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NY suspends road construction from Wednesday to Monday morning

Posted 23 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that temporary lane closures associated with road and bridge construction projects on New York State highways will not be permitted from 6 a.m. on Wednesday to 6 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 30, in order to accommodate motorists during the busy Thanksgiving holiday travel week.

Some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs.

“The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, so starting Wednesday, the state will temporarily suspend major construction projects to reduce traffic congestion and delays,” Cuomo said. “This action puts drivers first by getting them where they need to go faster and with less aggravation this holiday weekend.”

Ensuring that more lanes remain open is in keeping with Gov. Cuomo’s Drivers First program, which prioritizes the convenience of motorists to minimize traffic congestion and travel delays due to road and bridge work.

AAA predicts that nearly 47 million people will travel more than 50 miles from home from Wednesday through Sunday. That number is up slightly from last year, spurred in part by lower gas prices this season.

“The people of New York State need to be able to visit with their families and friends this holiday season without worrying about travel delays from road construction,” said New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Matthew J. Driscoll. “We encourage all travelers to check 511NY before traveling and join with Governor Cuomo is wishing all New Yorkers a Happy Thanksgiving.”

There will be slight variations for certain Thruway projects based on previous traffic volume. A detailed schedule of Thruway lane closures throughout the holiday weekend is available by clicking here.

4 sentenced to state prison for crimes in Orleans County

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 November 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Four people were sentenced to state prison by Orleans County Court Judge James Punch today with a Niagara Falls man getting the longest sentence.

Robert Wright, 23, of Niagara Falls was sentenced to 7 years in prison. Wright faced charges of first-degree burglary, criminal possession of a firearm, petty larceny and criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree for alleged crimes that occurred in Medina on June 16.

He went to trial and was found guilty. He apologized for the crimes and to the victims today in court.

Wright is a second-felony offender with a previous conviction in Genesee County on March 25, 2010.

Punch said Wright is “a very dangerous person” and the latest felony “is a very serious crime” that the judge considered a home invasion. He said Wright has not taken responsibility for the crime “in a meaningful way.”

In addition to the state prison sentence, Wright will have five years of post-release supervision. Punch also issued two orders of protection for the victims in the crime.

In other cases today, Judge Punch sentenced the following:

A Medina man was sentenced to 5 years in state prison for attempted burglary in the second degree.

Joey Johnson, 28, of South Avenue admitted in a previous court appearance to breaking into the home of an elderly Albion couple and stealing some of their possessions, including a safe with $10,000.

The charge, a Class E violent felony, normally carries a maximum sentence of 2 to 7 years in state prison. As part of a plea deal, Johnson was to face no more 5 years in state prison. Punch gave him the maximum as part of the plea.

A Hamlin man was sentenced to 4 years in state prison. Joel E. Johnson, 31, admitted he sold cocaine in Monroe County and Holley in transactions arranged with a confidential informant in Orleans County.

He pleaded guilty to attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, a charge that normally carries a sentence up to 5 1/2 years in state prison.

Johnson’s attorney Nathan Pace said Johnson completed probation successfully 11 years ago when he was 20 and had been out of trouble since then, working full-time. However, Johnson lost his job and “acted out of circumstances” in selling drugs, Pace said.

Punch said for probation to be successful it has to have a long-lasting effect.

“It looks to me like you’re a pretty significant seller of hard drugs in Orleans County,” Punch said during sentencing. “You’re completely self-centered and you’ve profited from selling this poison in our community.”

An Albion man was sentenced to 1 ½ years in prison for third-degree criminal sale of marijuana.

Charles A. Santiago, 27, of 214 North Main St. previously admitted to selling marijuana in excess of 25 grams on May 28. He is a first-time felony offender.

Santiago has been on probation three times. Punch said prison was needed.

“At some point you didn’t reach a turning point while on probation,” the judge said. “You’ve been given chances over and over again and you never took a chance to get straightened out.”

