Month: January 2019

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Posted 21 September 2020 at 7:00 am

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With gas prices on the rise, Ortt wants tax suspended on fuel

Posted 13 May 2021 at 10:40 am

Press Release, Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt

ALBANY – Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and Deputy Leader Andrew Lanza on Wednesday called on Governor Cuomo to suspend the New York State gas tax in the wake of a crippling ransomware attack that caused the shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline.

The Colonial Pipeline supplies roughly 45 percent of fuel consumed on the Eastern Seaboard, carrying more than 100 million gallons of fuel per day between Texas and New York. The shutdown of the system since last Friday has already caused supply shortages and increased prices at the pump.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has already caused serious harm to our economy,” Ortt said. “The price of gas plays a major role in our economy, and in order to help our economy get back on its feet, it’s critically important to keep prices at the pump under control. New York’s gas tax is among the highest in the nation, and we implore you to suspend the gas tax immediately to provide much-needed relief to New York families and businesses.”

Earlier this week, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp temporarily suspended the gas tax via Executive Order to provide relief from rising prices.

The increased costs and supply issues from the Pipeline shutdown comes on the heels of a devastating proposal being advanced by Albany Democrats that would increase the cost of gas by as much as 55 cents per gallon, and increase home heating costs by more than 25 percent.

“Policies at the federal level have caused prices to increase on everything from food to household goods,” Lanza said. “Now gas prices are skyrocketing because of the foreign cyber terrorist attacking on our pipeline. New Yorkers can not afford this latest cost increase as they try to make ends meet. Governor Cuomo must deliver relief until this crisis passes.”

Mustangs to host Trojans Friday in Section VI Class C title contest

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 13 May 2021 at 10:11 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina running back Lennon Meacham, here getting a block from Zach Oliver, and their Mustang teammates will host Southwestern in the Section VI Class C championship game Friday evening at Vets Park.

Looking to end a long 33 year sectional title drought, No. 2 seed Medina will host No. 4 Southwestern in the Section VI Class C football championship game at 7 p.m. Friday at Vets Park.

Medina advanced to the title contest by romping past No. 3 Eden/North Collins 54-6 in the semifinals while Southwestern edged past top seeded Clymer/Sherman/Panama 24-21.

This will be Medina’s first appearance in the finals since 1988 when the Mustangs won their third Section VI title by downing rival Albion 14-7. Prior to that Medina also captured the sectional title in 1980 by downing Silver Creek 20-14 and in 1982 by besting Cassadaga Valley 26-7.

Southwestern brings a strong postseason record into the contest as the Trojans have won five Section VI titles (2004, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2019) and two state championships (2008 and 2009). The Trojans 2019 squad advanced to the state semifinals.

“Southwestern has a solid program and they have a number of sectional and state titles to back that up,” said Medina Coach Eric Valley. “They have a very athletic group of kids especially their quarterback Aidan Kennedy. He can really extend plays with his legs and his arm so we really need to bottle him up and contain him so that he doesn’t extend plays.”

Kennedy, who is a junior, has thrown for 1,074 yards and 15 touchdowns including 7 to senior Garrett Swan and 4 to senior Nate Johnson. Both receivers have over 350 yards in receptions.

On the ground, the Trojans are led by senior Zishan Munir who has rushed for 428 yards and 6 touchdowns and Kennedy who has picked up 203 yards and scored 4 TDs.

The Trojans also have a consistent place kicker in freshman Neves Hoose who has made 23 of 26 extra point kicks and 3 of 4 field goal attempts with the longest being 39 yards.

“Defensively they have guys who can play multiple positions and they give you multiple looks so we will have to be solid in our blocking schemes,” said Valley.

Offensively it is interesting that the Mustangs are likewise are led by a junior quarterback Xander Payne whose statistics are nearly identical to Kennedy’s as he has thrown for 938 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Senior Tyler Chinn has caught 6 of those TD aerials while senior Brian Fry has hauled in 3, juniors Joe Cecchini and Jarin Rhim 2 each and senior Corey Saj, and junior Iverson Poole 1 each.

