Photos by Tom Rivers: Larissa DeGraw of Medina and her daughter Mirabelle walk in Mount Albion Cemetery this afternoon. They are from Medina and came to the cemetery to climb the 68-foot-high tower, which is a Civil War Memorial. The activity was part of a challenge for Red Ribbon Week to get out and exercise. There are many brilliant colors with the foliage at the cemetery, with a growing percentage of leaves on the ground.

Orleans County and much of the state will be moving past peak in fall foliage, I LOVE NY reported today in its weekly update on foliage conditions.

There will still be peak foliage throughout many parts of the Finger Lakes as well as the central and lower portions of the Hudson Valley and several locations on Long Island, I LOVE NY stated.

This map is provided by the Empire State Development Division of Tourism’s I LOVE NY program and shows much of the state will be past peak in fall foliage for the next week.

Although the area is moving to past peak, there are still many colorful leaves on the trees.

An observer for the weekly report said the leaves are at about 85 percent change at the Cobblestone Museum in Albion “with bright golden amber brown leaves.”

The leaves have changed colors and many have fallen by the tower at Mount Albion Cemetery.

Photo by Tom Rivers: An ofrenda was created by Lionel Rosario and his wife Delores Alvarado, and the display drew many onlookers during the Day of the Dead observance on Oct. 26, 2024 at the YMCA in Medina. An ofrenda is an altar that is typically in homes. The altars welcome returning souls and feature candles, wild marigolds, incense, photographs, mementos and loved ones’ favorite foods like fruit, tortillas, tamales, chocolate and bread.

Press Release, Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council

KNWOLESVILLE – A vibrant celebration of Mexican culture and traditions will come together at the Orleans County Fairgrounds on Sunday, November 1, for a Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration presented by GO ART! (Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council).

The free, family-friendly event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Trolley Building at the Orleans County Fairgrounds, located at 12690 Route 31 in Albion.

Día de los Muertos is a traditional Mexican holiday that honors and remembers loved ones who have passed away through colorful altars, family gatherings and other meaningful traditions. GO ART!’s celebration invites visitors of all ages to experience and learn about the holiday through hands-on art activities, live Mexican music, storytelling, traditional foods and cultural presentations broadcast live from Mexico.

“Día de los Muertos is a beautiful tradition that brings families and communities together to celebrate life and remember those who came before us,” said Gregory Hallock, executive director of GO ART! “As a regional arts council, we believe it’s important to celebrate the cultures and traditions that make our communities unique. This event is an opportunity for families to experience something meaningful, learn from one another and come together through art, music, food and remembrance.”

First held in 2018, GO ART!’s Día de los Muertos celebration grew out of the organization’s commitment to recognizing and celebrating the diverse cultures that make up Genesee and Orleans counties. What began as a community cultural celebration has evolved to include expanded educational programming, hands-on experiences and opportunities for families to learn about the holiday’s traditions and significance. That growth is especially evident in the festival’s school field trip program, which is expecting nearly 500 students this year, its largest anticipated participation to date.

Festival highlights include:

• Live Mexican Music: A group of Hispanic and Latino musicians will perform a selection of Mexican music from 2 to 3:30 p.m., bringing live entertainment and another cultural element to the afternoon’s celebration.
• Hands-On Art Activities: Participants can create colorful works inspired by Mexican art and Día de los Muertos traditions, including tissue-paper marigolds, La Catrina dolls, Mexican-inspired tile art, monarch butterfly art, calavera (sugar skull) masks and alebrije-inspired creatures. Face painting featuring designs inspired by the holiday will also be available throughout the celebration.
• Live Presentations from Mexico: Luis Vazquez Estrada will join the celebration live from Mexico to explore the meaning, history and cultural significance of Día de los Muertos, sharing how communities in Mexico prepare for and celebrate the holiday. The 15-minute cultural presentations will take place at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
• Ofrenda and Remembrance Activities: A traditional ofrenda will provide a space for visitors to honor and remember loved ones. Attendees are invited to bring photographs or meaningful objects to contribute to the altar or create written and illustrated tributes at a dedicated remembrance station.
• Día de los Muertos Storytime: Families can enjoy readings of children’s books exploring the holiday’s traditions and meaning, with storytime sessions scheduled at 11:50 a.m., 12:50 p.m., 1:50 p.m. and 3:50 p.m. Books for the readings are generously provided by Hoag Library in Albion.
• Displays and Cultural Videos: Attendees can explore artwork celebrating Día de los Muertos and Mexican culture, along with screenings of previously produced videos highlighting the holiday’s traditions and cultural significance.
• Traditional Foods and Beverages: Visitors can experience a selection of Mexican-inspired foods, including chicken tinga-style tostadas, arroz rojo (Mexican red rice), frijoles de la olla (Mexican-style pinto beans), fresh fruit and pan de muerto, a traditional Mexican sweet bread. Beverages will include agua de jamaica (hibiscus drink) and water.

