Month: December 2019

Our Letters Policy

Posted 7 November 2020 at 7:00 am

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Posted 21 September 2020 at 7:00 am

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Scouts set 2,000 flags on veterans’ graves in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 May 2021 at 9:07 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Owen Monaghan, a Webelos Scout in Albion, sets a flag on a veteran’s grave at Mount Albion cemetery this morning.

A group of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts worked together setting about 2,000 flags on veterans’ graves at Mount Albion and also St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.

The American Legion provided the flags and the scouts put them on the graves in what is usually an annual tradition just before Memorial Day. However, the Scouts weren’t able to do it last year due to concerns about the spread of Covid-19.

JaiLi McPhatter, 9, was art of the scouting team this morning that set the flags at markers by the veterans’ graves.

These scouts include, from left: twin brothers Stryker and Colson Braley, and Jax Gotte.

Jeff Braley is the den leader for the group of scouts in the third and fourth grade. He said the group welcomes more members. There will be a signup in the fall. For more information about joining, contact Ben Metcalf, the cubmaster, at (585) 489-2969.

These flags were temporarily set on the grave of a Civil War soldier.

Big inning lifts B-B past Lyndonville

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 8 May 2021 at 7:49 pm

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville catcher Chloe Stinson goes after a pop foul during the Lady Tigers loss to visiting Byron-Bergen this afternoon.

One big scoring inning keyed Byron-Bergen to a narrow 6-5 win over host Lyndonville in a Genesee Region League softball game this afternoon.

Leading 1-0, Byron-Bergen erupted for five runs in the decisive third inning aided by four errors.

Lyndonville did rally for two runs in both the third and fourth innings and one in the seventh but could not pull even.

Briana Krisher had a key double in the third inning and Chloe Stinson a single in the fourth. She had two hits on the day. Ella Lewis singled in the seventh and came home on an error.

Lyndonville, which next hosts Attica on Monday, is now 1-2.

United Way has $500 scholarships for 10 Orleans County seniors

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 May 2021 at 7:46 pm

Organization giving out scholarships for first time for seniors with track record of community service

United Way of Orleans County has announced for the first time it is offering scholarships to students in Orleans County’s schools who meet certain criteria.

Dean Bellack, director of United Way of Orleans County, and its board acknowledge the past year has been one of the most successful in the agency’s history, and they are anxious to share the wealth in any way they can.

To this end, United Way has announced an annual scholarship award to each of the five schools in the county: Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina.

The scholarships will be made available to two students at each school – a male and female – who meet the criteria of participation in community service, being in good academic standing and having general good citizenship. Each scholarship will be for $500 and will be awarded when the student begins his or her college year.

Bellack went on to explain the importance of local donations, especially those given through payroll deductions.

While United Way may have been very fortunate during the past year to receive considerable funding from outside the county, payroll deductions and donations from the local community are vital to their mission of helping the area’s needy.

Workplace campaigns to promote employee giving took a big hit in 2020 due to Covid-19 either partially or totally shutting down company operations.

Bellack noted that Albion Central School employees, in particular, have been consistently successful with their workplace campaigns for the United Way.

Eric Christiansen, Albion High School psychologist and chair of the Counseling Department, has been a longtime proponent of United Way.

“This is the 30th year I’ve been here, and giving to United Way has always seemed to be a big part of the culture of Albion Central School,” Christiansen said. “Our leaders always felt it was important to support United Way.”

He said there seems to be someone each year willing to reach out to school employees, asking them to consider their donations to United Way.

“It’s one of the things I love about Albion Central School,” he said.

Christiansen said he was very pleased United Way is able to offer scholarships to students.

“We have a lot of our students who do community service and they don’t get recognized for it,” he said. “Some of them donate hundreds of hours in the community and they do it quietly. College is getting increasingly expensive and it’s nice to have an organization that wants to give to our students. Even a small scholarship adds up. I already have some great candidates in mind.”

Bellack added his thanks to Albion school teachers and all their staff for their consistent generosity.

“We are all better when we come together and contribute to our community,” he said.

The first scholarships will be announced at the end of the 2021 school year.

