Provided photos

MEDINA – Canalside Tattoo Company held its annual toy drive on Saturday, timed with Medina’s Parade of Lights and the Olde Tyme Christmas celebration.

Pictured from left include Canalside’s team, in front kneeling: Matt Rolfe and Rhianna Rosone. In back: Regan Timmer, owner Shawn Ramsey, Tyler VerCruysse, Andrew London, Megan Furness and CJ Cruickshank.

Canalside for several years has collected toys that are distributed by Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, and the Medina Area Association of Churches (MAAC).

The business moved from Main Street to 627 West Ave. on Aug. 9.

Representatives from the Medina Area Association of Churches and Community Action of Orleans & Genesee picked up the toys this morning. They will distribute them to local children. Both organizations say they are seeing increased need this holiday season.

Pictured form left include Community Action’s facility staff Ernie Gursslin; Sherry Touhey-Sipple, MAAC’s red barrel coordinator; Jim Sipple, MAAC; Community Action Facility Manager Ricky Standish; and Katrina Standish, director of Community Services & Reporting for Community Action.

The toy donation from Canalside’s toy drive will assist in providing gifts to approximately 150 children in Orleans County through Community Action’s holiday program, Katrina Standish said.

On average, the agency serves about 700 individuals for the holidays. Adults receive a holiday meal and children under the age of 18 receive gifts. Outside agencies are invited to “adopt a family” Please call Community Action’s main office in Albion at (585) 589-5605 for more information on adopting a family for the holiday.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announces $100 million in paving projects state-wide today, including two in Orleans County.

The “pavement resiliency” work includes 551 lane miles in state highways. The two projects in Orleans County also extend into a neighboring county.

The local projects include:

• $1.4 million to resurface Route 31A from Hulberton Road to Redman Road, Orleans and Monroe counties.
• $2.6 million to resurface Route 77 from Interstate 90 to Route 63 and Route 63 from Route 77 to the northern boundary of the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Genesee and Orleans counties.

“Between extreme heat in the summer, devastating winter storms and the ongoing saga of freeze-thaw cycles, New York’s roads take a pounding from extreme weather in all seasons, and this investment takes direct aim at rejuvenating some of the State highways most impacted by extreme weather,” Governor Hochul said in a news release. “Keeping our infrastructure in a state of good repair is a sound investment that not only increases resiliency but spurs economic development and tourism across New York.”

The paving projects are expected to start next spring. The work is funded through the federal Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, “$10 million from our Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law is literally paving the way for improved safety and good-paying jobs repairing cracks and modernizing highways across New York. I’ll never stop fighting to make sure that our roads are as safe and efficient as possible, and I’m thankful for Governor Hochul’s work putting these federal dollars to good use.”

The Care & Crisis Helpline serving Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties is up and operational again following a disruption in service due to a network outage.

Residents of the three counties are encouraged to contact the Care & Crisis Helpline at (585) 283-5200 or use the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 during a time of mental health crisis.

Both of these resources are available to all 24 hours a day, 7 days week, 365 days a year.

Faces 5 to 15 years in prison when sentenced on Jan. 29

Noah Magee

ALBION – A judge found Noah Magee not guilty of second-degree murder but instead convicted him of second-degree manslaughter in the death of Roger Kingdollar III, age 24.

Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church said the case didn’t meet the level of “depraved indifference to life” for second-degree murder but did for manslaughter, which is “recklessly causing another person’s death.”

Magee, 19, could have faced up to 25 years in prison if found guilty of second-degree murder.

With the manslaughter charge, he faces 5 to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 29. He is being held in the county jail without bail until sentencing.

Judge Church also found Magee guilty of leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving and failure to keep right.

Magee waived his right to a jury trial with Judge Church making his ruling today after a bench trial concluded on Nov. 19.

Magee was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado truck when crossed over the center lane and went to the north side of McNamar Road on Feb. 8. Kingdollar was driving a dirt bike on the north side of the road.

The truck struck the dirt bike’s handle bars. Kingdollar suffered a fatal fracture in his neck.

