with their cell phones, validating ticket holders at the Medina Senior Center for Wine About Winter on Saturday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 February 2026 at 8:55 pm
Aaron D’Angelo
SHELBY – A 36-year-old Medina man has been charged with murder and attempted murder after two brothers were stabbed today in Shelby.
Aaron D’Angelo allegedly caused the death of Dale R. Lang, 65, who was pronounced deceased at the scene, 4643 South Gravel Road (Route 63).
His brother John Lang, 67, also suffered multiple stab wounds and was transported to Medina Memorial Hospital and then Erie County Medical Center. His condition is currently unknown, Sheriff Chris Bourke stated in a press release sent at about 8:30 p.m.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported 911 disturbance at the above address at 11:55 a.m.
Upon arrival, Bourke said a Sheriff’s deputy encountered D’Angelo, who was armed with a knife and confronted the deputy. The deputy deployed a Taser, successfully subduing D’Angelo, who was then taken into custody without further incident, Bourke said.
As additional personnel arrived on scene, Dale Lang and John Lang were discovered inside the residence with multiple stab wounds.
D’Angelo has been charged with the following offenses:
Murder in the Second Degree (Class A-I Felony)
Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (Class B Felony)
Assault in the First Degree (Class B Felony)
Menacing a Police Officer (Class D Felony)
Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (Class A Misdemeanor)
He is currently being held at the Orleans County Jail pending arraignment.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Medina Police Department, Medina Ambulance, the Shelby Fire Department, and the New York State Police Forensic Identification Unit.
“This incident remains under investigation,” Bourke said. “Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 February 2026 at 3:29 pm
SHELBY – A person has died and another seriously injured after two stabbings in Shelby at 4643 South Gravel Rd.
Another man, who allegedly stabbed the other two individuals, is in custody, Sheriff Chris Bourke said.
Law enforcement was dispatched to scene at 11:55 a.m. for report of a disturbance in Shelby Center. The responding deputy encountered an aggressive individual who was covered in blood, Bourke said. The man came at the deputy, who used a taser to try to subdue the man, the sheriff said.
That man remained aggressive, but was able to be put in the back of the police car. He is being interviewed by law enforcement and is now being cooperative, Bourke said.
There were two people inside the house and one was dead from stabbing wounds. Another man suffered more than 20 stabbing wounds, and remains alive but with severe injuries, Bourke said.
The man was transported to Medina Memorial Hospital and then transferred to Erie County Medical Center by ambulance due to mercy Flight being unable to fly its helicopter due to the weather conditions.
Law enforcement remain on scene to process the evidence. Route 63 has been closed between Alabama Road and Oak Street.
The sheriff said a news release will be forthcoming with more details.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 7 February 2026 at 1:11 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: More than 200 supporters of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina attended a fundraising gala on a bitterly cold Friday night. These supporters place there tickets in the hopes of winning some of the items in the basket auction. About 120 items were in that auction, plus about 50 others (mostly library book shelves, chairs and tables) available in a live auction.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Sharon Kleinhans, left, library clerk, hands an auction brochure to Georgia Thomas as the start of the gala to support Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.
MEDINA – The first gala to support Lee-Whedon Memorial Library was a resounding success Friday night, according to library director Kristine Mostyn.
Mostyn said the gala was the idea of the Capital Committee in charge of fundraising. More than 200 people purchased tickets to the event, which featured hors d’oeuvres from Hans Bakery and Zambistro Restaurant, beverages, music by DSP Jazz, a silent and live auction and a basket raffle.
Cynthia Kiebala, president of the library board of directors, announced they had exceeded their $500,000 goal in community donations toward the library expansion, which is expected to be completed in June. She thanked the staff and all the supporters who donated art, crafts, books and gift certificates for their auction and basket raffle, as well as monetary donors.
Lee-Whedon celebrated a ground-breaking last Aug. 22 for a 4,785-square-foot addition on the back of the current library, which is 11,100 square feet. The project will cost $5.2 million.
The addition will create space for two meeting rooms, two tutoring rooms, a programming room with makerspace, Friends of the Library book sale room, a quiet research room, an art gallery, a teen room and 14 parking spots.
There will also be additional restrooms, a new circulation desk, a new entry portico with automatic sliding doors, about a 10 percent increase in the collection and upgraded technology.
The state is contributing nearly $1.7 million in New York State Public Library Construction Aid grants to the $5.2 million project. In December, Lee-Whedon also received $25,000 in funding from the Garmin Family Foundation administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.