This event is supported by a Market New York grant awarded through Empire State Development and I LOVE NY, New York State’s Division of Tourism. Additional support is provided by the New York State Council on the Arts, Rochester Area Community Foundation and the Conable Family Foundation.

For more festival information, click here.

Marc Shurtz

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health CEO/CIO Marc Shurtz recently joined rural healthcare leaders from across the country for an invitation-only workshop focused on strengthening the financial and operational sustainability of rural hospital.

Hosted by the National Rural Health Association in Kansas City, Mo., the workshop brought together chief executive officers from eight hospitals participating in NRHA-sponsored strategic, financial and operational assessments. The technical assistance initiative is made possible through a cooperative agreement between NRHA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Facilities Program.

For Orleans Community Health, participation provides access to national rural healthcare experts, peer hospital leaders and resources specifically designed to help rural organizations evaluate their operations and identify opportunities for long-term sustainability.

“Rural healthcare continues to face challenges that require us to constantly evaluate how we operate, how we use our resources and how we prepare for the future,” Shurtz said. “Opportunities like this allow us to learn from experts who work specifically with rural hospitals, while also sitting at the table with other CEOs facing many of the same challenges. We can bring those conversations and ideas back to Orleans Community Health and determine what makes sense for our organization and the communities we serve.”

The workshop was led by Eric Shell, chairman of Stroudwater Associates, and Brian Bertsch, partner at Eide Bally, both of whom have extensive experience in rural healthcare finance, operations and leadership consulting.

Shurtz said the ability to exchange ideas with other rural healthcare executives is particularly valuable as Orleans Community Health continues to focus on maintaining access to healthcare locally.

“Our responsibility is not simply to look at where Orleans Community Health is today, but where we need to be five, 10 and 20 years from now,” Shurtz said. “Keeping rural healthcare sustainable requires difficult conversations, careful financial planning and a willingness to continually evaluate how care is delivered. Having access to organizations like NRHA and leaders from other rural hospitals gives us additional resources and perspectives as we make those decisions.”

Orleans Community Health was the only New York healthcare organization represented among the eight participating hospitals. Other participants represented rural healthcare organizations in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The workshop preceded the 2026 Critical Access Hospital Conference and provided participating organizations with an opportunity to prepare for their upcoming assessments and identify strategies that can be applied within their individual communities.

For Orleans Community Health, the initiative complements ongoing efforts to strengthen services, improve operational efficiency and ensure that residents of Orleans County and the surrounding region continue to have access to healthcare close to home.

“Rural hospitals are different from larger healthcare systems, and the solutions have to reflect those differences,” Shurtz said. “Our goal remains the same – to build an organization that is financially and operationally sustainable while continuing to provide the services our community depends on.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – A new playground opened this morning at Lyndonville Central School and these fourth-graders were delighted to try the We-Go-Round.

The new playground is accessible for children with mobility issues and disabilities. The playground was designed and installed by Parkitects, a  company owned by Lyndonville graduate Ben Frasier.

Kids could be heard shouting, “I Love it” and “This is amazing” as they tried the different playground equipment.

One fourth-grader goes down a double slide.

The new playground includes a We-Go-Round, Sway Fun Glider, We-Saw and other equipment that will be accessible to kids of all abilities and mobilities. The previous playground was over 20 years old and wasn’t handicapped accessible.

Dr. Heather Lyon, Lyndonville superintendent, checks out a new sensory dome in the playground by the elementary school. The sensory dome is an intended spot for children on the autism spectrum to get away from the activity and noise from the other parts of the playground.

