Month: November 2020
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Scouts from Medina fill 32 bags with trash in cleanup effort
Provided photos from Jessica Carpenter
MEDINA – Girl Scouts from Troops 82094 & 82096 in Medina were part of an Earth Day cleanup on Saturday morning and they filled 32 bags with trash.
They picked up litter and debris from the ditches of Route 31 and Bates Road near Brunner’s. They also picked up trash at Boxwood Cemetery and along the canal from Bates Road to Horan Road.
The Troops thanked the Girl Scouts for getting rid of so much litter and Jennifer Hughes for organizing the cleanup.
Scouts tackle trash along canal in Holley
Photos courtesy of Jessica Greean, Troop Leader for Girl Scout Troop 60916
HOLLEY – There were about 20 young scouts out Saturday morning picking up litter along the Erie Canal in Holley. The Girl Scouts from Troop 60916, and Lion, Tiger, Wolf and Bear Scouts in Cub Pack 62 as well as Webelos braved the windy and chilly temperatures to help clean up the area.
The top photo shows them by murals created by artist Stacey Kirby Steward near the canal gazebo.
Gabriella Greean, a Brownie Scout, was among the scouts on cleanup duty.
These “Scout Dads” include, from left: Zach Reed, Jason Greean, Sam Hackenberg, John Schneider, Adam Wallenhorst and Michael Restivo.
From left include Kelsie Reed, Katie Applegate, Katie Wallenhorst and Parker Wallenhorst.
The group gathers at the canal gazebo in Holley. The effort was part of the annual “Canal Clean Sweep” along the canal system in New York State. There were more than 150 cleanup events along the canal system, including several in Orleans County.
Refill with Randy – Bullying caused long-term scars but healing, reconciliation brought freedom from hurt
By Randy LeBaron
In just a couple days I will be turning 50 years old and I have the receding hairline, white whiskers, and protruding waistline to prove it.
I am a husband and a father of four. I am a pastor, a counselor, and a chaplain. I have several degrees and have started my own ministry. I have accomplished many things which you might think would help one’s self-esteem and yet, for most of my life, I have found myself feeling inadequate—unable to see myself through any other eyes than those who had bullied and abused me as a child.
I know that I typically share more lighthearted fare on here but I felt led to write about this today because I am fairly certain that I am not the only one who is living with unseen scars or who has heard the old adage, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” and realized how untrue it is.
The reality is that the emotional scars that a person carries from a tormented childhood may not be visible in the same sense as other physical wounds, yet they are often the hardest to overcome because the wound hasn’t closed; the words have cut too deep; down to the core—down to a person’s very character.
There is a man in the Bible named Gideon that I can relate to. You may remember him as the guy who who tested God by putting a fleece outside and asking God to make the ground wet with dew while leaving the fleece dry and then asking Him to do the opposite the next night. Anyway, the thing that often sticks out to me is how God addresses Gideon during their first encounter when he appears and says, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”(Judges 6:12b)
The reason why I find this so interesting is because just a few verses later we find out that Gideon’s view of himself is almost the complete opposite. When God tells Gideon that He wants to use him to save Israel from their enemies Gideon responds that he is the weakest man from the weakest clan.
I get it. I get why Gideon had a hard time seeing what God saw in him. Just as God called him a mighty warrior long before he actually grew into that title others had probably called him by other names that had already shaped his identity and caused him to focus on what he could not do or what he would not become. I get it.
As I stated earlier, I am about to hit the half century mark and have actively lived out God’s call on my life for over three decades now but still, no matter how many times I am addressed as Pastor or Leader, I will often find myself feeling like I am back in the body of my 8-year-old self; listening to my father explain why he never wanted me and that I was not worth the effort for him to be a dad again, or when I was 10 years old just waiting to get off the bus so that I could burst into tears over the hurtful words heaped onto me without further humiliation, or beginning middle school and realizing that even though it was supposed to be a fresh start that I was still the odd man out (no thanks to my speech problems or alternative sense of style), or in high school when I would try to find any excuse to avoid the rest room (or school all together) because of the constant array of verbal, emotional, and physical attacks that I had to endure on a daily basis.
