By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 August 2015 at 3:15 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KENDALL – An early morning fire at a lakefront house in Kendall destroyed the home owned by MaryAnne Wedow.
The top photo shows fire from the attic. Fire officials said an investigation will continue into the cause of the fire at 16003 Lomond Shore West. No one was injured in the blaze.
Firefighters were dispatched at 12:33 a.m. for a house fire.
Two firefighters are up on the roof, trying to ventilate the smoke from inside.
The fire was smoky on the narrow road where houses are close together.
Firefighters work on the exterior of the house. Some of the walls were cut open to let out smoke and make it easier to put out the fire inside.
Firefighters head to the roof, including one firefighter with a chainsaw to help ventilate the roof.
This firefighter uses a ladder for support while cutting into the roof.
There were firefighters from Kendall, Holley, Carlton and Fancher-Hulberton-Murray at the scene.
A National Grid truck arrived about 2:15 to disconnect power from the house so there weren’t live wires on the property.
By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 23 August 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – This once beautiful mansion was erected on South Main Street by local entrepreneur Elizur Kirke Hart.
President of the Orleans County National Bank and director of the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge Company, Hart was well respected throughout Orleans County as a precise and decisive businessman who exuded confidence and common sense.
On July 31, 1871 Hart purchased Hemlock Island from Charles and John Walton for $100 and commenced the construction of a large and beautiful “cottage” near Alexandria Bay. The expansive structure was completed at a cost of $12,000 (over $300,000 today), measuring 84 feet long by 76 feet wide, and containing 80 rooms; hardly a “cottage” by today’s standards.
The large summer home constructed on “Hart Island” was one of the most highly desired properties in the Thousand Islands region, even more desirable than George Pullman’s nearby cottage, “Castle Rest.” Hart received numerous purchase offers on the astounding estate but consistently refused to sell.
Although he rarely considered himself a politician, Hart was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1872 as a Republican. It was during Horace Greeley’s presidential campaign for the 1872 election that Hart became a supporter of liberal ideas and a Democrat. Despite his changing of parties, he was elected in 1876 as a U.S. Representative as a Democrat in a district with an overwhelmingly large Republican majority.
Locally, Hart was respected for his efforts to bring electric lights to Albion. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Western House of Refuge for Women in Albion and served as the first president of the board of managers with that institution. A man dedicated to the continuation of education and learning, he owned one of the finest personal libraries in Western New York and was the first signer of a petition to establish a public library in Albion.
This image was taken in 1925, shortly after the death of Hart’s son Charles. At the time of Elizur’s death in 1893, he left an estate valued at $800,000 for his family equivalent to over $20 million today. In 1942 a notice appeared in the local papers stating, “everything for sale, including doors, lumber, windows, sinks, and fixtures of all kinds” Sadly, the building was razed shortly after and Albion lost a stunning local landmark.
The Hoag Library currently occupies the site of the old Hart mansion.
Photos and report courtesy of Howard Owens, The Batavian
BERGEN – Two people from Orleans County were killed in a car accident just after midnight on Sackett Road in Bergen. Police have not released the names of the people who were fatally injured in the crash.
A trio was returning from the Livingston County Fair in a red Mini Cooper. They were eastbound on Sackett Road when the driver lost control of the vehicle. A front seat passenger, who was transported to Strong, told a deputy a deer was in the roadway.
There was also fog at the time of the accident, which occurred at an S-curve.
The driver, a male in his 30s, and a back seat passenger, in her 20s, sustained fatal injuries, The Batavian reported (click here). The driver was wearing a seatbelt, the back seat passenger was not. The front seat passenger, also in his 30s, was wearing his seat belt.
The vehicle crossed the center line and traveled in a straight path for some distance before exiting the roadway on the south shoulder just before a ravine. At that point, it appears the vehicle flipped and struck a tree. All three occupants were from Orleans County.
Primary family notifications are complete, though the names of the victims have not yet been released.
BERGEN – The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department has identified two people from Orleans County who were killed in a late-night crash on Sackett Road in Bergen.
Dylan Starkweather, 22, of South Fancher Road in Holley was driving a 2005 Mini Cooper that left the road and struck a tree as it was heading westbound on Sackett Road around 12:45 a.m. Sunday.
Starkweather and his rear seat passenger, Tracy Manchester, were pronounced dead at the scene. Manchester, 31, is from Lomond Shore in Kendall.
A front seat passenger, Joshua Deyager, 23, of Jerico Road in Bergen was transported to Strong by the Bergen Fire ambulance.