Fry also leads the Mustangs ground attack with 628 yards and 7 touchdowns. Poole has added 3 rushing touchdowns, Payne 2 and Saj, who has rushed for 209 yards, has 1.

Defensively the Mustangs have allowed only 13 points in five games on one touchdown and two field goals.

That defensive unit has had plenty of contributors. In tackles Fry has 28, sophomore Noah Skinner 24, sophomore Chris Johnson 18, Saj 15, Cecchini 14, junior Zach Oliver 12, Chinn 10, Poole and junior Hayden Woodroe 9, sophomore Dominic Larabee 8 and senior Lennon Meacham 7.

Cecchini leads the team in sacks with 5 while Rhim has 3 and Oliver 2.

Woodroe, Chinn and Fry each have two pass interceptions.

Both teams bring 5-0 records into the title contest.

Week 5 Axe Throwing League results

Contributed Story Posted 13 May 2021 at 10:05 am

The Meadworks Axe Throwing League Week 5 scoring update. Scores accumulate weekly throughout the season. Three teams had bye weeks this week.

Total Team (both partners individual scores added together): 1. Falco’s Mercenaries 833, 2. Celtic Bastards 809, 3. Great Axpectations 766, 4. We Like Big Axes 756, 5. Mother Chuckers 731, 6. Pain in the Axe 723, 7. Bustin Axes 692, 8. Davis and Lisa Gnome 658, 9. Hack Job Moo Cows 641, 10. Axelorians Axe Throwing 596, 11. Wenches 563, 12. Bad Axes 560, 13 Lizzie Bordens 533, 14. Axes and Ohs 533, 15. Swoosh 529, 16. Miskatonic ReCreators 501.

Duals (teammates throwing on the same target at the same time): 1. Celtic Bastards 374, 2. Falco’s Mercenaries 357, 3. Mother Chuckers 326, 4. Pain in the Axe 325, 5. Hack Job Moo Cows 310, 6. We Like Big Axes 303, 7. Davis and Lisa Gnome 287, 8. Great Axpectations 276, 9. Axelorians 267, 10. Bustin Axes Axe Throwing 259, 11. Wenches 254, 12. Miskatonic ReCreators 219, 13. Lizzie Bordens 216, 14. Axes and Ohs 212, 15. Bad Axes 210, 16. Swoosh 187.

New owners take reins of gym on Main Street in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 May 2021 at 9:50 am

The Hustl House drops the ‘e’ for no excuses

The owners of The Hustl House are working to reopen the former Albion Fitness Center at 12 North Main St. Opening day is set for May 17. The owners are all cousins from Lyndonville. They include, right to left: John Brabon, Nick Joy and Dawson Joy. The trio is putting down new rubber flooring and has added $10,000 worth of new exercise equipment.

ALBION – Three cousins from Lyndonville are putting their business expertise, passion for fitness and optimism in the area into a new venture: The Hustl House.

John Brabon, Nick Joy and Dawson Joy are co-owners of the gym that was the Albion Fitness Center at 12 North Main St. They will reopen the site on May 17.

They have sent $10,000 for new equipment, and are planning more upgrades, including tanning beds and possibly a sauna. They also have removed the carpeting and have put down rubber gym flooring.

With the gym’s name they dropped the “e” in Hustle “because there’s no excuses.”

Brabon, 29, works as a sales manager at Orleans Ford and has been the top seller for the dealership for many months. He sees an opportunity in Albion for the gym. The population of about 15,000 in central Orleans is currently underserved with options for a gym and fitness center, he said.

Nick Joy, 30, has his own business – the Shed Express – where he hauls sheds for the Amish community to locations throughout the Northeast. He has a master’s degree in exercise science and has worked as a strength and conditioning coach for professional athletes, including the L.A. Galaxy. His passion is fitness and his goal has been to open a gym.

