Photo and Press Release from Orleans County DSS

ALBION – The staff of the Orleans County Department of Social Services today took part in “Wear Blue” Day as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month.  “Wear Blue Day” is always celebrated on the first Friday in April.

“While our commitment to creating positive childhood experiences and preventing child abuse and neglect is year-round effort, Child Abuse Prevention month is an opportunity raise public awareness on the need to support, strengthen and celebrate families,” said Cyndi Stumer, Deputy Commissioner of DSS.

If you have suspicions of child abuse or neglect to report or you are concerned about the health or safety of a child, please immediately call the NYS Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-342-3720.  In 2024, Orleans County DSS received approximately 700 referrals for investigation through the NYS State Central Registry.

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

Claudia Tenney

OSWEGO – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) announced the launch of the Community Project Funding process for Fiscal Year 2026. The deadline for this year’s submissions is Thursday, April 24, at close of business.

The CPF process is an important way for members of Congress to advocate for projects that will directly benefit their district. It provides transparency, accountability, and oversight of the funding process rather than simply relying on bureaucrats in Washington to make critical funding decisions behind closed doors without community input.

The CPF program allows local governments and non-profits to submit requests for federal funding for high-priority community projects in New York’s 24th District. All projects are vetted thoroughly, are subject to strict oversight, and must demonstrate strong local support.

All CPF applications supported by Congresswoman Tenney’s office must meet rigorous eligibility requirements, as outlined in the appropriations guidance, and must provide a clear plan to execute funds promptly with strong accountability measures built in. Tenney’s office works closely with all grantees to ensure awarded funds are spent responsibly and for their intended purpose.

Local elected officials and non-profits interested in submitting applications or have questions should email: AppropriationsRequestsNY24@mail.house.gov.

Press Release, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

 NEW YORK – Yesterday, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Charles E. Schumer, and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act, which would require the U.S. Mint to design and mint coins to honor the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The coins would be sold in 2027 at a price that would pay back the U.S. Mint for production, and surcharge proceeds would go to support the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and its mission to “never forget.”

“On the 25th anniversary of one of the darkest days in our nation’s history, we must continue to honor our promise to never forget,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act would do just that while also generating funds to ensure that the 9/11 Memorial & Museum can sustain itself – two other ways we commit to never forget. Our city and nation owe our 9/11 heroes a tremendous debt, and it is time to get this done.”

“Minting commemorative coins for the 25th anniversary of September 11th provides a unique way to honor those who lost their lives and those who undertook brave acts of heroism, and to recall the patriotism and community that their sacrifice inspired,” said Senator Schumer. “I am proud to support this legislation that will honor those we lost, support the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, and uphold our sacred promise to never forget.”

Representatives Dan Goldman (D-NY) and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives, and the bill is supported by the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

In addition to the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act, Senator Gillibrand leads the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act in the U.S. Senate. The bill provides permanent and mandatory funding for the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) and updates an outdated funding formula to prevent a future funding shortfall and ensure that survivors and first responders don’t lose access to care.

Earlier this week, it was reported that the Trump administration cut staff that provide critical support for the WTCHP, which offers medical monitoring and treatment for first responders and survivors diagnosed with 9/11-related health conditions, including many types of cancers, respiratory illnesses, and more. The cuts include the dismissal of Dr. John Howard, the administrator of the WTCHP, who makes critical decisions regarding covered conditions and ensures the WTCHP complies with statutes enacted by Congress.

Photo by Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul: Gov. Kathy Hochul and Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula sign a steel beam today as part of a topping-out ceremony for the new stadium.

There was a big celebration today outside the new stadium that is under construction for the Buffalo Bills.

Many of the Buffalo Bills leaders, construction workers, and elected officials were able to sign the last steel beam to be set for the stadium in a topping out ceremony.

The new stadium is on target to be ready for the 2026 NFL season. The stadium will cost about $2.1 billion to build. The state is paying $600 million, Erie County will pay $250 million, with the Pegula family covering the rest, including the cost overruns from the initial construction costs of $1.4 billion.