People often wonder about my fascination with Batman (I am a big fan and avid collector for those who didn’t know) but why wouldn’t I relate to a boy who had his childhood torn away from him because of the ruthless actions of others and, rather than dwelling on that feeling of helplessness, took control of the situation and chose to become a symbol and to stand up for those who could not stand up for themselves? The irony is that even in becoming “The Batman” Bruce Wayne was still just a scared little boy trying to overcome his fears by becoming fear itself to those who would prey on the weak. I get it.
The fact is that I AM a pastor. I AM a leader. I AM a husband. I AM a father. I AM a friend. But I am also that wounded young boy that longs to be accepted, affirmed, acknowledged, and appreciated, not because of anything I have done but simply because of who I am and who I was created to be. The scars are still there but the healing has begun.
Thanks to The Lord names like “Mighty Warrior” and “Pastor” seem more suitable than weakest or worthless. And, for anyone out there reading this while mentally replaying the names others have given to you, I want to remind you that you are so much more. I would say to you what I would have loved to have been able to go back and say to my my younger, scrawnier, insecure, blue-haired, pierced, speech impaired, skateboard loving self. I would say things like, “Do not allow others to define who you are, how you feel, or who you will become, by their derogatory remarks”, “Do not treat others the way that they treat you but rather how you would want to be treated”, and “Do not give up because your potential and your purpose will outshine anything that you are dealing with in the present or that you have carried with you from your past.”
Thankfully, though it took me much longer to learn these lessons on my own, I can say that I have not only found healing from my past but that I now experience hope and peace in the present. I have had the opportunity to reconnect and reconcile with some of my high school bullies on Facebook and I also became the primary caregiver for my father, who was probably the bully who left me with the most scars, which led to me having the unique privilege of being his pastor and praying with him to be set free from his own past hurts. It was then I finally started to see myself through God’s eyes. I hope that you will begin to see the real you today, too.
See you in two weeks!
Pastor Randy
Many details missing on district court proposal, including price tag
Editor:
The Orleans County Legislature is proposing a district court to all but replace the local courts in the towns of Orleans County.
The Legislature convened a committee that produced a 36-page proposal in favor of a district court. The Legislature has been holding meetings to present this document in its various forms. The document has been edited, I believe, three times and will continue to do so up to the election. In reading the document there are several issues that need to be addressed before voting on the measure.
The Legislature has not come up with a price tag for a district court. What I’ve seen in emails from Legislators and the Chairwoman of the Legislature, the project, if approved, is still 3-4 years down the road. A lot can happen in 3-4 years. How can the legislators expect the public to vote for the measure without knowing what it will cost the taxpayers.
Second, for many years, all of our local courts have taken advantage of state-funded grant opportunities, securing funding through the Justice Court Assistance Program (JCAP). JCAP grants are exclusive to courts and are used to make both interior and exterior capital improvements that benefit both the court and the town buildings that host them, with a focus on ADA compliance.
The improvement projects funded by JCAP benefit not only the courts, but also anyone working in the town halls or residents who visit them. Many of the projects approved for state-funded JCAP dollars would not have been possible without the efforts of the local courts in securing these state grants.
Some examples of projects funded by JCAP include major interior and exterior building renovations, replacement generators and septic systems, new doors, renovation of office space, computer servers, security cameras, metal detectors, defibrillators, updated furniture including courtroom/boardroom seating, hearing assistive devices, and televisions for the courtroom that are also used for board meetings, just to name a few.
JCAP funds are available to towns with local courts. What happens to those funds to the towns if the County takes the courts out of local hands? Will they be taking those funds from each town as well? These, and several other questions, need to be answered before anyone should consider voting for a district court.
