Sun & Record/Wayne County Mail

10/17/2026

DiNapoli: New York's Successful School Meal Expansion May Be at Risk Under Federal Changes

Albany, Oct 17 26 -- As of May 2026, more than 1.9 million New York students participated in the school lunch program, the third most in the nation, according to a report by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
However, recent federal changes enacted under H.R. 1 (Public Law 119-21) in 2025 restricting eligibility to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid in a way that may threaten federal support for the state’s universal school meals program, may decrease the number of students receiving support and increase state costs.
“Hunger should never prevent children from learning in school. The universal school meal program is a great success in New York, but it depends on continued partnership between the state and the federal government,” DiNapoli said.
“Changing the law to make it harder to qualify for benefits not only hurts New York’s children, but could also increase state costs to maintain this essential program.”

Federal Funding

Federal funds provide reimbursement for school meals. Over the past 15 years, the availability of free student meals has been expanded through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows schools, groups of schools, or school districts that meet certain conditions to provide free school meals to all students, not just those in households under 130% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Schools in New York became eligible to participate in CEP beginning in School Year (SY) 2012-13, and New York City opted into CEP for SY 2017-18.
In addition to federal funding, New York has strengthened the program by providing subsidies to school food authorities, the entities responsible for operating school meal programs, to help facilitate the availability of school meals.
In 2018, public schools with over 70% of students eligible for free or reduced-priced meals were also required to provide breakfast.
An additional state subsidy was created for schools that purchase 30% of the total cost of school lunch products from New York state farmers, growers, producers, or processors. In 2019, the state began providing a subsidy to eliminate the charge to students receiving reduced-price meals.
Through this successful state-federal partnership, free meals were available to 90% of students in New York by SY 2025-26. The State Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget proposed to create full universality, expanding free school meals to every school.
The Enacted Budget completed the move to full universality by requiring all schools that participate in the federal meal program to provide free meals for all students and included an additional $160 million to subsidize the program.
As part of the legislation, eligible schools are required to enter CEP to maximize federal reimbursement, lowering the state cost to subsidize the program. With these changes, New York became the ninth state to institute a universal free school meal program.

Uncertain Federal Landscape

In Federal Fiscal Year 2025, New York received over $1.1 billion in federal funding for its school meal program. However, P.L. 119-21 puts this funding at risk.
By tightening SNAP and Medicaid eligibility for some individuals, expanding work requirements, and increasing the frequency with which some Medicaid recipients have to renew their coverage, the law is expected to reduce participation in these programs.
Because SNAP and Medicaid enrollment are used to determine eligibility for CEP, declines in participation could reduce the number of students who are eligible for free school meals, altering reimbursement rates for the state.
Nationally, there are already signs that SNAP participation is declining. According to data from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the number of New Yorkers receiving SNAP benefits declined by nearly 273,000 between July 2025 and July 2026.
If the number of students qualifying for these federal programs drops, the state’s financial responsibility for maintaining universal school meal program is likely to grow.

10/16/2026

IT’S ALMOST HERE – THE ST. MICHAEL’S CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE

NEWARK - Is making ends meet getting more and more difficult?
Heating oil bill leaving you pretty cold?
Getting heartburn at the supermarket?
Thinking about a bicycle every time you get gas?
Wondering what kind of Christmas you can afford?
Sure wish there could be something that actually saves you money…
We have a suggestion. In fact, we have hundreds of suggestions.
The St. Michael’s Church Rummage Sale begins on Tuesday, Oct. 20. It runs through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and again on Saturday from 8 – 11 a.m.
You can easily find lots of bargain. In fact, this might be the church's biggest rummage sale ever. We’ve always been the Mother of All Rummage Sales in Wayne County, but this year, we might be the QUEEN MOTHER of All Rummage Sales.
Clothing? – We have men’s, women’s and lots of kids clothing this year. Cheap. And shoes. And purses. And sneaks. And coats. And hats.
Books? We have hundreds. CDs and DVDs? More hundreds.
Glassware? Kitchenware? Utensils? Lots and lots and lots.
Luggage? Yes. Small appliances? Quite a selection. Tools? Yes. Sporting goods? Uh-Huh.
Holiday decorations? Yes – a huge selection for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.
And to help you even more, Friday is half-price day and Saturday is bag day, when we’ll supply the bag, you fill it up for $1. Can’t beat that.
We’ve had two new customers describe our rummage sale as “a discovery.” They were surprised at the quantity of wonderful, clean items in working or wearing condition.
St. Michael’s Church is on South Main Street in Newark. It has taken a week for 60+ volunteers to get ready to welcome you with wonderful bargoons (a bargoon is bigger than a plain old bargain).
Come on down and shop til you drop!