“As a proud Buffalo Bills fan it was a pleasure to attend the Topping Out Ceremony for the new Highmark Stadium today with local electeds and fellow fans,” State Sen. Rob Ortt posted on social media. “They placed the final beam, signed by fans and officials, on the structural framework. Looking forward to seeing the continued project move forward with the opening set for 2026. GO BILLS!”

Image from Governor’s Office: The new $2.1 billion stadium is under construction next to the existing Highmark Stadium. The new stadium is expected to be ready for the 2026 season.

Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke to more than 1,000 guests and hundreds of construction workers during the celebration in Orchard Park.

The new stadium is about 50 percent complete. The groundbreaking was 20 months ago on the new 60,000-seat facility.

The new stadium will face north-south to better protect fans from the winds that blown in from Lake Erie. The current Highmark Stadium faces east-west. The stadium also will have a canopy to shield the majority of fans from snow and harsh weather.

Contractors have put in place more than 22,000 individual pieces of steel weighing more than 25,000 tons, the governor’s office said. About 60 percent of the steel is being produced in New York State and almost all of it produced in the United States.

Photos from Rob Ortt’s social media: State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, whose district include Orleans County, signs the steel beam today.

In addition to the structural steel work, the project has included the removal of 742,000 cubic yards of dirt and the installation of more than 46,000 cubic yards of foundation concrete, and miles of piping among other materials.

As many as 1,500 workers will be on the site at the peak of construction. Workers have already put in over 1.7 million craft-hours to construction, with that number expected to double by completion, Hochul said.

“Today marks a major milestone for the future home of the Buffalo Bills and one of the largest construction projects ever in Western New York,” Hochul said. “This world-class stadium would not be possible without our skilled union workers and partners, and I look forward to cheering along with them at the first Bills game being played here in the 2026 season.”

Rob Ortt posted this photo of the beam being raised in the air to go up high on the new stadium. This beam is the last major roof module for the stadium structure.

Provided photo: Front row, from left: Derrick Morgan, Adi-Ann Reuther, Cain Stanton and Lianna Sheffer (Preventive Supervisor). Back row: Darrel Morgan, Ben DiMatteo (Den Leader), Chris Reuther and Meghan Reuther (assistant den leader). Jonas Jomir, a scout, also assisted with the effort.

ALBION – Cub Scouts from Pack 86 in Brockport donated hygiene and comfort products to the Department of Social Services in Orleans County.

The Scouts and their leaders presented the items to the DSS Department of Child and Family Services on Thursday. The products were put in “Go Bags” for children ages 10 to 18 who are living in difficult environments and need to be removed from their homes.

The Scouts collected 13 duffle bags full of supplies, plus three additional bags full of personal hygiene items, socks, underwear and toys. The duffle bags consisted of personal hygiene items such as soap, deodorant, dental care, shampoo, conditioner and hair brushes. Along with the hygiene items, the bags were also filled with socks, underwear, books, playing cards, blankets and a stuffed companion.

While delivering the bags, the cubs got to meet Lianna Sheffer, preventive supervisor and Judianne Gearing, CPS supervisor.

The “Go Bag” Project was created as the community project for the Cubs to reached their Bear Rank. They have successfully done so and are now Webelos, the second to last step before crossing over to the Boy Scouts.

To celebrate their hard work and achievements, the Cubs were treated to pizza after delivering the bags.

NYSCOPBA seeks ‘urgent meeting’ with DOCCS on working conditions

Press Release, NYS Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association

ALBANY – The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association is calling for an urgent meeting with the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to address a range of serious issues effecting the safety, well-being, and working conditions of correctional officers.

These issues, which include staffing shortages, workplace conditions, the implementation of 12-hour shifts, scheduled regular days off, vacation periods and other issues have reached a critical point following the recent organization of a grassroots strike organized by NYSCOPBA members to highlight unsafe working conditions.

Compounding the current work-place crisis is the announcement by DOCCS Commissioner Martuscello on Monday to release potentially thousands of inmates up to 110 days prior to their earliest release date yet failing to address the long-standing issues that led to the labor strike and the firing of 2,000 officers.