Sincerely,
Wendi Pencille
Shelby
Medina will plant nearly 70 trees for Arbor Day on Friday
Press Release, Village of Medina Municipal Tree Board
![](https://orleanshub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/042024_ArborDay.jpg)
Provided photos: Students from Oak Orchard School in Medina celebrate Arbor Day Medina in 2023. The students will again help plant Arbor Day trees on Friday.
MEDINA – April in the Village of Medina means it will soon be Arbor Day and once again, Medina will be celebrating in a big way.
Arbor Day, observed nationally on the last Friday of April, falls on April 26 this year.
“Sixty-nine trees in all will be planted this year,” said Chris Busch, Medina’s Forestry Coordinator. “Forty-four trees will be planted on North Avenue, South Avenue, West Avenue, Park Avenue and State St. Park, with 25 hardwood seedlings going in Boxwood Cemetery.”
Medina’s observance will be held on the east end, south side of North Avenue at West Avenue in the village (kitty-corner from Lee-Whedon Memorial Library). The east end of North Avenue will be briefly closed for the occasion.
Barring a rainy day, this year’s celebration will include the reading of the Arbor Day Proclamation by Mayor Marguerite Sherman, and enthusiastic participation by the 2nd and 3rd graders from Medina Central School. The Oak Orchard Glee Club will also be performing on stage.
“We’d like to give a huge ‘thank you’ to Superintendent Mark Kruzynski for Medina CSD’s continued participation in our annual Arbor Day Celebration and for providing Mrs. Andrea Busch as a school-based resource,” said Mary Lewis, Tree Board chairwoman. “We’re so grateful! The schools have been a colossal part of Medina’s Arbor Day tradition for over fifteen years!”
The Tree Board’s focus has been a three-pronged approach for several years: Main arteries and Central Business District area, parks, and high-need residential areas.
“The need for plantings in all of these areas continues,” said Mary Lewis, Medina’s Tree Board Chair. “Plantings from previous years are maturing and are making a real visual impact in the streetscape. The new trees we’ve been planting in our parks are truly improving those areas, and we’re beginning to make headway on our neighborhoods. There’s still so much to be done and I wish we could do more.”
Volumes of research on the impact of street trees show numerous benefits, including increase property values, slower/ safer traffic patterns, lower urban air temperatures, and absorption of harmful pollution. Recent research also indicates tree-lined streets in neighborhoods result in – among other things – lower blood pressure and improvement to overall emotional and psychological health.
“Tree-lined streets really do have an incredibly huge impact on many levels,” Lewis said. “There are many legitimate studies that bear this out. The benefits from investing in street trees are many and tangible. We hear this constantly from citizens throughout the year about how much they appreciate the beauty of our tree-lined streets. It’s very gratifying.”
Arbor Day 2024 will mark the 17th year Medina’s urban forestry program has been a participant in the Tree City USA program of the National Arbor Day Foundation. The annual Tree City award honors Medina’s commitment to community forestry.
The Tree City USA Program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters, and the USDA Forest Service. Tree City USA is awarded annually to those communities who qualify and is a national designation.
Medina’s Municipal Tree Ordinance and Arbor Day Celebration have been a model for several other communities looking to establish a board and planting program. Medina receives many inquiries for assistance and advice every year from municipalities across the state.
“In recent years, approximately 40 to 50 trees are inspected and recommended for removal. Each year we replace approximately the same number of trees in the community,” Busch said. “We’re keeping pace, but there is much more work to be done throughout the village.”
Busch continued, “We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Jason Watts, DPW Superintendent and his expert tree crew. They do it all with a high degree of professionalism and care– plant, prune, maintain and remove. They genuinely care about our village trees and we’re incredibly lucky to have them.”
The village maintains a policy of diversity in its urban forest plantings. Species to be planted this year include Honey Locust, Zelkova, Katsura, Crab apple, American Hornbeam, Serviceberry, and varieties of Maple.