He was getting a haircut next door at Zach’s Barbershop in Albion when Vinny Navarra came in a few months ago and urged Joy to make an offer on the gym and building.

Joy talked with his cousins and closed on the deal last Friday with Navarra, who started the gym and owns the building.

“I’ve always been into fitness and you never know when an opportunity will come up,” Joy said. “My goal is to help everyone be healthier, whether it’s high school athletes or anyone else in the community.”

The Hustl House has added more leg weights, lower-body equipment, a new squat rack, dead lift platform, leg press and machines to work the hip flexors, hamstrings and shoulders.

Dawson Joy, 22, has been working for a local fruit farm. Joy said he is a people-person and often he would only see a few co-workers a day in the orchards.

“I really enjoy connecting with people,” he said. “I’m excited to see all of the people who will be coming in.”

He will be the gym’s day-to-day manager. The site will be open 24-7 with a keycard access system.

The owners have lowered the monthly membership costs to $30. When they open next week, they will have about 75 percent of their immediate upgrades done. Brabon said there will be more improvements the next few months.

Gyms and fitness centers have been hurt during the Covid-19 pandemic with the state closing the sites for several months last year, and then restricting the capacity, or maximum number of people allowed inside. That capacity threshold will be raised from 33 to 50 percent on Saturday.

Brabon sees gyms as a good investment. He expects more people will be looking to strengthen their bodies and become healthier, especially after the stress and isolation of the pandemic the past 14 months.

Barbon praised Navarra for his upgrades to the building. Brabon is planning to turn the upstairs office space into six or seven apartments. Navarra did a great job creating those office spaces and making the building an attractive property, Brabon said.

The Hustl House will be posting updates on its Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Sharing Table at Community Action will offer food, household supplies

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 13 May 2021 at 8:35 am

Provided photos: Community Action has a new Sharing Table that will have food and some household items.

ALBION – A new program bringing food to community members is gaining popularity in towns across the nation.

Anna Cruz, who moved to Albion from Long Island, learned about the Sharing Table from an online university, Western Governors’ University. She said a woman in Seaford began one last March.

Its concept is that a table is made available to the public, laden with canned food, produce, pet supplies, cleaning supplies, linens or toiletries.

People are invited to take what they want and leave what they can, even if it’s nothing. There are no requirements or income guidelines for those who frequent the Sharing Table.

Cruz shared the idea with staff at Community Action in Albion, and they liked the idea.

“This is a whole new initiative,” said Annette Finch, director of emergency services at Community Action.

The table will be available at Community Action’s Main Street Store every Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Our goal at Community Action is to make people self-sufficient,” said Renee Hungerford, director of Community Action. “Our hope is if someone needs help, in time they can give back.”

From left, Community Action director Renee Hungerford, Anna Cruz, Main Street Store employee Mary Yockel and director of emergency services Annette Finch discuss a new program planned for the Main Street Store in Albion.

Cruz said they plan to start a Sharing Table Club, which will meet once a month. Members will get a meal basket, which will have different themes, for example, an activity basket with popcorn and a movie.

Similar tables are cropping up across the United States, said Cruz, a clinical coordinator for Western Governors University. She saw a shoe table advertised on Facebook.

“I thought a Sharing Table would be great to do here,” Cruz said. “I saw the table out front and called Michelle to ask if we could use that.”

Michelle George is manager of the Main Street Store. The table Cruz refers to is a fruit/vegetable stand outside the Main Street Store, which is loaded with all kinds of items, much of it surplus from the Orleans Correctional Facility. They never know what they’re going to have on the stand, Finch said. One time a tractor trailer pulled up with an abundance of salad mix. It was gone in six hours. Another time it was half a truck load of limes.

Hungerford said no one needs to feel guilty about taking anything from the Sharing Table. If they can leave $2, that would be fine, or perhaps they would like to give back by volunteering two hours in the Main Street Store.

