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WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) alongside Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02), introduced the People and Animals Well-being (PAW) Act to expand eligibility to include veterinary care expenses under tax-advantaged health care spending accounts, specifically Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) by amending Internal Revenue Code Section 213(d).
The PAW Act would allow pet owners to use their HSA or FSA accounts to pay for up to $1,000 for veterinary care or a pet health insurance plan, while permitting an unlimited amount of these funds for service animals.
It aims to assist veterans with PTSD and individuals with disabilities by ensuring the IRS relies on an up-to-date Federal definition of “service animal,” which includes animals trained to assist with both physical and mental disabilities. Additionally, the bill maintains current HSA and FSA contribution limits, ensuring that there will be little to no impact on federal expenditures.
“Our pets and service animals are cherished members of our families, and it’s essential that owners have the ability to pay for quality care,” Tenney said. “The PAW Act offers greater flexibility to pet owners by allowing them to use HSAs and FSAs for pet care expenses. This legislation will help veterans, and all pet owners afford veterinary care for their beloved pets and service animals.”
“MetLife strongly supports the PAW Act, which helps pet parents address unexpected veterinary expenses resulting from a pet’s illness or accident,” said Brian Jorgensen, Head of Pet Insurance, MetLife. “This bill is a critical step towards promoting the health and well-being of pets by helping pet parents access the care their pets need while protecting their financial wellness. We are proud to support a bill that aligns with MetLife’s purpose of helping people care for their loved ones, both human and animal.”
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 10 September 2024 at 9:53 pm
Kendall opened Genesee Region League girls soccer competition with a 3-2 win over Oakfield-Alabama this evening.
Ava Quintern, Sophia Picardo and Ryleigh Denning each scored a goal for the Lady Eagles. Quintern and Haley Ball each also had an assist.
In N-O League season openers Roy-Hart and Wilson played to a 1-1 tie, Akron blanked Albion 2-0 and Newfane shutout Medina 8-0.
Kaitlin Metter scored the lone Roy-Hart goal while Abby Gerstung and Oliva Novak scored for Akron. Anna Chunco scored 4 goals and Kameryn Boyer 2 for Newfane.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 10 September 2024 at 9:45 pm
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Addy Paul spikes over Newfane’s Julia Noonan during this evening’s N-O League opener.
Roy-Hart outlasted Wilson in five sets 22-25, 25-7, 26-28, 25-14, 15-7 this evening to open the Niagara-Orleans League volleyball season.
Grace Pearl had 10 kills, Emily Livergood and Kylie McOmber 7 each and Ryleigh Capen 31 assists and 5 aces to lead the way for the Lady Rams.
In the other N-O openers, Newfane downed host Medina in four sets 18-25, 25-16, 25-18, 25-15 and Akron bested Albion in 3 sets 25-16, 25-17, 25-12.
Natalie Herbert had 3 kills for Medina as Sam Heschke, Addy Paul, Maya Anderson each had 2. Paul and Maddy Watts each had 2 aces and Anderson and Herbert 2 blocks.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 10 September 2024 at 9:28 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Cole Callard kicks the ball ahead against a pair of Newfane defenders during this evening’s win over the Panthers at Vets Park.
Medina and Albion both scored shutout victories this evening to open the Niagara-Orleans League boys soccer season.
Medina downed Newfane 4-0 at Vets Park on goals by Luke Duffina, Vinny Gray, Cole Callard in the first half and Aleks Seefeldt in the second half.
Albion bested visiting Akron 3-0 as David Rosario scored 2 goals and Justin Kania 1.
In the other N-O opener, Wilson topped Roy-Hart 13-0.
Medina’s Aidan Papaj works to control the ball against Newfane’s Naiten Shorter.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 10 September 2024 at 8:42 pm
Trailing 24-16 when play was halted by stormy weather Friday night, Holley came battling back with touchdowns on four straight possessions when play resumed this afternoon to earn a 48-30 victory over host Bolivar-Richburg in a season opening 8 Man Football Division contest.