The crash is being investigated by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Matthew Mooney gave the premier performance of a musical review, “Buffalo to Broadway,” featuring popular songs from many of the musicals he has performed in over the past two decades.
Mooney, a member of Albion’s Class of 1993, debuted his new show on Saturday at The Cabaret at Studio B in Albion.
Mooney, a tenor, sang show-stopping numbers from Les Miserables, My Fair Lady, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Carousel, Little Shop of Horrors, Godspell, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Into the Woods, Pippin, Wicked, Spring Awakening, The Sound of Music and other shows.
After graduating from Albion, Mooney earned a degree in theater and liberal arts from Nazareth College in Rochester. Then he followed his dream to New York City and worked in theater for four years in The Big Apple.
He has been a star in the Buffalo theater scene for several years has helped start a new theater company, Buffalo Chrysalis Theater Company, a year ago.
Mooney said he was fortunate to grow up in Albion, which has a strong theater program in the school district.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – It may have been a grueling event, running 10 miles on a hot summer day, but participants and the crowd along the course for the inaugural Metro 10 in Albion had a great time on Saturday, showing smiles and not grimaces.
The top photo shows runners after they completed their part of a relay. They are at the 5-mile mark.
Cheyanna Eagle, left, and Angela Tarricone sing the National Anthem. The two are members of the select chorus at Albion High School. Another student, Zach Shaffer, also sang the anthem. They were directed by Gary Simboli.
Orville Preston, a veteran from Albion, holds the flag while race directors Brian Krieger, center, and Thom Jennings observe a respectful silence. The two race directors then welcomed the runners to Albion and Orleans County.
The Albion Running Club put on the event, which pitted runners from Rochester vs. Buffalo for the Metro 10 Cup and bragging rights over which area is the better running community. Rochester took the title this year.
Jason McElwain, better known as “J-Mac,” is at the starting line with other runners on Route 31 near the front of the CRFS parking lot. J-Mac of Rochester was fifth overall with a time of 1:02. He first earned fame about a decade ago when he scored 20 points in the closing minutes for Greece Athena in a high school baskeball game. He is a highly functioning autistic amateur athlete who has run the Boston Marathon in under 3 hours.
Debbie Restivo of Albion is out on Main Street with a cow bell, cheering on the runners.
Jacki Mowers-Sciarabba, a client advocate and Just Friends coordinator for the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, has water ready for runners at the Mile 2 mark. The Ministry of Concern had many volunteers handing out water.
Girl Scouts have water and wet towels for runners at the Mile 6 mark. The Girl Scouts won $300 for the best water stop.
Members of the Albion Cross Country team were enthusiastic at Mile 9, trying to give the runners a boost with a mile to go.
Jose Quiros of Medina snaps a photo of a friend finishing the race at Bullard Park.
Pam Allen of Albion is dressed as a clown near the finish line. She was helping to promote a Vacation Bible School this week at the Albion Free Methodist Church.
Evan Steier and his father John of Albion were a team in the relay, which Evan running the first 5 miles and John completing the second leg of the course. (Evan actually kept running and finished the entire course.) They both ran for Buffalo. They are pictured in Bullard Park for the post-race party.
Up2Somethin’ , a popular party band from Rochester, entertains at Bullard. The seven-piece band includes Rickey Ellis on bass and vocals at right, and lead singer Evyn Grassl.
Schwenk’s Wine Cellars in Kent was one of four Orleans County wineries offering wine-tastings at the post-race celebration. Leonard Oakes Estate Winery in Medina, 810 Meadworks in Medina, and Salamaca Estate Winery in Murray also were at the event.
Runners were given a commemorative wine glass with the Metro 10 logo.
Jim Salmon of Barre, a radio host for WHAM 1180 in Rochester, gets ready to announce the winning running community: Rochester.
Some Rochester runners hold the Metro 10 Cup after Rochester was announced as the winning team for 2015. Matt Kistner of Albion, second from right, created the cup. He is a metal artist and welder. Thom Jennings, right, served as honorary captain for Rochester as well as co-race director.
ALBION – Runners from Rochester claimed the first Metro 10 Cup today in a first-of-its kind race in Albion, which pitted runners from the two metro areas.
There were close to 400 runners in the 10-mile race. The top photo shows a pack of runners on Main Street passing by Burger King. The course took runners through historic downtown Albion, a fruit orchard at Watt Farms, country roads, the canal towpath, and ended with stretch on Route 31 before the finish at Bullard Park.
Omar Boulama was the first man to finish in a time of 52:20, a 5:14-mile pace. He ran for the Rochester team, and his first place finish earned Rochester an extra 100 points.