Lyon was thrilled to see the children having so much fun on the new playground.

“You cannot have a bad day when you have this much joy,” she said about the happy kids on the playground.

Ben Frasier, a 1988 Lyndonville graduate and owner of Parkitects, gets ready to cut the ribbon and open the gate for kids to try the new playground. Fourth-graders Sophia Kleeh, left, and Ernest Orgar hold the ribbon while Dr. Elissa Smith, principal of grades PreK through 6, leads a countdown.

Ben Frasier gives a victorious gesture after cutting the ribbon. He said it’s phase 1 with plans to expand, adding equipment geared towards older children.

He will be meeting with students next month and wants to hear their vision of a “dream playground.”

Frasier believes with fundraising, grants and in-kind services, Lyndonville can build a great playground for children of all ages.

These kids play on the Wee-Saw.

Frasier and Parkitects donated about $250,000 in equipment and in-kind services to the playground. Parkitects had a team of 18 employees on site on Oct. 6 to install the playground.

The school district also was able to use $160,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds for playground equipment.

Donations for the project included Orleans Ready Mix with concrete; Watson Construction Group with removal/demolition of all of the old playground equipment and 14 inches of mulch; Barre Stone Company with 100 tons of crusher run stone; Shelby Crushed Stone with 100 tons of crusher run stone; Town of Yates with hauling the stone to the school; and Medina Lumber & Hardware with pressure treated 2×12’s covering 228 linear feet around the perimeter.

Play Surface Specialties installed the 3 ½-inch rubber surface which includes an outside lane with orange paws prints. Lyndonville’s school mascot is a tiger.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature on Tuesday gave “Special Recognition” certificates to employees in the Department of Social Services who work in Child & Family Services, Foster Care, Adoption and Prevention. This also includes the DSS attorney and Legal Department.

They were honored because Orleans County received the number one ranking in the region for permanency outcomes for children in foster care.

Legislator Don Allport, right, presents certificates to, from right to left: Lianna Sheffer, supervisor in Divisions of Foster Care, Adoption and Prevention; Dana Graber, DSS attorney; Renee Rowley, legal assistant; Cyndi Stumer, deputy commissioner of DSS; and Shirley Mazourek, DSSS commissioner.

Mazourek praised her staff for working towards permanency outcomes in foster care, when children cannot remain safely with their biological parents. The main permanency outcomes can be reunification, where a child returns to their biological family; adoption, where  full parental rights and responsibilities transfer to adoptive parents; legal guardianship, where care responsibilities transfer to a relative or trusted adult; and emancipation/aging out, where youth reach adulthood.

The County Legislature also recognized DSS staff including Elizabeth Boring, Jessica Czechowicz, Allyson Deslatte, Judianne Gearing, Isabella Gibbs, Saul Harrison, Brianna Heffernan, Heather Jackson, Jeannine Larkin, Elizabeth Milazzo, Sharon Nenni, Meghan Reuther, Rebecca Rinker, Julianna Schultz, Tyra Shepherd, Shelley Sherman, Holli Smith, Aaron Strathearn, Maria Strathearn and Miya Troidl.

County Legislator Don Allport presented a proclamation on behalf of the Legislature to the DSS declaring November as National Adoption Awareness Month. He gave the proclamation to Cyndi Stumer, deputy commissioner (center); and Shirley Mazourek, commissioner.

The proclamation states:

“Whereas, November 2026 is National Adoption Awareness Month and is designed to provide us with an opportunity to acknowledge the families and staff who are involved in adoption activities throughout the year; and

“Whereas, adoptive and foster care families open their hearts and homes, demonstrate great compassion and provide hope and love to children. National Adoption Awareness Month helps to raise public awareness of the fact that there are children available who are waiting for caring families; and

“Whereas, in Orleans County there are currently children in foster care awaiting adoption. The valuable contributions of foster care and adoptive parents are recognized as they continually strive to improve the quality of life for the children brought into their lives.”

Rendering from Empire State Development and Governor’s Office: The Canal Basin parking lot along the Erie Canal will be turned into a “waterfront gateway” complete with green space, seating areas and boater/cyclist amenities as part of the NY Forward grant in Medina. This is not the final design for the parking lot. This is not the final design of the project.