Medina’s Releaf Society pleased with donations for new trees, welcomes more giving

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 13 May 2021 at 7:15 am

MEDINA – Medina’s Releaf Society met May 5 to discuss further tree plantings in the village.

Donations have been received for 12 memorial trees, to be placed in Medina’s six parks with accompanying plaques. Parks are Butts Park on South Main Street, Gwinn Street, State Street, Pine Street, Gulf Street and Rotary Park. Cost for a memorial tree with plaque is $300.

Releaf Society chair Kathy Blackburn said while the tree fund drive officially ended April 30, they still welcome donations. She said they could use money for bushes and shrubbery in Butts Park. They would also like to add some greenery along the south side of Rotary Park. In addition, Blackburn said trees are needed in Boxwood Cemetery to replace some of the many old ones which have or will be taken down in the cemetery.

Jason Watts, superintendent of the Village Street and Parks Department, said they won’t be planting any more trees until fall. While he has planted as many as 60 in previous years, he told Blackburn 40 was a more comfortable number.

Blackburn reported that Gary Kent of Albion had donated a variety of saplings, which Mayor Mike Sidari said could be used on the north end of Boxwood Cemetery. Plans are to plant them in the grassy area adjoining the town of Ridgeway.

Blackburn said she had learned from National Grid that they will reimburse the village $50 for any tree which meets its growth requirements for under wires.

She also reported trees were needed on South Avenue and Frank Street, and she would like the village to look at strategically planting some flowering trees, similar to those on State Street.

The Medina Releaf Society was formed last year to work with the Medina Tree Board. The Releaf Society is able to fundraise, while the Tree Board is not. The Releaf Society conducts fundraising, and then the Tree Board steps in and decides what kind and where trees can be planted and which need to be trimmed or cut down.

Blackburn reminds residents that no one can cut down a tree within the village on the village’s right-of-way. That is the area between the street and sidewalk, she said.

She also explained that before any tree is planted, a sample of the soil is sent to Cooperative Extension for analyzing, to determine which trees grow best in that certain area.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Medina Releaf Society can send a check payable to Orleans Renaissance Group, P.O. 543, Medina, with a notation for Medina Releaf Society.

Members of the Releaf Society, in addition to Blackburn, are Bob Sanderson, Lisa Tombari and Jake Hebdon.

Community shows love for Tom Drennan in fight against cancer

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2021 at 9:49 pm

‘He has a great heart and he would help anyone’

Photos by Tom Rivers

KENDALL – About 200 T-shirts were distributed this evening to show support for Tom Drennan, a retired chief deputy of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and longtime Kendall firefighter.

Drennan was recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma and has completed two rounds of chemotherapy. He is awaiting a stem cell transplant and then faces more chemotherapy.

His friends – Steve Cooley, left, and Chris and Stacey Seefeldt – handed out the T-shirts this evening from the Kendall Elementary School parking lot.

Drennan is well-liked, especially in the Kendall community.

“Tom has been a great guy with the Fire Department and he was a great cop,” said Nathan Loescher, who was among the crowd who paid for a shirt as a fundraiser. “He has a great heart and he would help anyone.”

Loescher said he appreciated when the Kendall community rallied for his mother, when she had pancreatic cancer about five years ago. About 500 chicken barbecue dinners were sold to help her with her medical bills. “It was a huge help,” he said.

Kristen Ferris of Carlton also has felt the community support when there was cancer in her family. She wanted to help the Drennan family, and said Drennan has been a family friend her entire life.

The T-shirts include Drennan’s badge number of 145 on the front and the message “Team Drennan – You got this” on the back.

Besides the T-shirts, there was a basket raffle with the items sold with an auction through Facebook.

Chris and Stacey Seefeldt led the fundraising efforts, and managed to keep it a secret from the Drennans through a closed Facebook group.

The two families often go camping together, but that has been put off this year.

Photo courtesy of Debbie Prest

About 50 people walked from the school to Drennan’s home and surprised Tom and his wife Terri. They were presented with a check for about $11,000. A Kendall fire truck led the processional to the Drennan home.

