By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – These deer were out on Wednesday evening along West Countyhouse Road in Albion.
The weather looks nice for the July 4th weekend.
Today it is forecast to be mostly sunny with a high of 72, followed by a sunny day with a high of 75 on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
On July 4th, there will be a high of 77 with a chance for rain between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., according to the Weather Service. It will be mostly clear at night when it’s time for fireworks. (Lyndonville is hosting a fireworks show at 10 p.m.)
On Sunday it will reach 78 degrees and it will be sunny. (Albion will have fireworks from Bullard Park that night.)
Here’s is another picture of one of the deer in Albion.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Two people walk along the Erie Canal in Medina in this photo from last July.
As the Erie Canal approaches its bicentennial, the New York State Canal Corporation is inviting New Yorkers to share their ideas for the future of the Canal system, by completing a survey (click here).
Public input will play a central role in updating the Canal Recreationway Plan, a long-term framework for development of recreational opportunities throughout the Canal system, said Brian U. Stratton, director of the New York State Canal Corporation.
The plan was developed for the Canal Recreationway Commission, an advisory body to the Canal Corporation. It was initially adopted in 1995 and will be updated for the first time this year.
The New York State Canal system includes the Erie, Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga-Seneca Canals as well as the adjacent Canalway Trail. Construction on the original Erie Canal began in 1817, and was completed in 1825.
“The original Canal Recreationway Plan was a landmark document that provided a blueprint for the revitalization of the Canal system,” Stratton said. “Now, 20 years later, ‘Canal 2025’ will chart the next chapter in the history of this iconic waterway.”
Canal 2025 will summarize the accomplishments made since the Canal Recreationway Plan was completed and recommend new projects and initiatives going forward through 2025, the bicentennial of the opening of the original Erie Canal. Individuals and groups wishing to submit comments should complete the survey.
Recent studies have determined that the Canal system helps support $6.2 billion in annual economic activity, as well as $380 million in tourism-based spending. Another study recently released by Parks & Trails NY established that the Erie Canalway Trail – which parallels the Erie Canal from the Hudson River to Lake Erie – has an economic impact of approximately $253 million annually and supports 3,440 jobs in the trail corridor.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 June 2015 at 12:00 am
An occasional series off the beaten path
Photos by Tom Rivers
MURRAY – Orleans Hub has highlighted some of the dirt roads in Orleans County and we found another one recently. A section of Hindsburg Road south of Route 104 lacks pavement.
This photo shows the spot on Hindsburg Road where the pavement ends. It’s a section of the road between East Transit Church Road and West Brockville Road. This photo was taken looking south.
There aren’t very wide shoulders on this road. Wildflowers are close by, however.
The canal bridge over Hindsburg Road was built in 1911 but has been closed in recent years. I was surprised to see how much vegetation has spread and encroached on the bridge.
New York State doesn’t want anyone exploring by the old bridge.
Photo by Tom Rivers – The lift bridge in Eagle Harbor is one of 17 on the Erie Canal, and one of seven in Orleans County.
Press release
State Sen. Robert Ortt
Legislation sponsored by State Sen. Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) would close unreasonable loopholes in the canal law and hold New York State responsible for maintaining and repairing canal infrastructure before lift bridges fall into disrepair. The bill (S2658) passed in the State Senate on Tuesday.
“Under this bill, the state would be mandated to improve deteriorated lift bridges, and would no longer be able to skirt current law by simply closing the bridge,” Ortt said. “It’s absurd to think that letting infrastructure needs fall to the wayside is acceptable. Not only would this measure address safety and economic concerns, it would also hold the state accountable, close loopholes and ultimately protect our children and communities.”
Currently, the New York State Department of Transportation and the state Canal Corporation, under the direction of the Thruway Authority, are required to maintain canal lift bridges. Certain loopholes in the law, however, often result in the deterioration and closure of the bridges. As the law currently stands, the state can choose whether or not to repair a canal lift bridge as long as there is an alternate transportation route.
In addition, a rundown lift bridge may not be closed, but often times restricted to emergency and commercial vehicles, including tractor trailers, school buses, and other large trucks exceeding a certain weight limit. As a result, residents and those in the agriculture industry are forced to take alternate routes that are typically longer and end up costing more money in travel expenses.
The bill would require the state to maintain canal lift bridges, but doing so in a way that would not hinder commerce, transportation of students, or agriculture.
“Local commerce takes a hit when farmers or other small businesses can’t cross a restricted canal bridge, because of a weight limit,” Ortt said. “It’s unfair to make farmers, school buses, and tractor trailers travel 25, 30, 40 miles out of the way to get where they need to go. That, along with ignoring vital infrastructure needs, is completely unacceptable.”
Additionally, the bill would call for at least one public hearing before a lift bridge is closed.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 June 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – Before the area was hit with a series of severe thunderstorms beginning at about 1:30 p.m. today, this pair of swans were out in Lyndonville near the dam.