![](https://orleanshub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/042024_ADay4.jpg)
(Left) Tilia mongolica “Harvest Gold” linden is of the many varieties being planted in Medina this Arbor Day. 40’ x 30’ at maturity, this tree’s name is inspired by a mantle of bright golden yellow leaves in autumn. (Right) The familiar Arbor Day signs in Medina mark the sites where the celebration will be observed.
Boxwood Cemetery trees will employ an entirely different focus and method of planting.
“Boxwood Cemetery is 175 years old and presents several difficult challenges for maintaining, removing and planting trees,” said Busch. “The old section on the hill in particular is a challenge on many levels. Most of the trees are very old. They were planted when the cemetery was new and space was still available. Now, those trees are at the end of their lives, are quite large, and are situated among numerous old graves and monuments. Their removal requires a great deal of care and specialized skill.”
“Many trees have been removed with more on the list to go, so we had to devise a workable, minimally intrusive plan to install trees for erosion control and soil stability,” said Busch. “After much research and deliberation, we’ve decided to utilize hardwood seedlings and grow tubes. This will allow us to reforest these difficult sections in a way that will result in an appropriate tree placed exactly where we want it in a minimally invasive manner. And, it’s relatively inexpensive by comparison.”
Busch explains the seedlings to be used were sourced from a hardwood nursery in Wisconsin and reflect many of the original species used in the historic cemetery. Further, the grow tubes will not only protect the trees from harsh conditions and deer browse, but will also greatly accelerate the growth, up to 4-5x.
Species include Shagbark hickory, Sugar maple, Red oak, and White oak, all species currently in the historic landmark cemetery.
“For this application, we believe it’s a good solution.”
Mary Lewis emphasized that while the village makes great progress each year, there is still much more work to be done throughout the village and Boxwood. With increasing costs and limited funding, the task is daunting, but they’ll rise to meet the challenge.
“Municipal budgets are tight and getting tighter. The cost of trees from growers has seen double-digit percentage increases in the last nine years and that’s a huge challenge,” said Lewis. “Each year we remove 40+ trees that are dead, dying and hazardous. The good news is we replace those trees with new, more beneficial and desirable cultivars. It’s an investment worth making.”
Busch states that the science of street trees and urban forestry has progressed and developed tremendously in the last 40 years with a greater understanding of new cultivars developed specifically for urban use.
“At the turn of the nineteenth century when most of our village forest was planted, there was little choice for a street tree– elms and oaks were the more expensive option, and Silver maple was the cheaper option,” Busch explained. Municipalities were interested in large, fast-growing trees that created beautiful tree-lined streets. They had little knowledge of any unintended consequences and infrastructure was different.”
Busch further explained that despite looking very nice, those trees caused big problems.
“One hundred years later, these Silver maples are massive at nearly 70-plus feet and create numerous issues with infrastructure, safety and utilities. Today, thanks to extensive research and purpose-driven breeding, there are literally hundreds of cultivars in every shape and size for use in a variety of urban conditions. We take into consideration the limitations and conditions on every site, and select the right tree for the right spot. This insures a much healthier and desirable village forest.”
Lewis states, “Thankfully, the village has been consistently supportive of our efforts to reforest the village utilizing new urban forestry knowledge, and we’re grateful for it. Additional critical funds have come from an extremely generous community in donating money for trees, both as memorials and general plantings. People in Medina have really embraced our efforts and see the importance of trees in the village. They truly enjoy the aesthetic impact they have on our streets and neighborhoods.”
Lewis went on, “We’re incredibly grateful for the on-going financial support we receive through ReLeaf Medina. Without the generosity of the community, citizens and businesses, we wouldn’t be able to do it. It really does take an entire community to accomplish what we do.”
According to Lewis, tax-deductible donations can be made anytime for general tree planting, memorial trees or for “trees on your street”. Additional information can be obtained at the Village Clerk’s Office or by downloading the ReLeaf brochure online at villagemedina.org, or by contacting Lewis at mlewis.villagemedina@gmail.com.
