MURRAY – Town of Murray Historian Deborah Wood will be giving a history lecture today at 6:30 p.m. at the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Firehall, 3353 Hulberton Rd.
Wood’s presentation is titled, “Revolutionary War Veterans: Sharing Their Stories.”
The program is made possible with funding from the New York State Department of Education.
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File photo by Tom Rivers: Seanna Corwin-Bradley speaks during a July 28, 2024 celebration for a new Barker village hall and public library. Corwin-Bradley was the village mayor at the time. She also served as president of the Barker public library. Barker celebrated the new building which opened 5 ½ years after the village hall and public library burned down on Jan. 20, 2019.
ALBION – A former mayor of Barker in Niagara County was sentenced today in Orleans County Court to six months in the county jail and then five years of probation for felony driving while intoxicated.
Seanna Corwin-Bradley, 42, of Barker was charged on July 22, 2025 with a BAC at .193, more than twice the legal limit. She was in a car accident on Ridge Road in Ridgeway, where she allegedly crossed the center line and sideswiped a camper that was being pulled by a truck. She has a previous DWI conviction in Erie County in September 2024.
Corwin-Bradley was driving with a conditional license and was returning from a trip to the Thousand Islands. That conditional license didn’t allow her to drive that distance, County Court Judge Sandford Church said in court today.
Corwin-Bradley was very apologetic and tearful during the sentencing.
“As a former public official, I understand how important public safety is,” she said during sentencing. “I think about the people I could have hurt every day. I think God no one was hurt.”
Corwin-Bradley said she has learned to accept help and do the hard work of dealing with her alcohol addiction.
“I feel guilt every day,” she said. “I feel guilt every day. I don’t know if those feelings will ever go away.”
Corwin-Bradley said she is humbled by the support of her family and friends, her counselor and the community.
“No matter how far someone falls there is still hope,” she said. “It is possible to rebuild your life.”
Timothy Brooks, the attorney for Corwin-Bradley, said addiction is an “insidious, vicious disease.” He said Corwin-Bradley has been a very productive member of society. He asked that she just be sentenced to probation with no incarceration.
Judge Church said Corwin-Bradley has put others in danger with her drunken driving.
“You are a dangerous driver while drinking,” he said. “I need to do my best to protect society.”
In addition to six months in jail and five years of probation, Corwin-Bradley had her license revoked for a year, must use a inter-lock ignition device which measures her BAC and needs to pay $570 in court surcharges and fees.
Return to topPress Release, Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force
Savanah Bentley, left, and Nathaniel Bentley
MEDINA – Two people have been charged after an investigation into the sale and distribution of crack cocaine in the Village of Medina, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported today.
The Task Force on June 23 executed a search warrant at 416 E. Center St., Apt. #1, Medina, N.Y. Police seized a quantity of crack cocaine packaged for sale, morphine pills, drug paraphernalia and $1,073.
Police arrested: Nathaniel Bentley, age 34, and Savanah Bentley, age 22, both of 416 E. Center St., Apt. #1.
Both were charged with 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, with intent to sell (Class B Felonies); 1 count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree (Class D Felonies); and1 count of Criminal Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree (Class A Misdemeanor).
Both defendants were issued appearance tickets due to the New York State bail reform laws and are to return to the Town of Ridgeway Justice Court on August 3 at 9 a.m.
Assisting in the investigation was Orleans County District Attorney Susan M. Howard, Medina Police Department, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Department of Corrections Office of Special Investigations.
Further arrests and charges are pending in this investigation.
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Provided photo: The Lyndonville Lions Club lights the Lyndonville Waterfalls on Main Street in patriotic red, white, and blue as part of the community’s July 4th holiday celebration.
Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club has officially opened the extended July 4th holiday weekend with its “Light Up Lyndonville” campaign, part of the 52nd Annual Lyndonville Lions Club July 4th Celebration.
The initiative has transformed several municipal buildings along Main Street into a patriotic display of red, white, and blue lighting. One of the highlights of this year’s effort is the illumination of the Lyndonville Waterfalls, creating a striking tribute to our nation’s birthday.