10/15/2026

10/15/2026

10/14/2026

We are proud to announce the Newark Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2026

Please join us on Saturday, November 21st at the Newark Elks Club to celebrate these people and their accomplishments

Newark Athletics William Bean

10/11/2026

COLLEGE SPORTS WRAP
By John Addyman

For Oct 11 26

Each week, we let you know what’s happening to our Wayne County athletes who are now playing on college fields and courts. You’ve probably noticed that getting full results and complete box scores from our many community colleges is close to impossible, but frankly, right now here’s where some of the hottest action is taking place and we’re glad to cover it for you.
For instance, Monroe Community College soccer picked the wrong time, weather-wise, to play games in Florida last week as a hurricane nobody could pronounce correctly came through. One game was postponed a day and another was cancelled entirely.
Soccer teams from Geneseo State and Gannon College have collected nine wins already.
Finger Lakes Community College volleyball has a 25-1 record and sure looks like a juggernaut plowing through and over opponents.
In tennis, JoAnn Catalano is leading her unbeaten teammates at Geneseo State into the Empire 8 Conference championships.
And there’s so much more to talk about…

CROSS-COUNTRY

Keuka College sophomore Alston Hernandez (North Rose-Wolcott) finished 164th (31:38.1) in a field of 185 runners in Saturday’s Houghton University Highlander Cross-Country Invitational 8K. Junior teammate Rylie Pratt (Wayne Central) finished 133rd (36:57.7) among 140 competitors in the women’s 6K. The Keuka men, as a team, were 13th; the women were 11th.
Fo the host Highlanders, junior Gwenna Haas (Red Creek) finished 81st (26:14.3). The Highlander women finished third.
St. John Fisher junior Landon Wertz (Marion) finished 17th (25:52.6); The Fisher men were 10th overall.
Finger Lakes Community College sophomore Megan McGregor (Marion) accomplished a personal best by covering 5K of the 6K women’s race in under 30 minutes. She finished 135th (37:04.2). Freshman teammate Elizabeth Pullen (Newark) came in 128th (33:47.7).
# # #
Hartwick College junior Julia Weinschreider (Williamson) finished 20th (27:06.6) in a field of 49 competitors at the Hamilton College Cross-Country Invitational 6K on Saturday.
# # #
Lipscomb University freshman Hannah Governor (Williamson) finished 72nd (20:34.5) at the Loyola University Lakefront Invitational 6K in Chicago on Sep. 25.