Runners head north on Route 98 in Albion today just after 10 a.m. in the inaugural Metro 10 race.
Albion native Trisha Byler was the second woman to finish overall with a time of 1:03:54, a per mile pace of 6:23. She ran for the Rochester team.
Omar Boulama is out in front as he heads north on Main Street.
Chad Byler, Trisha’s husband, was the second man to finish with a time of 57:37. He ran for Rochester.
Runners make their way through historic downtown Albion.
Hannah Davidson was the first woman to finish with a time of 59:38, which was the third fastest time on the day of all runners, male or female. She ran for the Rochester team.
The runners head north across the Main Street lift bridge.
Dan Courtney, a principal at Holley Jr.-Sr. High School, was the third man to finish with a time of 59:52. He ran for the Rochester team.
A group goes along the canal with the Densmore Road bridge in the background. The runners are at the 8-mile mark, which includes a water stop.
Orleans Hub will have more on the Metro 10 and the post-race party at Bullard Park.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Runners take off at the start of today’s Metro 10 race in Albion. This spot is on Route 31 near the CRFS parking lot. There were about 400 runners in Albion today.
Runners liked the course that went through historic downtown Albion, north to Watt Farms, through an apple orchard, and then a series of country roads, passing corn fields, tractors and more apple trees.
The 10-mile course turned to the canal towpath off Densmore Road, and included a final stretch on pavement at Butts Road and Route 31 before the finish at Bullard Park.
Runners pass by the First Presbyterian Church, part of the historic Courthouse Square.
Omar Boulama, 21, of Rochester was the first overall finisher with a time of 52:20. Boulama said he enjoyed the course with the change in terrain and the varied scenery.
“It wasn’t boring,” he said.
These runners cross over the Main Street lift bridge. The Metro 10 is the first-of-its-kind race where runners ran for either Rochester or Buffalo. When the points were tallied, Rochester claimed the first Metro 10 cup.
“I loved the race,” said Albion native Heather Snyder, who now lives in Columbia, Maryland. “It was great to see the two cities come together for the love of running.”
A pack of runners heads up a hill on Route 98, nearing Bacon Road.
“There was a lot of nice scenery, said 26-year-old Jason McElwain of Rochester. He was fifth overall with a time of 1:02. “J-Mac” first earned fame about a decade ago when he scored 20 points in the closing minutes for Greece Athena. He is a highly functioning autistic amateur athlete who has run the Boston Marathon in under 3 hours.
Watt Farms parked its orchard train by the course.
Runners commented they enjoyed the run through the orchard at Watt Farms, which took them by a pond with lots of waterfowl.
Mike Neidert of Albion runs through a sprinkler set up by the Boy Scouts on Densmore Street.
Margy Brown of Waterport enjoys being sprayed with water at the 6-mile mark, a water stop run by the Girl Scouts. The Girl Scouts also had wet towels and earned a $300 award for the best water stop.
Runners pass by corn fields on Zig-Zag Road.
“I love the small towns and going by the farms,” said Hannah Davidson of Saratoga, the top overall female finisher with a time of 59:38. “For a first time event, this was very well put on.”
A member of the Orleans County Clay Crushers has water ready for runners at the 8-mile mark on the canal towpath.
Kirsten Struble, a member of the Albion Cross Country team, and her teammates were enthusiastic boosters at Mile 9 in today’s Metro 10 race in Albion, a 10-mile trek on foot where runners squared off from Rochester versus Buffalo.
The cross country team also manned a water stop at the ninth mile on Butts Road.
The finish line is set up in Bullard Park.
Each finisher received one of these medals.
Rochester claimed the Metro 10 Cup and many of the runners posed for photos with the trophy afterwards, including this group, from left: Jared Ziegler, Ron Ziegler and Ed Martin.
Fleet Feet employees, Jim Marchetti (left) and Kraig Connor, carry the trophy to the Fleet Feet van. The trophy will spend much of the next year in Fleet Feet’s Rochester stores.
“This was a very good first-time event,” Marchetti said. “They have a great base to build on.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The first-ever memorial motorcyle ride to benefit a memorial scholarship for Jason Johnston took 63 bikers on a 124-mile trip today. Jason’s father, Brad Johnston, was among the riders on the dice run.
The ride started in Albion and went through four counties before concluding at the Elks Club on West State Street, where the Dirty White Boys played a rock concert, and bikers and other community members enjoyed food, and bid on raffle baskets.
There were about 50 items in the raffle at the Elks Club grounds.