A touchdown pass from Destin Kuyal to Vinny Golisano with 25 seconds to go in the first half which pulled Holley to within two at 24-22 ignited the comeback.
The Hawks then rallied into a 40-24 lead by scoring three unanswered touchdowns in the third quarter on a two-yard run by Hunter Jewell-Smith, a 30 yard run by Kuyal and a 30 yard pass from Kuyal to Golisano.
Kuyal also hooked up with Golisano on a 45 yard TD strike in the fourth quarter to up the advantage to 48-24.
Before play was halted on Friday the Hawks had Kuyal run for one touchdown and pass to Mason Moyer for another.
The Holley defense also came up with three big turnovers on two interceptions by Kevin Robinson and a fumble recovery by Kuyal.
The Hawks will host Newfield in a non league game at 1 p.m. Saturday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 September 2024 at 8:29 pm
Photo courtesy of Orleans County Sheriff’s Office
BARRE – A tractor trailer tipped over on Route 98 this evening, crashing into a guard rail near the Genesee County line.
The driver was taken by ambulance to be treated for a head injury at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia.
A section of Route 98 continues to be closed to traffic due to the accident, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke said.
The truck was loaded with cabbage and the weight shifted, causing the trailer to sway off the roadway and strike a guard rail near the county line, he said.
“The impact made the trailer axel become detached from the trailer,” Bourke said.
A National Guard soldier from Albion has been promoted, Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general for the state of New York, announced.
Daelonte Ortiz from Albion and assigned to the Company D, 427th Brigade Support Battalion, received a promotion Aug. 26 to the rank of specialist and will take on additional responsibility and leadership.
Army National Guard promotions are based on a soldier’s overall performance, demonstrated leadership abilities, professionalism and future development potential.
These promotions recognize the best-qualified soldiers for a career in the New York Army National Guard.
Army National Guard Citizen Soldiers who serve our state and nation are eligible for monthly pay, educational benefits (from the state and federal government), travel across the globe, technical and leadership training, health and dental insurance and contributions towards retirement programs similar to a 401(k).
Provided photo: From left include Ryan Hasenauer, director of marketing for Batavia Downs; Bob Stilwell; Jennifer Stilwell, president of Make a Difference Rescue; and Henry Wojtaszek, president and CEO of Batavia Downs.
Press Release, Batavia Downs Gaming
BATAVIA – Batavia Downs Gaming President and CEO Henry Wojtaszek presented representatives from the Make a Difference (M.A.D) Rescue with a check for $4,200 to help support their efforts rescuing abandoned street dogs of Puerto Rico.
Unclaimed Funds, along side donations and the sale of bottle openers helped raise the money.
“We are appreciative to Cindy DeCarlo and the whole team at Batavia Downs,” said Jennifer Stilwell, President of M.A.D. which is based in Albion. “These funds are so important for us to continue our work of rescuing and rehabilitating the street dogs of Puerto Rico. With these funds we can continue to find them their forever homes here in Western New York and beyond.”
“There are lots of animal lovers, both here amongst our staff and our guests, “said Henry Wojtaszek, President and CEO of Batavia Downs. “As a dog owner myself, I know the joy a dog can bring to a family. We are happy to help Jennifer and her team in their efforts to make life better for these dogs as they find new owners.”
About Batavia Downs/WROTB
Western Region Off-Track Betting Corporation is a public benefit corporation with headquarters in Batavia, NY. WROTB owns and operates 9 branches, as well as Batavia Downs Gaming, a standard bred racetrack and gaming facility. Since its inception, Western Region OTB has generated over $232 million in operating and surcharge revenues to the taxpayers of participating municipalities.
About Make a Difference (M.A.D) Rescue
M.A.D Rescue is a Western New York based non-profit that is passionate about the recovery, rehabilitation and adoption of the homeless, abused and abandoned street dogs of Puerto Rico.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 September 2024 at 8:42 am
St. Rocco’s Festival grounds will remain with ONE Catholic
Photos by Tom Rivers: St. Stephen’s Catholic Church will be closed and sold as part of plan by the Diocese of Buffalo to restructure parishes.