Snowy Owls have returned

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos courtesy of Ben Jones

CARLTON – Ben Jones of Kendall sighted a Snowy Owl standing on the edge of Sawyer Road in Carlton Saturday evening. Jones had his phone camera and used it to get these pictures at night.

“It was pitch dark and couldn’t get too close before he’d fly off again,” Jones said.

The Snowy Owls have been a popular phenomenon in this area the past two winters with sightings all over Western New York.

The owl has a wingspan of five feet. It nests in the Arctic tundra and usually winters south through Canada.

4 Lego teams from Orleans put smarts and creativity on display

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

BUFFALO – Bryce Wilson, left, and Wesley Parker react after the Lego robot they helped create performed a task during Saturday’s qualifying tournament at the Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School.

Bryce and Wesley are members of the “Battery Boys” team from the Orleans County 4-H program. Orleans County sent four teams to the competition. In addition to having to build and program a Lego robot, teams had to research an issue with recycling and propose a solution for helping the environment.

The Battery Boys created collection boxes for used batteries which they said could be placed at sites in the community.

The “Three Musketeers” receive instructions from a judge during Saturday’s competition. The Musketeers include, from left: Zachary Grinnell, Nate Scott Avery and Nick Burke.

The Musketeers for their project researched used eye glasses and thought of ways to have more reused.

Zachary Neal of Albion is a member of the KOWZ (Kids Only Work Zone) team. His hat has buttons from other teams he has met in the past three years.

The KOWZ team gets its robot ready to compete at a table with obstacles and challenges. The teams have 2 1/2 minutes to complete as many tasks as possible. Only two members of the team should be at the table, and members can swap out during the competition.

The teams started meeting in September to design and program their robot, using different attachments for tasks.

They also had to create a display board and research a recycling topic. KOWZ researched ways to recycle sneakers. Some sneakers are ground up with those pieces used at playgrounds and on playing fields.

The Robo Foam team watches its robot complete a task. Team members include, from left: Jacob Foote, Isaac Becker (in back), Reuben Rivers, James Michael Beach, Cole Moyle and Jaiden Farrell.

The Robo Foam team for its project suggested ways to reduce the use of Styrofoam and also made a Syro-Shredder that turns Styrofoam cups into packing peanuts.

The four teams from Orleans County are part of the 4-H program led by Marlene and Erik Seielstad of Albion. About 25 kids were in the program from Orleans County.

There were about 170 students participating in the competition on Saturday from about 20 teams. Four teams advanced to a regional competition next month at the University of Rochester. None of the Orleans County teams were able to get past the qualifying round.

Many of the teams put together colorful outfits for the competition.

High winds tonight, possible snow Monday, Tuesday

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – These pictures of leaves are from my yard following an overnight frost last week.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a high wind warning for Orleans, Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Wyoming and Monroe counties from 10 p.m. until 7 a.m. on Sunday. Southwest winds will be 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts up to 60 mph, according to the Weather Service.

The forecast also shows the chance for snow on Monday and Tuesday. However, it will warm up for the Thanksgiving holiday with a high of 49 on Wednesday and 56 on Thursday.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued Lake Effect Snow warnings, through Monday morning, for Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Oswego, Jefferson and Lewis counties.

The forecast calls for up to six to twelve inches of snow in Chautauqua County and eastern Lake Ontario region. While heavier snow amounts will be confined to the Chautauqua Ridge and Tug Hill Plateau, localized bands of heavy snow will make driving conditions dangerous due to slick roads and low visibility, the governor’s office said in a news release today.

“With snow and strong winds on the horizon for parts of the state, I am urging New Yorkers to be prepared and stay safe,” Governor Cuomo said in a statement today. “We are actively monitoring these storms, but New Yorkers should also take appropriate precautions now, especially if they will be traveling. Roads may become hazardous, and I strongly encourage everyone to take their time and drive responsibly.”