With the more than $500,000 in community donations that leaves about $3 million to be financed for the project.
“I’m very impressed with the number of people that came out tonight for us,” library director Kristine Mostyn said. “There is a great level of support in the community for the library.”
One of the guests at the gala was Ruth Cleveland of Medina who is a member of Friends of the Library.
“I come here a couple of times a week,” she said. “I like to work on the jigsaw puzzles. This is a happy place.”
(Left) Lee-Whedon president Cynthia Kiebala welcomes the more than 200 guests who attended the fundraising gala Friday night. (Right) Wes Pickreign, a retired Medina school principal, solicits a bid from the audience during Lee-Whedon Memorial Library’s auction at their gala Friday night. The event raised about $18,000, topping the $15,000 goal. The funds will reduce what is needed from the local community in financing for the expansion project.
Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman said she brought her kids to the library when they were little.
“Now I bring my grandchildren,” she said. “When I was working at the high school I used to tutor students here after school. They were always willing to share their space with us.”
Wes Pickreign stepped up as auctioneer for the evening’s live auction of library furniture and shelving. A highlight of the auction were two whimsical tables, one resembling a stack of books and the other a hamburger. After a lively bidding war, they were sold for $210 and $220, respectively.
Many of furnishings will be replaced as part of the capitol project. The book shelves that are about 7 feet tall will be removed for new ones about 5 feet tall to make the books easier to reach for patrons.
The library will be closed from March 23 and until reopening on May 4 to complete the work on the inside.
Staff of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library posed for a picture prior to welcoming guests to the first ever gala Friday night at the library. From left are Kristine Mostyn, director; Jessica Kozlowski, library clerk; Lisa Pritchard, tech services; Sharon Kleinhans, library clerk; Marna Grimes, page; Darlene Schepis, library clerk; Samantha Covis, assistant director; Joy Cameron, Amanda Wolford and Kelsie Stahl, library clerks; and Tricia Mumau, children’s services.
Guests enjoy conversation and refreshments at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library’s first fundraising gala Friday night. From left are Brian Grimes, David Boice (shaking hands with Tom Zangerle) and Linda Pickreign, who is a board member of the library. At right is Wes Pickreign, who served as auctioneer for the evening.
Supporting Lee-Whedon Memorial Library at its gala Friday night are, from left, Theresa Pierson of Royalton, Shelly Budziszewski of Middleport, Liz Bednarz of Gasport and Joyce Chizick of Lyndonville. Pierson and Budziszewski visit the library often with their children, who love to read and take part in library programs. Bednarz loves crafting and visits the library to take part in their adult craft program. Chizick enjoys Finally Fridays at the library.
Photos by Tom Rivers: There were about 120 items in the basket raffle, including many treats, books, gift certificates and art work. The book in the center, Last Call, is by Renee Lama and chronicles 150 years of restaurants, hotels and taverns in the Medina area.
Elizabeth Cooper created a doll showing love for Lee-Whedon Memorial Library that was among the items in the auction. It was included with a book about one-room schoolhouses in Shelby, written by Alice Zacher.
Sharon Klienhans, right, greets the gala attendees and hands them their paddles for the auction.
Wes Pickreign served as auctioneer and drummed up support from bidders for many of the library’s furnishings that will be replaced, including the circulation desks, several tables, chairs, metal and wood shelves, cabinets and work stations.
Photos courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES: Steven Miles (Royalton-Hartland) is shown with Steve Blask, a teacher from North Tonawanda High School.
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
It was an awesome day on Thursday in Bill Rakonczay’s Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering program.
For their first time, students in the senior and junior classes took part in Dream It Do It Western New York TCAM (Teacher, Counselor, Administrator and Manufacturer) Camp. The camp was a fun and informative opportunity to provide content and context pertaining to exciting careers in manufacturing that are in our region. The students enjoyed networking with local manufacturers and educators.
Dream It Do It Western New York includes over 1,615 manufacturers, employing 70,000 people and generating $26.8 billion in manufacturing shipments per year. Students learned that manufacturing in the WNY region accounts for 12% of the total workforce which is well beyond the 8% national average.
Over the next 10 years, industry estimates indicate that due to retirements and growth there will be a substantial shortage of qualified employees to fill this gap. Dream It Do It Western New York Partners with local school districts in the area and BOCES to address the workforce needs of manufacturers through the coordinated efforts of stakeholders and resources.