Echoing the concerns of Senator James Tedisco, President Chris Summers stated, “The early release of inmates undermines public safety and sends a troubling message to crime victims who continue to live with the trauma caused by those incarcerated and only highlights DOCCS failure to face the on-going consequences of staffing shortages in our prisons.”

New York has already seen the troubling effect of pretrial discovery laws ushered in by the State Legislature in 2019 that has caused hundreds of criminals to have their cases dismissed and walk free because prosecutors are hampered by their own staffing shortages and the unimaginable timeframes set forth by the law.

Releasing inmates prior to their sentences are complete, coupled with the high number of criminal cases being dismissed on technicalities, will only increase the number of criminals that are walking free and make our communities unsafe.

The understaffing within the state’s correctional facilities is not a new issue. Since January of 2023, staffing levels decreased by over 2,000 through attrition and the failure to effectively recruit.  When the Governor arbitrarily fired 2,000 officers during the non-sanctioned labor strike, staffing levels are now at dangerously low level and impact the safety of both staff and inmates. We have been, and will continue to fight for the 2,000 officers to be reinstated immediately.

After several negotiations between union leaders, DOCCS and members of the Governor’s Office to address the mounting concerns the union had about the dangerous working conditions in state prisons during the non-sanctioned 22-day strike, these urgent concerns have been largely ignored by the Governor’s leadership and DOCCS.

Yet, the Commissioner, after denying a meeting request, bypassed union leadership and shortly after issued a departmental memo to facility superintendents that instructed them to work with local union representatives to address the very concerns brought by NYSCOPBA. It was tantamount to a slap in the face to the good faith efforts made by NYSCOPBA leaders before, during and after the non-sanctioned strike.

“We are deeply disappointed by the Department’s refusal to engage in a productive conversation about these critical issues,” said NYSCOPBA President Chris Summers. “Our members safety and the safety of the communities they serve should be a priority. The ongoing refusal to address these concerns only exacerbates the already dangerous conditions that exist in many of our facilities.”

NYSCOPBA has been vocal about the need for improvements to ensure safer working environments and better treatment for correctional officers well before COVID hit in 2020.  The denial of a meeting with DOCCS and questioning the legitimate concerns by state officials signals a troubling disregard for the safety and well-being of those on the frontlines of public safety. These issues are not just union concerns—they are the concerns of the dedicated men and women working in New York’s correctional facilities every day.

“It’s time for the State and DOCCS to recognize the importance of these concerns and work together with us to find lasting solutions,” Summers added.  “Temporary, short-sighted solutions of the early release of inmates is not a long-term solution needed to address workplace violence, staffing shortages and the inability to recruit new officers.”

 “We will not back down until real changes are made for the men and women who serve this state with unwavering dedication,” Summers said. “Without effective changes, both public safety and the well-being of correctional officers will continue to be at risk.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A very large quilt made by local quilters in 1976 has been put in a new frame and is on display in the Orleans County Courthouse.

County Buildings and Grounds employees made the frame about a month ago for the quilt. The large 35-block quilt has been in storage in the courthouse for more than 20 years. It was taken down as part of a renovation and addition to the courthouse that was completed in 2003.

The quilt was made to celebrate the bicentennial of the United States in 1976. The quilt was done in an appliqué style where one or more pieces of fabric are attached to a larger background fabric to create pictures or patterns.

It is back on display for the Orleans County bicentennial this year.

The center block highlights the train depot in Medina that has been used as a senior citizens center for more than 50 years.

These blocks shows the former Christmas Park in Albion at lower left, the county courthouse, a trolley, and in the top row: the former Swan Library, the county seal (which erroneously listed the county’s founding as 1826 instead of 1825), and the Civil War monument at Mount Albion Cemetery.

These blocks highlight the sloopers who traveled from Norway to Kendall, harness racing at the County Fair, the DAR House in Albion, swans in Lyndonville, and Swan Library in Albion.

The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision may release some inmates early due to a staffing crisis.