The club also regrets to announce that there will be no military flyover preceding Saturday’s July 4th Parade. The Lions Club was informed that, due to current operations in the Middle East, regional United States Air Force bases capable of conducting the flyover have been placed on Operational Alert, making them unavailable for ceremonial missions.
The club is extremely proud of the military flyovers that have honored our community in previous years and hopes to once again welcome this special tribute in future celebrations.
During this Independence Day weekend, the Lyndonville Lions Club asks everyone to keep our military personnel and their families in their thoughts and prayers. As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, they will be standing watch around the world, protecting the freedoms we are privileged to celebrate.
All scheduled July 4th festivities will proceed as planned. The July 4th Parade begins at noon, with the Arts & Crafts Show, vendors, food, entertainment, and family activities on the Lyndonville Central School grounds.
The popular Firecracker Concert Series begins at 7 p.m. on the baseball fields at the school and will be followed by the Lyndonville Lions Club’s spectacular Salute to America Fireworks Display.
Advance tickets for the famous Chiavetta’s Chicken Barbecue are still available at the Town of Yates Hall through Thursday afternoon and at the Hojack Ice Cream Shack in Lyndonville through Friday afternoon. As always, tickets will also be available on the day of the event for walk-up purchases.
The Lyndonville Lions Club extends its sincere appreciation to the many sponsors, volunteers, community partners, and supporters who have helped make this year’s celebration possible.
The club warmly invites everyone to join them this July 4th as the community comes together to celebrate our nation’s independence and America’s 250th anniversary in true Lyndonville tradition.
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Photo by Marsha Rivers: The sun sets on Friday on the railroad tracks in Holley next to the Holley Cold Storage in this photo taken from the Route 31 overpass.
An Extreme Heat Warning has been issued for Orleans County from noon to 8 p.m. today, Thursday and Friday.
The National Weather Service said there will be dangerously hot conditions with heat index values 104 to 108 each afternoon. The very warm and muggy temperatures overnight will not provide much relief, the Weather Service said.
“Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities,” the Weather Service said.
Today is forecast to be sunny and hot with a high of 94 degrees and heat index values up to 107. Tonight there will be a low around 77.
Thursday will be sunny and hot with a high near 95, followed by a mostly sunny and hot Friday with a high near 94.
On Saturday, the Fourth of July, the high will be near 90 with a chance of showers between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m., the Weather Service said.
Return to topPress Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney
WASHINGTON, DC — Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today joined House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) and a bipartisan group of lawmakers in introducing the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act, legislation to modernize the H-2A agricultural guest worker program, reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, provide greater certainty for farmers, and help ensure America’s producers have access to the workforce they need to keep the nation’s food supply strong.
For nearly 40 years, the H-2A program has remained largely unchanged despite the evolving needs of American agriculture. As labor shortages continue to challenge farms across the country, producers face increasing difficulty finding enough workers to plant and harvest crops, care for livestock, and maintain safe, reliable food production.
The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act would modernize the program by expanding eligibility for temporary agricultural work, including making dairy farms eligible for H-2A, creating a streamlined online application system, simplifying program requirements, and codifying recent reforms to provide greater wage stability and certainty for farmers.
“Farmers across New York and our nation work tirelessly to feed America, but too many are struggling to find the workforce they need to keep their operations running,” Tenney said. “Our outdated H-2A program has created unnecessary costs, delays, and uncertainty that hurt family farms and drive up food prices. For too long, critical industries like dairy have been locked out of the H-2A program.”
The legislation has earned endorsements from more than 385 organizations representing farmers, ranchers, agricultural employers, commodity groups, food producers, and businesses nationwide, including New York Farm Bureau, U.S. Apple Association, International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), and dozens of other leading agricultural organizations.