Local homeschoolers send care packages to needy children

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Students and the LIFE LEAH homeschool co-operative packed shoeboxes for needy children in association with Operation Christmas Child, an international campaign to help those in need.

The top photo shows Hannah Holcomb, 14, of Brockport and Eli Sugar, 14, of Albion with shoeboxes that they filled on Friday with pencils, notebooks, soap, wash clothes, stuffed animals and other items.

The home schoolers filled 20 boxes that will be sent overseas to children.

Jayden Neal, 12, of Albion fills a shoebox. He was looking for a variety of items that were spread on tables inside the Faith Alliance Church. The students also wrote a note for each of the children receiving a box.

Betsy Holcomb of Brockport helped to organize the effort, which homeschoolers have worked on for the past seven years. She is pictured with her sons, Jack (left) and Jeremiah (blue shirt).

Medina company made clocks a century ago before moving to Brockport

By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 21 November 2015 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – Taken in early 1912, this image shows the construction of the new Monitor Clock Works factory in Medina. At that time the business was located on Rock Avenue, which was later renamed to Glenwood Avenue. The company began advertising their plans to construct this new 30,000-square-foot facility in early December of 1911.

The history of the Monitor Clock Works dates back to Daniel Azro Ashley Buck, a native of Vermont who spent time as a jeweler and watchmaker in Massachusetts, then in Connecticut. It was in this area that he patented the long spring Waterbury Watch in the 1880s. Buck became well known for manufacturing small, mechanical items and received numerous patents during the 1880s and 1890s.

Buck received patents for watch parts, portable clocks, musical toys, kaleidoscopes, coin operating vending machines, and even an 1887 camera. It was the completion of the world’s smallest steam engine that earned him greater notoriety; a 150 piece engine that was built atop a gold coin. After his arrival in Medina, he became the president of the Medina Manufacturing Company, a position he held until his death on April 6, 1904.

In that year, the company became The Monitor Company and began the production of clocks and engaged in the made-to-order woodworking business. It was in 1907 that the company transitioned into the Monitor Clock Works. It is cited that the failure of the National Bank in Medina indirectly led to the eventual sale of the company to B. A. Chubbuck.

It was in October of 1913 that the Daily Journal published an article stating, “the goblins have secured one of our factories, for the Monitor Clock Works has decided to move its entire plant to Brockport” Chubbuck, along with Brockport native Frank LeVan, decided to move the company to Brockport with plans to expand their operations.

It was during this time that the company continued to engage in the manufacture of mantel and tall clocks in the Mission style for sale in Chicago and New York City, as well as through mail-order catalogs.

So it was only a short period of time after constructing this new building, located in the vicinity of the A. L. Swett Iron Works that the company removed to Brockport, effectively becoming the Brockport Clock Works. On December 18, 1913, the Brockport Republic so proudly boasted, “we consider the recent removal of the Monitor Clock Works to this place as one of our most fortunate acquisitions”

Unfortunately for the company, talk of bankruptcy began to surface as early as 1916 as Syracuse companies began to call in unpaid loans. The company involuntarily filed for bankruptcy in 1918.

This building, still in construction, was later used as a storehouse by the Swett Iron Works. In 1914 it was deemed a dangerous fire hazard and relocated 100 feet south of this location.

Dancers, singers working hard on Hometown Christmas show

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Dancers at the Gotta Dance by Miss Amy studio have been practicing for the upcoming Hometown Christmas show on Dec. 5. This group pictured is led by Gloria Lear.

There will be about 15 acts in the show, which will be the sixth annual benefit for the Nicholas Kovaleski scholarship. Nicholas fought leukemia before dying at age 15 on June 29, 2011. He was a popular student at Albion, excelling at football, swimming and tennis.

His father Jay Kovaleski said he appreciates the hard work from the participants in Hometown Christmas, which includes three shows: noon, 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The shows will be at the Holy Family Lyceum at 106 South Main St.

“They’re all doing it for a great cause,” said Mr. Kovaleski, a teacher at Albion. “No one thinks twice.”