During the trial, District Attorney Joe Cardone noted the 9,200-pound truck far outweighed the 236-pound dirt bike.

Cardone said Magee’s actions showed a depraved a indifference to life. A reasonable driver would have slowed down after turning from Angevine Road to McNamar, Cardone said during his closing comments on Nov. 19. But Magee instead sped up until hitting his brakes just before the collision, the DA said.

Paul Vacca Jr., Magee’s defense lawyer, argued in his closing statements that the collision was an accident with no ill intent from Magee.

Cardone said a surveillance video from a neighbor showed Kingdollar riding just north of the road in the grass, doing nothing wrong. Two of his friends on four-wheelers were nearby.

The video shows Magee cross the center line, go past the opposite lane and shoulder of the road and then strike Kingdollar in the grass, Cardone said.

During court today at 1:30 p.m. about 50 people were sitting on the right side of the courtroom for the prosecution, many of them Kingdollar’s friends and family. Magee had about 10 supporters on the left side for the defense.

After Judge Church announced his verdict, Cardone asked that Magee be held without bail until sentencing. D’Amato asked that Magee remain free on bail, saying he has shown up early for all of his court appearances and continued to work full-time.

The judge said Magee will be held without bail. Magee was led out of the courtroom by security personnel, taking a route away from the people sitting in the courtroom.

Cardone spoke with Kingdollar’s supporters in the courtroom after the verdict was announced. He said he would advocate that Magee get the 15 years maximum for second-degree manslaughter.

“We’ll be pushing for the highest sentence we can get,” Cardone said.

Larger monitors designed for patrons with visual impairments

Provided photos: from left include Albion Lions Club member Kevin Howard, Hoag Library Director Betty Sue Miller, and Albion Lions Club member Lloyd Wright.

Press Release, Hoag Library

ALBION – The Albion Lions Club has generously donated $500 to Hoag Library to support the purchase of three large computer monitors designed for patrons with visual impairments.

This donation, inspired by the overwhelming success of a large curved monitor purchased in 2023, will expand the library’s accessible technology offerings and improve access to digital content for individuals with limited vision, enhancing their overall experience with library resources. With this contribution, Hoag Library continues its commitment to offering equitable access to technology for all patrons.

The donation aligns with the mission of the MD20 Lions SEE (Screening Eyes Early) program, which focuses on vision screening and eye health awareness. The Lions SEE program works to ensure early detection of vision issues, and the Albion Lions Club’s contribution to Hoag Library continues their commitment to supporting local efforts that promote vision care and accessibility.

“We are deeply grateful to the Albion Lions Club for this thoughtful donation,” said Betty Sue Miller, director of Hoag Library. “The success of the first large monitor showed us just how important this kind of technology is for our patrons with vision challenges, and these new monitors will help even more people stay connected and continue learning.”

The Albion Lions Club has a long-standing history of supporting initiatives that benefit the community, particularly in the areas of vision, hearing, and health services. This donation is a testament to their ongoing dedication to making Albion a more accessible and caring community.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Emily Connors, a project architect at Passero Associates in Rochester, discusses the layout of a proposed 4,785-square-foot addition to Lee-Whedon Memorial Library. About 75 people attended a public information meeting on Tuesday evening at the library. Registered voters in the Medina school district can go to the polls on Dec. 10 from noon to 8 p.m. at the district office to determine whether the library can take out a bond for up to $5.2 million.

MEDINA – Lee-Whedon Memorial Library officials presented a plan to expand the library on Tuesday evening to about 75 community members.

Lee-Whedon is seeking the public’s support for a $5.2 million bond. A vote will be from noon to 8 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the district office for Medina, next to the high school.

Christine Crowley, president and municipal advisor with Fiscal Advisors and Marketing, discussed the financial impacts of the bond.

The expansion would go on the back of the current library at 620 West Ave. The current building is 11,100 square feet.