“We appreciate Representative Tenney’s sponsorship of the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act. This legislation includes long overdue improvements to the H-2A guest worker program, among other much-needed changes to the agricultural labor system. We value Representative Tenney’s continued leadership and support for New York farmers.” – New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher
“New York apple growers know firsthand that a reliable workforce is essential to keeping orchards productive. We appreciate Rep. Tenney’s leadership in advancing long-overdue H-2A reforms that will help ensure growers have the workers they need to continue growing apples in New York and across America.” – U.S. Apple Association President & CEO Jim Bair
“The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act represents the most significant reform to the ag workforce we’ve seen in decades. It’s particularly critical for dairy farmers, who have been effectively shut out of the H-2A program, the main U.S. farmworker visa. The bill would stabilize the dairy workforce by allowing H-2A contracts of up to 350 days and providing a targeted mechanism for current dairy workers to transition to a viable visa program. We thank Congresswoman Tenney for joining Chairman Thompson in the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act, and we look forward to working with these congressional champions and all of agriculture to get this bill to the president’s desk.” – Gregg Doud, President and CEO, National Milk Producers Federation
“International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) thanks Representative Tenney for co-sponsoring the Securing Agriculture Workforce Act and supporting commonsense guestworker reform for U.S. dairy. Dairy farms and processors alike operate year-round and need access to a reliable workforce. Modernizing the H-2A program to meet the needs of year-round dairy farm operations moves the needle in the right direction by strengthening the dairy supply chain. Although dairy processors also need reforms that offer workforce support, the Securing Agriculture Workforce Act better positions all of U.S. dairy to ensure families continue to have access to nutritious dairy products.” – International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA)
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Photo by Tom Rivers: Jim Hancock, chairman of the Medina Tourism Committee, speaks during last week’s Village Board meeting.
MEDINA – The Medina Tourism Committee is looking forward to special events to celebrate the country’s 250thanniversary.
The committee is organizing a patriotic birthday concert on Sept. 6 at State Street Park with a jazz band led by retired Medina band director Jim Steele, Jim Hancock, the Tourism Committee chairman, told the Village Board last week.
Retired broadcaster Mike Randall will be reading the Declaration of Independence. There will be 250 birthday cupcakes with red, white and blue frosting.
The Sons of the American Legion is contributing funds towards the event, Hancock said. The VFW will be playing Taps as well.
The Tourism Committee asked the Village Board for permission to have a time capsule buried at Rotary Park with the container to be opened in 2076. The board approved the request for the time capsule, which will be in a circular area in front of the Santa House.
Hancock and committee member Barb Gorham said they expect the time capsule will be buried by the end of October. They said they are discussing what to have in the capsule. They would like a little bit of Medina Sandstone and news coverage of notable events during 2026.
“We’re open to any suggestions about what people want to see put into it,” Hancock said.
The committee wants to reach out to the school district and ask kids what they think Medina will be like in 50 years.
Hancock said the Tourism Committee looks forward to welcoming about 600 cyclists when they visit and stay overnight in Medina on Sunday, July 12. It’s part of the annual Cycling the Erie Canal trip from Buffalo to Albany.
The committee also is working on its second annual Building Brick event at Sacred Heart Club on Sept. 19. Last year there were about 350 people – kids, parents and grandparents – making creations from LEGOs.
The Tourism Committee last week welcomed the Seneca Chief boat to the Canal Basin. This was the third year the replica of the famed canal boat visited Medina.
Hancock said the Tourism Committee also is working on plans for the Parade of Lights and the Christmas celebration on Nov. 28.
The Tourism Committee for the 17th year also is staffing a visitor center during the summer. This year a team of about 15 volunteers is managed by Barb Gorham.
“We see a great number of people coming into the village,” Hancock said. “We try to provide information to them.”
Return to topCARLTON – The concert scheduled for this evening at the Orleans County Marine Park has been rescheduled due to the hot weather.
Something Else will instead perform on Aug. 11. The area is under a heat advisory today until 8 p.m. The heat index values could reach the upper 90s.
The events are organized by the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association and Friends of the Orleans County Marine Park.
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Kimberly Stawicki sent in this photo of the Strawberry Moon from last night in Medina. This was the first full moon of the summer.
A heat advisory is in effect for Orleans County and most of New York State today.