Daniel Martuscello, the DOCCS superintendent, has announced a plan to release incarcerated people with non-violent felony convictions up to 110 days early. But that is only as long as they have suitable housing and did not commit certain sex or drug-related offenses. They will remain under supervision of a parole officer.

Martuscello has asked the superintendents at state prisons to submit a list by noon Friday of inmates who could be eligible for early release. In a memo issued on Monday, he said the early release will strike “the appropriate balance between the safety and well-being of those working and residing in DOCCS correctional facilities and public safety.”

The DOCCS commissioner said eligible inmates can’t be serving a sentence for an A-1 or A-2 non-drug offense, a class B through E violent felony offense, or a sex offense. They need an approved residence, which is not a shelter or a DSS placement, upon release, he said.

State Sen. Rob Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, told reporters the staffing issue could be solved by hiring back the 2,000 corrections officers who were on strike.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, issued a statement saying the early release of inmates is an insult to the law enforcement community and a serious public safety concern.

“Gov. Hochul’s public safety strategy is beginning to sound like a late April Fools’ joke,” Hawley said. “Not only has she fired thousands of correctional officers across the state, but now she’s letting prisoners out of jail early to try to fix the problem she created. This administration has created a system of anarchy in our state prisons. This is unacceptable, and I will do everything within my power to ensure this policy is reversed and law and order is restored in our state.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – There are more than a 1,000 small orange flags outside the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church in Albion, a display intended to show the prevalence of sexual assault.

This is the 11^th year RESTORE is placing displays around the region to raise awareness for sexual violence. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

“Every 68 seconds someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted, that’s 1,271 people every day,” RESTORE states in a sign by the flags.

RESTORE has a 24-hour hotline – (585) 546-2777 – that serves Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties. Elsewhere in the US the hotline is 1-800-656-4673.

Provided photos: The 2025 inductees in the National Honor Society include Neveya Barnes, Nisi Beltran Roblero, Kaitlin Bennett, Elliott Beyrle, Julia Button, Lindsey Crawford, Nolan Franzese, Kaiden Forman, Aubrey Gannon, Xzavier Gerow, Justin Kania, Hanna Kumalac, Nathaniel Miesner, Gideon Pask, William Plummer, Alondra Santana Gonzalez, Natalie Soule, Roselan Steffen, Keira Zambito, and Joshua Zayac.

Press Release, Albion Central School

ALBION – Twenty students from Albion High School were inducted into the National Honor Society.

Held in the middle school auditorium on Wednesday, the new inductees include Neveya Barnes, Nisi Beltran Roblero, Kaitlin Bennett, Elliott Beyrle, Julia Button, Lindsey Crawford, Nolan Franzese, Kaiden Forman, Aubrey Gannon, Xzavier Gerow, Justin Kania, Hanna Kumalac, Nathaniel Miesner, Gideon Pask, William Plummer, Alondra Santana Gonzalez, Natalie Soule, Roselan Steffen, Keira Zambito, and Joshua Zayac.

Built on the four pillars of scholarship, service, leadership and character, the NHS requires that, in order to be eligible, inductees must exhibit all four qualities and be recommended by a faculty member. The 2024 inductees led the ceremony, which included recognition of outstanding high school staff members.

Mrs. Sandra Climenhaga was the guest speaker for the ceremony and was chosen as the recipient of Albion’s NHS Excellence in teaching award. Mr. Joshua Green received recognition for exemplifying scholarship, Ms. Jordan Babcock service, Mrs. Roxanna Bieler leadership and Mr. James O’Mara character. All faculty honorees were picked by the current NHS members.

Current members include Mallory Ashbery, Zackary Baron, Nicholas Baxter, Oliver Beach, Leo Bolton, Sawyer Brigham, Cassandra Brown, Kelli Dingle, Dillon DiGiulio, Samantha Dobo, Tracy Garrett, Nathan Garrett, Alexis Hand, Rori Higgins, Matthew Kania, Mallory Kozody, Seth Krenning, Madison LeBaron, Kenadie Patten, David Rosario-Soto, MacKenzie Snook, Tye Talbot and Ella Trupo. The advisor of Albion’s NHS is Mrs. Suzanne Newton.