People were eager to help the family while Drennan is off from working with Ludwick Paving & Concrete.

Terri Drennan, who works as the crime victims unit coordinator in Orleans County, posted on Facebook, thanking everyone for sending love, prayers and positivity.

“Finding out ALL OF YOU are supporting Tom’s journey means more than you can ever imagine…shirts, donations, baskets, cards, kind words…there is no way saying thank you can begin to capture how overwhelmed we are and how full our hearts are,” she said.

Kendall golfers down Pembroke to go to 3-1

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 12 May 2021 at 9:15 pm

Improving to 3-1, Kendall bested Pembroke 211-258 this afternoon in a Genesee Region League golf match.

Jake Esposito and Ryan Robinson both shot 49 to share medalist honors for the Eagles.

Esposito also took medalist honors on Tuesday with a 47 as Kendall downed Notre Dame 226-258.

Pfizer vaccine authorized for 12- to 15-year-olds in NY, ‘effective immediately’

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2021 at 8:43 pm

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the state has authorized use of the Pfizer vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds following the endorsement of the vaccine today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The eligibility for the Pfizer vaccine has now been expanded to include people 12 and older, “effective immediately,” Cuomo said.

The CDC decision followed the federal Food and Drug Administration on Monday, which gave its emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine to include people ages 12 to 15.

Dr. Howard Zucker, New York state health commissioner, and the New York State Clinical Advisory Task Force recommended the expanded use of the Pfizer vaccine.

“Children under the age of 18 now account for more than 20 percent of new cases in this country, and vaccine authorization for a younger population will allow the state to continue its tremendous progress towards winning the war against Covid,” Cuomo said in a statement. “More than 17 million vaccine doses have been administered in New York State to date.”

Lady Tigers rally to down Pembroke

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 12 May 2021 at 8:39 pm

Trailing 8-2, Lyndonville used a big seven run fourth inning rally to key a 14-10 victory over Pembroke this afternoon in a Genesee Region League softball game.

A two-run home run by Lorelei Dillenbeck along with two-run singles by Chloe Stinson and Brooke Robinson highlighted the decisive rally which also included singles by Addison Dillenbeck and Haley Shaffer.

Improving to 4-1, the Lady Tigers tacked on two more runs in the fifth and three in the sixth to close out the win.

Brynn Howell had 3 hits on the day for the Lady Tigers as Lorelei Dillenbeck, Robinson, Shaffer and Addison Dillenbek each had two.

Kendall 13, Wheatland-Chili 2

Lauren Pilon, Julie Coble and Ciera Kupferschmid each had 3 hits and winning pitcher Sara Mattle, Shelby Kruger and Emma Quintern each banged out 2 for Kendall in the 13-2 win at Wheatland-Chili.

Pilon and Kruger both had a pair of doubles. Pilon also drove in 5 runs as Mattle and Kruger each plated 2.

In the circle, Mattle scattered 6 hits and struck out 6.

Byron-Bergen 13, Holley 4

A big 9 run fifth inning keyed Byron-Bergen to a 13-4 G-R win over Holley.

Rachel Howard had 2 hits for Holley as Tia Hoffarth had an RBI double and Halee Passarell and Kayleigh Neale run producing singles.

Notre Dame 6, Medina 3

A four run first inning scoring burst, which included doubles by Sarah McGinnis and Sonji Warner, keyed Notre Dame to a 6-3 non league win at Medina.

Miriam Fike had a triple for Medina. Mustangs pitcher Bri Russell registered 9 strikeouts.

Holley and Kendall win in G-R tennis

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 12 May 2021 at 7:42 pm

Holley bested Elba 4-1 and Kendall blanked Pembroke 5-0 this afternoon in Genesee Region League tennis action.

Straight set wins at first and second singles by Cavan Bennage and Cora Bennage led the wy for the Hawks.