I saw them and promptly pulled over for a photo. They saw me and took off.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 May 2015 at 12:00 am
New playground, shore power, WiFi, dock surfaces and stairway among improvements
Photos by Tom Rivers – This staircase will be replaced as part of an improvement project at the Orleans County Marine Park in Carlton.
CARLTON – Orleans County is pushing forward with its plan for many improvements to the Marine Park on Route 98 in Carlton, a $163,000 project that will be 50 percent funded by the state.
The park will see new shore power at all 36 docks for boaters, a new stairway and walkway on the north side of the park, a new playground and new composite dock surface for the 36 docks that are either 24 to 28 feet long.
The County Legislature approved an agreement with the State Department of State on Wednesday to move forward with the project.
The county had sought a bigger project, but only had half of its request approved by the state late last year.
When final construction and improvement costs come in, the project may need to be modified.
“We didn’t get all of the money we wanted, so we had to pare some things down,” said Jim Bensley, the county’s senior planner and Marine Park manager.
The county is also planning to add shore power, WiFi, and replace the finger dock surfaces with a composite material.
Bensley expects much of the work will occur after the boating season, perhaps in the fall or next spring.
The county had sought a study to help reduce ice damage for the finger docks. That project was nixed with the smaller grant.
Each dock serves two boats, giving the park along the Oak Orchard River a capacity for 72 boats.
The park has become a popular spot with a concert series and also for people who enjoy a picnic by the pavilions. The county wants to move a playground closer to the pavilions and farther away from the concert area.
In addition to projects in the grant, the county also is planning on added wireless Internet service with WiFi for boaters and at the main office.
“We know there is a lot of interest in it,” Bensley said about WiFi.
The county on Wednesday also approved buying 117 exterior lights for the Marine Park and at Point Breeze at a cost of $21,049. National Grid will pay $8,390 towards the lights, with the county paying the other $12,659.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
POINT BREEZE – Another nice May day and the prospect of a hooking a large trout or salmon brought people to Point Breeze to go fishing and boating,although some people seemed happy just take a stroll along the pier and lakeshore.
Miranda Fuller and her husband Joel made the trip from Oakfield to try to catch a fish. They said they had had a few bites but hadn’t caught a fish by 8:30 tonight.
The Fullers said Point Breeze is one of their favorite fishing spots and they are frequent visitors.
Joel Fuller is pictured standing on a rock along the pier with the sun setting at Point Breeze.
The forecast for Friday shows a high of 74 with lots of sun, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
It will reach 86 on Saturday and then drop to a high of 61 on Sunday with an 80 percent chance of thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 27 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Cooking with the sun, erosion control, conserving electricity among the learning stations at 47th annual event
Photos by Kristina Gabalski – Orleans County Deputy Sheriff Erin Fuller discusses staying safe this summer in and around water with local 6th graders at the “Water, boats and being safe” station at this year’s Annual Orleans County Conservation Field Days.
KNOWLESVILLE – Hundreds of sixth-graders from Orleans County this week are learning about environmental, wildlife, safety and conservation issues during the 47th Annual Orleans County Conservation Field Days at the 4-H Fairgrounds.
The program ran on Tuesday and continues today. It is hosted by Orleans County 4-H youth development. Robert Batt, 4-H youth development educator, says about 450 students from Albion, Kendall, Holley, Medina and Lyndonville Central School Districts are taking part.
Batt works to organize the event which includes more than a dozen learning/activity “stations” set up around the fairgrounds and which cover such topics as erosion control tillage, composting, wildlife habitat walk, cooking with the sun, rabies, and “conserve electricity – turn off Xbox and play with a dog.”
“We are so thankful for the diversity of wonderful instructors who come to share their knowledge with the students,” Batt says.
Various professionals and volunteers, including Orleans County 4-Hers, take part in presenting topics and also highlight potential career opportunities in the areas discussed. The event additionally gives students a chance to see some of the programming that is available to them through the local 4-H program.
Nola Goodrich-Kreese of the Orleans County Health Department discusses rabies, including its symptoms and how to keep safe, with 6th graders in Mr. Englert’s class at Albion Central School on Tuesday, the first day of the Annual Conservation Field Days which continues today.
Local 6th graders prepare to test their knowledge of conservation during the “Conservation Trivia Contest” Tuesday afternoon.
Kate, a Lincoln Longwool sheep (left), and a Navajo-Churro lamb are owned by the Dreschel family of Holley. The animals are part of the Heritage Sheep station at this year’s Conservation Field Days.
Local 6th graders take part in “Conservation Relays” during the 47th Annual Orleans County Conservation Field Days. Two classes at a time faced-off in a competition that tested their knowledge of wildlife, including animal tracks.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – It’s tranquil on the Erie Canal this evening, but the National Weather Service warns of thunderstorms that could hit around 5 this morning with more thunderstorms on Wednesday night between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for western and central New York due to a chance of flooding from the storms.