SOCCER

Gannon College women’s soccer claimed two victories during the week, running over and through Edinboro University, 2-1, on Wednesday and California University of Pennsylvania on Saturday, 5-1. Freshman defensive midfielder Sydney Howard (Wayne Central) was a starter in both games. The Golden Knights are 9-2-2 (9-2-1 PSAC).
# # #
The Geneseo State men’s soccer team has a three-game win streak going after downing Keuka, 6-2, on Wednesday and Russell Sage, 4-0, on Saturday.
Senior goalkeeper Alec Gilbert (Wayne Central) played the second half the Keuka game and made two saves. The Knights are 9-4-1 (6-2 Empire 8).
# # #
Roberts Wesleyan women’s soccer moved ahead during the week with a scoreless draw with Daemen University on Wednesday and a 2-0 win over D’Youville University on Saturday night. Redhawk freshman forward Lauren Schmeelk (Williamson) put shots on goal in both contests and got the assist on the first – and game-winning – goal by Savannah Sweet against D’Youville.
Roberts is 6-2-5 (2-2-1 East Coast Conference).
# # #
Alfred State College women’s soccer lost to Hilbert College on Tuesday, 1-2, but finished the weekend positively with a 2-0 victory over Delhi State on Saturday. Sophomore striker Isabella Hoffman (Gananda) scored her eighth goal of the year in the 18th minute of the Hilbert loss, assisted by Trystyn Williams. Isabella unloaded a bombardment of seven shots, four on goal.
Isabella scored again on Saturday, Regan Curabba providing the assist in the fourth minute of the game. Once again, Isabella unloaded seven shots, four of them on goal. The Pioneers are 6-4-1 (2-2 SUNYAC).
# # #
Greensboro College women’s soccer has played its last three opponents to a die, with two of those games this week – 1-1 with Brevard College on Tuesday and 0-0 with Southern Virginia University. Pride junior midfielder Abby Sanzotta (Red Creek) started both games for Greensboro and in the Brevard draw, she launched four shots, two on goal. The Pride is 5-3-5 (2-1-3 USA South).
# # #
Women’s soccer at the University at Buffalo is suddenly having trouble winning games, losing another close one last Sunday, 0-1 to Ohio University. Junior midfielder Maya Ikewood (Pal-Mac) was in the game but did not offer a shot. The Bulls are 4-4-4 (2-2-2 Mid-American Conference).
# # #
Rochester Institute of Technology women’s soccer has a 4-4-3 record (2-2-1 Liberty League) after getting edged by William Smith, 0-1, on Tuesday, and getting stuck in nothingness with Union College on Saturday, 0-0. Junior midfielder Reilly Batzold (North Rose-Wolcott) got into the Smith game but did not offer a shot.
# # #
Elmira College men’s soccer absorbed losses to Brockport State, 0-2, on Wednesday and to SUNY Poly on Saturday, 1-2. Freshman forward Gauge Johnson (Sodus) made good use of his 10 minutes in the Brockport game – he got off a shot. The Soaring Eagles are 4-7-1 (2-4-1 E-8)
# # #
With two losses this week, the Keuka College women’s soccer team is in a five-deep losing streak. On Wednesday, the Wolves lost to Geneseo State, 1-3, and on Saturday, fell victim to Houghton University, 0-5. Freshman starting midfielder Bailey Cook (Wayne Central) didn’t take a shot against Geneseo but did get the assist on Delaney Goodenow’s only Keuka goal. Bailey started the Houghton game but again took no shots. The Wolves are 4-8 (0-7 Empire 8).
# # #
Le Moyne College women’s soccer had a pretty good week – first a 2-2 draw with Mercyhurst University last Sunday and then a 2-1 win over Long Island University on Thursday. Sophomore midfielder Ella Lathrop (Gananda) was in both games for the Dolphins, getting off a shot against LIU. Le Moyne is 3-10-1 (2-2-1 Northeast Conference).
# # #
Alfred University’s women dropped both games during the week, 1-5 to 18th-ranked Rochester on Wednesday, and 0-1 to Hartwick College on Saturday. Junior midfielder Anna Henner (Williamson) came into both games off the bench, and in the Hartwick loss, she fired two shots, putting one on goal. The Pioneers are 2-8-3 (1-5-1 E-8).
# # #
Finger Lakes Community College women’s soccer was shut out by Genesee CC on Wednesday, 0-3. Freshman midfielder Sophia Delfs (Newark) led the Lakers’ offense with three shots (two on goal), but no score. Freshman teammate Gracie Decker (Gananda) took one shot. Sophomore Kadience Powell (North Rose-Wolcott) and freshman Alexis Galina (Gananda) were in the game but did not offer shots. The Lakers are 2-6-1.

Stetson University women’s soccer had a frustrating week with two one-goal losses. Last Sunday, Lipscomb University claimed a 0-1 win over the Hatters, and on Thursday Jacksonville won, 1-2. Senior goalkeeper Clare Boesel (Pal-Mac) played well enough to earn the win with seven saves against Lipscomb; she played half the game against Jacksonville and had two saves with no goals scored against her. Stetson is 2-10 (0-4 Atlantic Sun Conference).