The Albion Elks Riders took the lead in organizing the benefit for the Johnston scholarship.
Specialist Jason Johnston was 24 when he was killed in Afghanistan in the War on Terror on Dec. 26, 2009. Johnston was on his second deployment. He was also a paratrooper.
He completed a 13-month-deployment in 2008 and left again for the war-torn country in October 2009. He was killed by a roadside bomb the day after Christmas.
Many of Johnston’s medals and awards were on display during today’s benefit, which was expected to raise more than $1,000 for the scholarship fund.
“He was a local person who served in Afghanistan and died for our country,” said MIke Reigle, president of the Albion Elks Riders.
The group would like to make the ride an annual event on the third Saturday in August.
The American Legion gives out the $1,000 scholarship. Johnston’s family helps pick the winner, who writes an essay on the “Golden Rule,” of treating others as you want to be treated. Johnston’s family looks for a student who is pursuing a career in a service profession, such as nursing or law enforcement, his mother Jenny Johnston said.
Albion Elks Club members Bill Starken, left, and Marv Christ cooked hot dogs and hamburgers.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Albion firefighters and COVA personnel are on scene of a serious car accident this afternoon at the intersection of Gaines Basin Road and Albion-Eagle Harbor Road.
Press Release
Sheriff Scott Hess
ALBION – Four people including a toddler are hospitalized following a 2-car crash this afternoon on the Albion-Gaines town line.
The incident occurred at about 3:40 p.m., at the intersection of Gaines Basin Road and Albion-Eagle Harbor Road.
A 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt was travelling north on Gaines Basin Road and failed to stop for the stop sign at Albion-Eagle Harbor Rd. The Cobalt entered the intersection and collided with a westbound 2008 Honda Civic.
The driver of the Cobalt is identified as Shanque K. Collins, 23, of Rochester. She was flown by Mercy Flight helicopter to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.
A front seat passenger in her car is identified as Tiajah Shari Lewis, 22, of Rochester. She had to be extricated from the car by Albion firefighters.
Collins’ 3-year-old son was a back-seat passenger in the vehicle. Both the boy and Lewis were transported to Strong by Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance. At the time of the collision, the toddler was riding in a car seat. However neither he nor the seat were properly secured.
The driver (sole occupant) of the Civic is identified as Trudy M. Arnett, 40, of Newfane in Niagara County. She was transported to Medina Memorial Hospital by Medina Fire Department Ambulance.
The incident was investigated by Deputy D.J. Pahuta, with assistance from Deputies K.J. Colonna, B.M. Larkin and T.N. Tooley. Trooper K.L. Bentley of the Albion barracks also assisted. Charge(s) against Collins, including Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the 2nd Degree, are pending her recovery.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 August 2015 at 4:55 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Four people have been taken to the hospital following a two-car accident at one of Albion’s most dangerous intersections.
The accident happened about 3:40 p.m. at the Gaines Basin Road and Albion-Eagle Harbor Road intersection, the scene of fatal collisions in the past.
The passenger in one of the vehicles was trapped, and Albion firefighters needed to remove the windshield and top of the car to free the person, who was then taken by Mercy Flight helicopter.
Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance transported two people and Medina Fire Department ambulance took another. No other information is available.
After this accident, first responders were also dispatched to a two-car accident on Route 31A in Albion between Lewis and Culver roads, and an accident on Ridge Road in the Town of Murray near Ridge Mobile Estates.
MEDINA – Medina Memorial Hospital, which was recently highlighted in a report by The Buffalo News for a high rate of hospital-acquired infections, has significantly reduced those health care-associated infections, hospital officials said today.
“I am proud of our staff efforts and the very significant 71.4 percent decrease in infections,” said Wendy Jacobson, President/CEO of Orleans Community Health, parent organization of Medina Memorial. “We work diligently every day to provide the best possible patient experience in all aspects of their stay with us.”
A national ranking by Consumer Reports of acquired infections at hospitals put Medina Memorial Hospital far below average in preventing five infections, based on data from October 2013 through September 2014.
The Buffalo News reported on that data, and said Medina’s infection rate was the highest of 13 hospitals in Western New York.
The data generated an intensive performance improvement review to identify the source of the high numbers, Medina Memorial officials said.
One key finding was that patients entering the hospital with an existing infection did not have blood tests ordered on the day of admission but on the second or third day. This resulted in the infections being reported as a hospital acquired infections, even though they were not, Medina Memorial said in a news release today.