“Showers and thunderstorms during the morning and midday will have the potential to produce very heavy slow moving downpours that could result in localized flooding,” the Weather Service stated. “A second round of thunderstorms Wednesday evening could contain the risk of strong to damaging wind gusts.”
Wednesday is forecast for a high of 85, followed by a high of 75 on Thursday and a high of 82 on Friday.
These photos show the canal in Albion looking west towards the Gaines Basin Road bridge. This photo was taken from a bridge on Albion-Eagle Harbor Road.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
CASTILE – Letchworth State Park, which recently was named the best state park in the country in a readers’ choice poll by USA Today, was busy on Sunday night with crowds of people drawn to see hot-air balloons.
There were about 20 of the balloons floating over the park, which is considered “The Grand Canyon of the East.”
There are about 6,000 state parks in the United States. Letchworth in Wyoming County is one of the most scenic areas in the eastern part of the United States.
“The Genesee River runs through a gorge cutting through the park, passing over three magnificent waterfalls along the way,” USA Today states. “Hikers have access to 66 miles of trail, and rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, mountain biking and hot air ballooning are also on offer.”
Most families own a pet and many consider them important family members. There are a variety of birds that people have for pets and some folks enjoy reptiles or fish or even rodents. However the most popular are cats and dogs.
There is quite a large variety of dogs to chose from depending on what you really want: a small one for a apartment, a hunter, a guard dog, a devoted companion etc. With this ownership comes a great deal of responsibility, because the animal depends on you for food, water, companionship, a place to sleep and play. There are health issues such as diseases, injuries and just general maintenance that must be addressed that can be quite expensive today.
We are also responsible for the actions of our dogs because they can cause harm to other animals or even humans, other people’s property and wildlife. No one enjoys a “gift” left in their yard by the neighbor’s dog or listening to constant barking. Most places have regulations about dog ownership such as licensing, rabies shots, annoying barking and free roaming.
Cats are very popular. They make great indoor pets because they require they less space, have their own inside bathroom and are more suited to being left alone inside while their masters are gone all day. My son has a cat for these reasons even though he would like a dog.
There is one problem with cats though or should I say with some of the folks who get cats. Cat owners have the same responsibilities as dog owners, especially the one about keeping them under control. Kittens are cute, but they grow up and oftentimes find themselves on the doorstep. Next thing you know they are abandoned by either dumping them off somewhere or just leaving them outside with no food or care.
Now free-ranging cats are necessary around the barnyard because there is a constant rodent problem. As long as there doesn’t get to be too many cats that they have to begin to look outside the farm area for food there isn’t a problem. However the folks who allow their cats to range outside other than on the farm are a problem.
A recent study has estimated BILLIONS of birds and small mammals are killed year in the U.S. by free-ranging cats. Sure they kill a lot of mice, shrews and moles, but they also nail a lot of the young of rabbits, squirrels and other small wildlife. Some will kill adult rats, but many won’t just because rats are a very tough characters.
Folks who let their cats roam are not only doing a real disservice to our wildlife, but also to their cat. First, a cat that is free-roaming has a much shorter life span because they are more susceptible to diseases. Second, coyotes and foxes make tasty snacks of them. Third, many are killed on roads because they just charge across a road and are not seen until it’s too late. Fourth, cats depositing feces in flower beds can cause serious infection problems for their neighbors. And last, eating mice that have poison in them from other people’s attempts to get rid of them will also kill the cat.
In many places feral cat (a cat that has returned to the wild or descendants of) colonies have become a serious problem. A program called Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return (TNVR) is being considered by many places now to solve this problem, but will it? It sounds good, but I’m not so sure. Maybe professional people like wildlife biologists, veterinarians and professional animal control people need to be consulted first. Maybe we should use common sense! After spending time and money trapping, neutering and vaccinating these cats we are going to release them back to where they were a problem? Rabies shots need to be updated as do other vaccinations. A new young feral cat can have a litter of kittens before it is trapped, and if it has rabies, it will be passed on to the kittens and we wouldn’t know it. And when rabies has popped up, how do we know who that cat bit or know if the rabies virus even exists in the colony before it’s too late? Many theories sound great, but turn out to not work so well in reality.
Yes feral cats are a big problem, but the real problem lies with many cat owners who are not held responsible for their cats they originally had for pets. Why not have cat licenses (more expensive for non-neutered) and requirements for vaccination and fines for free-ranging animals? You know, like with dogs! Or maybe we should just allow all pets to roam free uncontrolled and with no health requirements and let nature takes it course as many like to advocate. We manage our wildlife – why don’t we manage our out-of-control cat population?
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Doug Boyer
CARLTON – Doug Boyer sent in these photos he took of ospreys and also a bald eagle at Lake Alice. The top photo was taken on Thursday of an osprey with its catch.
This osprey was photographed about two weeks ago.
Boyer took this photo about a month ago of a bald eagle in a nest that Boyer built.
