Image from Sheriff’s Office drone: These 2 men fled on foot from law enforcement on Feb. 25 before being taken into custody.

Press Release, Sheriff Chris Bourke

MEDINA – On February 25, agents with U.S. Border Patrol conducted a targeted enforcement operation in the Village of Medina, resulting in the arrest of two male subjects.

During the operation, the two males fled on foot. U.S. Border Patrol requested assistance from the Medina Police Department and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. A coordinated perimeter was quickly established, and the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Division deployed its unmanned aerial system (drone) to assist in locating the fleeing individuals.

Within minutes, the drone located the two males in a wooded area as they were being pursued at a distance by officers. Law enforcement personnel converged on the location and both individuals were taken into custody without incident.

The individuals have been identified and have prior convictions in the United States, including felony racketeering and making terroristic threats. One of the males has been identified as a member of the MS-13 gang and has previously served a federal prison sentence. He is being prosecuted by U.S. Border Patrol under Title 8 U.S.C. § 1326 (Reentry of Removed Aliens).

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to assisting our fellow law enforcement agencies when requested, particularly in efforts to locate and apprehend convicted criminals. The Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to proactively creating safe and secure neighborhoods throughout Orleans County.

‘This performance brings world-class ballet directly to our rural community’

Photo by Richard Termine: New York Theatre Ballet will do two student matinee performances and a public event in Elba later this month.

Press Release, Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council

ELBA – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council will present New York Theatre Ballet performing the classic ballet The Firebird in a special regional engagement at the Elba Central Schools Auditorium on Friday, March 20.

The day will include two student matinee performances serving hundreds of students from across Western New York, followed by a public evening performance at 7:30 p.m., which will conclude with a talkback with the dancers and artistic team. The school auditorium is located at 57 South Main St. in Elba.

“This performance brings world-class ballet directly to our rural community,” said Gregory Hallock, Executive Director of GO Art! “Opportunities to see professional classical dance without traveling to a major city are rare in our region. We are thrilled to make this experience accessible to students, families, and community members.”

Founded in 1978, New York Theatre Ballet is widely recognized as New York City’s leading chamber ballet, presenting both classical masterworks and contemporary choreography to audiences nationwide. Their production of The Firebird, set to music by Igor Stravinsky and based on Russian folklore, tells the magical story of Prince Ivan, the mystical Firebird, and the defeat of the immortal sorcerer Kostchei. The ballet blends storytelling, music, costume, and movement to create a theatrical experience for audiences of all ages.

The engagement is part of GO Art!’s ongoing work to expand access to professional performing arts in rural Western New York, connecting nationally recognized artists with audiences and students across Genesee and Orleans Counties and the broader GLOW region.

Student Matinee Performances

Two school-day performances will introduce students to professional ballet through New York Theatre Ballet’s acclaimed “Once Upon a Ballet” educational series, designed to engage young audiences while maintaining the artistry of professional performance.

Students attending the matinees will also participate in a post-performance talkback, allowing them to ask questions and learn about careers in the arts directly from the dancers.

Public Evening Performance

The community is invited to attend the 7:30 p.m. evening performance, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience a professional touring ballet company locally.

Tickets: $20 General Admission, and $10 Youth and Veterans. Tickets are available through GO Art! at: https://square.link/u/Xn4PSJn8.

Regional Leadership in Dance

The performance also reflects GO Art!’s growing leadership in dance across New York State.

Earlier this month, Gregory Hallock was selected through a competitive statewide search to become one of the newest members of NYS DanceForce, a consortium of dance advocates dedicated to increasing the quantity and quality of dance activity across New York State.

Each DanceForce member receives an annual allocation to design residency projects that bring professional dance artists to communities throughout upstate New York.

Hallock’s appointment will allow him to further expand opportunities for dance artists and audiences across rural regions, building on initiatives like the New York Theatre Ballet residency in Elba.

“The work we are doing locally is part of a larger effort to ensure that communities outside major cities have meaningful access to professional dance,” Hallock said. “Being part of NYS DanceForce will allow us to build even more opportunities for artists and audiences across Western New York.”

About GO Art!

GO Art! (Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting arts, culture, and creative opportunities throughout Genesee and Orleans counties. Through performances, festivals, cultural programs, and partnerships with schools and community organizations, GO Art! works to ensure that high-quality arts experiences are accessible to residents across rural and small-city communities.

Funding Support

This performance is funded in part by the Oliver G. & Sarah Sloan Bauman Fund for the Arts, administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, and the New York State Council on the Arts, with support from the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today provided an update on recent casework efforts to assist constituents located in the Middle East and shared important resources available to Americans abroad who may need assistance or guidance from the U.S. government.

Rep. Tenney’s office has successfully helped dozens of constituents located overseas, including the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Kuwait, helping them navigate communications with the U.S. State Department and secure safe travel arrangements back home.