MEDINA – The Village Board on Monday hired an engineering and design firm for a new look of Medina’s Canal Basin, a project that will better connect boaters and pedestrians to the basin, and improve the aesthetics of a space that is heavily asphalt.

Village officials last week interviewed six firms that submitted proposals for the project. On Monday, the Village Board hired Fisher Associates in Rochester.

Fisher called its proposal for the project, “Distinctly Medina: A Generational Vision for the Canal Basin.”

Fisher, in its presentation to the village, said the project will create “Medina’s definitive place on the Erie Canal for the next 20 years and beyond.”

The Village Board hired Fisher with the design services of the Canal Basin at $111,615 with an additional $17,955 for engineering and design work for electric car charging stations. It would be another $18,995 if a topographic survey is needed.

The Canal Basin parking lot will redesigned as part of a $1.345 million grant from the state. The new lot will have less asphalt and more green space. The parking lot will lose about 15-20 spaces. There will be about 70 spots remaining.

The project will add green space, seating areas and boater/cyclist amenities.

The redesigned basin was awarded $1.345 million of the $4.5 million from the state to Medina in the NY Forward grant. The state finalized eight projects for the $4.5 million on May 17, 2024. The transformed parking lot received the largest grant of the eight projects.

The village is looking to upgrade the entry drive from Main Street; enhance the pedestrian walkway extending from Main Street, across rear building facades, to East Center Street alleyway; add a gazebo for shade and cover; expand flexible greenspace areas for programming with amenities including seating tables, benches, bike racks, shade trees and native plantings; and add pedestrian walkways with decorative, permeable pavers.

The redesign of the basin parking lot also will include two direct-current fast chargers for electric vehicles, each with two charging spots. The state awarded Medina $245,184 in a separate grant for those chargers with National Grid also chipping in $73,000.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Sidewalks run along the south side of East Avenue but stop across the road from St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.

Albion town officials would like to see a joint project with the town and village to extend sidewalks to the Butts Road intersection and then going north on Butts past a healthcare site and then to a UConnectCare residence.

The Albion Town Board discussed the issue during its board meeting on Monday evening. The board said it will reach out to the village about a joint effort, and also see if there is any state funding to help with the sidewalk.

Mike Neidert, the Albion town highway superintendent, said he the sidewalks would be safer for pedestrians and people using scooters and wheelchairs to go to the healthcare facility and UConnectCare.

“This would be a great project,” he said. “There are a lot of pluses.”

Orleans Community Health in 2012 opened the healthcare center at the northeast corner of Butts Road and Route 31.

UConnectCare last November opened a residence that can serve up to 25 women including 5 bedrooms for women with young children.

Neidert said both UConnectCare and Orleans Community Health would like an extended sidewalk down Route 31 and on the section of Butts Road, as well as a crosswalk at the intersection.

The highway superintendent said the town and village could discuss having mucnipal employees install the sidewalks. He estimated there would be about 600 feet of sidewalks that the town would be responsible for, while the village would have about 1,500 feet.

He would like to see the town and village leaders reach out to Assemblyman Steve Hawley and State Sen. Rob Ortt to see if they could secure funding for materials for the sidewalks. He estimated the materials for 600 feet of sidewalks for the town’s portion would be about $10,000.

Mike Neidert, the Albion highway superintendent, would also like a cross walk at the intersection.

Holley welcomes trick-or-treaters for Hallow Fest on Saturday

Photos by Tom Rivers: During Beggar’s Night last year on Oct. 25, the Fringe not only passed out candy but dressed up as characters from Hocus Pocus. In front, Khloe Mank, 9, is Emily Binx. In back from left are Leah Printup as Thackery Binx (the iconic cat), Jennifer Printup as Winifred Sanderson, Amanda Mank as Mary Sanderson, and Vanessa Lhommedieu as Sarah Sanderson. Lhommedieu is owner of The Fringe.

It will be candy galore and many kids in costume during Beggar’s Night on Friday in the Albion and Medina downtown business districts, and then on Saturday in Holley for the Hallow Fest.

Hundreds of children are expected in the downtowns of all three villages for the events.