Provided photo from Friends of the Refuge: Tom Roster, right, speaks during a retirement party on March 28 at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.

By Patti Singer, Friends of the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge

BASOM – High on Tom Roster’s to-do list when he arrived at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in November 2004 was getting Swallow Hollow Trail in shape and repairing the handicap-accessible boardwalk.

“That was a very big and impressive project that had a lot of hands in it,” Roster remembered. “And then we had a big celebration at the end. No sooner were we done with the celebration and cleaning up, and there was a wheelchair going down the boardwalk. That was kind of neat to see that.”

That initial project laid the groundwork for Roster’s tenure. His formal title is complex manager, but he’s known as the refuge manager. He worked with volunteers and the Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge on maintaining the 10,000-plus acres for wildlife conservation and human enjoyment and education.

Now, after more than 20 years at Iroquois NWR and more than 37 years with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Roster is retiring in April 2025 to find new adventures with his wife and family.

“I’ll be 59,” said Roster, who had planned this day since last fall. “I still have my health and can do a lot of other things. We can travel and do a lot of stuff before anything sets in. We’re still young.”

Many of those former Friends presidents, his colleagues and family threw Roster a retirement party on March 28 at the refuge to thank him for his service.

“Tom Roster has been a steady hand at the helm of the Iroquois refuge for several decades,” said Richard Moss, president of Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, a nonprofit that supports the refuge. “His tenure spanned at least half a dozen Friends presidents, and he will be sorely missed.”

Roster grew up in northern Minnesota in an outdoors family. His older brother worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “He was doing all sorts of neat things and I thought that’s a great thing to do and get paid for.”

Roster has spent more than half his life with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

His first post was in 1986 as a summer volunteer at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in Lima, Montana. He worked as a student trainee at refuges in Wisconsin and Minnesota before earning his bachelor of science degree from the University of Minnesota. St. Paul, in 1990. His first job out of college was as a manager trainee in Sumner, Missouri. He moved to Oak Harbor, Ohio, San Diego, Calif., and Chincoteague, Va., before coming to Genesee County.

In those days, moving around was expected. “Get to know a lot of different things before you settle down to your own place,” Roster said. “So that’s what I did.”

Now Genesee County is home, even after his children have graduated from high school.

“The last graduation was 2019, and then we just decided to stick on here. There’s so much going on, a lot of fun and a lot great staff doing a lot of neat work, Friends and volunteers doing a tremendous amount of work and helping us out. The years flew by, and it’s been great.”

Roster said the volunteers help Iroquois NWR fulfill its mission of wildlife first as it has drawn about 100,000 visitors a year post-pandemic.

“There’s a lot of things that we do for the American people, whether it’s hunting, fishing, education programs, and that’s where folks like Friends and volunteers really help us out.”

Volunteers put in between 6,000 and 8,000 hours a year – about 200 40-hour work weeks. Roster said one volunteer has clocked 43,000 hours, and another had donated 28,000 hours. Their work includes mowing, trail work, education and fundraising.

“That is unbelievable that you’re working with people that have the compassion and the passion to do all of that work knowing they don’t get paid for it,” Roster said. “What they get out of it is self-satisfaction and the enjoyment that other people are getting something out of it. The people that have that selflessness and just being able to provide for other people and for the resources has been tremendous. … That deserves a big thank you for everything they’ve done over those years because that makes my life and my job a lot easier.”

Much of Roster’s 20 years at Iroquois NWR were spent at his desk, doing the paperwork and making the phone calls that ensured the refuge was at its best for waterfowl and human visitors.

He said he’ll miss coming to work on crisp fall mornings, and in spring being greeted by squawking geese, ducks and sandhill cranes.

He’ll also miss his staff and the Friends and volunteers — “all the things they do and all the camaraderie. We got projects done and provided for the visitors and resources. The biggest part will be missing those folks.”