Her office regularly works with federal agencies to help constituents obtain timely information, connect with embassy officials, and access the resources available to U.S. citizens abroad.

“Helping constituents navigate urgent situations overseas is an important part of the work our office does every day,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “I am grateful our team was able to assist constituents in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates and help ensure they were able to return home safely. For Americans currently abroad, the State Department offers several important resources that can provide guidance, updates, and support during emergencies.

“Our office will continue working closely with federal agencies to assist constituents and ensure that Americans traveling or living overseas have access to the information and help they need. We are grateful to the State Department, and our regional partners in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Kuwait for their help getting Americans home safely.”

Americans currently overseas who need assistance or guidance from the U.S. government are encouraged to utilize the following resources:

• State Department Crisis Intake Form – Used to notify the U.S. State Department and request assistance or information during emergencies abroad: https://mytravel.state.gov/s/crisis-intake.
• Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) – Allows U.S. citizens abroad to register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and receive important security alerts and updates: https://step.state.gov.
• Travel.State.gov – Americans traveling or living abroad should regularly monitor Travel.State.gov and communications from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for country-specific updates and safety guidance.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The bronze statue of Santa at Waterman Park in downtown Albion is coated in ice this morning after a night of freezing rain.

It was very slippery walking around on driveways and sidewalks. But the temperature is forecast to climb to 54 today and then 70 on Saturday.

The highs then show 48 on Sunday, 60 on Monday, 50 on Tuesday and 48 on Wednesday.

There are many icicles on one of the benches by the Santa at Waterman Park.

The bottom of the clock on Main Street also has some icicles this morning.

These branches in an Albion backyard are lined with ice this morning.

Democrats asked to repeal legislation that GOP says could increase gas prices by $2 a gallon

These receipts were created and shared by the New York State Republican Conference.

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

ALBANY – State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and members of the Senate Republican Conference on Wednesday highlighted an explosive new memo from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) regarding the shockingly high costs of New York’s so-called “green energy” mandates on New Yorkers.

They also called on Democrats to repeal the statute requiring the state to implement a Cap-and-Invest program, a program the state now acknowledges could increase gasoline prices by as much as $2.23 per gallon and raise annual utility bills by up to $4,100 for upstate residents and $2,300 for residents in New York City.

Since Democrats passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) in 2019, Republicans have demanded answers about its cost, expressed concerns about its mandates and questioned if its goals were realistic or achievable.

Last week, it was disclosed that NYSERDA has issued findings that fundamentally agree with much of what Republicans have been saying for the past 7 years – that the Democrat’s Climate Law is unaffordable and failing to meet its own benchmarks.

“This conference has called for transparency and accounting of the true costs of the CLCPA for years. Now, thanks to a memo from NYSERDA, we finally know what we’ve been saying all along – New Yorkers simply cannot afford the Democrats’ green energy mandates,” said Rob Ortt, the Senate Republican leader.

Cap and Invest is part of the Democrats’ CLCPA, a scam known for its so-called “green” mandates on ratepayers. Democrats’ ideological approach to energy issues in this state has caused the highest utility bills New Yorkers have ever seen. Republicans in both the Senate and Assembly are taking action now to provide relief by pushing to scrap the most damaging parts of the CLCPA, especially Cap and Invest.

Governor Hochul’s New York State Energy Research and Development Authority released a memo outlining “likely costs of CLCPA compliance.” In the memo it reads, “The primary driver of these projected cost increases is the Cap-and-Invest program — “the greenhouse gas accounting approach incorporated in statute and regulation, in combination with current emission reduction targets, mean that current law attributes higher emissions to New York than other leading jurisdictions do for the same activity.”

According to NYSERDA Memo, absent changes, within five years:

• Gasoline prices could increase by $2.23 per gallon — on top of whatever market prices are at that time. At today’s prices, that would mean roughly $5.25 per gallon.
• Natural gas costs could increase by $16.96 per MMBtu.
• Upstate households using oil or natural gas could see energy costs increase by more than $4,100 per year.
• New York City households using natural gas could see annual gross costs rise by approximately $2,300.
• Utility costs for small and medium commercial businesses increase by up to 45% – these costs would be passed down to consumers
• Costs for operating a delivery truck would increase by over 60%.

In addition to the disastrous Cap and Invest program, the Senate Republican Conference has unanimously opposed other new energy costs and mandates within the CLCPA that have increased costs and decreased choices being forced under an extreme climate agenda that is unaffordable, unrealistic, and unattainable.

“They continue to champion policies that they unequivocally know are driving up costs and making life less affordable,” Ortt said. “You can’t just say affordability and wish it into existence when your policies are going to add $4,100 to people’s bills and drive gas costs up to $5 or more at the pump. Democrats want to be California-we are on our way. New Yorkers need to understand-to get different policies they need different policy makers.”