United Way funds nearly two dozen agencies and programs in Orleans County, which provide assistance to the homeless, seniors, the needy, handicapped, and more, and these scholarships are just a way to give to another segment of the population.

Alexander blanks Holley-Kendall

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 8 May 2021 at 7:44 pm

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Holley-Kendall’s Nick Mandigo dives for the ball in right field during the host Hawks loss to Alexander this afternoon.

Scoring three quick runs in the first inning, Alexander went on to defeat Holley-Kendall 5-0 this afternoon in a Genesee Region League baseball game at Holley

The Trojans later added a pair of insurance runs in the fifth frame on a single by Joshua Merrill and an error.

The Hawks managed just one hit off Alexander pitcher Gunnar Kania who struck out 10. Kania also had a double in the key first inning.

Now at 1-2, the Hawks next visit Pembroke on Monday.

Mustangs to host Trojans in Class C title game

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 8 May 2021 at 7:20 pm

It will be No. 2 seed Medina hosting No. 4 Southwestern in the Section VI Class C football championship game which is expected to be played at 7 p.m. Friday at Vets Park. The date and time is pending Section VI approval.

Medina earned the home field advantage for the title contest as Southwestern nipped top seeded Clymer/Sherman/Panama (CSP) 24-21 in the semifinals this afternoon at Clymer.

The Mustangs had romped to a 54-6 win over No. 3 Eden/North Collins in the other semifinal on Friday evening.

This will mark the third ever meeting between Medina and Southwestern. Both of the first two encounters were won by the Trojans in postseason action. The Trojans defeated the Mustangs 27-0 in the Section V Class B semifinals in 2005 at Southwestern and 37-20 in the Class B Consolation Bowl final in 2006 at Medina.

It also marks Medina’s fourth ever appearance in the sectional finals and the first since 1988. The Mustangs captured the championship in each of those previous three contests defeating Silver Creek 20-14 in 1980, Cassadaga Valley 26-7 in 1982 and rival Albion 14-7 in 1988.

NBC Sports highlights Oak Orchard, pilot fishing program with canal water

This screenshot from “On the Water” shows program publisher and host Chris Megan and Bill Sweitzer, marketing director for the Canal Corp., fishing in the Oak Orchard River. Megan caught a mammoth brown trout that day. The Oak Orchard benefited from a pilot program with canal water released into the tributary in November and December. That improved the water flows in the Oak Orchard and extended the fishing season.

Posted 8 May 2021 at 8:26 am

Press Release, NYS Canal Corp.

CARLTON – The New York State Canal Corporation on Friday announced the Reimagine the Canals initiative was recently featured on the NBC Sports program “On the Water: Angling Adventures.”

The television show highlighted the successful launch of a pilot program that strategically used water from the Erie Canal to enhance already renowned fishing opportunities in Western New York during the fall of 2020. The full episode can be seen by clicking here.

“The Reimagine the Canals initiative is making an outstanding positive impact on Western New York’s fishing communities and canalside businesses and we are thrilled that NBC Sports chose to showcase our recent pilot program that enhanced the angling experience along tributaries supplied by water from the Erie Canal,” said New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton.

Chris Megan holds a big brown trout he caught in the Oak Orchard River. He praised the fishing opportunities in the Oak.

“The Reimagine the Canals initiative, first announced by Governor Cuomo in his 2020 State of the State address, is committed to supporting many recreational opportunities along the Canal system to ensure it remains a driver of economic development and tourism across Upstate New York,” Stratton said.

Filmed last fall, the episode features the fishing experience on Oak Orchard Creek and Sandy Creek in Orleans and Monroe counties. Through the Reimagine the Canals program, the Canal Corporation increased regulated water releases into the two streams from September to early December last year.

As seen during the episode, the higher flows successfully enticed more brown trout, steelhead, and Atlantic and Pacific salmon populations to run up these streams, improving conditions for the fish and expanding opportunities for local and visiting anglers.