“Financial support in the form of gifts and donations from the public and businesses are critical,” said Lewis. “We’re so appreciative of the support which is vital for the future. We encourage citizens to continue their support and urge corporations to consider becoming an annual corporate sponsor. Our tree-lined streets are definitely a contributing factor in people’s decision to locate their family or business in Medina and their donations play a huge role in making our efforts possible.”
Kendall sweeps diamond twin bill from Elba
![](https://orleanshub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/042024_CW_Kendall-baseball.jpg)
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Nic Cole delivers a pitch during the first game of the Eagles doubleheader sweep over visiting Elba today.
Kendall swept to a pair of windy shutout victories over visiting Elba by scores of 8-0 and 10-0 in Genesee Region League baseball action today.
Nic Cole picked up the win on the mound for the Eagles in the opener allowing just 1 hit and striking out 8 over five and one-third innings. Louis Conte came on to hurl the final inning and two-thirds giving up no hits and striking out 2.
Vinnie D’Agostino, Colby Hughes, Louis Conte and Sammy Conte each had 2 hits and Jonny Conte drove in 3 runs to lead the Eagles at the plate.
Kendall wasted no time in taking the lead for good as the Eagles scored three times in the first inning capped off by a two-run single by Nate Shaw.
In the second game, Louis Conte pitched the first 4 innings allowing 3 hits and striking out 4. Jimmie Swift finished up allowing no hits with 1 strikeout over the final two frames. Louis Conte and Swift also each banged out a pair of hits.
Kendall moved on top to stay by scoring three runs in the second inning on a sacrifice fly. a fielders choice play and a single by Vinnie D’Agostino.
The Eagles improve to 3-1 in G-R competition,
![](https://orleanshub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/042024_CW_Kendall-baseball-2.jpg)
Kendall’s Colby Hughes slides into second base as Elba’s Nicholas Scott awaits the throw.
Purple Eagles edge Bees in 8 innings
![](https://orleanshub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/042024_CW_Albion-baseball.jpg)
Photo by Cheryl Wertman = Albion’s Andrew Boyce reaches to put the tag on Byron-Bergen’s Martin McConnell during the Purple Eagles extra inning win over the visiting Bees today.
Snapping a season opening five game losing streak, Albion pushed across a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to nip visiting Byron-Bergen 11-10 in a non league contest today.
A fielders choice play off the bat of Elliott Trapiss plated the winning run for the Purple Eagles as a walk, a sacrifice bunt by Lucas Powley and a hit by pitch set up the threat.
Albion had rallied into a 10-10 tie by scoring twice in the bottom of the seventh on a two-run double by Andrew Boyce.
The Purple Eagles held an 8-6 lead in the sixth after picking up a pair of runs on fielders choice plays. However, Byron-Bergen answered with four runs in the top of the seventh to take the lead for the last time at 10-8 as Martin McConnell tripled and Tyler Chapman singled. McConnell finished with 3 hits and Chapman 2.
Nate Gibson and Josh Bovenzi had 3 hits on the day for Albion as Kaiden Froman and Jack Kinter each had 2.
Big inning keys Wilson past Albion in softball
Leading by a narrow 2-1 margin, Wilson erupted for six runs in the fourth inning to key a 12-5 win over host Albion in a Niagara-Orleans League softball game this afternoon.
A triple by Cait Cliffe ignited Wilson’s big inning which also included a run producing double by Abbie Faery and an RBI single by Aleena Adamczyk.
Lucy Madan finished with 3 hits for Wilson as Adamczyk, Cliffe and Peyton McInnis each had 2. Madan and Adamczyk also both had triples while Cliff and McInnis had doubles.
Kenzi Snook had a triple and a home run for Albion which also got a pair of hits from Alana Irvine.
Wilson is now 3-2 and Albion 2-2 in N-O action.
2 friends, Thom Jennings and Jack Burris, share wisdom and wit in new podcast
![](https://orleanshub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/042024_JenningsBurris.jpg)
Provided photo: Thom Jennings, left, and Jack Burris share their thoughts in a weekly podcast, “What to Do with Your Old Explicit Content.”