The heat index values are expected to be in the upper 90s. From Wednesday afternoon through Friday evening, there is an extreme heat watch when heat index values could be as high as 105.
For today, the heat advisory is in effect from noon to 8 p.m. The high in Orleans County is forecast to reach 92. Then the highs are forecast for 94 on Wednesday, 95 on Thursday and 92 on Friday.
The National Weather Service advises people to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
“Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside,” the Weather Service said. “When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”
Robyn Ottaviano took this photo of the Strawberry Moon last night.
The average price for regular unleaded gas dropped in the past week – down 6 cents nationally to $3.86 today. One year ago, the price was $3.19, according to AAA.
The New York State average is at $4.12, down 11 cents from a week ago. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.21.
In Orleans County, the average price is down 8.3 cents from a week ago – from $4.396 to $4.313.
“Drivers continue to see relief at the pump as summer travel ramps up, with prices trending lower in recent weeks,” AAA said in a news release. “While motorists are benefiting from these declines, prices remain higher than they were this time last year, and New York continues to sit above the national average and rank among the more expensive states for gasoline, currently ranking 8th for the highest prices in the country.”
This morning, crude oil prices are trading in the high $60s to low $70s per barrel range, down from $75-$79 last week, AAA said.
“Crude oil prices have remained relatively steady, with global supply dynamics and ongoing geopolitical developments influencing the market,” AAA said. “While volatility remains a factor, recent stability in oil prices has helped support the gradual easing in gas prices.”
Here are the average prices in counties around Western New York:
The highest price is in Tompkins County at an average of $4.380 while Nassau has the lowest price at $3.919.
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Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Kids keep a close eye on an armadillo that visited Hoag Library today with other creatures from the Wildlife Rockstars in Farmington.
There were about 100 people at the presentation at the library, which kicked off its summer reading program. Click here to see a schedule of events as part of the program which has a theme of “Unearth a Story.”
Steve, an ambassador with Wildlife Rockstars shows a ball python to kids and adults at the presentation.
Twin sisters Mileena and Adalyn were able to pet a chinchilla.
Rosie, an ambassador from Wildlife Rockstars, lets people get a close look at a hissing cockroach.
This tortoise seemed eager to meet the crowd at the library.
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Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Becky Patterson, an artist from North Tonawanda, puts dinosaur-themed line art on the sidewalk in front of Hoag Library today.
Children will be encouraged to color the inside the lines with chalk throughout the summer as part of the summer reading program, which has a theme of “Unearth a Story.” Patterson used a water-based temper paint for the outline which should last throughout the summer.
Patterson also expected to work on chalk mural today, showing a three-dimensional T-Rex, and another dinosaur-themed chalk mural on Thursday.
Photos by Ginny Kropf
MEDINA – Patriotic banners are strung across Main Street this morning in observance of the Fourth of July and the country’s 250th celebration and the Fourth of July. This view is looking north from near the railroad tracks.
(Left) Village of Medina DPW employees string patriotic banners across Main Street in Medina. In the buckets are Brad Freeman and John Fike. (Right) Medina DPW employee Brad Freeman attaches the wire for a patriotic banner to an anchor on the Main Street buildings, which are the ones used for the holiday banners at Christmas.
There are eight banners, four on either side of Main Street. Jason Watts, the DPW superintendent, said it took about a half an hour to install each one, using the existing hardware on the buildings. The banners will remain up through Labor Day, he said.
The banners were requested by Medina Area Partnership and funded with a $3,000 grant from the New York State 250th Commemorative Commission. Orleans County was approved for $15,000 from the state to help commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary.
Other funding approved by the local 250th committee and the Orleans County Legislature includes: Albion Strawberry Festival, $1,500; Barre Betterment Committee, $750; Lyndonville Lions Club, $3,585; Medina Area Partnership, $3,000; Town of Albion, $1,000; Town of Kendall, $740; Town of Murray, $275; Town of Yates, $500; Village of Holley, $1,700. The remaining $1,950 is to be spent at the discretion of the NY250 Committee in Orleans County.
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