The Albion Merchants Association is organizing Beggar’s Night in Albion from 5 to 7 p.m. Many businesses and organizations will be giving out treats to children. There will be a bonus of 20 gold bars filled with candy and goodies to some of the kids in the best costumes.

There isn’t a specific starting spot. The trick or treating line goes in a loop. People can park behind the fire department, next to Courthouse Square or the small municipal lot on Platt Street.

Medina businesses will have Beggar’s Night from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The starting point is the Print Shop on East Center Street and attendees often line up through the parking lot behind the buildings.

During Holley’s Hallow Fest in 2023, Bill Moroz hands out candy to Teagan, who dressed as Scooby Doo while joined by her grandparents, Tolanda and Dan Kronfield.

Holley will have its Fall Hallow Fest on Saturday with a costume parade at 10 a.m., with the lineup starting at 9:45 a.m. at the pharmacy.

There will be vendors from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the American Legion and bounce houses at the old Holley High School. Trick or treating will be later throughout the village.

The Holley Police Department and Holley Volunteer Fire Department will be doing trunk or treat from 3 to 6 p.m. on Thomas Street between the police department and fire hall.

Community organizations and residents can set up a “trunk” beginning at 2 p.m. Contact Shannon at Smcmillion702@yahoo.com to reserve a spot. Trick or treaters are welcome in costume.

Dan Fuller’s family has generations of service as soldiers

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Dan Fuller of Medina stands under his Hometown Heroes banner currently up on Main Street near the Presbyterian Church. He served with the U.S. Air Force and Air Ground during the Cold War and Persian Gulf era. (Right) Three members of Dan Fuller’s family have Hometown Heroes banners up this year. Here, Dan stands under the banner for his uncle Gary Wolter. Wolter served with the Army in Vietnam.

MEDINA – The banners for Hometown Heroes in Medina was started by Mary Woodruff after she saw a banner for her father-in-law while visiting his hometown in Alfred, south of Buffalo, in 2018.

She came home, presented the idea to the Village Board, and in 2019 Medina had its first Hometown Heroes’ banners. There were 38 in that first year. Banners are up for three years from around Memorial Day to just after Veterans’ Day, then they are returned to the family, Woodruff said. This year, the 2024 banners will be returned to the families.

The banners do more than showcase local heroes. For many of them, there is a story behind the banner.

Such is the case of Dan Fuller of Medina and his grandfather and uncle.

Fuller, commander of the Gasport American Legion, is one of 151 Hometown Heroes whose banners hang on the streets of Medina. Fuller served four years in Homestead Air Force Base as a radar repairman –and nine years at Niagara Falls with the Air National Guard.

Dan is a son of Paul Fuller, who was a corporal in the Air National Guard, serving from 1957 to 1963. What makes Fuller the proudest is his family’s history of serving their country. Not only does Fuller have a banner, but his uncle Gary Wolter and grandfather Harold Wolter also have banners hanging on Main Street, all sponsored by a family member who wished to remain anonymous.

Harold served in World War II as a nurse/field medic. He is a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient, having been a prisoner of war in Germany. He was called home after one year to run the family farm.

Dan’s Uncle Gary served from 1967-68 in Vietnam, and Gary’s son Chad was in the Marines.

Their ancestor Erastus Fuller served during the Civil War.

Dan has a long list of relatives who served their country, besides his uncle and grandfather – Bud Fuller, Bill Menz and Merle Draper, all of whom Dan says are heroes in his life.

 In addition to his relatives, Dan says he looks up to Cliff Grant of Gasport.

“He is here because another guy took a bullet in front of him,” Dan said. “There are so many other stories that could be told.”

Dan Fuller’s story is just one of patriotism displayed in Medina’s banners. There are heroes, patriots and veterans from all branches of the military and the space program honored on Medina’s streets. Some served statewide, many went to battle and others were prisoners of war or Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipients. And others were killed in action.

There are numerous banners of families who had several members who served, such as Joseph Balcerzak and his son Paul. Joseph served in World War II and Paul in Vietnam.

Thomas Fisher served with the U.S. Air Force and his son Patrick was an Army veteran in the Persian Gulf War.

Robert Kerr and his son William were both World War II veterans – Robert with the U.S. Army and William with the U.S. Navy.

Terry Boyle served 10 years in the Army, six months of it in active duty on the front lines during the Gulf War. His son Zachary had three years in the Marine Corps.