At Thursday’s event, component school district counselors, teachers, college representatives and local manufacturers’ employees partnered with Mr. Rakonczay’ s students with some hands-on technology experiences and a tour of Edwards Vacuum in Wheatfield.
It was a great opportunity to see new technology and learn about products that were made locally and explore career opportunities.
“I was honored to host the first Dream It, Do It TCAM Camp,” says Mr. Rakonczay. “It was a great opportunity to show local educators and counselors what we can do.”
Tyler Rothwell, a student at Royalton-Hartland, is shown with Roy-Hart staff Eliza Feocco and Michele Parker at the “Dream It Do It Western New York TCAM Camp.”
Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke
Kirk Thomas Jr. and Nevada Nichols face multiple felony charges for allegedly stealing electronics from Walmart stores in Albion, Batavia and Brockport.
ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office announces the arrests of two individuals following a multi-agency investigation into an organized retail theft scheme targeting department stores across Orleans, Genesee and Monroe counties.
Kirk Thomas Jr., 41, and Nevada Nichols, 33, both of Batavia, were charged in connection with multiple thefts from Walmart locations in the region on Jan. 12 as a result of a coordinated investigation by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation began after the Albion Walmart reported a theft on Jan. 6 in which more than $1,400 in merchandise—primarily electronics—was stolen. Surveillance footage showed a male and female suspect leaving the store in a white BMW with no license plates.
Further investigation revealed the same suspects were involved in additional thefts at Walmart locations in Albion, Brockport, Batavia and surrounding areas, resulting in thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise.
Through coordinated investigative efforts, including surveillance review, intelligence sharing, vehicle identification, investigators identified Thomas and Nichols as suspects.
The vehicle used in the thefts was located and secured by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and search warrants executed by Orleans and Monroe County investigators resulted in the recovery of stolen property.
On January 12, Thomas and Nichols were taken into custody with the assistance of New York State Parole.
In Orleans County, both defendants were charged with:
Two counts of Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree (A Misdemeanors)
Two counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree (E Felonies)
Enterprise Corruption (B Felony), stemming from an alleged ongoing pattern of organized retail theft activity
Nevada M. Nichols was released on an appearance ticket in the Town of Albion Court. Nichols was also arrested and released by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office for
Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree in the Town of Batavia, and by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for two counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree in the Town of Sweden.
Kirk A. Thomas Jr. was held in custody by Orleans County pending a bail hearing. Thomas has an extensive criminal history in New York State, having been previously arrested 48 times for similar offenses and convicted of eight felony crimes.
Additional charges for both are anticipated from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office as the investigation continues.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Parole, and Walmart Asset Protection for their cooperation and assistance in this investigation coordinated by Orleans County Sheriff’s Investigator Brian Marsceill.
This case highlights the effectiveness of interagency collaboration in addressing organized retail theft and protecting local businesses.
Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt
State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and some of his colleagues have sent a letter to Governor Hochul, urging her to direct NYSERDA to return billions in unused funds from their Climate Investment Account directly back to ratepayers who are struggling with skyrocketing utility bills.
The 2025 fiscal year budget and financial plan for NYSERDA indicates they have a surplus of more than $2 billion and projected in future years to even reach $3 billion. At last week’s Joint Budget hearing on Energy and Environmental Conservation, Senate Finance Ranker Tom O’Mara urged NYSERDA President Doreen Harris to return these funds to ratepayers as a bill credit. These bill credits would provide immediate relief to overburdened ratepayers who were required to contribute these surplus funds in their utility bills.
“Albany Democrats continue to dream up new ways to tax New Yorkers and billions of ratepayer dollars – taken to fund the Green New Scam – are sitting unused. It’s time NYSERDA parted with its slush fund, and returned that money to ratepayers to give real immediate relief to New Yorkers who desperately need a break,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.
The letter was also signed by Senator Mario Mattera, ranking member of the Energy and Telecommunications; Senator Tom O’Mara, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Finance; and Senator Mark Walczyk, member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications.
“There is no rationale for not using these off-budget surplus funds to provide ratepayers with credit on their utility bill,” the letter reads. “It is particularly timely because of the increased supply costs that will result from the current bout of frigid weather. Returning these unspent funds would provide short-term assistance but does not resolve the long-term problem of increasing rates. It is, however, an important recognition of the problem and provides immediate cash relief.”