Two people who say they are unlikely friends, Thom Jennings and Jack Burris, have joined in a podcast where they share their wisdom and wit in touching on a range of topics, from saying goodbye to a beloved family dog to dissecting the intricacies of love and betrayal in romantic relationships.
Jennings and Burris team in a podcast they call “What to Do with Your Old Explicit Content.” It is available on Caronia Media Podcast Network.
Jennings, a former Albion resident who now lives in Oakfield, is a special education teacher in Buffalo and music writer. He was inducted into the Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame Class in 2023.
Burris owns Burris Cleaning and is the founder of the Hands 4 Hope Street Ministry.
Jennings said his perspective is molded by the school of hard knocks while Burris brings a deeply introspective and religious soul.
“We may not have all the answers, but we know how to spin a yarn and share a chuckle,” Jennings said. “Join us on this journey as we tackle life’s conundrums with a twinkle in our eyes and a touch of irreverence.”
Each week, the two share their unique perspectives on life’s challenges, accompanied by stories from their own lives. Listeners can expect an engaging blend of wisdom, humor, and storytelling that promises to entertain and enlighten.
“What to Do with Your Old Explicit Content” is now available for streaming on the Caronia Media Podcast Network and is available on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and Spotify.
Highs will be around 50 for most of next few days
It’s going to be spring-like weather this week with high temperatures generally around 50 degrees.
Today there will be some scattered showers before 11 a.m. and the partly sunny with a high near 48, the National Weather Service in Buffalo said.
Then the highs will be 51 and mostly sunny on Sunday, 51 and sunny on Monday, 63 with a chance of showers on Tuesday, 49 and mostly cloudy on Wednesday, and 48 and mostly sunny on Thursday.
Many feel anxiety, face tough choices when rents rise with housing
Editor:
The Community Coalition for Social Justice met Tuesday, April16th and heard an impassioned presentation from Nyla Gaylord about homelessness in Orleans County.
An important factor in this largely unrecognized issue is that people on fixed incomes have little recourse for dealing with the reality of ever-increasing rents. Lower income tenants expect rents to increase and experience anxiety in anticipation of it happening.
As a low-income renter you may be forced to decide between spending your limited resources on food, clothing, transportation, or heat—on the one hand—and shelter on the other.
Property owners attempting to meet the expectations of a code enforcement officer, as well as satisfy people interested in making their community more attractive to prospective residents and business people, are up against it as well. If they put effort and money into addressing problems, and need a short-term payback, their rents and selling prices must rise. Homeowners who take good care of their properties also have their hands full.
The Community Coalition for Social Justice believes that viewing such matters as a short-term issue jeopardizes our community’s prosperity and health long-term. We believe showing restraint whenever possible and taking the long view is ordinarily better for all concerned.
In short, the Community Coalition is convinced that what happens to the less fortunate does make a difference to all of us.
Sincerely,
Gary Kent – on behalf of the Community Coalition for Social Justice Committee
Albion
Rams nip Mustangs in key early N-O contest
![](https://orleanshub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/041924_CW_Baseball-1.jpg)
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Julian Woodworth dives back to first base just ahead of the throw to Roy-Hart first baseman Rem Albee during the Mustangs 3-2 loss to the Rams at Vets Park this evening.
Coming from behind twice, Roy-Hart nipped Medina 3-2 in a key early season Niagara-Orleans League baseball game at Vets Park this evening.
The Rams scored what proved to be the winning run in the top of the fifth inning as Evan Poeller singled and came home on a double by Dawson Draper snapping a 2-2 tie.
Earlier, Medina grabbed slender leads of 1-0 and 2-1 but both times Roy-Hart answered right back with the equalizer.
The Mustangs scored once in the second as Preston Woodworth doubled and came home on a single by Carter Woodworth and once in the third on a sacrifice fly by Richard Keppler after an error and two walks had loaded the bases.