There are several Civil War veterans honored with banners – two of whom are Patty Blackburn’s great-grandfather Henry Waters Jr.  and Ziba Roberts Jr., great-great-grandfather of Virginia Kropf and Norma Fisher, and great-great-uncle of several members of the Roberts family.

Woodruff was thrilled last year to hang banners for two Revolutionary War veterans – Benjamin Darling, who lived on East Shelby Road and is buried in the Maple Ridge Road Cemetery, ironically on land owned by Ziba Roberts’ grandfather Daniel Roberts. Darling and Daniel both served in Connecticut, under the same leader.

Another veteran was Ed Grabowski’s father Leo, who survived the Bataan Death March – a story which will be featured in an upcoming story.

Photos by Tom Rivers: This slide was presented during the Board of Education meeting on Oct. 5 and shows the concept of turning the art foyer at the high school int a fitness center.

ALBION – The Board of Education voted this evening to send a $39.9 million project to the community for a public referendum on Dec. 17.

The board considered three different options for the capital project, with the options at33.4 million, $39.9 million and $47.3 million.

The district’s Finance Committee recommended the second option at $39.9 million, said John Kast, the board’s vice president and chairman of the Finance Committee.

The project will address many needs in the district, and Albion already has the local share set aside so no new local taxes will be needed.

Kast said the project will be 90.6 percent reimbursable in state aid.

Voting on the project will be from noon to 8 p.m. on Dec. 17. If voters back the project, it will go to a design phase that will need the State Department of Education’s approval before the project goes to bid. Construction could take place over three years.

The proposed project also includes work at all three school buildings as well as the bus garage. The price in the three options varied depending on the scope of work in the elementary school.

The new project includes some elements that were considered for the previous project, but were removed, Hunsinger said.

The project could include the following:

High School

• Renovate Ag, IT and wood shop – $6.1 million
• Greenhouse addition – $1 million
• Renovate LGI – $3 million
• Renovate counseling suite – $1.2 million
• Renovate art foyer into fitness center – $1.6 million
• Digital athletics/arts wall of fame – $200,000
• Replace areas of damaged roofing – $100,000
• Remediate sewer odor in athletics vestibule – $100,000

Middle School

The auditorium in the middle school would be renovated while preserving its Art Deco character.

• Renovate auditorium, including seating, lighting, rigging and sound – $7.5 million
• Replace areas of damaged roofing – $600,000
• Replace exterior window sills – $300,000
• Provide security film on at-grade windows – $200,000

Elementary School

The scope of work for new ventilation systems, cabinets and windows ranged from $6.2 million to $20.1 million depending on the three options. The Board wants to address A, B, J and I for full replacement at a cost of $12.1 million with the other sections to be considered in future capital projects.

• Replace east playground at $2 million
• Replace west playground surfacing at $800,000
• Renovate main entrance courtyard at $300,000, with $200,000 to add snow melt
• Provide security film on at-grade windows at $200,000
• Replace classroom ventilation system, adjacent cabinets and windows; replace classroom flooring, ceilings, caseworks, lighting and upgrade classroom toilet rooms wings A, B, J and I at a cost of $12.1 million. Doing all sections would have added about $8 million to the total.

Transportation building

• Replace trench drain in storage and service bays at $200,000
• Replace areas of damaged roofing, $30,000

The district worked with the Campus Construction firm to identify the scope of the project.

The cost estimates represent about a 21 percent increase from the current construction prices. Campus Construction is estimating a 7 percent price increase in construction each year. If the work is done in two to three years, the company is estimating a 21 percent escalation in construction costs

If the project is approved by the voters on Dec. 17, the district will shift $15 million into a capital reserve fund to pay the local share of the project. The district would take that as part of $30 million in undesignated funds, said Rick Recckio, the district’s assistant superintendent for finance.

He expects Albion would only need about $8 million of that $15 million to pay towards the local share of the capital project with Albion paying on the project over 10 years.

The project addresses top priorities identified through a building conditions survey that included input from building leaders in the district, said Mickey Edwards, the district superintendent.

The survey established a list of priorities ranked from 1 to 4. The final list includes the “priority 1’s,” he said.