Diocese of Buffalo leaders this morning will announce the final decisions on which parishes and other properties will be closed and sold.
Bishop Michael Fisher is expected to announce the recommendations from June will be final for Orleans and eastern Niagara, which includes closing and selling St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Kendall and St. Stephen’s in Middleport.
The church in Lyndonville was badly damaged in a fire last year, with the church building then razed. The Diocese will sell the former rectory and property in Lyndonville, according to an announcement posted last evening from Father Mark Noonan, pastor of ONE Catholic which includes Orleans and eastern Niagara churches.
“These decisions have been difficult to countenance and consider over the last few months since we received the Recommendations from the Road to Renewal Team,” Father Noonan posted in a message to the community. “It is painful to lose things that we have known, loved and treasured. Our Churches are sacred places that have been blessed by God through the Church in order to enable us to be with the Lord in the celebration of the Sacraments. It is sorrowful to let go of them. And in the same moment, we know and trust that God, who is ever faithful, will guide us in his pathways and always be with us in the Holy Eucharist.”
Bocce is played on Sept. 1 during the St. Rocco’s Italian Festival in Hulberton. The event draws a crowd of several hundred people for food, bocce, and other activities, in an popular fundraiser for the Catholic parish. The Diocese backed off an early recommendation to sell the grounds.
The Diocese switched one of its recommendations for ONE Catholic. The Diocese was planning to sell the St. Rocco’s festival grounds in Hulberton. But the final plan calls for ONE Catholic to keep it. That will be a relief to the Holley community, which celebrated the 49th St. Rocco’s Italian Festival on Sept. 1.
The other church in ONE Catholic, St. Patrick’s in Barker, will move out of ONE Catholic and into a family of parishes in central Niagara.
Father Noonan said the transitions will take place at various times between Oct. 1 and June 8, 2025. The specific dates have not been set, he said.
“Now having received these decisions, we will move forward with God’s help and grace,” Father Noonan said. “I will continue to provide information on this process in the weeks ahead. As the ONE Catholic Community, we will deepen our mission of faith, charity, evangelization, and stewardship in this portion of the Vineyard of the Lord.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 September 2024 at 7:51 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Sandra Shaw is shown inside the children’s library at Community Free Library on Saturday. This week is Shaw’s last week working at the library. She is retiring.
A retirement celebration is tentatively planned for Oct. 17.
Shaw has worked as the library director the past 19 years, and was a clerk for seven years before that.
She led the library is acquiring a former video store next door where the library expanded in 2008 and dedicated that space for children’s programs and materials.
“Having a place for children to come in and play is wonderful,” Shaw said.
She also has led the library in adding two large murals on the back side of the brick building. Tony Barry completed a mural about the community’s canal heritage last year, while Arthur Barnes painted a mural of Holley’s agricultural ties this summer. Shaw secured funding from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council for those projects.
Shaw said she is “happy and sad” as she nears the end of her career in the library.
“We have embraced children and history,” she said.
Sandra Shaw is shown in June 2022 getting ready for a book sale at the library, which also hosted an art show.
Tersha Choy, the library board president, said Shaw has been a great advocate for the library, meeting frequently with many community leaders to promote programs at the site. She secured grants from the state to replace the roof, air-conditioning and furnances.
She wanted the library accessible and comfortable for community members. During the Covid-19 pandemic when the library was closed to the public, Shaw and the library staff took requests from residents for books, and then had the books ready in the lobby for pickup.
“She has been the heartbeat of the library for more than 20 years,” Choy said. “She has kept the library alive through all sorts of challenges – through Covid and the ups and downs of the economy.”
The board has hired Amanda Anderson, a former clerk at the library, to succeed Shaw as the next director.
Barb Kerns, a long-time board member for the library, said Shaw pushed for the library to connect with the community, running a vibrant summer reading program, an active community Christmas party, and a wine-tasting event to raise money for the children’s program.
On Veterans Day, Shaw has welcomed about 100 people each year who wrote Christmas cards to veterans. That typically totaled about 500 cards.
“The big thing with her has been having the library serve the community,” Kerns said.