The 4,785-square-foot addition would create space for two meeting rooms, two tutoring rooms, a programming room with makerspace, Friends of the Library book sale room, a quiet research room, a teen room and 14 parking spots.

There would also be additional restrooms, a new circulation desk, a new entry portico with automatic sliding doors, about a 10 percent increase in the collection and upgraded technology.

The library already has $795,320 in grants secured and $175,000 in reserves, leaving a $4,229,680 to be financed over 20 years. That would result in a $48 a year increase in taxes for homes valued at $100,000, said Christine Crowley, president and municipal advisor with Fiscal Advisors and Marketing.

That represents the “worst-case scenario,” she said, because the library is likely to get additional grants and raise money in a capital campaign.

The library is seeking an additional $789,520 grant from the state for library construction. If that is secured, the amount to be financed would be $3,4410,160, lowering the tax impact to an average of $39 for houses at $100,000 in assessed value, Crowley said.

The library also expects it could raise $500,000 in a fundraising or capital campaign. If that is successful, the amount to finance would be $2,940,160 or a $34 impact for property assessed at $100,000.

Kristine Mostyn, the library director, noted Lee-Whedon has already acquired and razed two buildings behind the library for the addition. That property and building demolition has already been paid for.

Passero Associates showed a rendering of the front of the building, which includes an overhang near the entrance. That creates a visual impact, draws attention to the entrance and gives a spot to protect from rain and snow.

Passero Associates presented this rendering of the addition, showing how it blends in with the existing building. The addition would be from the three windows on the left.

Mostyn shared statistics from the library, including being open 287 days a year, hosts 371 annual programs attended by 6,899 people, summer programs attended by 1,411 children, 28 community partners, 650 monthly WiFi and computer users, and 103,769 items borrowed a year.

The expansion would allow the library to meet a growing need for meeting space. Right now there aren’t dedicated meeting rooms, and no individual tutoring space.

The library currently has five full-time staff and six part-timers. As part of the expansion, it would add one part-timer, Mostyn said.

If the bond resolution is approved by the public, construction on the addition is expected to start in 2025.

Residents attended the public information meeting to hear about the expansion and the impact on taxpayers.

Rachel Trillizio, director of the A’Capella Choir, greets the audience during their visit to the Medina Senior Center on Monday. Singing for the Senior Center has been an annual tradition for many decades.

MEDINA – Senior citizens packed the Senior Center of Western Orleans in Medina on Monday for their annual Christmas dinner and entertainment by Medina High School’s A’Capella Select Choir.

Following the business meeting, director Kelly Shaw handed out $40 gift cards to Tops to 10 seniors whose names were drawn. Concluding the meeting, president Lynn Creasey presented Shaw with a check in appreciation of all she does for the center and its seniors.

Dinner was potluck with beef on weck provided by the center and an array of Christmas cookies.

A highlight of the Christmas dinner every year is a visit from the A’Capella Select Choir, under the current leadership of Rachel Trillizio.

“Their visit is an annual tradition,” Shaw said. “I’ve been here 20 years and they were coming here back then. They’ve never missed a year.”

(Left) Medina Senior Center director Kelly Shaw, right, presents a poinsettia to A’Capella Choir director Rachel Trillizio, after their performance Monday at the Senior Center Christmas party. Each choir member received a decorated Christmas cookie to take home. (Right) Lynn Creasey, president of the Senior Citizens of Western New York, presents a check to Kelly Shaw in appreciation of her hard work and dedication to the seniors.

The choir sang a number of old favorite Christmas carols, including Silent Night, Oh Come all Ye Faithful and Joy to the World, along with several praise and gospel tunes, such as Alleluia Madrigal and Nanita Lullaby in Spanish.

“I’m the luckiest person in the world to work with these kids, who give 99.9% of their time to being in the musical program, including choir, marching band and plays,” Trillizio said. “Some of them want to go to college to study music, but those who don’t still show the same amount of pride, passion and dedication to the Music Department.”

Student Riley Tompkins was among the members who sang for the senior citizens on Monday.