Amy Sidari, owner of the Gotta Dance studio, works with a group practicing a jazz dance for Hometown Christmas.

The Hometown Christmas shows draw about 500 people. Proceeds from the event go to the scholarship. About $10,500 has been awarded to graduating Albion seniors. They write essays about community service and living with a purpose.

Jay and his wife Kelly and Nicholas’s siblings look over the applications for the scholarships. They are looking for students who are committed to their families and community.

“It touches us to read them,” Mr. Kovaleski said.

Nicholas’s mother Kelly and sister Michayla will both perform in the Dec. 5 show. Nicholas’s brother Matthew will be part of back stage team. The oldest Kovaleski son, Thomas, 21, is in the Army at Fort Riley in Kansas.

Mr. Kovaleski appreciates the upbeat messages in the Christmas program, and some of the fun scenes, including skits by the Boy Scouts.

Michayla Kovaleski performs as the Sugar Plum in a dance from The Nutcracker during last year’s Hometown Christmas.

“Nicholas would want people to come and enjoy themselves,” Kovaleski said.

He appreciates the community’s generosity to the scholarship fund and the all of the effort in putting on Hometown Christmas.

“Christmas comes from the heart, and everyone has their heart in this,” he said.

Sidari said she welcomes donations of baskets and cookies for the benefit. For more information about the show, click here to see the Miss Amy website.

Medina teachers participate in annual Helpful Harvest

Posted 20 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photos

MEDINA – Oak Orchard Elementary School teachers helped gather food for their Helpful Harvest donations. The group includes, from left: Katie Ames, Natalie Scott, Roberta Culver, Sue Anderson, Sue Lehman, Judy Jennings, Wendi Fuller, Barb Merritt, Allison Harmon, Tammy VanDeGenachte, Andrea Roland, Sandy Southworth, Julie Granchelli, Liz Allis, Paula Kwandrans, Debbie Congelli, Tracey Fike, Tricia Stacey, Andrea Lonnen, Nicole Miller and Nicole Goyette.

Members of the Medina Teachers Association held the Helpful Harvest food drive from Nov. 1 through Nov. 13. Teachers filled grocery bags donated by Tops Markets in Medina. The drive completed with more than100 bags of food being donated to the local food pantry.

These teachers pictured below also helped with the drive.

Churches, community provide Thanksgiving food for 141 families and counting in Medina

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Ruth Verrantti of Gasport helps unload a truck full of food that will be given to Medina families on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.

Medina area churches, businesses, organizations and residents all donated enough food for 141 families for Thanksgiving. The food will be shared with the families at 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church, 203 West Center St.

Cindy Curtin has been coordinator of the effort the past 11 years. It has been growing in recent years, up from 128 families last year. Most of the families are connected to the effort by word of mouth.

Curtin and her husband John gather the food with the help of many volunteers over about six weeks. They keep most of it in their garage on Slade Road. Today volunteers showed up to move the food to the Baptist Church.

Tim Verrantti of Gasport helps move the food from the Curtin garage this afternoon. Verrantti and his wife Ruth are in a small group ministry with the Curtins.

The Veranttis attend church at the Chapel at CrossPoint in Getzville. The Curtins go to church at Community Fellowship in Johnson Creek.

Cindy and John Curtin read Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Church, 11 years ago and decided to push for the Thanksgiving food effort for local families.

“This has grown into such a wonderful thing,” she said.

John Curtin carries in cans of green beans. He and his wife help lead the Thanksgiving food ministry. Families with three or more people get an assortment of food, including a turkey while others with one or two people in the household will receive chicken and other food.

Cindy Curtin said other families struggling to provide Thanksgiving can reach out to a Medina church and she would try to make sure there is food for them on the big holiday this Thursday.

Christian Hahn, a local Boy Scout who also attends First Baptist Church, helps get the food out of boxes and on to tables at the Baptist Church.