Kendall was liekwise led by wins at the first two singles spots by Tory Raufeison and Devin Edick.

Holley 4, Elba 1

First Singles: Cavan Bennage (Holley) d. Christopher Olguin 6-0, 6-0

Second Singles: Cora Bennage (Holley) d. Emily Rowe 6-2, 6-4

Third Singles: Madison Harrington (Elba) d. Jalen Tette 6-0, 6-3

First Doubles Mason Neale and James Tette (Holley) d. Donovan Sherman and Jason Rowe 6-2, 6-1

Second Doubles: Kirsstin-Louisse Althoff and Ashanty Gonzalez (Holley) d. Amelia Brewer and Lucy LoBello 6-1, 6-1

Kendall 5, Pembroke 0

First Singles : Tory Raufeison (Kendall) d. Riley Martin 6-3, 6-0

Second Singles: Devin Edick (Kendall) d. Indigo Fox 6-2, 6-0

Third Singles: Joshua Esposito (Kendall) d. Jonah Martin 6-4, 4-6, 6-3

First Doubles : Kari Harrier and Tobias Passer( Kendall) d. Lily Martin and Isla Czechowicz 6-0, 6-0

Second Doubles: Eric Woodhams and Daniel Williams (Kendall) won by forfeit

Akron 5, Barker o

Defending champion Akron blanked Barker 5-0 to go to 2-0 in Niagara-Orleans League tennis competition.

Akron 5, Barker 0

First Singles: Will Chubb (Akron) d. Nathan Meza Ray 6-0, 6-0

Second Singles: Caleb Suckow (Akron) d. Matthew Ryan 6-0, 6-1

Third Singles: Samantha Niescier (Akron) d. Cameron Kiner 6-0, 6-2

First Doubles: Sean Brennan and Sean O’Shaughnessy (Akron) d. Ella Gooding and Keith Robison 6-3, 6-3

Second Doubles: Kaly Lin and Stella Van Wyk (Akron) d. Carla Stoloski and Thomas Jowdy 6-1, 6-2

Hawks rally in the 7th for win; Tigers romp

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 12 May 2021 at 7:35 pm

Holley-Kendall pushed across a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to nip Byron-Bergen 4-3 this afternoon in a Genesee Region League baseball game.

Broek Ostrom singled in the winning run for the Hawks after singles by Miles Lammes and Jared Strathearn and an intentional walk had loaded the bases.

Byron-Bergen had tied the game at 3-3 by scoring twice in the top of the seventh.

Earlier, the Hawks scored twice in the first inning on a two run double by Jorden Ostrander, which followed singles by Lammes and Braxton Zarpentine, and once in the sixth on an error.

Lammes finished with 3 hits and Zarpentine 2.

Jayden Gibaud picked up the win on the mound as he scattered 3 hits and struck out 13.

Holley-Kendall is now 3-2.

Lyndonville 34, Pembroke 1

Erupting for 11 runs in the first inning, Lyndonville went on to defeat Pembroke 34-1 this afternoon in a five inning G-R contest.

Lyndonville pounded out a total of 20 hits on the day including three each by winning pitcher Trenton Muck, Nathan Dillenbeck, Rolland Balcerzak and Jack Whipple along with two each by Casey Winiecki, Jacob Corser and Dylan-Burt Hodgins.

On the mound, Muck allowed 2 hits and struck out 12.

Now at 3-1, Lyndonville next visits Elba on Friday.

More banners of soldiers going up in Albion, Medina

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2021 at 5:13 pm

Photo by Tom Rivers: This banner on East Bank Street in Albion shows the portrait of the late Donald O’Hearn, who served in the Navy at the end of the Korean War.

ALBION/MEDINA – More banners recognizing soldiers from the Albion and Medina community will be put up in 2021.

Albion displayed 69 in the debut of the banners last year. There are 23 more going up for 92 total this year on Main Street, Bank Street and Route 31.