The Rams though answered right back both times scoring once in the third as Jake Gould doubled and came home on a fielders choice play off the bat of Ethan Kuzma and once in the fourth as Isaac Smith tripled and came in on a passed ball.
Draper pitched the first four innings for Roy-Hart allowing 3 hits and striking out 3. Kuzma came on to hurl the final three frames giving up no hits and fanning 7.
Julian Woodworth likewise pitched the first four innings for Medina giving up 3 hits and striking out 4. Aidan Papaj hurled the final three frames allowing 2 hits with a pair of strikeouts.
The contest was the N-O opener for Medina while Roy-Hart is 2-1 in league competition.
The Mustangs and Rams will meet again Monday on Roy-Hart’s Gasport diamond at 4:45 p.m.
![](https://orleanshub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/041924_CW_Baseball-2.jpg)
Roy-Hart’s Evan Poeller dives back to third base before Medina’s Carter Woodworth can apply the tag.
Newfane 13, Barker 0
Brayden Seitz hurled a 2 hitter with 8 strikeouts as Newfane blanked Barker 13-0 in another N-O contest.
Ben Dickinson added 3 hits including a double and Aiden Perry a triple and 3 RBI.
Newfane is now 3-0 and Barker 0-3 in N-O action.
The Wilson vs. Akron game was postponed.
Pembroke 10, Albion 6
Pembroke downed Albion 10-6 in a non league contest.
All of Albion’s runs came in the first inning highlighted by a two-run single by Lucas Powley and an RBI single by Nate Gibson.
Pembroke’s comeback was led by doubles by Landen Santini, Anthony Abbatiello, Jayden Bridge, Trey Newton, Kylan Ball and Jacob Johnson.
Lockport woman charged with murdering Olcott man in Town of Alabama
![](https://orleanshub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/041924_MichaelPoole.jpg)
Michael G. Poole
TOWN OF ALABAMA – A Lockport woman has been charged with second-degree murder of an Olcott man whose body was discovered on March 19 in the Town of Alabama in Genesee County.
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office announced tonight that Kathryn A. Henry, aka “Kat”, 33 has been charged with second-degree for her alleged involvement in the death of Michael G. Poole of Olcott. Poole was 59.
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office said Henry conspired with another person, intentionally causing the death of Poole and then took subsequent steps to conceal his body.
Henry is also charged with assault in the 1st degree, concealment of a human corpse, hindering a prosecution in the 1st degree, tampering with physical evidence, conspiracy in 2nd degree, and conspiracy in 4th degree.
Henry was arraigned and remanded to the custody of the Genesee County Jail where she is being held without bail.
Charges are expected to be forthcoming for another involved person, who is in custody on another matter, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The investigation is continuing.
Law enforcement in Orleans focusing on impaired driving this weekend
Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke said there will be an increased focus this weekend on impaired driving in Orleans County.
“The ‘4/20’ marijuana culture celebration is a deadly period for impaired driving,” Bourke said. “In a combined effort to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives, law enforcement officers across New York State and STOP-DWI programs will be participating in special engagement efforts.”
The 4/20 STOP-DWI Impaired Driving High Visibility Engagement Campaign runs from today through Sunday.
Local Emergency Planning Committee scheduled for May 16
Press Release, Orleans County Emergency Management
ALBION – The next meeting of the Orleans County Local Emergency Planning Committee will be held on Thursday May 16 at 1 p.m. at the Hoag Library, 134 S Main St. The meeting is open to the public.
The LEPC is charged with developing a Hazardous Materials Response Plan and providing information about potentially hazardous chemicals that may be stored in our community. As part of their role, the LEPC reviews this plan, and the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, annually and makes updates as needed
The LEPC is comprised of:
- Elected state, local, and tribal officials
- Police, fire, civil defense, and public health professionals
- Environment, transportation, and hospital officials
- Facility representatives
- Representatives from community groups and the media
For more information on the meeting, please contact Orleans County Emergency Management at (585) 589-4414.