The hospital’s infection control protocol was reviewed. This includes the use of standardized protocols, performing blood cultures on admission to identify and begin treatment of exiting infections, following correct hand-washing procedures, cleaning of equipment such as blood pressure cuffs etc. between patients, the types of disinfectant being used, staff and patient education, and ongoing monitoring.
“We have taken an aggressive approach to infection control,” says Karrie Mikits, registered nurse and infection control manager. “It has resulted in a very significant 71.4 percent decrease in hospital acquired infections. We changed our approach to doing blood cultures on admission, changed to a more effective type of disinfectant being used to clean equipment, improved communication with staff and physicians, and increased staff education and accountability. I also communicate with the wonderful staff at the Orleans County Health Department as needed.”
File photo by Tom Rivers – Congressman Chris Collins, right, visits with Captain Jonathan Higgins at the Medina Fire Department on May 8. Collins announced today the department will receive $77,837 for equipment.
MEDINA – The Medina Fire Department has been approved for a $77,837 grant for new fire hoses, nozzles and a thermal imaging camera.
Congressman Chris Collins (R-Clarence) announced the funding for Medina, as well as a $160,000 grant for the Naples Fire Department. The grants were allocated through the Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, which is designed to help first responders improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types.
“Providing the necessary funding for our first responders is an excellent and prudent use of federal money,” Collins said. “Our local heroes need the proper resources to do their jobs and protect our communities. Many small fire companies and emergency medical service providers are unable to purchase necessary equipment upgrades due to financial limitations.”
Collins said the funds will help “create more efficient and effective first responders.”
Medina will replace hoses and nozzles that are 25 years old, said Jonathan Higgins, a captain with the department.
“The fire department will add a thermal imaging camera on our first due fire engine that could be used to locate trapped victims or firefighters in structure fire and has a multitude of uses in the fire service,” Higgins said. “This equipment will enhance our ability to provide better protection to the residents in our community as well as the surrounding towns and villages. The Village of Medina Fire Department would like to thank Congressman Chris Collins for his assistance in securing this grant for our community and our fire department.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – The east side of Bullard Park has tents, picnic tables and the home stretch ready for Saturday’s Metro 10 race that starts at 10 a.m. A party with bands, food and wine-tastings will follow at Bullard Park.
ALBION – The inaugural Metro 10 race to determine whether Rochester or Buffalo has the best running community includes a formula with four categories to determine the winner.
Race directors Brian Krieger and Thom Jennings brainstormed the 10-mile race, pitting runners in the two metro areas. The winning city will get a trophy cup and bragging rights for a year.
The race directors have a formula so every finisher scores points for their team – either Rochester or Buffalo. That way it’s not just the elite runners that count for points.
This sign will post updates on the average finishing time for each city until the race concludes at 1 p.m.
The formula includes the average overall team time for each city. Slower runners needn’t worry that they will hurt their team by running. Because participation points count more than average time. The team with the most runners scores the most participation points in the second category.
There are 10,000 total points up for grabs, and the fastest man and fastest woman will score 100 points for their city.
There will also be age group points for 19 and under, and then age groups in five-year increments up to age 80. The top 20 finishers in each age group will score points for their city with the age group category.
The data will all be tabulated to determine the winning city, and keeper of the Metro 10 Cup until next year’s race.
Contributed Story Posted 20 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos courtesy of Hoag Library
ALBION – Hoag Library hosted a program on Wednesday with the Buffalo Zoomobile. This year the Buffalo Zoo sent Outreach Program Specialist Robin Sanecki and volunteer docent Betsy Walls.
In the top photo, Walls explains to the children how some birds can’t fly because of their feathers. The Zoomobile showed several feathers, animal skeletons, an anaconda skin, an alligator skull and pelts.
These Brazilian cockroaches were kept in their container while Sanecki explained that they help keep places clean by eating rotten food and other waste materials, which would otherwise risk building up and polluting an environment.
Sanecki brought five animals with her to represent a broad spectrum of the animal kingdom, including mammals, birds, arthropods, and more. A rabbit, a tortoise, cockroaches, a toad and a parrot were all presented to the audience. At the end of the program, everyone was given the opportunity to touch the rabbit and the tortoise.
A young boy at the program gets up close with a rabbit.
The program drew a crowd of over 100 people during the three sessions. The morning sessions were open to very young kids and their parents to hear an animal story, then get a close look at the animals.
The afternoon session was open to anyone in the public and featured more animal education, such as species classification and how animals survive in their habitats.
Sanecki holds Abraham the toad. The children laughed when he came out and performed his two defense mechanisms: urinating and puffing up. Sanecki explains that is how frogs and toads try to get you to leave them where they live.