Albion Mayor Eileen Banker has been coordinating the effort. She would like to add more in 2022 and will promote that effort next February.

The banners are expected to be up until just after Veterans’ Day in November.

Medina is in its third year of the “Hometown Heroes” banners and this year will have 210 on display, including 131 new ones. Mary Woodruff, a Ridgeway town councilwoman, has spearheaded the effort.

“It’s building patriotism and celebrating the real heroes,” Woodruff said.

Families or loved ones of the soldiers pay the cost for the banners. The Department of Public Works in each village installs the banners.

DEC urges motorists to be careful of turtles crossing roads

Posted 12 May 2021 at 4:34 pm

Turtles will be on the move in May and June to lay eggs

Photo by Tom Rivers: This snapping turtle is shown last June after it managed to cross Route 31 in Fancher. Many snapping turtles were on the move crossing roads to find spots to lay their eggs.

Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today reminded New Yorkers that turtles are on the move in the months of May and June, and asked drivers to “give turtles a brake.”

In New York, thousands of turtles are killed each year when struck by vehicles while migrating to nesting areas. Increasing public awareness of turtles’ nesting behavior can help save this important species.

“A turtle’s shell provides good protection from natural predators, but it cannot protect a turtle from being hit by a vehicle while crossing a road,” Seggos said. “Vehicle strikes are a major cause of turtle mortality and New York’s native turtles are more active this time of year as they seek sandy areas or loose soil to lay their eggs, sometimes even near the side of a road.”

If a motorist sees a turtle on the road, drivers are encouraged to slow down to avoid hitting it with their vehicle. If the vehicle can safely stop, motorists should consider moving the turtle to the shoulder on the side of the road in the direction it was facing.

Motorists are advised not to pick turtles up by their tails to avoid injuring the turtle. Most turtles, other than snapping turtles, can be picked up by the sides of their shell. Snapping turtles have necks that can reach a long distance and have a strong bite, so if motorists try to help a snapping turtle, they should pick it up by the rear of the shell near the tail using both hands or slide a car mat under the turtle to drag it safely across the road.

DEC reminds people to never take turtles home. All native turtles are protected by law and cannot be kept without a DEC permit.

All 11 species of land turtles native to New York are in decline. Turtles are long-lived species and it takes many years for a turtle to reach maturity. Even losing one mature female can have a negative impact on a local population.

50 percent of adults vaccinated in NY; 30.7 percent in Orleans

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2021 at 1:59 pm

Gov. Andrew Cuomo today highlighted a milestone in the state’s vaccination efforts against Covid-19.

The state is at 50 percent of adults who are now vaccinated, people 18 and older who have completed the vaccine series.

In Orleans County, 30.7 percent of adults 18 and older have completed the vaccine series, according to the state’s Vaccine Tracker.

In the state, 60.7 percent of those 18 and older have had at least one dose of the vaccine, which compares to 45.7 percent in the county who are 18 and older with at least one dose.

“Our continued progress on vaccinations is phenomenal and that’s a function of all the good work that our providers and volunteers across New York have done,” Cuomo said. “We are hitting critical milestones, but the rate of people coming in to get vaccinated has declined, and that’s troubling. We are especially focused on the youthful and the doubtful, and we are continuing to work with community leaders and pushing the message that everyone needs to get their shot because this vaccine is our key weapon in defeating this beast.”

GLOW counties

Genesee – 35.6 percent 18 and older completed vaccine series; 52.9 percent of 18 and older with at least one dose; 42.7 percent of overall population with at least one dose
Livingston – 37.6 percent 18 and older completed vaccine series; 51.9 percent of 18 and older with at least one dose; 43.3 percent of overall population with at least one dose
Orleans – 30.7 percent 18 and older completed vaccine series; 45.7 percent of 18 and older with at least one dose; 37.4 percent of overall population with at least one dose
Wyoming – 32.4 percent 18 and older completed vaccine series; 46.8 percent of 18 and older with at least one dose, 38.3 percent of overall population with at least one dose