Photo by Tom Rivers: Two seasons have collided in Orleans County the past couple days with snow falling along with many leaves. This photo was taken this morning along the Erie Canal towpath in Albion.

Another winter weather advisory has been issued for Orleans County with the National Weather Service saying 3 to 5 inches of snow is headed to Orleans by 10 a.m. Wednesday.

The advisory also includes Niagara County. The Weather Service said there could be slippery road conditions for the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes.

“Lake effect snow will fall in relatively narrow bands.,” the Weather Service said. “If traveling, be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.”

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

AMHERST – New York State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, along with Amherst Town Supervisor-Elect discussed the importance of legislation that would support the New York National Guard and New York Air National Guard today.

The Guard has been called on to deal with issues and conflicts here in the U.S. and across the globe. In New York State, our guard members have been deployed throughout New York State prisons in the wake of massive strikes and prison guards being terminated from their positions. Guard members have also been called on to keep the subway system in New York City safe from increasing crime rates.

These National Guard members should be recognized for their service and should receive additional credit for the competitive examination for original appointment or a promotion. Senate Bill S.8365, would amend civil service law and provide a preference for activated members of the New York Army National Guard or the New York Air National Guard for competitive examinations.

“The duties carried out by our service members have earned them more than our sincere thanks, and with this legislation, we can help our national guard members achieve career growth and advancement in the public employment sector, which is always in need of qualified candidates,” said Republican Leader Rob Ortt. “While some of my colleagues are more concerned with blocking President Trump’s ability to deploy National Guard troops in New York, I am worried about the health and wellbeing, and careers of our troops and their families, currently deployed on some missions they were never intended to carry out. We must support our National Guard and their families, and this legislation is one of many great ways to do so.”

A member of the Army National Guard or Air National Guard who has been active pursuant to a state disaster emergency declaration for 60 days or more would receive 2 ½ points additional credit in a competitive examination for original appointment or promotion. The bill remains in the rules committee.

“The unwavering dedication of the New York Army and Air National Guard, who have served during state-declared disasters, deserves recognition and support,” said Town of Amherst Supervisor-Elect Shawn Lavin. “Granting these men and women additional credit on their civil service examinations is a small but meaningful way to express our gratitude while also giving active guard members a well-earned competitive edge in appointments and promotions.”

Photos by Tom Rivers: The Brockport lift bridge, which closed to traffic in May 2023 for an extensive rehabilitation, opened to motorists this afternoon. These photos were taken on Saturday.

Press Release, NYS Department of Transportation

BROCKPORT – New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez today announced that the historic lift bridge carrying Route 19 over the Erie Canal in the Village of Brockport has reopened following an extensive rehabilitation that modernized the structure and extended its service life by three decades.

With an upgraded lift system, new deck and several other improvements, the 110-year-old bridge will provide enhanced safety and resiliency along an important travel link to the Village of Brockport, a vibrant community along the Erie Canal with a bustling business district and Victorian charm.

“I’d like to thank everyone in the Village of Brockport for their patience and understanding throughout the duration of this project, and I sincerely hope that residents and visitors appreciate the beauty and historical significance of this finished product, which will preserve the lifespan of this iconic lift bridge for future generations to enjoy,” said Commissioner Dominguez.

The Route 19 steel truss lift bridge was built in 1915.  As an important component of the Erie Canal system and a registered National Historic Landmark, the bridge benefits from protections that ensure it continues to look as it did early in the 20th century, with its trusses and lift towers preserved.

The bridge received a major overhaul as part of a project that included the Main Street lift bridge in Albion. The two projects cost $29.1 million.

As part of the bridge’s rehabilitation, its decks and portions of the truss system were replaced with high-strength, galvanized steel. To complete work on the trusses, the bridge was dismantled and the trusses moved to an area near the Canal, where more than 80% of the steel was replaced. Upgrades were also made to the mechanical and electrical components within the bridge’s vertical lifting system, which raises and lowers the bridge to accommodate canal traffic.

Additional improvements included the rehabilitation of the bridge towers, installation of new bridge rails and repainting of the bridge in its existing shade of green. Pedestrian enhancements were also made including new signage, pavement markings and a realigned canal path on the bridge’s north end to improve visibility for both pedestrians and motorists.

The Village of Brockport is listed on the National Register of Historic places and is the largest community along State Route 19, which is also a primary travel route to the SUNY Brockport campus and a key conduit for the region’s many agricultural products.

The closure of the bridge drastically reduced traffic on Main Street in the downtown. WHAM in Rochester reports 10 businesses in Brockport in the downtown shut down during the bridge closure.

While the lift bridge has reopened to traffic, construction activities will continue adjacent to the structure and the traveling public should be advised of occasional short-term delays.

Rehabilitation of the State Route 19 bridge is part of a $29.1 million project to modernize and preserve New York State’s iconic canal structures. The project also included the Route 98 lift bridge over the Erie Canal in the nearby Village of Albion and builds on the Department’s prior successes in rehabilitating similar lift bridges in the Villages of Fairport and Spencerport, a $16.9 million project.

New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, “We are thankful for the efforts of our partners at DOT to fully rehabilitate this historic lift bridge for the next generation of Brockport residents and visitors. We appreciate the patience of the community while this critical work was completed.”

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the last statewide Free Fishing Day of 2025 will occur Tuesday, Nov. 11, to mark Veterans Day and honor those who defended and protected our nation’s democracy and freedoms.

During Free Fishing Days, New York State waives the fishing license requirement for freshwater fishing in New York’s waters. While no license is required, all other freshwater fishing regulations remain in effect.

“Fall is a great time of year to fish in New York’s pristine waters while honoring a veteran in your life,” Governor Hochul said. “I encourage New Yorkers to get offline and get outside on this free fishing day to enjoy an affordable outdoor recreation opportunity on the water and to reflect on the freedoms that we have in this country thanks to our veterans.”

As water temperatures drop through the fall, plenty of exciting fishing opportunities pick up across the state. Trout fishing is a fall favorite, as trout stream regulations are now catch and release, artificial lures only in inland streams statewide through March 31.

In addition to Free Fishing Days, there are other options for veterans or active-duty military members to fish for free or at a reduced cost. New York State offers free/reduced fee fishing licenses of 40 percent or more for active-duty military members meeting certain criteria and for resident veterans with a service-related disability.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “DEC thanks all of New York’s veterans for their dedicated service and hopes that this free fishing day provides an opportunity for families and friends to spend time together exploring our natural environment along the remarkable fisheries we have here in New York State. Free fishing days are also the perfect time to introduce someone new to the sport or test out a new fishing spot at any of the state’s world class lakes, streams or ponds.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: The historical marker by the Albion Free Methodist Church, which notes this is the first church in the denomination, is pelted with snow this morning.

More snow is headed to Orleans County. The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a winter weather advisory until 1 p.m. Tuesday for Orleans and Niagara counties.

The lake-effect snow will be 3 to 6 inches in the most persistent snow bands. There will also be winds gusting as high as 35 miles per hour to create blowing snow with poor visibilities.

“Travel will be difficult,” the Weather Service said. “The hazardous conditions will impact the Tuesday morning commutes.”