“It is always a very enjoyable experience to share our music with people who have been a part of the community for years,” Tompkins said. “It is always a blast to sing in front of them, as they are a very fun audience who love hearing us sing. It means so much knowing that our hard work is recognized with grace. Performing in the Medina community means the world to me, and the people involved are always the highest of excellence.”

Rachel Trillizio, director of the A’Capella Choir, greets the audience during their visit to the Medina Senior Center on Monday. Singing for the Senior Center has been an annual tradition for many decades.

Another member of the Select Choir is junior Ava Blount. This is her second year in the choir and Select ensemble.

“A’Capella has been a safe space for me these past two years,” Blount said. “No matter what kind of day I’m having, it never fails to brighten my day. Performing for my community has been an experience I will take with me for the rest of my life – seeing all the little kids faces light up when we sing our Christmas carols, and seeing proud parents and sibling watch their babies carry on family traditions. And to those at the Senior Center, I value this experience because I admire carrying on the legacy that was created so many years ago. Yesterday was special, watching everyone’s reactions and faces as we sang songs they once sang. Carrying on this legacy and seeing everyone in the community enjoying our art, no matter what their age, truly makes our hard work worthwhile.”

Trillizio praised her forerunners who built and maintained the A’Capella Choir, namely the late Robert Conner and Lisa Roesseler.

Trillizio said they have sung every year, even during the Covid pandemic when they had to stand three feet apart and wear masks.

Trillizio ended by reminding the audience of their annual A’Capella Community Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. on Dec. 15 at St. Mary’s Church.

A winter weather advisory has been issued for Orleans, Genesee, Niagara and northern Erie counties from 7 this evening until 4 a.m. on Friday.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo said 3 to 7 inches of snow are expected, and gusts up to 50 miles per hour will produce considerable blowing and drifting snow.

“Travel will be difficult,” the Weather Service stated. “Areas of blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the Thursday morning and evening commutes. Gusty winds will down tree branches and cause isolated power outages.”

Barre project among 23 large-scale renewable energy projects to get state contracts

Gov. Kathy Hochul today announced the state has approved contracts for 23 large-scale land-based renewable energy projects, including the Heritage Wind project in Barre.

That project has been down-sized from its initial plan for 33 turbines generating 184.8 megawatts. Heritage Wind now plans 27 turbines with a capacity for 126 megawatts.

Hochul said the 23 renewable energy projects will provide more than 2.3 gigawatts of clean energy, which is enough to power more than 700,000 homes throughout New York State. The projects represent $4.7 billion in private investment while reinforcing the state’s commitment to the development of clean energy, grid resiliency and economic development, Hochul said.

“New York continues to foster competitive opportunities for the clean energy industry to thrive,” Governor Hochul said. “We are delivering on our commitment to make New York more prosperous by harnessing the benefits of a growing clean energy economy, increasing family sustaining jobs and spurring private investment within communities across the State while remaining focused on keeping energy affordable for all New Yorkers.”

The contracted awards are the result of the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority’s 2023 Tier 1 Renewable Energy Standard solicitation. The projects are expected to reduce CO2 equivalent emissions by 2.3 million metric tons annually, the equivalent of removing nearly 350,000 cars from the road; provide public health benefits resulting from reduced exposure to harmful pollutants; and provide more than $249 million in commitments to disadvantaged communities from community benefit funds.

 The projects include:

Finger Lakes

• Trelina Solar Energy Center, NextEra Energy Resources, Seneca County
• Cider Solar Farm, Hecate Energy and Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company, Genesee County
• Highview Solar, Cordelio Power, Wyoming County
• Heritage Wind, Apex Clean Energy, Orleans County
• Excelsior Energy Center, NextEra Energy Resources, Genesee County

Central New York

• Dog Corners, Cordelio Power, Cayuga County
• Scipio Solar, Cordelio Power, Cayuga County
• ELP Granby Solar II, VC Renewables, Oswego County
• Garnet Energy Center, NextEra Energy Resources, Cayuga County