“The New York Canal system presents anglers with world class angling opportunities steeped in American history,” said Chris Megan, publisher and host of “On the Water.” “An engineering marvel, the Erie Canal has been in operation since 1825, opening the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River. Hand dug by immigrants and farmers and enlarged twice, its effect on commerce was dramatic. As an avid angler and history buff, I jumped at the opportunity to spend two days fishing Upstate New York.”

The episode also includes a look at the history of the waterway with canal historian Art Cohn, a boat trip through the Cayuga-Seneca Canal onto Seneca Lake to troll late season lake trout, and a visit to one of New York’s hidden fishing gems where anglers come from all over the world to target the common carp that swim in the Erie Canal’s lakes and locks.

Canal Corp. planting small trees, shrubs next to towpath

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 May 2021 at 8:10 am

Plantings were delayed a year due to Covid-19 restrictions

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – This line of about 125 shrubs was planted this week along the Erie Canal towpath in Albion. This section is just west of the Brown Street bridge.

The Canal Corp. had planned to have the shrubs and small trees planted last year but that was pushed back a year due to Covid-19 restrictions.

This is the same group of shrubs with the photo taken from the Brown Street bridge.

The Canal Corp. is planting numerous shrubs and small trees and is on schedule to have all of the plantings done by May 31, with stakes and mulch, a spokesman for the Canal Corp. said on Friday.

The Canal Corp. also is developing a plan to water the new plantings through the summer months, the spokesman said.

The new plantings are part of a vegetative management plan for the canal’s banks. The Canal Corp. in 2017 hired a company, Mohawk Valley Materials from Utica, to cut down trees next to the towpath. This photo from November 2017 shows how the section looked near the Brown Street bridge.

The Canal Corp. has since removed the trees, stumps, given the banks a smoother shape and planted grass. The Canal Corp. took down trees on 145 acres between Medina and Fairport.

The new shrubs and trees provide a vegetative screening and don’t compromise the bank’s integrity, like the larger trees with their burrowing root systems.

Here are some of the small trees and shrubs planted near the bottom of the embankment next to Sandy Creek in Albion.

These photos show the trees and shrubs in Albion earlier this week before they were planted. They were on Canal Corp. property between the Main Street and Ingersoll Street lift bridges.

Rose sale marks fundraising return for Albion Lions Club

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 May 2021 at 6:54 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Lions Club is back raising money after Covid-19 wiped up its fundraisers last year, including the annual Mother’s Day rose sale.

That fundraiser returned this year and the club sold 250 dozen roses. These four Lions Club members – from left Jake Stinson, Lloyd Wright, Club President Dan Conrad and Ron Albertson – stopped by Wright’s garage on Friday to organize the flowers which were all pre-sold.

The club in the past used to sell 340 dozen, with the late John Keding selling close to 100 from his auto repair shop on East Avenue. Keding passed away at age 85 on Jan. 18.

The Lions Club currently has about 25 members. Wright, the long-time treasurer, said the flowers are a popular item and he expects the club will sell 300 dozen next year.

The sales help the Lions fund scholarships, support a local Little League team and other community efforts.

Wright said the club lost momentum last year in Covid, and couldn’t even meet in person for several months. But the group is reinvigorated in 2021.

It is next planning to be part of a craft fair with food vendors on June 12 to support COVA. Several food, and arts and craft vendors will be part of the event, which will help fill a void with the Strawberry Festival cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions on large crowd sizes.

The Lions Club will be selling Italian sausage meals with peppers, onion, chips and a bottle of water. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 12 at Arnold Gregory complex parking lot on South Main Street, behind COVA. The food will be served drive-by, takeout only. Law enforcement officers can stop by and get a free meal from the Lions Club that day.

Mustangs stampede past Raiders in semifinal

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 7 May 2021 at 9:53 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Brian Fry makes a nifty one handed pass interception during the Mustangs sectional final win over Eden/North Collins this evening at Vets Park as Dontae Rhim helps block.

A lightning quick touchdown in the opening seconds ignited No. 2 seed Medina to a 54-6 romp over No. 3 Eden/North Collins in the Section VI Class C semifinals this evening at Vets Park.