VOLLEYBALL

Here’s something we don’t print very often – team played seven games in the last week and won them all.
The team?
Finger Lakes Community College volleyball. The Lakers are 25-1, takin’ names and stompin’ down.
The wonderful week started last Sunday with a tight 3-2 win over Hudson Valley Community College and a 3-0 dominance of SUNY Adirondack. Laker sophomore middle hitter Ava Van Antwerp (Gananda) had two block assists against Hudson Valley and in the Adirondack game, she hit seven kills and blocked a shot. Freshman Jade Stoner (Newark) had a service ace, blocked shot and block assist versus Adirondack.
On Tuesday, FLCC waxed Broome CC, 3-0. Ava provided seven more kills.
Genesee CC was in town on Thursday and got drubbed, 3-0. Ava contributed four kills and blocked one shot.
The College of DuPage visited on Friday and made things interesting before falling, 3-2. Ava was fierce at the net with five kills, four blocked shots and three block assists
On Saturday at the FLCC Invitational, the Lakers beat Northampton CC, 3-1, and Union College, 3-0. Ava had three kills, two blocks and two block assists in the Northampton win; Ava had one kill and three blocked shots in the Union win; Jade was on the court but had no stats.
# # #
Keuka College volleyball evened its season mark at 10-10 (3-2 Empire 8) with two wins in three tries during the week, starting with a shutout of Elmira College on Tuesday. Freshman middle hitter Emily Nevlezer (North Rose-Wolcott) blocked a shot in that game. She did not play in the 1-3 loss to Geneseo State on Friday or the 3-2 victory against Brockport State on Saturday. # # #
Nazareth University tried but couldn’t nail down a win on Friday against Hartwick or on Saturday versus Russell Sage, so the Golden Flyers are now 2-13 (0-4 Empire 8). Senior setter Anna Malbone (Wayne Central) had a decent game against the Hawks (six assists, a service ace and a dig) and did even better against Sage (17 assists, two aces, eight digs).
# # #
SUNY Polytechnic got its third volleyball win of the season on Friday, edging past Alfred University, 3-2. Junior outside hitter Kara Stephens (Lyons) made two kills, had a block assist and three digs for the Wildcats.
Poly’s two other games during the week were losses, both shutouts, to Utica (Tuesday) and Houghton (Saturday). Kara smashed seven kills blocked a shot and served two aces against Utica; versus Houghton, she had one kill. The Wildcats are 3-17 (2-3 Empire 8).

FOOTBALL

St. John Fisher scored in every period to down Hartwick College on Saturday afternoon, 27-13. Freshman defensive back Camron Quick (Pal-Mac) got into the game for Fisher but did not record any stats. The Cardinals are 5-1 (2-1 Empire 8).
# # #
The University of Rochester got smothered by Ithaca College Saturday afternoon, 0-36. The Bombers had 501 yards of total offense to Rochester’s 200. Senior linebacker Nathan Lehigh (Macedon/Penfield) was a starter but did not register any stats for the Yellowjackets, who are now 3-3 (2-1 Liberty League).

GOLF

Geneseo State women’s golf finished third at the Nazareth Invitational played at the Ravenwood Golf Club for the first round and Locust Hill Country Club for the second. Sophomore Lydia Hickey (Macedon/Penfield) finished second on the Knights’ roster, carding a 93 in round one and improving to 91 in the second round, good for a 40-over-par finish. She birdied the 10th hole in her second round. St. John Fisher won the event.

TENNIS

The Geneseo State tennis team prepared for this week’s Empire 8 Conference Championships
By shutting out Nazareth on Friday, 7-0. Senior JoAnn Catalano (Williamson) teamed with Natalie Pipes to get the win at first doubles over Anna Spencer and Lily Brady, 6-1. In fourth singles, JoAnn dominated Paige Masrouri, 6-1, 6-0. The Knights enter the conference competition with an 11-0 record.

10/09/2026