Mid-Hudson

• Little Pond Solar, Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company, Orange County

Mohawk Valley

• Tayandenega Solar, Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company, Montgomery County
• Rock District Solar, Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company, Schoharie County
• Grassy Knoll Solar, Cordelio Power, Herkimer County
• Flat Hill Solar, Cordelio Power, Herkimer County
• Watkins Road Solar, Cordelio Power, Herkimer County
• Hills Solar, Cordelio Power, Herkimer County
• Flat Stone Solar, Cordelio Power, Oneida County

North Country

• Brookside Solar, AES, Franklin County

Southern Tier

• Baron Winds II, RWE, Steuben County
• Canisteo Wind Energy Center, Invenergy, Steuben County
• Valley Solar, Cordelio Power, Tioga County

Western New York

• Alle-Catt Wind, Invenergy, Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties, Wyoming County (Finger Lakes region)
• Bear Ridge Solar, Cypress Creek Renewables, Niagara County

Several projects have already commenced construction activities, and all projects are expected to be operational by 2028, Hochul said in a news release.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Painted Sky Ranch brought about a dozen horses for Clarendon’s parade on Dec. 8, 2023. Here they are headed down Church Street.

Clarendon and Barre are getting ready to host lighted parades.

Clarendon’s parade will be this Friday starting at 7 at the fire hall on Route 31A. The route then goes through the town’s main intersection, takes a right turn onto Route 237, and then a left on Church Street to the Historical Society.

Santa will then greet people at the museum.

Barre also will be hosting its seventh annual lighted tractor at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 14. The parade starts on Route 98 at East Barre Road and goes north on 98 to the Barre Town Park.

Albion also is hosting a parade at 6 p.m. on Dec. 14.

ALBION – The first election for the Albion Joint Fire District will be Dec. 10 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Hoag Library.

There have been five appointed commissioners and an appointed treasurer serving since August, with their first meeting on Aug. 20.

Of the current five commissioners, four will be on the ballot in the Dec. 10 election. Joe Martillotta opted against running to be an elected commissioner.

Albert Cheverie, Craig Lane, Chris Kinter and David Buczek all were appointed and are running for election. Kevin Sheehan, a former village trustee, also is seeking an elected position.

The commissioners’ terms will be for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years, depending on the vote totals for each. The highest vote-getter gets the 5-year term and then the term length goes in descending order of votes. After the December election, the commissioner election should have one position up for election each year.

Two people are running for treasurer. Victoria Taber has been in the position since Augsut. She is running for election along with Kristen Marciszewski.

The local Mental Health Crisis Helpline, The Care & Crisis Helpline (585) 283-5200, is currently and temporarily non-operational as a result of phone and network issues. It serves Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

In the case of an immediate mental health need or mental health crisis, you can call or text 988, the  National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or dial 911 to reach your local dispatch center.

File photo by Tom Rivers: Dawn Spencer of the Eye of Oden gives an enthusiastic greeting on Main Street in Albion on Dec. 9, 2023 during Albion’s Christmas parade. She and the other dog trainers led dogs which wore blue light-up sweaters. Eye of Oden had a “Blue Christmas” theme to express their sadness on the death of a beloved dog, George’s Legend.

ALBION – There are 21 entries registered for the Dec. 14 Christmas parade in Albion, and one of the organizers welcomes more.

Susan Oschmann would like to have 30 lighted floats for the parade on Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. The parade was called Santa’s Hometown Parade but has been changed to the Charles W. Howard Hometown Parade.

The parade committee is paying tribute to Howard, who ran a Santa School in Albion from 1937 to 1966. He also operated Christmas Park beginning in the mid-1950s. That site attracted about 80,000 people a year.

The parade will culminate with a float carrying Santa. The route starts on Route 31 at CRFS and heads to Route 98, goes down Main Street to State Street and then goes to Platt Street and concludes at Dubby’s, where there will be a party after the parade.

There are prizes for the top floats: $600 for first $400 for second, and $200 for third.

Click here for more information on registering for the parade.