It took just two snaps for Medina to get on the scoreboard as Brian Fry swept around end for a 42 yard touchdown run and then tacked on the two-point conversion carry for a 8-0 lead just 43 seconds into the game.

The Mustangs defense then got the ball right back for the offense just two plays later via an interception by Hayden Woodroe at the Eden/North Collins 46.

Medina’s Hayden Woodroe hauls in an interception in front of Eden/North Collins’s Quinn Harrington.

It took just four plays for the Mustang offense to capitalize as a 15 yard run by Corey Saj helped set up a 21 yard touchdown run by Fry who again added the two-point conversion carry to make it 16-0 just 3:32 into the game.

“We had a great week of practice and we came out of the gate strong and played down hill all evening,” said Medina Coach Eric Valley whose Mustangs have advanced to the sectional finals for the first time in 33 years. ” “I’m just really excited for all of them. This is a spring football season and a trip to the sectional finals that they will never forget.”

The Medina advantage soared to 32-0 before the game was 10 minutes old as quarterback Xander Payne hooked up with Tyler Chinn for a 47 yard touchdown pass with 3:48 to go in the quarter and then Chinn returned a pass interception 46 yards for a TD just 52 seconds later. Fry passed to Joe Cecchini for the two-point conversion after the first TD and then ran for the two-pointer himself after the second score.

The Medina lead ballooned to 47-3 at the half as the Mustangs scored two second quarter touchdowns on quick one play drives.

First, Fry broke free for a 61 yard TD run and then Payne completed a 48 yard TD pass to Jarin Rhim. An interception by Chinn at the Eden 46 set up that opportunity. Fry added the two-point conversion run after the first TD and Cole Seefeldt kicked the extra point in the second.

Medina defenders Jarin Rhim (4) and Joe Cecchini (3) strip the ball from Raiders quarterback CJ Sroda.

In all it took the Mustangs a total of only nine snaps to complete the five first half scoring drives.

Medina’s lone second half touchdown came on a one yard run by Saj with 2:56 to go in the third quarter as Seefeldt again added the PAT kick to make it 54-3. Chinn had a 20 yard run and Saj carries of 18 and 26 yard to highlight the drive.

Fry capped off the strong effort by the Mustangs defensive unit with a nifty one handed interception in the fourth quarter.

The Raiders only points came on a pair of field goals by Paul Winiecki of 33 yards in the first quarter and 37 yards in the fourth quarter.

Medina will now face the winner of Saturday’s semifinal between No. 4 Southwestern and No. 1 Clymer/Sherman/Panama in the Class C title contest next weekend.

Medina’s last sectional title appearance came in 1988 when the Mustangs edged past rival Albion 14-7 at then Rich Stadium.

Medina’s Tyler Chinn runs through Raider defenders Jacob Souder and Hunter Stetz for good yardage.

Medina’s Dominic Larabee works to advance the ball near the goal line.

Cole Seefeldt connects on one of his two extra point kicks. The holder is Brian Fry.

Jacobs says Jobs Report shows Biden policies discouraging work

Posted 7 May 2021 at 8:50 pm

Press Congressman Chris Jacobs

ORCHARD PARK – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) released the following statement after it was reported the April Jobs Report fell drastically below projections.

The jobs report released this morning shows the economy only added 266,000 jobs, falling short of the almost one million projected to be added. Yesterday, the Buffalo News reported local restaurants and retailers are struggling to find employees, and as a result are being forced to limit service, turn away customers, and suffering financially.

“Today’s jobs report shows what we’ve known for months – the President’s policies have disincentivized work and slowed our recovery from the pandemic.

“Despite hearing in February that our economy would rebound without further government intervention, the President and congressional Democrats forced through a massive spending package with hundreds of billions of dollars for programs that make it more lucrative for Americans to stay home than to seek employment.

“Now we see the effects of this bad policymaking – Western New York businesses are turning away customers because they cannot find employees. With vaccines rolling out and lockdowns lifting, our focus must be on getting Americans back to work and supporting our economic comeback.”