“You never exhaust the list,” he said.

Albion is on a cycle of doing a capital project about every five years. Other issues identified in the building conditions survey but not in the final project could be considered again in about five years if the new project is approved by voters, Edwards said.

Board of Education member Chris Kinter has a possible project for the future. He wants to see a better way for parents to pick up and drop off their kids at the elementary school. He said cars often get stacked in a line on Clarendon Road that stretches out to East Avenue. He thinks more room for cars on the school campus would keep the line from going out on Clarendon Road and onto Route 31.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The gas prices at the Sunoco station in Angola along the State Thruway were at $4.39 for regular unleaded and $6.53 for diesel on Sunday.

AAA is reporting today that the average price for regular unleaded dropped 6 cents in the past week to $4.29 a gallon, which is up from the $3.03 price a year ago.

In New Yor State, the average price is at $4.42 today, down three cents in the past week and up from $3.13 a year ago.

“Gas prices aren’t budging much as crude oil prices remain high at $99 to $107 per barrel this morning,” AAA said in a news release. “The national average has stayed above $4 per gallon since late July and is currently more than a dollar higher than it was this time last year. Fall months typically bring lower gas prices, but volatility in the oil market has led to seasonal record highs this year.”

Here are the average prices at counties around Western New York:

• Orleans, $4.410
• Genesee, $4.349
• Monroe, $4.371
• Niagara, $4.349
• Erie, $4.358
• Wyoming, $4.420
• Livingston, $4.394
• Chautauqua, $4.390
• Cattaraugus, $4.299
• Allegany, $4.404

Hamilton County in the Adirondacks is the highest in the state at $4.737 a gallon, while Seneca County has the lowest average at $4.160.

The national diesel price is at $6.31, up 5 cents from last week and up from $3.63 a year ago. In New York, the average diesel price is $6.50 per gallon, down a penny from last week. A year ago, the average price was $3.87 per gallon in NYS.

ALBION – Orleans County had nearly 700 people cast ballots on the first two days of early. There were 663 voters total with 381 on Saturday and 282 on Sunday, according to the Orleans County Board of Elections.

There are seven more days of early voting in Orleans County with many positions on the ballot, including a race for governor, Congress and many other offices at the state, county and town levels.

There is one polling location open in the county for early voting. It is at the Orleans County Board of Elections Office, 14016 Route 31 in Albion.

During the general election on Nov. 3, there will be polling locations at each of the 10 towns in Orleans County.

The remaining early voting schedule includes:

• Monday, October 26 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 27 – 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 28 – 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, October 29 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Friday, October 30 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday, October 31 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday, November 1 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The nearly 700 voters in the first two days of early voting is far more than 9 days of a primary back in June when only 78 people did early voting in the county.

Dennis Hurd, a neighbor, was injured trying to save Greene

Firefighters on the Shelby ladder truck try to put out the flames at a fire on Thursday night at 12625 Presbyterian St.

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office

KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the identities of the individuals involved in the fatal house fire that occurred on Thursday, October 22nd, at approximately 8:28 p.m., at 12625 Presbyterian Street in the Town of Ridgeway.

The individual who was found deceased inside the residence has been identified as David L. Greene, age 68, of 12625 Presbyterian St.

A second resident of the home that was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester for treatment of injuries has been identified as Terrance T. Greene, age 25, of 12625 Presbyterian Street.

The neighbor who entered the burning residence in an attempt to rescue those inside has been identified as Dennis J. Hurd, age 67, of 12628 Presbyterian St.

During the rescue attempt, the neighbor sustained injuries after being overcome by heavy fire and smoke and was transported by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital for treatment.

As previously reported, the neighbor became aware of the fire and, without hesitation, entered the burning residence in an effort to assist those trapped inside. Despite the dangerous conditions, the individual attempted to reach those inside before being forced to exit the residence.

The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, Orleans County fire investigators, and the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and recognizes the courageous actions of the neighbor who risked personal safety in an attempt to save another person’s life.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available and is appropriate for public disclosure.

Editor’s Note: A GoFundMe has been set up to assist Terrance Greene and his family. Click here for more information.

There is also a GoFundMe for Dennis Hurd, who was badly burned and faces a long hospital stay, according to his family. Click here for more information.