Lyndonville announces Top 10 grads for 2021

Posted 7 May 2021 at 8:33 pm

Press Release, Lyndonville Central School

LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville Central School District is proud to announce the Top 10 Seniors from the Class of 2021. This recognition reflects the weighted cumulative grade point average of the students throughout their high school careers, including the first through third marking periods of their senior year.

Nathan Dillenbeck is the valedictorian, and Alexander Barry is the class salutatorian.

The remaining students are listed alphabetically: Olivia Braley, Lynlee Hong, Dylan Jisa, Erin Kiefer, Emma Maynard, Zayda Moyle, Cameron Paniccia and Sydney Wilson.

“We are proud to honor the hard work and perseverance of these scholars, particularly given the challenges of the past school year,” said Lyndonville Middle-High School Principal Aaron Slack. “Saluting our Top Ten graduates has been a proud school tradition for over three decades, and this group is more than worthy to take their place among our school’s highest achieving graduates.”

Please join us in congratulating these dedicated scholars.

Health Department will shift to Covid updates twice a week

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 May 2021 at 5:48 pm

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments announced today that it will be shifting from weekday Covid-19 updates to providing those numbers twice a week, on Tuesday and Friday afternoons starting May 11.

“Along with the increased relaxation of the Covid-19 restrictions, GO Health will only be reporting 2 days a week on Tuesdays and Fridays starting next week,” the GO Health Departments said in a notice to the media.

Tuesday’s briefing will include data from Friday afternoon through Tuesday morning. Friday’s briefing will include data from Tuesday afternoon through Friday morning.

The GO Health Departments are also changing the data it will be reporting to what it said is the most relevant information. This will include:

Total positive cases by county. “We will no longer be breaking down into zones as Covid is everywhere,” the departments said.
Total active cases (those who are in mandatory isolation)
Ages of new positive individuals will be in the narrative only (the chart will be on the GO Health websites)
Total number of 1 dose vaccinations and percentage of the population per county from the Finger Lakes COVID-19 Vaccine Hub (data updated weekly).
Total number of completed vaccine series and percentage of the population per county from the Finger Lakes COVID-19 Vaccine Hub (data updated weekly).
Total fatalities will be reported only on Fridays from the NYS data tracker.

The age breakdown and community exposure graphs (only when there is a potential exposure) will be on the GO Health websites. The mapping link will continue to be updated, but on a bi-weekly basis to coordinate with the briefings. The briefs will continue to include any updates as well as the community links.

The GO Health Departments will send updates, press releases and hold live zoom press briefings as situations warrant.

New Covid cases include 8 in Orleans, 14 in Genesee

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 May 2021 at 4:54 pm

Cases past 7 days down slightly from totals in recent weeks

There are 22 new confirmed cases in Orleans and Genesee counties reported today, which brings the total for the two counties during the past 14 months of the pandemic to 8,131. That includes 2,970 in Orleans and 5,161 in Genesee.

In Orleans County today there are 8 new positive cases and those are in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby) and Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s and 40s.

Orleans is reporting 12 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are currently 2 Orleans County residents hospitalized due to Covid. The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said.

In Genesee County there are 14 new positive cases and they are in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.

Genesee is reporting 10 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are 5 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.

• 7-day totals: The number of new cases the past seven days totaled 157, with 84 in Genesee and 73 in Orleans. That 157 is down slightly from the totals in recent weeks which includes 164 the seven days ending April 30, 187 the seven days ending April 23, 180 the seven days ending April 16, and 186 the seven days ending April 9.

• Active cases: There are currently 151 active cases in the two counties – 69 in Genesee and 82 in Orleans. That is down from 163 a week ago when there were 163 – 69 in Genesee and 94 in Orleans.

Lyndonville flushing water mains and hydrants next week

Posted 7 May 2021 at 2:42 pm

Press Release, Lyndonville Village Office

LYNDONVILLE – The Village of Lyndonville will be flushing all water mains and hydrants from May 10 to May 14.

Flushing will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. each day. No disruption of service should occur. This may cause discolored water for a period of time.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and we thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the fire hydrant flushing, please contact Terry M. Woodworth – Supt. of Public Works at 585-765-9312 or Teri M. Woodworth – Clerk-Treasurer at 585-765-9385.